On Thursday afternoon, the New York Mets set out to win their first series against the Atlanta Braves since August of 2022. After a slow start to the season, several members of the Mets’ offense were on an upward trajectory heading into this game. In particular, Brandon Nimmo and DJ Stewart had launched a combined three home runs in the opening game of the three-game set that catapulted the team to a thrilling 8-7 comeback win.

The Mets offense started working early. In the first inning, Brett Baty was responsible for the first run of the game with an RBI single. Consequently, Nimmo drove in Harrison Bader with an RBI double in the following inning.

The production did not end there. After a Pete Alonso single got things started in the third inning, Francisco Álvarez and Jeff McNeil doubled in succession as each drove in a run that provided the Mets with a 5-0 lead.

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Manager Carlos Mendoza mentioned McNeil’s improved performance after the game.

“He’s a good hitter,” Mendoza said. “Now we’re seeing that guy.”

With a five-run lead, Stewart added some insurance with a two-run long ball to right center field. Stewart’s home run came off the bat at 102.4 mph and travelled 409 feet.

Stewart commented on the overall approach and mindset from the Mets’ offense after the game.

“They had our number last year, and a lot of guys in this clubhouse remember that,” Stewart said.

Even in the one game that the Mets lost this series, the offense displayed a lot of fight, almost mounting an impressive comeback from six runs down in the eighth inning in what was ultimately a 6-5 defeat. Contrary to the lethargic performances at the beginning of the season, their recent play has been very encouraging.

McNeil continued his big day in the seventh inning when he lined a two-run single into right field. Nimmo contributed once again as well when he drove in a run on a triple in the eighth.

Although the floodgates were beyond open at that point, the pile became even larger when former Mets utility player Luis Guillorme entered the game as the pitcher for the Braves. The Mets did not show their former teammate any mercy, as Tyrone Taylor launched a grand slam to extend the lead to 12 runs. Taylor’s first home run as a member of the Mets traveled 381 feet with an exit velocity of 99.4 mph.

While the Mets did not need 16 runs to win, their offense could use the confidence boost associated with amassing runs against a division rival. For players like McNeil and Nimmo, it was beneficial for them to see some hits added to their ledger while producing runs for their team. Even though Francisco Lindor is still struggling at the onset of the season, it is only a matter of time before he follows suit with the production of his other teammates.