When a team is struggling, typically it takes a big effort from a star player to help get things going in the right direction. Often that’s a starting pitcher, who may have the “stopper” moniker. Today for the Mets, that star player was Michael Conforto.
The Mets were desperate for a win, having lost five in a row and heading toward irrelevance in the National League playoff race. Conforto had a huge day against the Orioles, with four hits in five at-bats, including a two-run home run, two doubles, and five RBIs in the Mets’ 9-4 victory.
Conforto began his day in the top of the first inning, blasting a two-run home run to left field against left-hander John Means. After the Orioles had tied the game at two, Conforto put New York back on top with an RBI double off of Means in the top of the fifth inning.
Conforto added an RBI double in the seventh inning off Cole Sulser, and capped his day with an RBI single in the ninth inning off Evan Phillips to drive in the Mets’ final run and extend their lead to 9-2.
Conforto is now slashing .331/.426/.534 with six home runs and 22 RBI. His home runs and RBIs roughly equate to 27 home runs and 100 RBIs over a full 162 game season.
Importantly for Conforto, his home run, one of his doubles, and three of his RBIs came against a left-hander in Means. Conforto has been much better against left-handed pitching this year.
When asked about the satisfaction of his performance against southpaws during the post-game press conference, Conforto said (on his struggles against Madison Bumgarner in his second year):
“It was motivating (when he struggled against Bumgarner). I saw why this guy was the best and how he does what he does, why he’s so good. I saw that he was the best of the best. It was motivating…it comes with experience. I was always told you’re not going to hit lefties unless you’re out there.”
Conforto has been “out there” regularly this season against both right and left-handers, and the results show that he is emerging as star player. In Tuesday night’s game, Conforto slammed into the outfield wall, yet stayed in the game and was no worse for the wear today.
Going into today’s game, Conforto has an OPS+ of 149. The Mets will have an important decision to make soon, as Conforto is eligible for free agency after the 2021 season. With the news that Steve Cohen is close to taking ownership control of the Mets, locking Conforto up for the long-term may, and perhaps should, be a top priority when he assumes control.
