Tom Brennan - RETURN OF PILLAR, PETE, AND LUGO SHOULD HELP THE METS STAY HOT

Mets' fans always love a potpourri of fill-in players for a while, but it is now time for MANY HAPPY RETURNS.

As I write this, by and large, on Monday morning, it is remarkable to consider that the Mets are 25-20 (now 26-20)  and in first place, despite 5 basic things:

At last count, 4 million trips to the Injured List.

The Law Firm of Almora, Maybin and Lee hitting 3 for 67 with 1 RBI and 33 Ks - quite an extraordinary feat.  I prefer positive hitting stuff like Don Mattingly hitting 10 HRs in 6 games sort of extraordinary stuff myself. Readers will look at the failings of the Law Firm and invariably think, "when I was younger, couldn't I have done that?"  Maybe not, but not a high bar to clear.  

But, I dunno, me, Mack, and John from Albany in our primes?  I think we could pull off 4 for 67 with two RBIs.

The twin mega free agent acquisitions of Francisco Lindor and James McCann breaking out big in game 45 after doing virtually nothing offensively in games 1 through 44. 

Keep the Clearasil away from those two, so their breakouts continue. 

Moribund hitting from Dom Smith (picked up a few last night against the D Ballers) and from Messrs. McNeil and Conforto (when they were playing before joining the injured 4 million).

Waiting until game 45 to have a game with more than 8 runs scored, with 13.  Which sounds like some sort of record to me.  Even the dreadful 1968 offense of the 1968 Mets produced 10 runs on game 28 and 9 runs on game 40.  That team, though, only got as high as 11 runs once.

What's gotten them to 26-20 and first place are five other basic things:

Great starting and pen pitching

(despite the prolonged absence of a few of the 4 million).  # 2 in ERA at 3.09.  Imagine if this team had Baltimore's 5.04 ERA instead.   Did you just shudder to think?  And 3.09 is just a number at some point - stuff like Edwin Diaz's 9 for 9 in saves has been huge.  If Edwin had been shaky, maybe the Mets are 20-25 instead.

The rest of the division has played like garbage.  Going into Monday, the 4 other teams in the Mets' division are a combined 16 games under .500. Who'd a thunk it?

Hitting poorly, but Lindor and McCann have ramped up the the Mets' defense very nicely.

The first line of offensive back ups were quality veterans and it has paid off in spades.  With some of the weak back up players the Mets chose deliberately to stock in past years to try to save a few shekels, this injury blizzard would have crushed the team.  But with quality guys like Villar, Pillar, and Peraza, who could start on some teams, they have come through admirably and prevented team implosion.  Tomas Nido has also proven to be a heck of a back up, now that he has had a chance to rack up some ABs and show he can be an offensive ASSET.  

Patrick Mazeika.   His performance has not been profuse in quantity and quality, but the timing of his heroics cannot be overstated.  I am glad he has had an extended period of collecting MLB pay.  His presence on the team as an available legit 3rd catcher also allowed the Mets to play either Nido or McCann and use the other as a pinch hitter, or use them both in the same game at catcher, or as catcher and first baseman.  

Sent down, but hope to see Mazeika and his Magic back in September, if not sooner.

The Mets, of course, have two potential headwinds: 

First, massive game cancellations leave them with 10 fewer games played than Oakland.  You wanna laugh?  Mets have played 45 games, Jed Lowrie has played 51.  Making up games will tax Mets team resources. 

Second, the offense, despite the 13 run outburst on Saturday, leaves them as 1 of just 4 teams with fewer than 200 runs scored - they are all the way down at 161 runs, in part due to having so many fewer games than the other teams.  (Another strong offensive game Monday night is heartening, but remember: Jake doesn't get to hit every day).

Which brings in the return of three injured players:

Superman - also known as Kevin Pillar - an instant fan favorite.  Who on earth gets a facial injury so severe, needs surgery, and is basically back already?  That's the kind of stuff hockey players do.  SO glad he is on our side.  His return help us fire our Law Firm for incompetence.  And of course, he rifles a hit.  Braveheart Stuff, huh?

Pete - somehow, Mr. Indestructible missed some games, which never happens.  His big bat should help remedy a team malady, whereby it finds itself last in extra base hits - by a lot - despite Saturday's 5 HR barrage.   And it sure did Monday night...Pete lasers are back and functional.  

Seth Lugo - yes, the pitching has been phenomenal - but a pitcher of Lugo's quality returning to the pen can only help, even if primarily to help keep the pen from being overtaxed.  I hear Joe Biden loves overtaxed bullpens, but maybe that's fake news.

And, we'll see how much he'll be used, but OF Mason Williams and his .373/.458/.569 and just 9 Ks in 59 plate appearances in AAA just joined the team (compare those #'s to Law Firm production: Mason Williams (a career .272 hitter) clearly has a pulse, which is a true positive).  And it showed with a hit, walk and a run last night.

Now, besides those 3, the Mets have to figure out how to get the rest of the 4 million walking wounded back.  Or at least some of them.  Soon.  Like Nimmo, Davis, Guillorme.  I know when the season started that I wondered how everyone would get playing time.  Boy, that question sure got answered. Anyway....

 Let's get healthy.  

Let's kick butt.  

Let's win that ring.

Let's Go Mets.