Brett Baty’s oblique injury reshapes the Mets’ late season plan as they chase a playoff spot. With Baty out, Ronny Mauricio and Luisangel Acuña get more at bats at third and infield, while Mark Vientos must anchor defense and keep power plausible. A youth-led depth push, plus Dylan Ross and Nolan McLean depth in the bullpen, heightens the stakes this weekend against Miami. Imaging will decide the path forward, with Reds and Brewers lurking in the margins.

Washington hosts New York with a five-game skid on the line. The Nationals shuffle the bottom of the order: Robert Hassell moves to center and bats fifth, Riley Adams will handle catching, Brady House returns at third, Nasim Nunez slides to second, and Cade Cavalli starts on the mound. The Mets counter with Cedric Mullins in for Jose Siri and Jeff McNeil at second as Nolan McLean, the club’s new ace with extraordinary movement, gets the ball. The game at Citi Field becomes a test: can cleaner defense and a sharper attack snap the Nats out of their funk and slow a Mets club chasing a playoff push?