Only two more wins away from the World Series, several New York Mets players have come up huge. Who’s been the most important thus far?
By Robby Sabo
As a rabid Mets fan, Benigno went on to explain how crazy his dream was. It specifically dealt with the New York Mets holding a two-game lead int he NLCS over the Chicago Cubs, and the New York Jets sporting a pretty impressive 4-1 record.
Obviously, it wasn’t a dream. This is truly reality.
Thanks to Daniel Murphy, Curtis Granderson and Noah Syndergaard, the Mets took out Jake Arrieta and the Cubs by the final of 4-1 in Game 2 of the NLCS.
That still doesn’t mean fans of the team are ready to accept it. They simply can’t. It’s too unbelievable to think the Mets are just six wins away from a World Series championship.
In any event, they are, and here are the five most important postseason players who have helped the Mets get to this point:
5. Noah Syndergaard
The No. 5 spot could’ve went to a few guys. Travis d’Arnaud, who’s homered twice and knocked in five runs during the playoffs was one prime suspect. Another guy who was considered was Matt Harvey, who’s already won two games and completely shut down Chicago in Game 1.
In the end, though, Noah Syndergaard receives the nod.
Thor, as fans and teammates affectionately know him as, is coming off his second career playoff start. Though Game 2 of the NLCS was his first win of these playoffs, he shouldn’t be penalized because the Mets offense couldn’t come through during the now infamous “Chase Utley Slide” Game.
Where Syndergaard really deserves the nod over Harvey is what he did in Game 5 of the NLDS. Coming onto the hill in relief of Jacob deGrom in the seventh-inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers was everything the franchise couldn’t hoped for, and more. His flame-throwing ability was on full display as he completely befuddled the Dodgers.
With a 2.77 ERA and 20 K in 13 IP, how could you go wrong?
4. Jeurys Familia
Talk about flame-throwers, the Mets closer fits that bill to a tee. Jeurys Familia hasn’t just been dominant, he’s been stunning.
So stunning, in fact, that manager Terry Collins had no qualms about going to the kid for a full two-inning, six-out save in a do-or-die Game 5 of the NLDS.
It’s incredible to even fathom the though of Familia starting the season as Jenrry Mejia’s setup man, but he did. It took Mejia’s stupidity to bump Familia to the closer’s role, where he truly belongs.
His current playoff numbers are downright obscene. He hasn’t allowed a single run, has only surrendered two hits, and has struck out four batters in 7.2 innings. Oh yeah, he’s also already collected four saves.
3. Curtis Granderson
Many a time the Mets fan has called the New York radio station to piss and moan about one Curtis Granderson. The former Yankee, who was brought in to hit the home run out of the ballpark, simply couldn’t find his power stroke at Citi Field.
Something interesting happened to begin 2015. Juan Lagares, failed as the leadoff hitter for the club (despite the Mets trying to shoehorn him into the spot). This forced Granderson to assume that responsibility.
He’s been phenomenal all season long.
Granderson shows great patience and table-setting abilities. Sure, he still strikes out a ton, but what Grandy did in Game 2 of the NLCS fits what he’s done all season long perfectly.
First, he lead-off the game with a base-hit. Then, scored on a David Wright double. Later on he completely manufactured a run single-handedly by stealing third base and allowing Yoenis Cespedes to knock him in on an infield hit.
And oh yeah, he made this catch to rob Chris Coughlin of a home run:
2. Jacob deGrom
Coming in second, though many could argue he should lead this list, is Mets ace Jacob deGrom. Through two games started deGrom is 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 11 hits allowed, and 20 strikeouts in 13 innings.
Most notably, deGrom started the playoffs right against the Dodgers by shutting them out over seven sparkling innings. What was entire more impressive, however, was his gutty effort in Game 5 when his stuff was clearly on a down tick.
The 27-year old MLB All-Star reminded us all of what a throwback pitcher should look like – a guy who competes at the highest level when the game means the most. Scheduled to start Game 3 of the NLCS in Chicago, the Mets are setup perfectly.
1. Daniel Murphy
At this point, most of us don’t know whether to slap ourselves silly or pinch our arm until it bruises. There’s nothing left to say regarding Daniel Murphy.
The guy has been so special that there aren’t enough superlatives in the English dictionary to describe his recent baseball conquests. Murph has already collected five home runs, a total that leads all of MLB at the moment. These five homers have come over the last four games, a Mets record.
He’s been so good that a great manager in Joe Maddon actually pulled the trigger on intentionally walking him to get to Yoenis Cespedes. Murphy’s gone 10-for-26 (.357), 8 RBI, and one very important steal in Game 5 on an extremely heads-up baserunning play.
The guy is nothing short of a baseball god right now. He’s completely locked-in.