☀️ GOOD MORNING:
The Mets have completed the first trimester of the season and they are on pace to win 99 games. They have won three of four, ever so slowly shifting the gears back in motion after a sluggish week. But if you joined us in the chat on Monday, or found yourself complaining to the fan next to you in the stands from the ballpark, you would think this team has a record closer to their current opponent’s.
It wasn’t pretty, but it didn’t need to be. When you play bad teams, they probably won’t hang with you long, eventually finding a way to lose. It took nearly every out until the ninth inning to outlast the last-place White Sox on Monday. It counts the same as a 9–1 win in the standings.
TYRONE TAYLOR has been an unsung hero this season. His four fielding runs above average ranks him among the very best fielders in baseball. After a slow start, he’s found his stroke at the plate in May.
Whether it’s the first inning or the ninth inning, he’s making plays that help win games. His running catch and perfect throw to nail Mookie Betts at the plate was the turning point of Sunday’s win. His double to lead-off the ninth sparked the rally to earn a victory on Monday.
ADRIAN HOUSER has become quite the pickup for Chicago. After throwing six shutout innings in his first start last week, he kept his former team off balance through six more innings yesterday.
It was the second straight game the Mets were arguably outpitched by the opposing starter, but not enough to make a significant difference on the scoreboard. For all the focus on the lackluster offense, let’s not forget how good the pitching staff has been to continue to give the lineup opportunities to win games.
🚜 MAKING HAY: I wrote in the chat on Sunday how the Mets would likely be favored for seven straight games, including the Senga x Knack matchup. A good team wins at least five of those games, maybe six. The Mets have won the first two of that stretch, on top of Saturday’s game, to give them a three-game winning streak. They will try to keep the momentum going with Tylor Megill on the hill on Tuesday.
☕️ Grab your coffee for your morning dose of Mets Fix!
🎣 GONE FISHING
Recent win/loss record aside, the offense needs to get going. The Mets won on Monday despite going 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and leaving 10 men on base. Over the past two weeks, only two teams (Texas and San Diego) have hit worse with runners on second and third. The Amazins have scored five or fewer runs in 13 straight games, their longest such streak since 2021 and the longest active streak in baseball.
Juan Soto has obviously been the biggest disappointment. He delivered a sac fly on Monday, but that’s a weak consolation prize at this point. Everything we are seeing in his plate appearances is showing in the data. Over the past month, his swing is slower and longer as pressure continues to build for him to perform.
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