ST. LOUIS --
FIRST PITCH: It's on!
If the New York Mets are serious about contending for the division title, it would behoove them to make some noise during a three-game series against the Washington Nationals that opens Monday in D.C.
The Mets (48-44) trail the NL East-leading-but-injury-depleted Nationals by two games.
The Amazin's have their aces lined up for the series.
Matt Harvey (8-6, 3.07 ERA) opposes left-hander Gio Gonzalez (6-4, 3.99) in Monday's 7:05 p.m. ET series opener.
Jacob deGrom pitches Tuesday and Noah Syndergaard pitches Wednesday at Nationals Park.
Read the Mets-Nats series preview here.
MONDAY'S NEWS REPORTS:
The Mets left a franchise-record-tying 25 men on base, leading to plenty of chucking of helmets in the tunnel leading to the visitors' clubhouse at Busch Stadium. They also went 1-for-26 with runners in scoring position. Yet the Mets salvaged the series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals with a 3-1 win in 18 innings on Sunday. Ruben Tejada delivered a tiebreaking sacrifice fly. Jeurys Familia suffered only his third blown save in 30 chances when he surrendered a solo homer to Kolten Wong in the 13th. Jonathon Niese tossed 7 2/3 scoreless innings. The game lasted five hours, 55 minutes. Read game recaps in the Post, Daily News, Times, Journal, Newsday, Record and at NJ.com and MLB.com.
Michael Cuddyer's balky left knee forced him to depart Sunday's game in the eighth inning. Trainers will try a different medicine on Monday in a last-ditch effort to have Cuddyer avoid the disabled list. Read more in the Post, Newsday and at NJ.com.
Anthony Recker will join the Mets on Monday in D.C. from Triple-A Las Vegas. He likely will catch Harvey since Kevin Plawecki logged all 18 innings on Sunday. Johnny Monell was demoted to the Pacific Coast League club.
SNY analyst Keith Hernandez's despair while calling Sunday's game is cataloged by Vice Sports and at NJ.com.
Bob Nightengale in USA Today writes about the value of Bartolo Colon in the clubhouse. Pitching coach Dan Warthen tells Nightengale: “I remember a game this year when Harvey was feeling a little depressed, the way he was banged around, and he's hanging his head. Bartolo goes to him and says, 'You worried about one start? You think this is the last time it will ever happen? This season is way too long.' He's such a good leader for this staff."
Travis d'Arnaud (elbow sprain) is expected to take batting practice on Monday at the Mets' complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida, as he moves closer to minor league rehab games.
The Mets are willing to use Double-A pieces such as Brandon Nimmo, Michael Fulmer and Gavin Cecchini to land a bat in a trade, Mike Puma writes in the Post.
Logan Verrett allowed three runs in five innings and Las Vegas lost at Albuquerque, 8-1. Cecchini had four hits and four RBIs as Binghamton beat Trenton, 9-4. Jeff Walters stranded two runners in scoring position in the ninth and St. Lucie held on for a 4-3 win against Charlotte. Gaby Almonte allowed one run in 6 1/3 innings in Brooklyn's 7-1 win against Vermont. Read the full minor league recap here.
Critic Phil Mushnick in the Post rails against fans buying tickets for a day game only to have it moved to nighttime to accommodate television.
From the bloggers … Faith and Fear eagerly anticipates d'Arnaud's eventual return. … Mets Report wonders if the Amazin's saved their season on Sunday.
BIRTHDAYS: No player to appear in a game for the Mets was born on this date, but Sandra Oh, Chris Cornell and Stephen Strasburg celebrate July 20 birthdays.
TWEET OF THE DAY:
I get really excited when #Mets players walk...it's nice to see baserunners
— Sam Wilbur (@samwilbur) July 19, 2015YOU'RE UP: Will the Mets win this series against the Nationals?
