Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

After the month of July, the Mets remain in first place in the NL East. In fact, they even ended the month with a comfortable four-game lead over the second-place Phillies. While this is good news for the orange and blue, the month was as close to “average” as possible. The Mets went 14-13 in July, never winning or losing more than two games in a row. The team was unable to put together any type of winning streak. But then again, they thankfully did not fall into a major slump, either.

Despite the rather lackluster month, the team had two stars leading the way. One of them is a repeat Player of the Month winner at MetsMerized. The other is a first-time winner and has emerged as one of the best surprises for the Mets this season.

Hitter of the Month: Pete Alonso

Alonso claims July Hitter of the Month honors to make it back-to-back months as the team’s best hitter. The slugger played in all 27 games for the Mets, hitting .250/.304/.577 with 10 home runs and 22 RBI. His biggest home run was his first of the month, a solo shot off Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman. In this game, the Mets trailed 5-4 in the top of the seventh (final inning because of the doubleheader). Leading off the inning, Alonso blasted a home run to tie the game. The Mets would go on to score five more runs that inning. Their 10-5 victory in the Bronx remains one of their best wins of the season, and it was sparked by Alonso’s heroics.

In mid-July, Alonso competed in and won his second consecutive Home Run Derby. After defeating Trey Mancini in the final round, Alonso ended the derby with a grand total of 74 homers on the day. For years, there’s been this idea that competing in — let alone winning — the home run derby will hurt a player’s power in the second half of the season.

Alonso has simply laughed at that since dominating Coors Field. From July 16-July 31, (post-All-Star Break), Alonso slashed .302/.371/.619, while hitting six more home runs.

As the lineup continues to deal with injuries — the latest IL member being Francisco Lindor — Alonso has been a consistent source of offense in the Mets’ lineup.

To cap off the month, Alonso belted a 453-foot homer into Citi Field’s third deck, albeit in a loss to the Braves. Regardless, it’s clear that he remains one of baseball’s best power hitters. July added an incredible month to his growing resume.

Honorable Mention: Jeff McNeil 

Pitcher of the Month: Tylor Megill

Where would the Mets’ pitching be without their new best pitcher, Tylor Megill?

Here’s another question: How many of you expected a rookie pitcher to be the Mets’ best pitcher at the start of August?

While yes, no one can dethrone Jacob deGrom, the two-time Cy Young winner remains on the injured list with arm issues. In his place, Megill has done his best to fill the void of deGrom’s absence.

Megill was absolutely dominant in July. The former eighth-round draft selection went 1-0, posting an incredible 1.04 ERA to go along with 27 strikeouts. He also allowed just two home runs all month.

In his first two starts following the All-Star break, Megill pitched 6.0 innings in both games, allowing no runs at all. Over the entire month, Megill held batters to a slash line of .208/.269/.292. For the entire season, his WHIP sits at 1.10.

The rookie began the month with a 4.82 ERA after his first two career starts in June. Since then, he has cut his ERA by more than half, as it currently sits at 2.o4. This mark would lead the National League if Megill had thrown enough innings to qualify for the ERA crown.

Megill has been one of the best surprises in all of baseball this season. Not only has he provided quality innings to New York’s rotation, but he’s been dominant in doing so, stepping up for a pitching staff that has been decimated by injuries lately. He’s making a true case for himself to carve out a significant role on the Mets’ playoff roster.

Honorable Mention: Aaron Loup