This past week, the New York Mets were somewhat bipolar. In their series against the Cleveland Indians, the Mets proved just how good they could be when their pitching is right and they are playing at home. They swept the Indians, temporarily quieting the narrative that the Mets have done all of their winning against sub-500 teams.

Then over the weekend, the Atlanta Braves asserted their NL East dominance by sweeping the Mets for the first time this season. New York has yet to win a series against the Braves, who have now beaten them in five-straight series. Atlanta has an 11-5 record against the Mets this season. The Mets first lost a 14-inning marathon against the Braves in Game 1, before dropping the next two contests to finish off a disappointing weekend.

On the bright side, Wilson Ramos just keeps raking, as his hitting streak continued despite entering games as late as the ninth inning on Sunday. Steven Matz also had a solid week, adding two quality starts to his 2019 resume.

Hitter of the Week – Wilson Ramos

Wilson Ramos will enter play on Tuesday with a 19-game hitting steak, as a pinch-hit single in the ninth inning on Sunday extended the streak.

Ramos was the Mets only hitter with 20 or more at-bats this past week that hit above .250, as a significant portion of the starting lineup failed to even exceed the Mendoza line of a .200 batting average. In a sense, Ramos wins this week’s Hitter of the Week by default, despite the fact that his hits did not lead to much run production.

As he has done for most of the season, Ramos continues to due most of his damage by collecting singles. This past week, Ramos only had one extra-base hit, although it was a big one. In Thursday’s rain-shortened series finale against the Cleveland Indians, Ramos’ two-run double in the fourth inning provided the Mets with the only runs scored in the game. Aside from that hit though, Ramos did not get any more RBIs and only scored one run this week.

Ramos’ stats this past week: .400/.400/.450, 8 H, 1 R, 2 RBI, 2B, 1 K, 1 SB

One rare stat that Ramos did collect however was his first career steal, although it really could have been called defensive indifference as the Braves let Ramos take the bag in a first and third situation.

Pitcher of the Week – Steven Matz

Outside of Zack Wheeler, the Mets really got quality starting pitching up and down their rotation last week. For Steven Matz, consistency has always been his issue, yet it seems like he is starting to find it here in the second half. Over his last four starts, Matz has pitched at least six innings each time and has allowed a total of five earned runs.

Matz first pitched on Tuesday against the Cleveland Indians and the lefty threw a gem. Matz really only made one mistake in that game, yielding a solo home run to Jason Kipnis. He ultimately made it though six innings, while allowing just one earned run. Then to end off the week, Matz once again returned to the mound as he squared off in a left-handed duel with Dallas Keuchel. While Keuchel ended up winning that contest, it was because of a lack of offense from the Mets, not due to a failed performance by Matz. Matz once again gave the Mets six good innings, allowing just one run and striking out six.

Matz final line this past week: 12 1/3 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER and 13 Ks

With Wheeler faltering over his last couple of starts, Matz has clearly picked up the slack and is making a strong case to be included in a postseason rotation, if the Mets were to make it that far.