Here are five legitimate reasons that the New York Mets will enjoy a great second-half and find themselves in the 2015 MLB Postseason.
By Robby Sabo
The 2015 MLB All-Star Game is on, while four players from the city partake in the festivities – Jacob deGrom, Brett Gardner, Dellin Betances and Mark Teixeira.
For the New York Yankees, things have taken a positive turn. We’ve once again been reminded about how great a manager Joe Girardi truly is. He’s been spot-on resting guys as well as setting up his bullpen.
For an older team, they’ve avoided that really huge injury which could derail October success in a nanosecond.
Across town in Flushing, the New York Mets have been a more interesting study.
Getting off to a blazing 13-3 start to the 2015 campaign was downright filthy and unexpected. It was something not even the most optimistic fan could’ve foreseen.
Since then, the club has gone 34-39 to settle into their current 47-42 record (just two-games behind the first-place Washington Nationals).
Despite the Yankees possessing the older team, it’s been the Mets who’ve been hit hard with the injury bug. David Wright, Travis d’Arnaud, Daniel Murphy, Zack Wheeler, Steven Matz and a few bullpen arms have missed significant time this season.
Still, Terry Collins and Sandy Alderson have to be ecstatic with their finish that resulted in seven wins of their last 10 games.
Good things are ahead.
Here are five reasons the New York Mets will enjoy a fantastic second-half to the 2015 season and find themselves playing in October:
5. The Lineup Cannot Get Worse
Currently batting .233 as a team, the New York Mets boast the worst batting average in all of Major League Baseball. Only two teams (Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies) have less runs scored than the Mets number of 310.
This lineup couldn’t get worse if it tried, and still, Terry Collins club is five-games over .500.
To not even have an average lineup to go along with this filthy pitching is a sin in the highest regard.
To be fair though, injuries to David Wright and Travis d’Arnaud, and slumping Mets such as Lucas Duda and Michael Cuddyer, have derailed a lineup that would actually look average on paper if it were whole.
Sadly though, it’s not.
Alderson needs to get creative and overcome dealing any of hit young arms for a batter. Pick up a Ben Zobrist or Jean Segura in a very sleek and stylish way.
4. Aces In The Hole
Like previously mentioned, the injury to David Wright became a huge blow to this squad. It also doesn’t look as though the captain is coming back anytime soon.
In any event, if Travis d’Arnaud can get back in the lineup relatively soon and actually stay there, New York would finally possess that dangerous middle of the lineup bat they sorely need.
It’s already confirmed that the Mets catcher has arrived as a big leaguer. His .296 average, four home runs and 19 runs batted in through just 19-games played this season proves just that.
Not only will d’Arnaud’s return help matters, but should Lucas Duda build off his late two home runs from the end of the second-half and Michael Cuddyer find his veteran stroke, this lineup could pull its weight.
Or, at least pull enough weight to not let the arms down every night.
Even Steven Matz returning as a bonafide No. 3 playoff rotation arm will be critical.
3. The Dominance Of Pitching
We all witnessed what went down during October of 2014. The year of the pitcher turned into the postseason of the pitcher as Madison Bumgarner sent chills down our spines.
Furthermore, the Kansas City Royals bullpen did the same along the AL route to the 2014 World Series.
Neither the Giants nor the Royals were equipped with a solid lineup. They each did the right things at the plate and in the base-paths with timely-hitting and smart small-ball.
Unfortunately the Mets aren’t able to handle the small-ball game with their lack of speed and smarts, but the timely-hitting factor could come in handy.
If that ingredient joins the likes of a pitching staff who currently sports the third-lowest ERA in the game (3.23), the Mets have legitimate postseason hopes.
2. Harvey & deGrom
As previously mentioned, San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner was breathtaking last Fall.
The Mets possibly own two Mad-Bum’s.
Although it’s almost impossible to duplicate what the burly lefty did last season, the Mets two-aces, Matt Harvey and Jacob deGrom, seem to possess the exact temperament needed to thrive in those sticky situations.
Harvey’s competitiveness is without argument. The only thing people worry about with him is that he’s almost too competitive. While he’s not putting up vintage Harvey stats this season, his sub-3 ERA is still ace like.
deGrom just showed the world his stuff in the 2015 MLB All-Star Game by striking out the side. He’s another beyond competitive pitcher who should thrive while in the clutch.
Having not one, but two aces at the top of the rotation is a fantastic recipe for down-the-stretch success.
1. It’s Simply Time / Competition
As all of Mets faithful know already, 2006 was the last year their team was in the playoffs. Actually, it was more than just the playoffs. They were in the NLCS.
Carlos Beltran not swinging at a big Adam Wainwright hook was the last memory of a Game 7 that seemed like it was destined for great things after the Endy Chavez robbery job earlier in the game.
After eight long seasons, it is now officially time for the New York Mets to do big things.
There’s been a whole lot of patient waiting. Waiting for these phenom arms to fully develop; for the Wilpons to spend more money; for the Yankees to slowly fade.
Although it still hasn’t happened yet, fans can now finally taste it. They can see that glimmer of a light at the end of the Sandy Alderson tunnel.
Alderson’s phenom-pitching plan is finally coming together as they remain just a few bats and a couple of speedy legs away from great things.
Only a few healthy comebacks and slight adjustments/acquisitions will get it done in 2015.
This pitching is that good.
Moreover, the idea that the Mets cannot compete with the pitching-less Chicago Cubs and the down San Francisco Giants for that second NL Wild Card is just not believable.
Let’s not forget how hot and cold the Nats have been all season.