Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Despite starting last week off rough and getting swept by the Cubs at home in the first half of the week, the Mets rebounded back to sweep the Pirates in a four game series that put them in a position to possibly clinch a playoff spot on Monday or within the week.

The Mets offense was quiet against the Cubs, but looked strong against the Pirates, striking for 23 runs against the Pirates over the course of the four-game series.

Following their sweep of the Pirates, the Mets hold on to a one-game lead over their NL East foe Atlanta Braves in the race for the division title.

Hitter of the Week

Daniel Vogelbach had a stand-out series against the Pirates at the plate. After going 0-5 against the Cubs with two walks, Vogelbach was 5-for-8 against the Pirates with five walks and a home run. He drove in six RBI’s during the series and also had two runs scored.

The highlight of the week and series against the Pirates was on Thursday when he went 2-for-2 with three RBI’s, including two in the first inning on a 2-RBI double to right field that scored Jeff McNeil and Pete Alonso to put the Mets on top of the Pirates early. His third RBI of the game came in the bottom of the third on an RBI single to right field that once again scored McNeil to give the Mets a 5-1 lead. They went on to defeat the Pirates 7-1 in that game.

So far this season, Vogelbach is batting .235/.359/.431, with a .791 OPS. Through the last seven games he batting .389/.560, with a .611 slugging percentage.

Pitcher of the Week

In a week with a few standout pitchers, including Jacob deGrom’s 13-strikeout performance on Sunday, the pitcher who really stood out to the Metsmerized staff this week was Joely Rodriguez out of the bullpen.

Rodriguez threw five innings over the course of last week and was perfect. He did not allow a single baserunner in five innings and struck out nine along the way.

Overall for the month of September, Rodriguez has thrown seven and one-third inning, giving up just two earned runs on four hits, two walks, and has struck out 12. He has a 0.82 WHIP in September.

Over the full course of the 2022 season, Rodriguez is 1-4 with a 4.73 ERA. He has struck out 55 over the course of 45 2/3 innings pitched.

Rodriguez is having a productive year coming out of the bullpen and has been part of the success the Mets have been able to have.