The Mets opened a three-game Astros Vs Mets series at Citi Field on Friday night at 7:10 p.m., and the matchup brought two very different late-season storylines together. The Astros entered with a one-game lead over the Rangers in the AL West, while the Mets were trying to finish the regular season strong as their playoff hopes drifted away.
The most notable pitching development came for Houston, where Hunter Brown returned after missing two months with a right shoulder strain. Brown was set to start the series opener after going 4-3 with a 3.73 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP in 19 starts before the injury. The right-hander’s return gives the Astros another important arm at a time when every game matters in a tight division race.
What the matchup meant
For the Astros, this series was about staying in front in the AL West and protecting a narrow edge over the Rangers. For the Mets, it was more about competing well down the stretch and building some momentum before the season runs out. Even without a direct postseason chase in front of them, the Mets still had a chance to play a role in the race by testing a team trying to hold onto first place.
Christian Scott was set to take the mound for the Mets in the opener. He entered the start after allowing three earned runs or more in each of his last four outings, so the game also offered New York a chance to get a steadier showing from the rookie right-hander.
Yordan Alvarez’s Triple Crown chase
Another major storyline was Yordan Alvarez, who came into the series batting.319 with 36 home runs and 91 RBI. That production kept him in the conversation for the American League Triple Crown, a feat not accomplished since Miguel Cabrera did it for the Tigers in 2012.
Alvarez’s numbers underscored just how complete his season had been. He had the power, he had the average, and he had the run production to make the chase real. That made every series, including Astros Vs Mets, part of the bigger picture for Houston as it tried to win games and keep its stars on track.
With Brown back, Alvarez producing and the division race still tight, the Astros had plenty on the line. The Mets, meanwhile, had a chance to spoil some of that momentum while continuing to evaluate how they finish an uneven season.
