The New York Mets just continue to roll.
After taking two out of three from the Padres, the Mets have now clinched four series wins in the month of August. Furthermore, they are now a red-hot 11-4 over their last 15 games.
It sure looks like the foundation is taking shape for the 2027 season and beyond. Finishing this year strong will only serve to raise the optimism currently being felt in Queens.
And, on that note, let’s recap everything from the Padres series in the latest edition of 3 Up, 3 Down…
Luis Torrens by Berto Carlo
3 UP
ROOKIE SENSATION
We are running out of superlatives when it comes to describing Carson Benge‘s play right now. The rookie is playing at an elite level. That was very much the case throughout the series against the Padres. Benge largely impacted the first two games with his arm. In the series opener, he became the first Met in franchise history to gun down not one but two runners at the plate in one inning. Benge’s rocket of an arm may be one of his most dangerous attributes. Then, in the series finale, he came up with a clutch two-run blast in the fourth inning to get the Mets on the board and give them the lead for good. Furthermore, Benge is now just the second player in franchise history, alongside Darryl Strawberry, to record 15 home runs and 15 stolen bases in their rookie season. Benge is playing at an otherworldly level, and his future looks very bright.
PUTTING THE ELITE IN BACKUP
Luis Torrens might go down as one of the Mets’ best pickups in recent years. The veteran is the team’s backup catcher, but he’s been playing at an elite level for a prolonged stretch now. He blasted his fifth homer in his last seven games in the middle game of the series. Among catchers with at least 200 plate appearances, Torrens’ 2.0 fWAR ranks 10th best in all of baseball this season. If that wasn’t impressive enough, he continues to be stellar behind the plate too. All in all, Torrens brings so much value to the table for the Mets, and that was on full display against the Padres.
FUN CITY
There is a lot to love about this Mets team right now. And I mean a lot to love. From the two rookie outfielders to the new-look bullpen, the Mets are showing plenty of promise for the future. Having now won 11 of their last 15 games, this team is building a solid foundation for the 2027 season. Plus, we’re also seeing plenty of grit and fight from this ballclub. That’s certainly encouraging too. All in all, players are stepping up and delivering while also proving that the future for this team does indeed look bright.
Jorge Polanco by Berto Carlo
3 DOWN
THE TATIS JR. GAME
It could have been a series sweep for the Mets were it not for Fernando Tatis Jr.‘s heroics in the middle game of the series. The Padres outfielder truly put on a show for the ages. He blasted a pair of home runs, and robbed a Francisco Lindor grand slam with an unbelievable leaping grab at the wall. Having driven in three of San Diego’s five runs, coupled with the home run robbery, Tatis Jr. was responsible for a seven-run swing. That’s the definition of putting the team on your back. Sadly, it was the Mets who found themselves on the wrong end of just an all-time performance by the Padres star.
PITCHING STRUGGLESÂ
Ultimately, the Mets did what they had to do in this series pitching-wise. However, it was a struggle. Nolan McLean allowed seven straight Padres to reach base safely in the opener. Despite that, he gutted out six innings of one-run ball. The following night, Zac Thornton gave up a pair of homers but was able to somewhat limit the damage. As for the bullpen, there were good and bad moments. For instance, Kodai Senga ran into trouble in the ninth inning of the finale, but was eventually able to redeem himself by working out of trouble. Granted, the pitching got the job done, but they made it way too interesting at times.
OUT OF HIS MISERY
Jorge Polanco‘s miserable first year in a Mets uniform is officially over. The infielder will undergo left ankle surgery and will miss the rest of the season. It has been a tough year for Polanco, who was signed to play first base, although he made just two appearances there all year. Furthermore, he struggled offensively, hitting .148/.201/.230/.431 with just two home runs and six RBIs. The hope now will be for Polanco to get fully healthy so that he can bounce back as a DH in 2027.
