Manaea Fans Nine as Mets Top Rangers, But Offseason Challenges Loom
The short version
- Manaea struck out nine over six innings in the Mets' 6-3 win over Texas
- He carries a 4.67 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 144.2 innings this season
- Green said Manaea needs to regain velocity and push hard this offseason
- Manaea is under contract with the Mets through the 2027 season
Sean Manaea struck out nine over six innings in New York's 6-3 win over Texas, and manager Andy Green says the lefty must rebuild his velocity this offseason.
Mets left-hander Sean Manaea struck out nine batters across six innings on Tuesday as New York defeated the Texas Rangers 6-3. It was his second-to-last start of the 2026 season, a year in which he has posted a 4.67 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 144.2 innings in 32 games, 18 of them starts.
Manager Andy Green said Manaea struck out the side in the first inning before losing some command with walks and hit batters, then recovered to close with two perfect frames. Manaea escaped the sixth inning with three straight groundouts, drawing a celebration in the dugout after what had become a recurring trouble spot.
Manaea's fastball averaged 91.6 mph, in line with his season mark, but generated 14 swings-and-misses on 29 offers. He said his approach was to attack hitters, get ahead, and lean on sweepers with an occasional changeup and cutters for strikes.
Green, citing Chris Sale's late-career success in Atlanta, said the 34-year-old still has potential if he rebuilds his velocity into the 94-95 mph range. With young arms including Nolan McLean, Christian Scott, Zac Thornton and Jonah Tong competing for spots, Green said nothing will be handed to Manaea, who is under contract through 2027.