New York Mets right fielder Michael Conforto is starting to become an unsung big bat in this current Amazins’ lineup.
When talking about the New York Mets lineup, everyone loves to talk about first baseman Pete Alonso. And why wouldn’t you? He’s hit 22 home runs thus far in his first year in the majors. He’s most definitely going to get an invite to this summer’s Home Run Derby and has a good chance to win the NL Rookie of the Year if he keeps his consistency.
However, one guy that’s sort of becoming an unsung force in this lineup is right fielder Michael Conforto. He’s hit 13 home runs thus far in 2019, which ranks second on the ball club behind Alonso. Conforto is also slashing .258/.383/.507 with 32 RBIs through 59 games this season.
Per Howie Kussoy of the New York Post, Mets manager Mickey Callaway is grateful to have someone like Conforto in the lineup.
“He’s a huge piece of it,” Callaway said. “He’s a dangerous hitter. The other team knows that. We talk about this a lot. When other pitching coaches, and other pitchers, have to game-plan for someone in a lineup like Conforto, you understand that, hey, you better make your pitches. Don’t make mistakes. You’ve got to get the ball where you want to. It creates anxiety. It creates a part of the lineup that is tough to navigate.”
Conforto only went 1-for-4 in the game Thursday night against the St. Louis Cardinals. However, that one hit drove in two runs to give the Mets the lead in the bottom of the third inning.
The game was eventually suspended in the ninth inning with the score tied at four runs apiece. The teams will resume play Friday night at 6:10 p.m. ET, with Friday night’s matchup starting thereafter. Friday’s game is slated to begin at 7:10 p.m. ET, but the suspended game could possibly head to extra innings. It could be a long Friday night for the Mets and Cardinals.
