BOSTON — The Mets had to be feeling good after winning the series opener against the Red Sox on Saturday afternoon, but the mood soured over a 24-hour span as they dropped the series with two straight clunkers.
Max Scherzer and Carlos Carrasco were both hit hard as the Mets dropped to 46-53.
With the trade deadline looming in a week, the Mets last ditch effort to prove to the front office that they should be willing to bolster this year's roster is this week against the Yankees in the Bronx and at home against the Nationals.
"It's the Subway Series, right? It's a big one. It's a big one for New York, and we want to win," Mark Canha said. "You always want to win that series. You always feel like the next series can be the one where we turn it around and that's how we keep approaching it."
Mets-Yankees trade?Is there a deal that works for both teams? Our MLB writers weigh in
The Mets and Yankees have identical 4-5 records since the All-Star break and both will be looking to gather some positive momentum at Yankee Stadium early this week. Here's what to watch for from the Mets in the Subway Series and week ahead:
Mark Canha's turn to step up
With nagging injuries to two of the Mets' starting outfielders, Mark Canha returned to a regular starting role for the Mets over the weekend against the Red Sox.
Canha had been supplanted by Tommy Pham, who mounted a surge to the top of the Mets' lineup with some of the team's best offensive numbers, including an .831 OPS. Either of those two players, who are on expiring deals, are potential trade candidates at the trade deadline.
Canha made a trio of strong plays defensively on Sunday night, throwing out Jarren Duran at home on a throw that skipped into foul territory in left field. He also caught Rafael Devers rounding too far around third base on a double by Adam Duvall and Triston Casas trying to stretch a single into a double.
But the Mets badly need his offense. In the month of July, Canha is 8-for-35 (.229), including a home run, triple, double and four RBI, with two stolen bases.
Mets at Yankees: TV info, times, probable pitchers
Tuesday, 7:05 p.m., SNY/TBS: RHP Justin Verlander (4-5, 3.47) vs. RHP Domingo German (5-6, 4.52).
Wednesday, 7:05 p.m., SNY: LHP Jose Quintana (0-1, 3.60) vs. LHP Carlos Rodon (0-3, 7.36).
Outlook: Justin Verlander put together his most dominant start of the second half last time out against the White Sox. Verlander worked eight innings with one earned run allowed on a solo home run and three total hits. Two of those hits came during the seventh inning, otherwise Verlander cruised to his fourth win of the season.
The Mets co-ace was strong in his first matchup counter the Yankees this season. He struck out six across six innings with one earned run allowed on three hits but was met with a no-decision with the Mets' lack of offense early in an extra-inning win.
Jose Quintana's Mets debut started off on rough footing against the White Sox, but the veteran showed some resolve in getting stronger as the game went along on July 20. Quintana gave up two earned run on four hits in the first two innings then settled down with two hits allowed across his final three innings of work.
Mets injury news, updates
The Mets lineup took another hit on Saturday afternoon when Luis Guillorme hobbled off the field at Fenway Park after straining his right calf on a ground ball to the right side of the infield. Guillorme was placed on the 10-day injured list between the afternoon and night game and will be out until at least August.
Tommy Pham has been dealing with tightness in his groin - an ailment that has cropped up twice in the last two weeks. He made a ninth-inning pinch-hit appearance for the first time since being removed from Thursday afternoon's game against the White Sox in the top of the fourth inning.
Starling Marte was placed on the 10-day injured list on Thursday (the designation is retroactive to July 17) as he looks to move on from migraine headaches that kept him out for the majority of the team's series against the Dodgers and White Sox. Showalter said that Marte continues to feel better and free of headaches.
Back home to face the Nationals
The Nationals did the Mets a major favor this past weekend as they pulled off a three-game sweep over the Giants in Washington, D.C.
The Giants entered the weekend tied for the top spot in the National League Wild Card picture. They exited the weekend on the East Coast at 54-46.
Meanwhile, the Nationals are 7-4 in their last four series, also grabbing two out of three from the first-place Rangers at home.
The Nationals are fifth in MLB in team batting average with a mark of .262, led by Lane Thomas, who leads the team with a .295 average, .835 OPS, 16 home runs and 54 RBI.
After losing the teams' first series in Washington, D.C., the Mets evened the score by taking two out of three in mid-May at Citi Field.
