MLB News Outside The Confines: Not-so Amazin’ Mets

Good morning.

• With the Reds sweeping the Cubs this past weekend (maybe you heard), the Mets have fallen into a tie with the Reds for the final Wild Card spot with the Diamondbacks just one game back. The Reds hold the tiebreaker over the Mets and Arizona has the tiebreaker over both teams. Jorge Castillo reports.
• Anthony DiComo notes that the Mets’ destiny is out of their hands now.
• Matt Snyder looks at the week ahead for the Amazin’s and how they managed to fall out of a playoff spot.
• Will Sammon argues that the Mets collapse stems from their inability to capitalize on the other team’s mistakes. (The Athletic sub. req.)
• Meanwhile in the American League Central, the Guardians are now just a game back of the Tigers for the Division title. Jack Baer looks at the situation and notes that if the Guardians pass the Tigers, it would be the biggest comeback in MLB history, since Cleveland trailed Detroit by 15.5 games earlier this year.
• The Tigers have designated struggling starter Charlie Morton for assignment.
• Matt Snyder looks at the week ahead for the two teams including the big three-game series between the two on Tuesday through Thursday.
• Jeff Passan notes the current state of labor negotiations and writes that if the owners insist on a salary cap, it’s going to be a long work stoppage in 2027.
• On the positive side, the Blue Jays clinched a playoff berth. Keegan Matheson with the story.
• Adam McCalvy reports on the Brewers clinching their third-straight NL Central title.
• Corbin Carroll became the first 30-30 player in Diamondbacks history. Steve Gilbert with the story.
• Dodgers ace and future Hall-of-Famer Clayton Kershaw pitched what was probably his final game on Friday. Fabian Ardaya has all the details of the celebration of Kershaw’s career and the thoughts of his teammates and coaches. (The Athletic sub. req.)
• Kershaw gave a big thank you to Dodgers fans.
• Alden Gonzalez reports on all the players on opposing teams who want a souvenir of Kershaw’s career.
• Bill Shaikin writes that Kershaw was the heart of the Dodgers renaissance after the disaster of the Frank McCourt years.
• The Dodgers drew four million fans this season. They’re the first team to draw 4 million since the two New York teams both did it in 2008.
• James H. Williams reports that it’s possible that Kershaw pitches in the postseason.
• However, Dodgers catcher Will Smith is “doubtful” for the rest of the regular season and “up in the air” about returning for the playoffs. (The Athletic sub. req.) Fabian Ardaya has the details.
• Jay Jaffe looks at where Kershaw fits in amongst the greatest pitchers in history.
• David Schoenfield looks at how the definition of an “ace” starting pitcher has changed over the decades.
• Bob Nightengale looks back at the career of retiring Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak and his thoughts on what’s next.
• R.J. Anderson has some other general managers who could get fired next week.
• And Dayn Perry looks at the managers who could get pink-slipped at the end of the season.
• Pirates general manager Ben Cherington addressed the Bucs poor season but added that he expected to return in 2026. Alex Stumpf reports.
• Fred Zinkle believes the Braves can bounce back in 2026.
• Thomas Harrington has seven players who could turn their season around with a strong playoff performance.
• Mike Petriello has eight “under-the-radar” relievers who could come up big in the playoffs. Number one is Brad Keller.
• Angels slugger Mike Trout his his 400th career home run over the weekend, but Matt Snyder explains why Trout isn’t likely to get to 500.
• Anthony Castrovince wonders if we’ll ever see a player hit five home runs in a game. He also looks at those who have had a chance and what the odds are.
• Jayson Stark looks ahead to the weird and wacky records that could be set this week. (The Athletic sub. req.)
• Dan Szymborski looks at several players who are having year-end award-worthy seasons but will fall short with the competition this year.
• One of those players is Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, and Davy Andrews looks at how hitting the ball harder has led to a breakout season for Perdomo.
• Sad news as Rangers scout Scott Littlefield was found dead in his hotel room of a heart attack. Our sympathies go out to Littlefield’s family, friends and the Rangers organization.
• Dan Chicalski reports on how a new record for the biggest game of catch was set in honor of Yogi Berra’s 100th birthday.
• And finally, you’ve probably seen these by now, but Nationals outfielder Jacob Young made two unbelievable catches in their win over the Mets on Sunday. Jessica Camerato with the story.

Kick save and a beauty, eh?

And here’s the second catch.