Tom posted the previous piece on the Mets' recent success, including yesterday's series sweeper in extra innings. It very well summed up the euphoria that Mets fans are feeling right now.
I have no intention to dampen that feeling.
We have been the benefactors of several things in this winning streak and this winning month. Let me spell out what I think is responsible for the initial success.
1) Great pitching and solid defense has held down other teams' scoring, which has enabled many low-scoring wins and allowed the Mets to have a perfect extra-inning record.
1a) Great pitching did not come from buying the best of the free agents - it came from an astute GM bringing in "fixable" arms and getting the best out of them through Steve Cohen's investments in player development personnel and management. This is a gift that will keep on giving because players will age and arms will tire, but if the pipeline remains filled with capable arms then we can weather any individual problems.
1b) Solid defense comes from good coaching, good preparation, and a constant attention to detail that is maintained throughout the season. It appears that Carlos Mendoza and his staff have been up to the task. It is a long season, and there is much more to unfold, but the initial signs are all pointing in the right direction. I want to salute Pete Alonso for working hard on his defense. He has been somewhat maligned over the years as a less-than-adequate fielder, and some of it was deserved because he is not the smooth, athletic type that makes it look easy. However, he is a max effort guy who has saved countless runs already this year by laying out to scoop errant throws from the infield. I don't think you get any DRS credit for that but I hope his infielders have bought him a few steak dinners for it. I also heard through comments on this site that Soto is not a capable fielder. He had a game-saving outfield assist yesterday and a couple of other solid catches that not everyone makes. I am not convinced that he is a defensive minus out there - I think his offensive capability just overshadows his defense. I see some parallels to Kevin McReynolds of the 1986 team. Kevin was always maligned for his "lack of hustle" going after balls in the outfield. Yet he was a really capable outfielder with the smoothest running stride anyone had seen which created a deception that he wasn't moving fast.
2) Clutch hitting has never been a stalwart of the New York Mets, at least not in the present era. It is now, and it is led by Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor. I don't doubt that others will follow. Soto and Nimmo and Marte will follow. Oh, wait...Marte just got on that bus. Who's next?
3) There is some pretty healthy competition on this club. Siri, Taylor, Alcazar, Nimmo, Marte, McNeil, Acuna, Baty, Vientos are all players that have competition for their position. There are not enough positions for any of them to be guaranteed full playing time. So that drives the effort, the concentration, the focus. Perform and you play. Underperform and you either sit or you get to live in cold Syracuse, NY for an indeterminate time. The ultimate motivator.
4) All indications are that these players like playing with each other. Of course, winning is fun and the real test is when the chips are down. But even with the aforementioned competition these guys are all out there cheering for each other. Lindor has set a great example of giving credit to others for team success and not touting his own accomplishments even though he has been nothing short of a hero during this streak.
So there you have it - solid fundamentals reinforced by a great front office and coaching staff. Guys enjoying themselves and each other that can't wait for the next opportunity to shine. This could go on for quite a while.
9 comments:
The hitting beyond the star trio of Lindor, Alonso, and Soto has been bad. They need to step way up.
I am not sure if I have ever seen any Mets organization this pitching rich. And that includes1969 and1986.
Peter Alonso has simply been great on scooping out throws and stretching for throws. I don’t know what the stats show, but he is playing above average first base.
I will damper
The chances of both the rotation and pen to pitch this way all season is close to impossible. Teams have tape on every pitch they have thrown. They will study them for launch angles, possible tipping off, mix sequence, etc.
It won't last.
There are too many Mets prime bats hitting below .230
Atlanta and Philly will eventually get hot
THE METS NEED BATS
Look at this lineup
Now tell me how many games they have produced 5 or more runs?
This lineup will hit. That is the potential that has not yet been unleashed. I fear that Mack is right about the pitching, and it is unrealistic to think they will finish the year with the superb stats they have compiled in April. However, their stuff is good and hopefully they are doing this without stressing their arms. When the bats do wake up, another run per game in the ERA should not hurt.
Pitchers like Senga will survive all the scrutiny.
You can't track ghosts
Sorry Paul, you have to take off the rose-colored glasses when speaking of Soto's defense. He is a well below outfielder. Do you see the routes he takes??? That throw he made yesterday was from about 50 feet behind the infield. While it was a very good throw, he was also helped out by the great tag by Senger.
As far as Pete goes, I think he is the best at scooping out bad throws. Unfortunately, he looks so uncoordinated at times I'm sure it detracts from how good he is. I agree that he is just fine at 1B...they all can't look suave like Keith.
JoelP, you remind me of my wife. No matter what I do, she will find something to critize.
Senga stays, Senger goes, is my guess. At least Senger finally made the majors and earned a month of MLB minimum. If they still allowed 3 catchers, he might compile a few YEARS in the majors.
The Mets have had a "Mayday May" or "June Swoon" every year in recent memory which makes the second half of the season harder than it should be. I think Paul summed up things up pretty well, but I would add that this team looks as "month-long-slump-proof" as possible. I just don't see the Mets of 2025 playing to a .333 winning percentage in any month long stretch of games at all. I believe the pitching is reasonably sustainable and the hitting will start seeing all the cylinders contribute soon. Most of this team is suffering from very low Batting Averages on Balls in Play (BABIP). When especially Vientos and Nimmo come back to almost normal BABIPs, they will be better. It will be interesting to see what effect Alvarez and McNeil have.
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