Let the good times roll. The New York Mets extended their season-long winning streak to seven games as they handily defeated the Chicago White Sox 4-0 on Thursday, to complete their three-game sweep at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Credit a rare offensive outburst by Robinson Cano and some flashy defense by Jeff McNeil in right field and Amed Rosario at shortstop for the latest victory… And oh yeah, Zack Wheeler too, lest we forget.
The 29-year-old right-hander showed Mets brass why keeping him around in his walk-year might not have been a bad idea as they continue to jockey their way into a legitimate playoff push.
Wheeler was practically unhittable in what was clearly his best showing of the season, holding the White Sox to just four hits and no runs in a masterful 88-pitch performance that left manager Mickey Callaway salivating at the thought of just how dangerous the Mets’ rotation has become and where all of this could be headed.
“That was probably one of the best games I’ve ever seen him pitch,” said Mickey. “Just relaxed, fluid, just executing pitch after pitch. Not overthrowing at all and keeping his pitch count down.”
The final line (7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K) told a compelling story for Wheeler, who is now looking every bit as good as the dominating pitcher who closed out the second half of the 2018 season with such pomp and circumstance.
And if you’re wondering why Wheeler came out after seven innings despite his very efficient pitch count and no signs of letting up, don’t worry it’s all good. This was Wheeler’s second start since coming of the injured list and Callaway didn’t want to push his young righty too far so soon. It was a good decision.
Wheeler was pretty modest after the game but still smiling from ear to ear nonetheless.
“I just go out there every time just trying to win a ballgame and keep zeros on the board and do the best I can,” he said. “We’re winning some ballgames. Pitching’s clicking. Hitting’s clicking. Guys out there in the field made some amazing plays.”
Yesterday’s contest was a real treat to watch and emphatically affirmed what I wrote yesterday about the team’s improved defense, timely hitting, and their suddenly very effective relief pitching.
But it’s still all about the rotation and speaking about them, Mets starters now have a Major League best 2.22 ERA since the All-Star break and they have allowed three or fewer earned runs in 17 straight games. Let that sink in for a minute…
And while all the talk offensively is usually centered around Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil and Michael Conforto, please make some room for the seldom talked about Amed Rosario.
The 23-year-old Rosario is not only flashing the leather at shortstop, but over his last 15 games he’s slashing at an incredible .328/.381/.552 with two doubles, two triples and two homers while scoring 10 and driving in five runs. I took some ribbing early last month when I included Rosario among the Mets’ core players. Who’s laughing now?
The Mets have played to the tune of a 13-5 (.722 winning percentage) record since the All-Star break, and in case you were wondering – yes that is the best mark in the Major Leagues.
I’m going to take a deeper dive into that stretch later this afternoon so make sure to check back. But I’ll leave you all with this…
Streaks like this one don’t come around very often for our Mets, and time and time again I’ve dreamed of just how good this team could be if they ever got their hitting, pitching and defense all synced up and playing to their capabilities at the same time. We are seeing it on full display right now and the only question for me is how long will it last?
To be quite frank and not to sound like I’ve got my head in the clouds, I’m very confident that what we are seeing is fully sustainable. Confidence is a beautiful thing and when it becomes as infectious as it is in the Mets clubhouse right now, you can move mountains with it.
So yes, I’m fully invested… And yes, I’m a believer… LFGM
