What happened: MLB insider Jon Heyman posted that after watching the Mets and Padres play over the past few days, he feels safe saying the Mets are "not the worst hitting team in MLB." The remark came on the heels of the two clubs' just-completed series and reads as a wry, faint-praise assessment of New York's offense rather than a formal evaluation.

Why it matters: The comment lands amid scrutiny of both lineups: the Mets' offense has been a season-long talking point, while San Diego's bats have drawn pointed criticism for underperforming expectations. Heyman framing New York as merely "not the worst" underscores how far short of October-caliber both offenses have looked in this stretch.

What to watch: Watch whether the Mets' lineup can build on the series momentum and whether San Diego's offense responds to the mounting criticism over the coming homestand.