Lastly, the group the Mets envisioned within the offseason can be on the sphere once they open the second half of the season Friday evening at Citi Area. The query is whether or not or not that group will carry out as much as the expectations of David Stearns, Carlos Mendoza and the remainder of the group’s decision-makers.
The Mets are 55-42 on the break, 0.5 video games behind the Philadelphia Phillies within the NL East and at present holding the second NL Wild Card spot, behind the Milwaukee Brewers and forward of the San Diego Padres. It’s an enviable place to be in at this level within the season, however drastic highs and lows all through June and July, it doesn’t precisely look like the Mets are about to run away with something.
Nonetheless, you need to like their possibilities. Right here’s what’s up forward for the Amazins’ the remainder of the summer season.
ROTATION RETURNERS
Left-hander Sean Manaea seemed sharp in his return to motion the day earlier than the break in Kansas Metropolis, even when he did surrender the walk-off run. Proper-hander Frankie Montas has been good, although possibly not nice, in his 4 begins this season, and if he can maintain getting swings on his splitter, he’ll proceed to have good outcomes. The most important addition is undoubtedly right-hander Kodai Senga, who was stellar in his first begin after coming off the injured checklist.
Getting extra size out of that trio can be an ongoing course of, however getting size out of Clay Holmes is one other story. The Mets have protected Holmes to keep away from overworking the reliever-turned-starter and they’ll proceed to take action. However now they’ve to guard three extra beginning pitchers as properly. A few of the relievers have began to wrestle. Ryne Stanek has had just a few dangerous outings lately, as has Reed Garrett and Huascar Brazobán.
Left-hander Brooks Raley is ready to return quickly, which supplies the Mets one other high-leverage choice. However the rotating door of relievers won’t cease spinning anytime quickly if starters are solely in a position to throw 70-80 pitches.
“It’s fun, it’s part of where we’re at roster-wise with some of the guys coming into the season at this point,” Mendoza mentioned final week. “We’re making a push the last two, two-and-a-half months here that we’ve got coming up, but we feel like we’re equipped for it.”
HOT HITTERS
It’s been feast or famine with the Mets’ bats this season, and the issues hitting with runners in scoring place haven’t gone away. Their .230 common is best than solely the Kansas Metropolis Royals, the Colorado Rockies and the Chicago White Sox. Not precisely elite firm.
“I think at times, we hit the ball hard right at people, there are times we chase, times we’re passive,” Mendoza mentioned after the Mets went 2-for-19 with runners in scoring place in a doubleheader loss in Baltimore. “As long as we continue to have productive at bats, we’re going to be in a good spot, that’s where we need to get consistent with being able to get the job done.”
The highest of the order is firing on all cylinders, particularly now that Francisco Lindor has come out of his droop. Jeff McNeil is hitting once more, although possibly not on the identical price he did in 2022, however he’s been lots productive this season and supplied energy. His .805 OPS is third on the group behind Pete Alonso and Juan Soto, and together with his defensive versatility, he turns into an enormous weapon for Mendoza to deploy in numerous conditions.
“I’m happy with it,” McNeil mentioned. “It’s a little bit different than what people are used to seeing out of me being with a high-average hitter. So pretty good OPS this year, so that’s all I’m happy about. I’m hitting for more power and want to keep it going.”
The query is whether or not the children can hit, and the way the Mets will proceed to unfold out their at-bats. Brett Baty had a sizzling month in Might, however has since cooled. Ronny Mauricio is clearly comfy across the diamond defensively, however isn’t fairly controlling the strike zone. Mark Vientos hasn’t seemed like the identical participant who hit 27 residence runs final yr, however he went into the break on a constructive word, going 7-for-22 with two doubles, a triple and three RBI on the Mets’ final street journey via Baltimore and Kansas Metropolis.
Francisco Alvarez continues to make progress in Triple-A, however he’ll nonetheless must win taking part in time again from catcher Luis Torrens. The Mets have made no ensures about calling him up following the break, however ought to the accidents to Starling Marte and Jesse Winker linger, the Mets may find yourself needing his bat.
TRADE DEADLINE
The most important space of want for the Mets is pitching assist. With the depth erased, they may very well be available in the market for a back-end starter, and so they’ll want reduction assist as properly. They’ve to determine if conserving all 4 younger infielders round is sustainable. Baty, Vientos, Mauricio and Luisangel Acuña all provide totally different strengths, however all have some obvious weaknesses as properly. If the Mets determine they aren’t comfy with their manufacturing or their protection, getting a longtime utility infielder would make sense.
THE WRIGHT STUFF
This weekend can be all about David Wright with the Mets set to retire the previous captain’s No. 5 and enshrine him into the group corridor of fame in a twin ceremony Saturday. It’s a becoming second for a participant who was so essential to profitable seasons of the Mets’ previous.
