3 UP

1. Montero Is Good?

The Mets have held onto Rafael Montero while useful pitchers like Gabriel Ynoa went to other organizations for a mere pittance. They held onto him even with him getting progressively worse and worse. With his being out of options, it seemed like push finally came to shove, and he would soon be an ex-Met.

Then, due to a rash of injuries, Montero would get a last last last chance. In his ninth call-up to the Majors, he finally showed everyone why the Mets had faith in him all this time.

In his two outings prior to his Sunday start, Montero pitched 6.2 innings in relief allowing three hits, one earned run, and two walks while striking out eight batters. If that was one start, it would be an outstanding start.

On Sunday, he had that outstanding start. In 5.2 innings, Montero allowed just one run on five hits. More impressively, he issued two walks while striking out seven. It was his first win since September 2014 – his second career win.

An impressive moment was when the Giants had the bases loaded in the third with one out and Buster Posey coming to the plate. Montero got out of the jam allowing just one run on a Posey sacrifice fly.

We can all argue this was just the Giants who have the worst offense in baseball. However, Montero never got anyone out, and more to the point, he never aggressively attacked the zone. He’s done that in his last three outings. Maybe, just maybe, he’s figured it out.

2. Smoltz Fixes deGrom

When he was struggling, Jacob deGrom got advise from the unlikeliest of sources. Hall of Fame pitcher and Mets torturer John Smoltz told deGrom he used to throw two bullpens between starts. deGrom adapted this approach, and his season took off.

deGrom has pitched at least eight innings in his last three starts, making him the first Mets pitcher to do that since Johan Santana in 2010.

Over those three starts, deGrom allowed just three runs (two earned) on nine hits with seven walks and 19 strikeouts. This might just be the best stretch of deGrom’s career, and he keeps getting stronger.

3. On Second Thought

Asdrubal Cabrera didn’t handle the move to second base well demanding a trade. Well, if Cabrera wants a trade, he played well enough to get teams interested in him.

Over the past three games, Cabrera has gone 7-for-14 with four runs and a double. In his two games at second base, he has shown good range, and he has not had any issues turning a double play.

With his improved defensive play, and his hot hitting, he’s going to help the Mets – at least until a decision is made about a trade.

3 DOWN

1. Conforto Hurt

In what has been a dismal year for the Mets, one bright spot has been seeing Michael Conforto take the next step in his development.

Sure, he has been struggling of late, but he picked things up in San Francisco going 4-for-8 in the series. Then Matt Moore hit him on the wrist.

The x-rays were negative and it seems like Conforto will avoid the DL. Still, we don’t know if he can play, or if there was an injury another exam could’ve detected. We do know the Mets have handled injuries poorly, and Conforto’s 2016 season was derailed when he suffered a wrist injury.

2. Blevins Is Cracking

With Jerry Blevins making the most appearances in the Majors this season, and with him seemingly warming up every game, it was only a matter of time Blevins started to show some signs of fatigue.

In the month of June, he has seen his ERA go up a full run. He’s been walking 4.3 batters per nine, and he has a 1.441 WHIP.

Overall, his season ERA is still a terrific 2.45, but his 4.32 ERA over the month is cause for concern. It’s even more troublesome when you consider he’s only one of two reliable relievers in the bullpen.

3. Where Has This Been All Year?

The Mets completely and utterly dominated a bad Giants team marking just the second time the Mets have swept an opponent. This is remarkable considering their weak schedule to start the year.

If the Mets played more like they did this weekend, they’d be talking of buying instead of selling.

After a seven game West Coast trip, the Mets fly back cross-country to face the Miami Marlins in a battle for third place in the National League East. After that they will face the MLB-worst 24-50 Phillies.