After a dismal weekend in Pittsburgh, where the Mets were swept by the Pirates and outscored 21-4, the team turned things around against the Phillies and Marlins at Citi Field. Surprisingly, it was the Mets’ bats that led the way this wee.
In their series against the Bucs, the Mets went a paltry 1-18 with runners in scoring position, left 16 on base, struck out 36 times, and ground into 4 double plays. The three game set was a true demonstration in offensive ineptitude. In the aftermath, the Mets had lost their month long hold on first place in the NL East, and many fans were ready to jump ship. The team needed to make a statement with a home stand against the reeling Phillies and Marlins.
The Mets statement came in the form of a 4-2 record, leaving them just a half game behind the Nationals. While the wins were certainly important, perhaps the most significant takeaway from the last six games was the team’s bats finally showing some signs of life.
On the home stand, the Amazins put up 30 runs, one fewer than their previous twelve road games combined. Their 4 home runs Wednesday afternoon set a new single-game high for them on the season. Michael Cuddyer, who has had a forgettable start to the season, put up big numbers against the Phillies going 5 for 10 with 2 home runs and 5 runs batted in. Lucas Duda finished up a strong month of May going 7 for 21 with 4 round-trippers and 6 RBI in his last six. The overall numbers weren’t great for Wilmer Flores against the Phillies, but the defensively challenged shortstop did prove clutch, hitting a game-winning three-run homer Monday, then delivering the game-tying and walk off RBIs Tuesday. After replacing Eric Campbell at third base, Rueben Tejada went 5 for 12 in the series against the Marlins. Tejada provided the game-winning RBI in the 7th inning of Sunday’s win. Mets position players weren’t the only ones taking advantage of the “friendly confines” of Citi Field this week, as Noah Syndergaard went 3 for 3 with a home run Wednesday in addition to tossing 7.1 scoreless frames.
Between their series at PNC Park and their last six games, the Mets have looked like two completely different offensive teams. Their home/road splits indicate that they just might be, when playing at Citi the Mets are 21-8 and batting .248/.322/.387. On the road, the team has hit an atrocious .223/.279/.330, compiling a 7-15 record.
If the Mets hope to stay relevant deep into the season their play on the road must improve. The team’s first test starts Monday as they open up a seven game west coast trip against the Padres and Diamondbacks. Jacob deGrom will try and get them off on the right foot as he squares off against Andrew Cashner and the Padres tonight at 10:10 PM.
