Giants and Mets Meet in a September Audition at Citi Field
Two teams well below .500 close out their weekend series at Citi Field with first pitch set for 1:40 PM ET — and while the standings offer little drama, the individual performances on the field still matter. Our model doesn't have a read on this one, so we're going straight to the tape.
Neither the Giants (59-84) nor the Mets (64-78) are playing meaningful October baseball at this point, but that doesn't make Sunday's matchup irrelevant — it makes it a proving ground. Cesar Perdomo is expected to take the mound for San Francisco, while Christian Scott is set to start for New York. Both pitchers are operating in a context where every outing is essentially an extended audition, which tends to produce unpredictable results. Approach this one with that lens.
On the Giants' side, Rafael Devers is the name to watch. His 35 home runs and 91 RBI make him the clear offensive engine for San Francisco, and a hitter with that kind of pop doesn't stop being dangerous just because his team is buried in the standings. Jung Hoo Lee's .280 average gives the Giants a legitimate contact threat at the top of the order — someone who can set the table if Devers is going to do damage. For the Mets, Juan Soto's 23 home runs keep him in the conversation as a genuine power threat, and Bo Bichette's 68 RBI signal that New York has found ways to drive in runs even through an inconsistent season. Carson Benge at .276 adds another reliable bat to a lineup that needs to manufacture something against a Giants staff that's been unpredictable.
Our model doesn't have a validated read on this game, and frankly, that's the honest answer here — two losing teams, two pitchers with limited sample sizes to project from, and a September afternoon that could go in any direction. What I will say: Devers' power against a young starter is the most compelling individual matchup on the board. If Perdomo can't establish command early, this game could get loud fast. Watch the first two innings — they'll tell you everything.