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          New York Mets

          Morning Briefing: Mets set for meaningful games in October

          • Adam Rubin, ESPN Staff WriterOct 1, 2015, 10:30 AM
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              Adam Rubin has covered the Mets since 2003. He's a graduate of Mepham High School on Long Island and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He joined ESPNNewYork after spending 10 years at the New York Daily News.
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          PHILADELPHIA --

          FIRST PITCH: The New York Mets are poised to play meaningful games in October for the first time in a long time.

          The playoff-bound Mets complete their regular-season road schedule on Thursday with a 12:05 p.m. ET game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The game originally was scheduled for the evening, but Major League Baseball had the teams move the game seven hours earlier to try to complete it before expected rainy weather.

          Sean Gilmartin starts for the Mets opposite Phillies right-hander Jerad Eickhoff (2-3, 3.07) at Citizens Bank Park. Steven Matz was scratched because of continued tightness in his upper back. Still, manager Terry Collins said postgame that Matz has been prescribed medication for what was diagnosed as spasms and is improving. Collins added that Matz should be able to pitch this weekend.

          Despite a loss Wednesday, the Mets maintained a one-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers for home-field advantage in their Division Series. Four games remain. The Mets have the tiebreaker by virtue of winning the season series.

          THURSDAY’S NEWS REPORTS:

          • The Mets lost Wednesday’s game to the Phillies, 7-5, but the Amazin’s dodged a bullet. X-rays of Yoenis Cespedes’ left hand revealed no fracture. Cespedes was hit by a third-inning pitch from Justin De Fratus. Cespedes was diagnosed with bruises to his middle and ring fingers and should be back in the lineup this weekend. Wilmer Flores departed the game in the fourth inning with back spasms. The Mets built a 5-0 lead thanks to a three-run homer from Daniel Murphy and two-run homer from Michael Conforto in the first inning. Bobby Parnell ultimately allowed a game-tying two-run single to Freddy Galvis in the sixth. Carlos Torres and Tyler Clippard subsequently each surrendered run-scoring wild pitches. The teams combined for 10 walks, seven wild pitches and four hit batters -- the first live-ball-era major league game ever to reach all of those thresholds, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Working for the second straight day in relief, Jonathon Niese allowed a hit to lefty-hitting Cody Asche before recording an out and departing. The Mets entered this week 14-2 against the Phillies this season. Now, the Mets have dropped the opening two games of this series. “The huge buildup we had going into Cincinnati and all of the energy used up in that series -- I know it sounds like an excuse, but it’s reality -- those guys got drained because of that,” Collins said. “We’re not seeing the same quality at-bats that we had. They need a little time to get that adrenaline back in their system.” Collins said the Mets would rest several starters on Thursday. Read recaps in the Post, Daily News, Times, Newsday, Record and at MLB.com.

          • Matz’s postseason rotation spot may be in serious jeopardy because of his back issue. As a result, Bartolo Colon could remain in the rotation for the Division Series. See an NLDS roster projection here. Read more on Matz in the Post, Daily News, Newsday and at MLB.com.

          • Tampa Bay Rays owner Stuart Sternberg remains a Mets fan and will be rooting for them in the postseason. “As a Met fan growing up and all, it’s wonderful to be here in September when things really do matter, and it’s a very exciting time to be a Met fan. And I am still, as well, even though I’ve got the Tampa Bay Rays,” Sternberg told Brian Lewis in the Post.

          • Tim Rohan in the Times discusses the role of the Mets’ team psychologist.

          • Brian Costa in the Journal outlines why the Mets can beat the Dodgers in the Division Series. Among the reasons: The Dodgers have a mediocre road record (36-44), Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke cannot log every inning, and Los Angeles is dealing with injuries to players including to Yasiel Puig (hamstring).

          • Left-handed reliever Dario Alvarez rejoined the Mets on Wednesday after a groin injury healed. He hit a batter and recorded one out in his return.

          • Michael Silverman in the Boston Herald reports that SNY’s Ron Darling is not headed to NESN, which televises Boston Red Sox games. WEEI’s Kirk Minihane had tweeted that NESN was “interested” in Darling.

          • From the bloggers … Mets Report discusses the impact of the latest injuries.

          BIRTHDAYS: Jeff Reardon turns 60. ... Chuck McElroy is 48. ... Brandon Knight is 40. ... Buzz Capra is 68. ... Wuilmer Becerra is 21.

          TWEET OF THE DAY:

          YOU’RE UP: Are you concerned about the Mets heading into the postseason not clicking on all cylinders?