Tampa Bay Rays look to capitalize on struggling New York Mets as Freddy Peralta faces former team

Mets Fall Short of Playoffs; Rays Keep Momentum Heading Into Playoff Stage

Tampa, FL – In the final stretch of the 2024 Major League Baseball season, the New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays will face off on the road in Tampa, a matchup that could determine whether the Rays secure a playoff berth while the Mets confirm their absence from postseason contention. The Mets, currently 62‑76 and battling in the bottom tier of the National League East, will rely on left‑hander Sean Manaea to start the game. The Rays, one of the league’s most formidable squads this year, will send veteran right‑hander Freddy Peralta, whom the Mets previously traded away.

The Mets’ 62 wins and 76 losses place them well out of reach of any playoff spot, and they have posted losing records both at home and on the road. Despite a roster studded with talent – including All‑Star shortstop Francisco Lindor, outfielder Juan Soto, third baseman Bo Bichette, and first baseman Luis Robert Jr. – the club has struggled to translate individual success into a cohesive team performance. Off‑season expectations were high, yet the Mets have not found a winning rhythm, a shortfall that has frustrated fans and analysts alike.

On the mound for New York will be Sean Manaea, who has alternated between a spot in the starting rotation and the bullpen this season. In 28 appearances, 14 of which were starts, Manaea posted a 4.55 earned run average (ERA) with opponents batting .258 against him. His August was uneven: a solid start to the month saw him pitch 13 innings and allow just three earned runs across two games, but the final three outings were less successful, as he surrendered 14 earned runs over 18 innings. Tampa’s hitters have found Manaea’s offerings somewhat hittable, compiling five hits in 25 at‑bats, with Yandy Díaz and Nick Fortes each delivering two homers off him.

The Rays, meanwhile, have built a reputation for a potent offense and a pitching staff that has consistently suppressed scoring. Team batting averages sit around .260, and while they occupy the middle of the pack in total runs scored, the lineup’s power and efficiency have kept them competitive. Their pitching depth has been a critical factor, with right‑hander Freddy Peralta, acquired in a trade that sent the Mets a significant piece, emerging as a key contributor. Peralta’s season record of 6‑11 and a 5.11 ERA belied his ability to stifle the Mets’ lineup; he has held them to a .131 batting average across his starts. In his five outings for Tampa, Peralta has had two games with five or more earned runs, but the other three saw him allow three or fewer, indicating a capacity to deliver strong performances on any given night.

Both teams are confronting the same reality: the Mets’ playoff hopes have vanished, while the Rays aim to lock in a postseason berth with a win. The matchup offers the Rays a chance to affirm their status as one of the league’s best teams and to keep momentum heading into the postseason, whereas the Mets will be looking for one more victory to add to an otherwise disappointing campaign.

The game is scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m. local time in Tampa, with the Rays’ home crowd eager to support their team’s push for a playoff spot. As the final month of baseball unfolds, all eyes will be on whether Manaea can maintain his durability and whether Peralta can deliver a performance that could tip the balance in favor of Tampa Bay.