The New York Mets faced another crushing defeat, losing 12-1 to the Pittsburgh Pirates, marking their 13th loss in 16 games. Starting pitcher Frankie Montas struggled significantly, allowing back-to-back home runs in the first inning by Oneil Cruz and Tommy Pham, a double whammy that set the tone for the game. Despite a brief glimmer of hope with a solo home run from Luis Torrens, the Mets' offense was stagnant, with only seven hits and failure to capitalize in critical moments, going hitless with runners in scoring positions. This game capped a disastrous series for the Mets, who were outscored 30-4 over three games. With the team’s morale at an all-time low, they will have a rest day before facing the Milwaukee Brewers.

Andrew McCutchen and Bryan Reynolds showcased their power in the eighth inning, each hitting two-run doubles to propel the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 9-2 victory over the New York Mets. This marked the Pirates' second consecutive win in the series, highlighted by a six-run explosion in the eighth inning that left the struggling Mets reeling. The Mets, who have now lost 12 of their last 15 games, saw manager Carlos Mendoza ejected in the fourth for arguing balls and strikes.

The turning point came when the Pirates, leading 3-2, added to their lead with Ke'Bryan Hayes' single, followed by the critical doubles from McCutchen and Reynolds. Pittsburgh's offensive momentum continued as they also saw contributions from Hayes with an earlier RBI single, and multiple players, including Joey Bart and Nick Gonzales, recorded two hits. Meanwhile, the Mets, attempting to rally with an early lead courtesy of Francisco Lindor's double, could not capitalize and faced a double play that dampened their eighth-inning hopes.

Looking ahead, the Pirates aim for a series sweep in the upcoming match on Sunday against the Mets, who will start Frankie Montas. Meanwhile, the Pirates will send Mike Burrows to the mound, looking to continue their winning streak and capitalize on the Mets' faltering momentum.

As July approaches, MLB's action heats up with 11 games on the slate, starting with the first pitch at 1:35 p.m. EDT. Pitchers to consider for daily fantasy lineups include Ranger Suárez of the Philadelphia Phillies, who boasts an impressive 1.17 ERA over his last nine starts, facing a struggling Atlanta Braves lineup. Frankie Montas of the New York Mets is also a viable option against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who rank near the bottom in runs scored. Justin Verlander, still seeking his first win this season, may find relief facing the Chicago White Sox, a team struggling offensively.

Among the top hitting options, Christian Yelich has demonstrated solid performance with a .969 OPS in recent weeks. Tyler Soderstrom remains a budget-friendly pick, with a strong showing of 14 home runs and solid slugging against right-handers. Bargain bats include José Altuve, who’s shown potential against righties, despite recent struggles against left-handed pitching.

Consider stacking players from the Tampa Bay Rays against Dean Kremer's vulnerable pitching. Brandon Lowe, Josh Lowe, and Jonathan Aranda present a formidable trio. For a matchup against Luis Severino, the Yankees’ lineup featuring Jazz Chisholm, Cody Bellinger, and Trent Grisham could yield high returns based on Severino’s recent form. Dive into the DFS lineup optimizer for tailored recommendations to maximize your fantasy potential.

Frankie Montas made a striking debut for the Mets, pitching five scoreless innings in extreme heat, but the Mets fell to the Atlanta Braves 7-4 due to a disastrous bullpen performance. The Mets led 3-0 and Montas was in line for the win after a strong showing against the Braves' lineup. However, the bullpen, which has struggled with a 6.60 ERA recently, collapsed in the sixth inning, allowing five runs. This loss marked the Mets' tenth defeat in 11 games, with five against the Braves.

Despite the bullpen's struggles, Montas showed promise and command, striking out five batters, including Ronald Acuña Jr. twice. The Mets have averaged a mere 3.1 runs per game over their last 11 games, indicating their offensive woes coincide with their pitching problems. Fans expressed their frustration during the game, particularly during the sixth inning collapse, which has led to an ongoing losing streak that continues to haunt the Mets.

Sean Manaea's recovery from an oblique strain is facing a minor setback as the New York Mets pitcher deals with a loose body in his left elbow. Manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed that Manaea has been sidelined from throwing for 48 to 72 hours following an MRI that revealed the issue after he experienced soreness during a rehab appearance. A cortisone shot was administered to alleviate inflammation, and while the team is hopeful for his return by mid-next week, they have not ruled out the possibility of surgery after the season.

Manaea expressed relief that the injury isn't severe, calling it a 'good-case scenario,' despite acknowledging the frustration of delays. In previous rehab outings, he posted a 6.00 ERA in four starts but showed improvement in his last outing, allowing just one run in 5.1 innings. The Mets' rotation is currently short-handed with injuries to Kodai Senga and Tylor Megill, making Manaea's healthy return crucial for the team's performance.