Mets at Tigers: 5 things to watch and series predictions | Sept. 1-3

Here are five things to watch and predictions as theMets play a three-game series in Detroit against the Tigers, beginning Monday at 1:10 pm on SNY.

5 things to watch

No Skubal

The Mets catch a break by missing Tarik Skubal, the reigning AL Cy Young winner who is having another outstanding season. Without him the Tigers’ starting pitching is pretty average.

Detroit will start veteran Charlie Morton, a trade deadline pick-up who has a 4.61 ERA in five starts with the Tigers. The Mets are very familiar with him from his days with the Braves. For his career he is 7-7 with a 3.75 ERA against the Mets.

The Tigers haven’t named a starter for the second game of the series, and could do a bullpen game. Casey Mize will start the third game of the series. The right-hander is their second-best starter — 12-5 this season with a 3.95 ERA.

All eyes on Manaea

The Mets continues to hope Sean Manaea finds his form from last season, as the left-hander starts the first game of the series on Monday. In his nine appearances since his delayed start to the season (his first outing he piggybacked off Kodai Senga’s start), he is 1-2 with a 5.01 ERA, a long way from his dominance in 2024.

Most notably he is averaging fewer than five innings per start and has often started strong but fallen off dramatically by the fourth inning, as his velocity, down a bit overall from last season, has tended to dip to 90 mph in the middle innings.

The need for Manaea to find his game is heightened by Senga’s struggles of late. The Mets were counting on the two of them at the top of the rotation and obviously it hasn’t happened.

How good are the Tigers?

A.J. Hinch’s ballclub is 80-58, sporting the best record in the American League and the second best in the majors behind the Milwaukee Brewers. But since getting out of the gate quickly they have leveled off, going 21-20 in the second half of the season.

Other than Skubal’s brilliance, nothing in particular stands out about them statistically. Offensively they rank seventh in the majors in runs scored, but they’ve dropped off in the second half, as 2025 All-Stars Javier Baez and Gleyber Torres have slumped for extended periods.

The Tigers have been tough at home, 44-25 going into this series. They’ve also had a knack for hitting in the clutch — their .268 average with runners in scoring position and two outs is third best in the majors. That clutch factor likely figures into their success in close games — they’re 20-9 in one-run games.

Aug 29, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto (22) hits a two run home run during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Soto is soaring

The Mets’ offense came alive in August, hitting for big numbers and hitting in the clutch as well. Most notably Juan Soto is finally hitting when it counts most and looking like the superstar who can carry an offense.

Soto put up a 1.009 OPS in August, with 10 home runs and 22 RBI. He’s been even hotter lately: In his last seven games he’s slashing .333/.500/.708 for a 1.208 OPS with three home runs and seven RBI. For the season he now has a .900 OPS –- ninth highest in the majors. His .394 on-base percentage is third-highest.

The Sproat watch is on

The third of the Mets’ three highly-touted pitching prospects, Brandon Sproat, could well join Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong with the big league club soon.

On Sunday manager Carlos Mendozaindicated that Senga’s spot in the rotation may not be safe after another sub-par outing from the right-hander. He spoke of Senga throwing “a lot of non-competitive pitches,” said “he’s having a hard time competing in the strike zone,” and offered that “I’m pretty sure we’ll have some discussion about what’s next.”

It sounded ominous and could mean that Sproat, coming off a strong start in Syracuse on Saturday, will be called up to make a start for the Mets in Senga’s spot.

Predictions

Who will the MVP of the series be?

Juan Soto

He’s coming off an outstanding month of August, looking like he can carry the offense if necessary. And he’s finally delivering with runners in scoring position.

Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?

Nolan McLean

Why not? The rookie has been spectacular through the first three starts in the big leagues, showing off his elite spin rates with his breaking pitches and, perhaps most important, the poise and confidence that has enabled him to attack hitters without fear, as he has issued no walks in his last two starts.

Which Tigers player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?

Charlie Morton

When he’s right and he’s snapping off his big curveball with command, Morton was very tough on the Mets at times when he with with the Braves.