Sandy Alderson thinks the 2015 Mets are capable of winning 89 games. I'm going to go one win better and say 90 wins are possible; but, for this happen several things have to go right including healthy seasons from key players and a successful return of Matt Harvey. Here are 5 Keys to the Mets returning to the postseason for the first time since 2006. I also make a few predictions on how they achieve this outcome.
Pitching
Pitching is expected to carry this year’s Mets. A formidable
rotation supported by a young and talented group of bullpen arms has the
potential to be one of the top 5 pitching staffs in baseball. That’s even without
factoring in stud prospect starters like Noah Syndegaard and Steven Matz.
In this 90-win Mets world Matt Harvey comes back close enough
to 2013 form to allay any post-TJS fears. Zack Wheeler continues the maturation
he showed in the second half last season. Jacob deGrom’s sophomore season even
eclipses his ROY debut, Jon Niese’s shoulder holds up for 30 solid starts and a
combination of Bartolo Colon, Dillion Gee holds down the back end. “Thor” and
Matz excel at Vegas and pitch some crucial innings down the stretch in the
playoff drive.
Out in the bullpen Parnell comes back as an effective
closer, Familia and Meijia are a perfect 7th and 8th
bridge to the 9th, with Vic Black stepping in effectively when
needed. Josh Edgin’s left arm holds up for a heavy workload and his helped out
later by Jack Leathersich.
Knocking off the NL East competition, setting the tone
early
They play the Nats tough all season, go about .500 vs. the
Marins while dominating the Phils and Braves. The Mets end up going 45-27 record vs NL East,
aided greatly by 26-10 mark against Atlanta and Philly.
They set the pace early running off to a 13-7 record vs. division
foes in the opening weeks en route to 15-8 opening month and 1st
place in the NL East.
The Captain and Granderson rebound, Cuddyer delivers solid
ROI
This isn’t the David Wright of old, but he avoids the
DL-playing around 145 games, drives in 90 runs with 15 HRs and is hitting
around .300 heading into August. He finishes around .280 with a 5.0 WAR. Defensively,
he isn’t a Gold Glover but plays a well above average 3B. Granderson returns to
his 3.0 WAR of 2013, doesn’t hit for average but smacks 25 bombs, surprisingly steals
a dozen bases drives in 85-90 runs and doesn’t embarrass himself in the OF.
Cuddyer turns the clock back to 2007, when he was a Twin, putting up almost
identical numbers-including a WAR a little above 3.
Wilmer is far from Ozzie Smith at SS but hits well enough
for the experiment to work
Although he produces some head shaking plays in the field
and displays limited range, a relaxed Flores gets off to a torrid start at the
plate-for a time ranking among the league leaders in BA-before cooling off in
June. But as his average corrects Flores’ power increases and he ends up swatting
15 longballs, 30 doubles and plates 75 Met runs with a WAR between 2.0-2.5.
A strong finish punches their ticket to the Wild Card
The Mets make the Wild Card on the strength of a 13-7 September
record against division foes, clinching their playoff berth with a September 29th
victory behind the arm of Matt Harvey in a shutout of the Phillies. They will
host the surprise Cubs a few days later at a sold-out Citi Field.
4 comments:
We are on same wavelength, buddy. I am looking at 92 wins. For many of the same reasons. Off to church.
I think the key to success for this team lies in the ability for almost all players to avoid a career down year. They don't need all stars or offensive league leaders, but everyone has to have solid years. Grandy and Wright were perfect examples of what cannot happen this year, but it also applies to other players as well. TDA cant stink it up for half a year, Duda cannot take a big step backwards and Lagares cannot turn out to be a .240 hitter with a .280 OBP. This team is designed to not have any automatic outs in the lineup, not have 5 players who hit 20+ HR, but they have to be consistent top to bottom and avoid prolonged slumps. The good news is that almost everyone in the lineup projects to be a solid offensive player, other than the question marks about Lagares and Flores, but if those two hit decently and the rest of the lineup can produce near or above their average production, the offense wont be such a drag on the monster staff they have assembled
Anon Joe F
You left out:
Not burn through 3 pitchers to 3 consecutive batters on a regular basis
Not bench players who are hot on a regular basis in order to get players who are cold the opportunity to "get going"
Showing some passion and enthusiasm. How many times has the so-called fiery manager been tossed from a game? Earl Weaver he is not!
James Preller wrote . . .
I agree with this post. If everything goes exactly right, this team can win 90 games.
But, ah, life.
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