Despite the Mets’ bats staying quiet, they had a solid week thanks to strong pitching performances. To start the week, the Mets lost two out of three in Boston against the Red Sox. In both losses, the Mets only put up one run, combined! They managed to win one against the Red Sox thanks to a superb performance from Tylor Megill on Wednesday. The Mets then took on the Dodgers at home, winning the series thanks to some stellar pitching performances from David Peterson, Kodai Senga, and the bullpen.

Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Offensive Player of the Week: Tyrone Taylor 

While Brett Baty continued his torrid play since last week, we decided to focus on another Met that is swinging a hot bat. Tyrone Taylor has been producing at the plate. From May 19, Taylor slashed .333/.391/.333 with an OPS of .724. He recorded seven hits in 21 at-bats, driving in two RBIs. Could this hot streak stem from a post-game meeting between Francisco Lindor and Taylor?

According to Abbey Mastracco from the New York Daily News, Taylor sought Lindor’s advice to help him with his ‘gather’. “The ‘gather’ is when the hitter essentially ‘gathers’ his weight on his back foot. It’s a crucial part of hitting mechanics that allows hitters to come set with their weight back, their head in the right place, and the bat in position to begin the swing path. It’s where balance comes from, and it helps with timing as well.”

Lindor’s pointers have been paying off for Taylor, as seen when he hit the game-tying RBI against Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott on May 23 in the bottom of the ninth. What’s also been good about Taylor’s approach at the plate is that he’s been lifting the ball. He only had an 11.8% ground ball rate last week. He has a career 37.9% ground-ball rate. Additionally, he’s been using the whole field, hitting 41.2% of his contacts to the opposite field.

David Peterson (23) – Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Pitcher of the Week: David Peterson 

The Mets needed their starter to go deep in the game following their extra-innings affair on Friday to save some depleted arms in the bullpen, and David Peterson answered the call. Peterson took the mound on Saturday’s game with authority. He gave the Mets 7 2/3 innings of wonderful pitching, striking out seven and only allowing two earned runs on five hits against a very potent Dodgers lineup. He also induced three key ground ball double plays.

A highlight of Peterson’s night was striking out former MVP Shohei Ohtani three times. Before the game, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza half-jokingly stated that he wanted Peterson to pitch straight to Edwin Díaz, which turned into reality. Díaz came in with one out in the eighth and then pitched the ninth to shut the door. This was a great win to show that the Mets can compete with some of the best in the league and get a little revenge in the process.

Honorable Mention: Tylor Megill

Coming into this week, Tylor Megill had been struggling. He silenced those notions when he took the mound against the Red Sox on Wednesday. Although he did not record the win, he pitched 4 2/3 innings of phenomenal baseball. He struck out 10 (tying a career-high) of the 14 outs made in his start while allowing one earned run on four hits. He also had more command of his pitches, limiting his walks to only one. The Mets came into this game having lost three in a row, so Megill’s pitching helped stop that slide from going further.

On Deck

The Mets have a lighter schedule coming up. They take on the White Sox and Rockies both at home. The White Sox have a record of 17-36. The Rockies have the MLB’s worst record at 9-44. The White Sox competed for the worst record in the modern era last year, and now it’s the Rockies looking to take that title this year. Look for the Mets’ bats to get back on track against these teams.