I’m on record as predicting the Mets will win the NL East easily. In fact, I think that their 2026 record will be second only to the Dodgers. Of course, the key to a superlative season rests with the ability of the pitching staff to live up to expectations.
Not only do the Mets have two potential aces in Freddy Peralta and Nolan McLean with Kodai Senga as a possible third ace if he can recover the form of early last year. Hopefully, we can expect come back seasons from both David Peterson and Sean Manaea. Remember, Peterson was an All-Star last year before his second half collapse, Add Clay Holmes to the mix and we have excellent starting pitching. And Tobias Meyers is sitting in the wings should any of the top six get injured. On top of that, Jonah Tong, Christian Scott and Jack Wenninger should be ready to contribute by mid-season. Our pitching woes should be behind us.
The bullpen looks strong, although there will be concerns whether Devon Williams is able to fill the shoes of Edwin Diaz. Getting AJ Minter back by early May will be a major plus giving us two solid lefties in the pen. I suspect by mid-season, Dylan Ross and Ryan Lambert will be on board. My prediction is the Mets will win 96 games. Here’s how I think they will get there.
|
Name |
Wins |
Losses |
ERA |
|
|
Freddy
Peralta |
16 |
8 |
3.12 |
|
|
Nolan
Mclean |
15 |
10 |
2.47 |
|
|
Kodai
Senga |
14 |
9 |
2.80 |
|
|
David
Peterson |
12 |
8 |
3.50 |
|
|
Sean
Manaea |
14 |
8 |
3.75 |
|
|
Clay
Holmes |
12 |
10 |
3.80 |
|
|
Tobias
Myers |
4 |
6 |
4.20 |
|
|
Bullpen/Others |
9 |
7 |
3.40 |
|
|
Totals |
96 |
66 |
3.38 |
|
Of course, my projections assume that Carlos Mendoza has matured as a manager and with the guidance of Jeff Willard, our new pitching coach, will do a better job of controlling and not abusing the staff. One thing that has been suggested is piggybacking some of the starters. For example, Peterson and Holmes could be asked to combine for 8 or nine innings or Manaea and Myers might make an effective duo. It’s one way to reduce the wear and tear on the pen.
Here’s the deal, if the team averages close to five runs per game and keep the opposition to under 3.5 runs, we are going to win a lot of games.
Ray
March 7,
2026
Ray, 96 wins sound good, but the pen usually picks up lots of wins. Averaged 36 pen wins over last two seasons. So, some more of those 96 wins will shift to the pen pals.
ReplyDeleteYou only can get this kind of amount of starter wins if, a., your starter goes at least five innings and, b., you have the lead when you exit.
ReplyDeleteMets starters need to extend from 4.9 innings per start to approx 5.4 innings per start. This eliminates the need for a 85 BP inning solid reliever & takes pressure off the rest of the bullpen.
ReplyDeleteStarters need to “start”
Piggyback on the bottom of the rotation if necessary.
Mange blow outs better. 30% of games are big wins or losses & usually known early enough to manage the staff in game.
Mr. T (Tobias) might be a great piggy candidate
DeleteAs always, health has a lot to do with the outcome. Many of these pitchers have pitched well enough in the past to assemble the records that Ray shows. Unfortunately many of the same pitchers have also missed a few months of a season due to injury. This shifts burden to the pen, but they must also stay healthy and not get overworked. If they perform as predicted, then my vote for MVP is for the Mets' training staff.
ReplyDeleteDW would have been a great 8th inning guy and fill in closer but hate losing Diaz as that will come back and bite us for sure and what a better place for him to do it but in the playoffs I can see it now.
ReplyDeleteGary, I think Edwin will THRIVE for LAD in 2026. Why? So little pressure. They will 99% wins sound the division. That takes away the “if I don’t excel, we will fail” season mentality he had with the Mets.
DeleteBut, it is a 3 year deal, and we will see how well he does in 2027 and 2028.
Actually, I think Diaz will falter in 2026. Be great to see the Mets exact revenge against him.
ReplyDeleteIf the Mets can get on base, they can do some damage with the stolen bases. That was one of Diaz's biggest faults this past year. Yeah, I know, getting on is the key.
DeleteRay, that would give us a Sugar Rush.
Delete