Mets vs. Rays Wednesday: lineups, TV info, and Florida stakes
The New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays meet again at 6:40 p.m. ET Wednesday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, with the Mets chasing a series win after a 6-2 loss on Tuesday. Justin Hagenman makes his 2026 debut in this mets rays rematch, while Griffin Jax starts for Tampa Bay. Watch on SNY or Audacy Mets Radio.
Key Takeaways
- The Mets lost 6-2 on Tuesday as Sean Manaea allowed five earned runs on 11 hits; Freddy Peralta held New York to one run over six innings.
- Justin Hagenman starts for the Mets in his first major league action of 2026 after recovering from a rib fracture; Griffin Jax makes his 18th start for the Rays.
- First pitch is 6:40 p.m. ET at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, with TV on SNY and radio on Audacy Mets Radio.
- New York is trying to avoid a fourth straight series loss and secure a series victory against a Rays offense that proved tough to tame.
- Oddsmakers list the Mets as +152 underdogs on DraftKings, per the New York Post.
What happened in Tuesday's Mets-Rays game?
The Mets learned how punishing Tampa Bay's lineup can be during a 6-2 defeat on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field. Sean Manaea absorbed the damage, surrendering five earned runs on 11 hits.
Freddy Peralta, facing his former team for the first time, dominated with one earned run allowed over six innings. The result left New York needing a Wednesday win to claim the series and halt a troubling stretch.
As noted in our Bizarre News & Florida Man coverage hub, Florida ballparks often deliver late-season drama—and this Gulf Coast series is no exception.
Who is starting for the Mets and Rays on Wednesday?
The Mets pushed their rotation back a day and called up Justin Hagenman for his season debut. Hagenman has been recovering from a rib fracture that sidelined him until mid-August after the injury in March.
He appeared in nine games for New York last season, including one start, posting a 0-1 record with a 4.56 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 23⅔ innings. The New York Post reported he allowed 12 runs across that sample in 2025.
Griffin Jax is lined up for his 18th start for Tampa Bay. The 31-year-old right-hander is 6-9 with a 3.63 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. Jax lost two straight starts before landing on the injured list with a pitching elbow issue; he returns to the mound Wednesday.
What are Wednesday's confirmed lineups?
Yahoo Sports published the following batting orders ahead of first pitch.
Mets: Francisco Lindor (SS), Juan Soto (DH), Bo Bichette (3B), Carson Benge (RF), Jared Young (1B), Marcus Semien (2B), A.J. Ewing (CF), Brett Baty (LF), Luis Torrens (C). SP: Justin Hagenman (RHP).
Rays: Yandy Diaz (DH), Jonathan Aranda (1B), Junior Caminero (3B), Liam Hicks (C), Chandler Simpson (LF), Victor Mesa (RF), Cedric Mullins (CF), Richie Palacios (2B), Taylor Walls (SS). SP: Griffin Jax (RHP).
How can you watch and listen to the game?
First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Television coverage is on SNY.
Radio options include Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, the Audacy App, and 92.3 HD2. For fans tracking the betting line, the Post listed the Mets at +152 on DraftKings heading into Wednesday's contest.