3 UP

1. Scooting Towards An MVP

Many people believed this was going to be the year Michael Conforto broke out and would have an MVP caliber type of year. So, far Conforto is making those people look very smart.

In 18 games so far, he’s hitting .324/.422/.634 with seven doubles, five homers, and 11 RBI. With Conforto, it’s not just the stats, but it’s also when he gets the hits.

It was Conforto who knocked home the game winning run by hitting a ball so hard it ate up Rhys Hoskins. Yesterday, his seventh inning homer kept the Mets in the game.

Overall, Conforto isn’t just getting his hits, but he’s also getting them in the right spots.

2. Jeffy Ballgame

Jeff McNeil now has six straight multi-hit games, and he had nine multi-hit games over his first 14 starts. With those multi-hit games, he’s now hitting .424/.485/.542.

He’s not just making an impact with his bat. In Monday’s win, he made two good plays at third giving the Mets a chance to win that game in extra innings.

With how he’s hitting and his versatility, it’s very possible he’s the most important player on the Mets right now.

3. Saving the Pen

Due to shorter starts and poor performances from the bullpen, the Mets bullpen has been pressed into action, and the Mets have been already forced to make a few roster moves to get fresh arms onto the staff. It also created an opportunity for also rans and overlooked pitchers to get an opportunity to prove themselves.

Paul Sewald has so far taken full advantage of his chance. In his first appearance, he allowed one earned over 1.1 innings. In his second appearance, one he made after Steven Matz failed to record an out, he pitched 2.2 scoreless. Those are four quality innings that has saved this Mets bullpen. Those are also four innings where he’s proven his worth to the team.

Another pitcher who took advantage of his opportunity was Drew Gagnon. On three days rest, Gagnon had to take it on the chin. He pitched 5.1 innings, and he pitched reasonably well. The first two runs he allowed was when he was thrust into the game in the first, and three of the other runs he allowed came when he was completely gassed. Overall, he has established his worth to the team, and he should get a look sooner rather than later as the long man or the fifth starter.


3 DOWN

1. The Pitching

Entering Wednesday’s game, the Mets pitching staff had a 5.77 ERA, which was the worst in the National League. That includes the second worst National League 5.62 ERA for their vaunted starting rotation. The 5.96 bullpen ERA is the third worst in the National League.

The immediate reaction is to pinpoint Jason Vargas or Jeurys Familia. While they have been worth scapegoats, the problems extend well beyond them. Consider this series. Noah Syndergaard allowed five earned in five innings. Steven Matz allowed eight earned and couldn’t even get an out. The issues go on and on.

Overall, there is still reason to believe in this pitching. However, if they don’t turn it around sooner rather than later, they are going to continue to lose and blow key series.

2. The Defense

One way the Mets could help their pitching is with better defense. The Mets -22 DRS is the worst in the National League. Digging deeper into this, some players are more culpable than others.

J.D. Davis‘ -6 DRS makes him the worst third baseman in all of baseball. Amed Rosario‘s -4 DRS makes him the worst shortstop in the National League. Wilson Ramos is the worst catcher in the National League. Brandon Nimmo‘s -3 DRS puts him in 10 worst defensive outfielders.

Robinson Cano and Pete Alonso are both negative defenders as well, but at just -1, they’re closer to league average than being a negative defender.

As much as you can reasonably point out Mets pitchers are missing spots, and they are not as sharp as they have been in previous years, the defense is hurting this team. They are allowing more base runners with their errors and simple inability to make plays. This means longer innings, worst results, and exposing the weaker parts of this Mets pitching staff. More than anything, it is the defense which has led to the Mets losing four of their last five – all within the division.

3. Static Bullpen

The Mets paid a hefty price to acquire Edwin Diaz, and they believed it was justified because they were getting a real weapon in the bullpen. However, when the team has already determined Diaz can pitch just one inning his value as a closer is greatly diminished. It’s all the more diminished as he is only permitted to enter the ninth inning or later, and on the road, he can only enter a game in a save situation (unless he is just getting work)

This means when the game is on the line, Mickey Callaway had to go to Robert Gsellman instead of his best reliever to get out of a jam. It meant Callaway nearly gambled the game away with Luis Avilan.

This is nonsense, and it nearly cost the Mets a divisional game. While it did not cost the Mets that game, sooner or later, it is going to cost the Mets one or two games, and as the Mets told us during Spring Training, that is enough to cost the Mets a spot in the postseason.