The Mets must overhaul their rotation with an anchor outside the organization, plus a reliable innings eater to stabilize the staff around a rising group of arms. Reclamation-era fixes are out; the plan hinges on either a strategic trade or a selective free-agent pickup, with Mitch Keller surfaced as a realistic target from Pitt’s depth chart. Free-agent hesitancy persists, and the Mets will weigh Manaea, and a potential move for Zach Gallen, against internal options like Senga, McClain, and Sangha. Quick, decisive winter moves are stressed to avoid another season of bullpen-heavy innings.

Durability and depth drive the discussion: three Mets pitchers reaching 100+ innings this year contrast with the 192-inning benchmark the Astros leaned on, underscoring the need for reliable starts deep into games. The front office must balance cost, control, and ceiling as they map out a rotation that can eat innings, keep the bullpen fresh, and give the young arms a realistic path to growth next season.

Fried rode six solid frames before the bullpen, with the plan to close the chapter in the seventh when traffic mounted and a run persisted. A precise late-game pull set up the Duran- and Rafaela-driven lineup moves, then a high-leverage call to Weaver to handle the middle innings. The offense pressured but could not convert the decisive hit, leaving a fresh canvas for tomorrow as the series hinges on one swing and a few smart matchup calls.

Rafaela’s righty split against Weaver, plus the coach’s intent to mix in Williams and Bednar behind a shorter bench, framed the decision tree for the final outs. Goldschmidt and Judge provided bright spots with multi-hit at-bats, while the club leaned on Goldschmidt- and Rosario-driven rallies that just fell short. The mood: ready to come back locked in, with adjustments for the rematch and a path to the next win.

In a postseason setting, tempers stay even and plans stay sharp. The team previews tomorrow as a must-win continuation, confident in the preparation and the depth behind a potential late-inning surge. The moment demands crisp at-bats, timely bullpen usage, and the willingness to push one more hitter across the plate.