Queens, N.Y. – The 2022 season of the New York Mets has been something special.
After Jacob deGrom went down because of shoulder trouble, Max Scherzer would be their temporary ace for the team. However, it seemed like it would be a “typical Mets” kind of season when Scherzer would go down with Tylor Megill due to injuries.
Injuries are a part of the game, and the Mets are no stranger to losing key players. However, this hasn’t been a “typical Mets” season.
As of June 1, the Mets are sitting with a comfortable 1st place lead in the NL East as they lead the defending champions Atlanta Braves by 11 games. In a division where teams below them are playing catchup, it seems like the Mets have an opportunity to make even more damage while their best players rest.
How have they been able to accomplish this?
Hits Hits Hits
The recipe for the Mets’ success has been hitting the ball hard and not focusing entirely on the long ball. Don’t believe me? Their .268 batting average is the best in baseball. They lead the league in hits (465), runs batted in (254), and on-base percentage (.340). When it comes to getting the ball out of the park, they are tied with the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins in 17th place with 47 home runs for the year.
“We’re not going up there trying to hit home runs all day. It’s impressive to not just talk about it but go out and do it,” says Mark Canha.
Pete Alonso (.894) and Jeff McNeil (.827) have found ways to get on base, and their OPS shows just that. If McNeil and Alonso continue playing at this level, the Mets may have two of their players representing them in this year’s All-Star Game in Los Angeles.
Take Your Time
During spring training, Mets fans began to panic when the team announced that deGrom would miss some time. But they still had Scherzer, right? Correct. Until he went down with a hamstring issue in May.
Carlos Carrasco has become their next best pitcher for the team once Scherzer went down. Initially, it was Megill who was going to replace Scherzer. However, he went down after suffering biceps tendinitis. Carrasco leads the Mets in wins with a 6-1 record having a 3.63 ERA. With deGrom, Scherzer, and Megill down, the 35-year-old has become the pitcher the Mets had wanted.
The Mets are performing at a high level without their best starters playing. With a combined record of 14-7 when Carrasco, Taijuan Walker, and David Peterson start games, things will only get better once Scherzer returns and if deGrom can suit up for the season. Their pitching staff has a 3.63 ERA which puts them at 10th in the league. However, they lead the league in wins at 35.
From the look of things, it is safe to say that their top two starters can recover comfortably knowing their teammates are holding it down.
What’s to Come
After sweeping the Phillies and Washington Nationals, the Mets will be put to the test as they head west to meet the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and Los Angeles Angels.
