Mets’ Offense Still Looking to Turn the Corner

There are a few things that have remained constant surrounding the 2021 New York Mets throughout their first 18 games.

And these constants were all on display in last night’s 2-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

First, on the pitching side, David Peterson went six strong innings, allowing just two runs on four hits against the best offense in baseball. And behind Peterson, relievers Jeurys Familia, Trevor May and Miguel Castro combined for three scoreless innings out of the bullpen.

If you’ve watched this club in the early part of the season, the Mets have received some masterful pitching performances. And Tuesday night’s group effort will not be excluded from this category, as they were basically flawless.

However, the Mets’ offense has struggled to gather their footing so far this season and would once again spoil a great night of pitching, as they have done too many times already throughout the first month.

Despite out hitting the Red Sox 7-5, the only run the Amazins’ could scratch across came on Jeff McNeil‘s solo home run in the bottom of the second.

For the remainder of the night, the Mets went 1-for-3 with runners in scoring position and left four men on base. They also did not draw a walk in the contest and struck out 10 times against Red Sox starter Garrett Richards, who was dominant, beyond the one mistake he made to McNeil.

After the game, McNeil summed it up, plain-and-simple.

“We need to do a better job and start driving some runs in.”

“Richards has incredible stuff and he was nasty today. But we need to grind and battle and scrape together runs in days that the pitchers are on,” said McNeil.

McNeil, who has gotten off to a slow start of his own this year, believes the lineup is close to breaking out soon and has taken good at-bats. The 29-year-old also feels that the hitters just need to slow themselves down by not getting over-anxious when hitting with runners in scoring position.

The Mets are now dead last in the league when hitting with runners in scoring position. When asked about it, McNeil admitted to being a little surprised by this number, despite having hope that a breakout is on the horizon.

“Hitting is hard whether it is with runners in scoring position or no one on. We go up there and try to take a good at-bat. Some guys have been hitting the ball hard in those situations. They are going to start falling for us,” said McNeil.

McNeil has been one of the culprits, who has struggled with men in scoring position this year, as he is just 1-for-15. Luckily, he is tinkering with some things in his stance, which have helped him feel better at the plate lately.

“I was cutting myself off. My front foot had been stepping towards the plate. I haven’t been taking a stride the last few days. I’ve been picking my foot up a little bit and putting it back down into the place to hit that outside pitch,” said McNeil.

Beyond McNeil, No. 2 hitter Francisco Lindor has also been rough with runners in scoring position too going 1-for-11, along with No. 3 hitter Dominic Smith, who is 2-for-17. Michael Conforto is 2-for-15 between the No. 3 and No. 5 hole this season, as well.

That’s not going to cut it from the heart of your order and that is why it should not come as a surprise that the team has struggled to score runs.

Speaking of Lindor, his slow start has boiled over to the point, where Mets fans issued him some boos last night. Which was brought to manager Luis Rojas‘ attention following the contest.

“Our fan base is very passionate, they support our team and we feel that. They want everyone to perform consistently on a daily basis. Its so early in the season, the guys want to give the fans what they want, and that’s to win.”

Given the way Lindor swung the bat in spring training, Rojas believes he will come around, but did note he has been trying to pull the ball too much.

“It’s so early. I feel like watching how good he swung the bat in camp, I just feel like he is one at-bat away. He’s got good body control, his swing is just a little off,” said Rojas.

According to Rojas, the whole offense needs to stop over expanding and getting over anxious when they step into the batters box.

They also need to capitalize more when they get their opportunities. One instance of this last night was when catcher James McCann led off the fifth inning with a base hit to left.

McCann hit it to left fielder J.D. Martinez, who is typically a DH in an American League ballpark. So, McCann attempted to leg out a hustle double, but instead, was gunned down at second base by Martinez.

Needless to say, Rojas was not a fan of that decision and saw that as a wasted scoring chance, as Kevin Pillar would then single in the following at-bat.

“I’m OK with guys being aggressive when it’s the moment to be aggressive. I think (McCann) hurt us in the outcome of the game,” said Rojas.

If McCann doesn’t get thrown out, the Mets potentially have two men on with no outs for the pitcher, who then could’ve moved the runners over with a bunt. Even if he failed to move the runners up, it still would’ve given the top of the order a chance to drive in the tying run, or do some additional damage.

Alas, the Mets’ offense has not performed up to expectations throughout the first 18 games. They’ve been flat out inconsistent, and atrocious when it comes to hitting with runners in scoring position.

On Wednesday, the Mets finish up their quick two-game set with the Red Sox. Jacob deGrom will take the mound for the first time since his remarkable complete-game shut out, where he set a career-high with 15 strikeouts, while allowing just two hits on Friday night against the Nationals.

DeGrom will face Boston’s Nick Pivetta, as the Mets hope to be able to match the six runs of support they provided their ace in his last outing.

First pitch will be thrown a little early tonight at 6:40 pm ET. and the game can be seen on SNY and NESN.