The New York Mets improved to one game over .500 with a doubleheader sweep of the Miami Marlins. The Mets record is 57- 56, on July 12th, the Mets were 11 games under .500. Since that time the Mets have won 11 out of 12 games to pull within two games of a wildcard spot.
The Mets were rumored before the trading deadline that they were going to trade Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler for prospects. Instead, the Mets made a surprising move by trading for Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman. Many wondered why the Mets became buyers and not sellers. Now with New York on a hot streak, the Stroman deal makes sense.
Strong Starting Rotation
The starting rotation for the Mets can be regarded as one of the best, if not the best in baseball. Featuring Noah Syndergaard, Jacob DeGrom, Marcus Stroman, Zack Wheeler, and Steven Matz, they could be the deepest starting rotation in baseball. Maybe the Mets front office thought they could make a run when many of us did not.
While only being two games out, you have to like the Mets chances because of their pitching staff. New York can throw a quality starter out there every night. So the Mets should be in every game, it just will come down to what they can do at the plate and how the bullpen can hold up.
Pete Alonso And Jeff McNeil
Rookie Pete Alonso has been slumping since the All-Star break going 11 for 73 with a .151 batting average but hit his 35th home run Monday night. The Mets will need Alonso to get hot because second baseman Robinson Cano tore his hamstring and his season could be over. It sucks for Cano because he was starting to swing the bat well.
Jeff McNeil has stepped up, he is hitting .337 and has 14 home runs and has homered in three straight games. The Mets will need McNeil to keep stepping up to be able to get the wild card spot.
The New York Mets will be exciting to watch down the stretch, with that reliable pitching staff they should not be counted out. If New York can get in the playoffs, they can do some damage. It’s fair to say the New York Mets are in the wild card hunt.
