The New York Mets had a miserable month of May. They were struggling on the field, with a record of 11 games under .500, and their chances of making the playoffs seemed slim. After a final loss to the Dodgers, pitcher Adam Ottavino said, “We stink right now.” However, he also expressed hope for the future. And it turns out that Ottavino was right.
Despite their poor performance in May, the Mets quickly turned things around. They won two games against the Diamondbacks but suffered a couple of ugly defeats. With a trip to face the first-place Phillies on the horizon, it was unclear what the future held for the team.
However, the Mets managed to find success in June. They are now back to .500 and just 1 ½ games behind the Padres and Cardinals for a wild-card spot. Their recent sweep of the Subway Series at Citi Field has given them momentum. Carlos Mendoza, a member of the coaching staff, credited the team’s success to the players and coaches who are working hard and having fun.
The Mets’ incredible turnaround can be attributed to several factors. One important change was moving Francisco Lindor from the No. 3 spot in the lineup to the leadoff spot. Since then, Lindor has been on fire, with a .997 OPS in his last 23 games. Another significant change was replacing Brett Baty with Mark Vientos at third base. Vientos has been performing well since being recalled from Triple-A Syracuse, with a .907 OPS.
The outfield has also contributed to the Mets’ success. Harrison Bader, who was unhappy with his playing time and struggling at the plate, has improved in his last 34 games, with an .875 OPS. Brandon Nimmo has also been hitting well recently, with five home runs in his last 11 games.
J.D. Martinez, who had a slow start with the Mets, has started hitting like his old self. In his last 37 games, his OPS is .920, the ninth-best in the majors during that period. Pete Alonso and the arrival of Jose Iglesias have also boosted the team’s offense.
However, the most important addition to the Mets’ lineup has been Francisco Alvarez behind the plate. After a rough start, Alvarez went down with a thumb injury that required surgery. During his time off, he observed the game and believes he has slowed it down. Since returning, he has been on fire, with a 1.232 OPS in 14 games. His backup, Luis Torrens, has also been excellent, providing an upgrade at the catcher position.
The Mets’ offensive resurgence has given them new life in the season. Their schedule for the remainder of the season is favorable, with their opponents having a combined .488 winning percentage. According to tankathon.com, the Mets have a 41.8 percent chance of making the playoffs.
While there is still a long way to go in the season, the Mets have shown that they are capable of turning things around. With their recent success, they have a real chance of making the playoffs and proving their critics wrong.
