The Mets had a solid week. They started the week with four games in Los Angeles against the Dodgers, splitting the series 2-2. The Mets wasted no time in bouncing back from a disappointing game four loss in Hollywood, beating the Rockies in a thrilling comeback win on Friday. The Mets swept the series against the Rockies, going 5-2 on the week and 42-24 for the year.
Pete Alonso (20) Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Offensive Player of the Week: Pete Alonso
This week’s offensive player was a no-doubter, just like the bomb he hit against the Dodgers. Pete Alonso slashed .400/.486/.967 with an OPS of 1.453 since June 2. He hit five home runs, two in one game twice, and one being a 447-foot blast. These homers pushed him past David Wright for second place on the Mets’ all-time home run list and have him nine behind Darryl Strawberry’s record. He drove in 15 RBIs last week, with 18 for June so far! In comparison, Alonso drove in 15 batters all of May, and the next RBI leader for June is Ketel Marte at eight.
Pete is off to a scorching start for June. While he is crushing the ball at the plate, he is also showing his willpower to win. In Friday’s game, Alonso originally drove in the leading run in the top of the seventh, however, that lead was squandered in the bottom of the inning. Pete was determined to help his team to victory. In the ninth inning, Francisco Lindor recorded a pinch-hit double, driving in Soto as well as Pete. Pete was chugging around the bases and had a fantastic slide at home plate to help secure an insurance run for the Mets. Pete is doing whatever it takes to help his Mets win ball games.
Griffin Canning Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Pitcher of the Week: Griffin Canning
Going up against the Dodgers is no easy task, yet Griffin Canning rose to the challenge. Canning threw six scoreless innings, only allowing three hits and one walk. He did this while striking out seven, including stars Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman. This start was much better than his last one against the Dodgers, in which he allowed three earned through only 2 ⅔ innings due to weather. Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza stated that Canning’s performance last week was “pretty impressive (because) he got ahead, executed when he needed to, and made them chase.”
Honorable Mention: Juan Soto
Juan Soto is starting to gain his confidence. That is very scary for opposing pitchers but great for the Mets. Soto hit one home run and drove in three RBIs last week. He slashed .333/.543/.500 with an OPS of 1.043. He also managed to record his first three-hit game as a Met. In Sunday’s game, Soto reached base in all six plate appearances for the first time in his career. While he is producing at the plate, some of his swagger antics are making a comeback. He’s doing his head nod after some pitches, with a little Soto-shuffle sprinkled in. It’s great to see him producing at the plate while displaying confidence during his at-bats.
Up Next
The Mets have a six-game homestand this week. To start, they will face division foes, the Washington Nationals. The Nationals are coming into this week with a 30-35 record, putting them in third place in the N.L. East. The Nationals have a lot of young talent, as their oldest position starter is only 29 years old. Following the Nationals, the Mets will take on the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays are 35-30 and second in the A.L. East.
