Juan Soto Ties MLB History, Eyes HR Record as Mets' Playoff

Juan Soto made MLB history on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, by blasting his 267th career home run and tying Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton for the ninth-most homers ever hit before turning 28. The New York Mets left fielder achieved the milestone in a 10-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, a game where he went 2-for-5 with an RBI. Soto will play the rest of the 2026 regular season at 27 years old, giving him time to climb higher on the all-time list before his birthday on October 25.

Can Soto Climb the Historic Home Run List?

Soto's early career start is the engine behind this achievement. He debuted with the Washington Nationals in 2018 at just 19, slugging 22 homers before turning 20. MLB stats expert Sarah Langs noted the next target is Mel Ott, who hit 275 home runs before age 28. Soto's progress was slowed by the shortened 2020 season and injuries this year, but his power rate remains elite. He has played 89 games in 2026 and already has 23 home runs, nearly matching his best career pace.

Why Are Bettors Targeting Soto for a Home Run Today?

Prop bettors and analysts see a prime opportunity for Soto to add to his total on Saturday, September 5, against the San Francisco Giants. A detailed player props analysis gives him a 27% chance to homer, citing his recent batted-ball data. Over the last week, Soto has posted a massive 64.3% fly-ball rate and a 24.4% barrel rate, showing he is consistently hitting the ball hard and in the air. Giants starter Anthony Molina has allowed two homers in his last three outings, creating a favorable matchup. Soto's season stats support the hype, with a .281 average, .944 OPS, and .542 slugging percentage through 377 plate appearances.

Is Soto's $62 Million Salary Wasted on a Last-Place Team?

Juan Soto is the highest-paid player in baseball for 2026, earning a staggering $61.875 million, according to MLB present-day calculations obtained by USA TODAY Sports. That figure leads all players, ahead of Cody Bellinger and Bo Bichette. The contract highlights a stark reality for the Mets, who are certain to miss the playoffs. Of the ten highest-paid players this season, five are on teams that will not see October baseball, with Soto's Mets leading that costly group.

What Did Soto Say About the Mets' Playoff Chances?

Despite the Mets holding a 63-77 record and sitting 20 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East, Soto expressed unwavering optimism after Wednesday's win. "We're not finished yet, we're not done yet. Who knows what can happen. Finish strong…carry that into October or the next season," Soto said. Fans reacted with a mix of humor and disbelief on social media, with one quipping, "I didn't realize Juan Soto was a comedian." The Mets are 10.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot with just 22 games left, making a playoff run a monumental challenge, though not without historic precedent.

• Soto is tied with Giancarlo Stanton for 9th all-time in home runs before age 28 (267).
• He leads Major League Baseball with a $61.875 million salary for the 2026 season.
• Advanced metrics show he is in a power groove, with a 24.4% barrel rate and 64.3% fly-ball rate over the past week.
• The Mets star remains publicly optimistic about a playoff push despite the team's last-place standing and long odds.

Soto and the Mets face the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field on Saturday, September 5, with first pitch at 4:10 p.m. ET. For his career, the smooth-swinging lefty owns a .281 average and a .948 OPS across 1,185 games.