Image via New York Mets
Everything hasn’t fallen into place just yet, but the New York Mets are making progress. That’s all that matters after the team’s underwhelming start, most notably at the plate.
One game out of the National League East lead — considering all that’s befallen this team over the first month of the season — is something to applaud. If not for the Mets’ lights-out pitching staff, this team could be lost in the divisional cellar by now.
The ineffectiveness we’ve seen from the Mets’ offense, especially in higher-leverage situations, has slowly begun to roll away. No, the Mets aren’t making the most of all their opportunities to score runs, but they’re making moves upward.
Earlier this week, the Mets 68 wRC+ with runners in scoring position placed them dead-last in baseball. Since then, New York’s increased that metric to 78 wRC+ (still 22 percent below average), moving up to 27th in the league in that regard. Baby steps…
The Washington Nationals (68 wRC+) are currently the worst team in MLB in those situations. But that will likely change, as well. It’s the natural process of this game. Ebbs and flows. Peaks and valleys. We’ve discussed this before.
A 162-game season is the epitome of a fluid situation. We’ve seen hopes rise and fall about a dozen times over the first five weeks of the season. Building off the momentum of a nice victory can go a long way if the hand is played right.
Take Wednesday’s nightcap, for example.
Production coming from unexpected places has you, me, and the rest of our blue-and-orange brethren feeling pretty darn good heading into Thursday’s series-ending matinee against the Cardinals (1:15 PM EST, SNY/WCBS 880 AM).
With Kevin Pillar (in for Brandon Nimmo, who was placed on the injured list ahead of Game 2), Jonathan Villar (playing shortstop, spelling Francisco Lindor amid an 0-for-23 hitless drought), and Tomas Nido in the lineup, the Mets cruised to a 7-2 win and changed the woebegone narrative fast.
Combined, the trio went 6-for-11 at the plate with two home runs (Nido, Villar), six runs batted in, and just one strikeout. Just like the Mets drew it up. And not a moment too late.
Without those performances — as well as an outstanding night from New York’s own Johnny Wholestaff (h/t AJ Cassavell, Padres beat writer for MLB.com for that bullpen day moniker) — the Mets could be facing a four-game sweep on Thursday.
Instead, they’re looking to split the series and head home with some fire behind them. Gotta take that for what it’s worth and build off of it. Sources of inspiration for this team are plentiful.
The starting rotation continues to shine (3.04 ERA is fifth in MLB) and this isn’t even the Mets’ true starting five. Once Carlos Carrasco joins Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman, Taijuan Walker, and David Peterson, the talent quotient of this group increases tenfold.
If Noah Syndergaard returns to form once he’s activated off the 60-day IL, this could be the best rotation in baseball. No hyperbole.
The bullpen has been tremendous, anchored by offseason addition Trevor May (1.74 ERA) and look-who’s-finally-come-around Jeurys Familia (1.13 ERA) and they’re not the only ones performing well.
Edwin Diaz, Miguel Castro, Aaron Loup, who hasn’t allowed an earned run yet this season, have done their jobs. Even Robert Gsellman (3.12 ERA) and Jacob Barnes (0.00 ERA over his last five appearances) are kicking in.
For all the guff this front office takes for some of the decisions they’ve made over the first month-plus, the depth they’ve assembled truly appears to be working out fine.
Luis Guillorme, who hasn’t stopped hitting since 2019 and can field a number of infield positions capably, could barely sniff the lineup before he hit the IL last weekend. That’s a testament to the talent here.
Pete Alonso, Michael Conforto, Jeff McNeil, Dominic Smith, Brandon Nimmo, J.D. Davis, and yes, even Francisco Lindor, will do what they’re supposed to do and lead this offense to great things.
One look around at the rest of the roster all doing their respective things should add a little fuel to that fire, too.
Luis Rojas, constantly under fire for every menial decision he makes, will also perform up to his potential. This is a guy who’s been with the Mets for 14 years, playing an integral part in the development of this specific core he’s helming.
He’s the guy for this job. I’m convinced of it. Be patient friends. Good times ahead.
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