Somehow the Mets are only 4.5 games back of the 2nd wild card. I know that basically the entire league is between them and the playoffs, but baseball is a stupid game and one 10-2 stretch puts them right back in the thick of it. I don't think they'll do that but, as a Mets fan, I'm used to still thinking it isn't over until it's over and then going down with the ship
General thoughts on the season.
1. The bullpen really screwed things up after starting off as a strength. They've blown 6 games when leading after the 8th in the last month. Literally just be "bad" and lose 3 of those games instead and they are right in the middle of the mediocre WC race.
2. It's nice to see a young player with really good stats. I didn't think that was allowed and I know it's a small sample size, but I'd rather get excited about what Vientos is doing than trick myself into thinking Baty figured something out because he has a .720 or so OPS like he did early on. Give him the rest of the year at 3B and let's see if he can handle it.
3. Alvarez is on his way back so hopefully he can take a step forward (also the bad man that is Narvaez is gone!). Even still, getting a league average bat in that spot in the lineup will be a nice boost.
4. The young pitchers are making me feel better about the future. Not because I think there are any aces in there, but having cheap young guys who are legit backend starters allows flexibility to go after a bigger arm in FA and provides depth for the obvious injuries that will come up throughout the year. Sproat and Tidwell are both doing very well in the high minors so more darts to throw at the board are coming. Peterson has looked decent enough in his 2 starts and won't cost much for another 2 years.
5. Alonso and Lindor are starting to pick it up. If Alonso can go on a tear that would help both in the standings and for trade value should the team be out of it at the end of July. I'd prefer to keep Pete, but they don't have a contract in place and I'd rather trade him and then try to sign him back vs just losing him for nothing.
6. I'm starting to hate McNeil...I really want him to turn it around because he should at least have value as a super sub playing all over the diamond. Instead it's just weak contact all the time.