Francisco Lindor's clutch-ness continues to grow
Lindor's home run on Sunday gave the Mets the lead for good, helping to secure an important series win against the top level clutch
What’s up with the Mets? ⚾
The Mets took the rubber game from the Cubs on Mother’s Day by the final score of 6-2 (Box | Highlights)
Francisco Lindor crushed a tiebreaking home run in the 8th inning that put the Mets ahead for good
Brandon Nimmo added a two-run homer later in the 8th that gave Edwin Diaz a nice cushion in the 9th inning
Griffin Canning started for the Mets on his 29th birthday and pitched well, firing six terrific innings while allowing just a run on two hits and a walk, and striking out five
Reed Garrett, Ryne Stanek, and Edwin Diaz all fired scoreless innings of relief
Mark Vientos hit his 5th home run of the season in the 6th inning
Who’s Hot? 🔥
Francisco Alvarez is quietly hitting .435/.500/.435 with four RBI in seven games in May
Who’s Cold 🥶
Starling Marte had a hit on Sunday but through 66 at-bats this season he’s slashing just .197/.308/.318 with only four extra-base hits
Play of the Game 🌟
This is an easy one. In what was a well-pitched, back-and-forth, easily matched game through seven and a half innings, in the bottom of the 8th, the Mets took control of the game thanks to who else? Francisco Lindor.
Leading off against reliever Porter Hodge in the eighth, Lindor crushed a long home run to give the Mets the lead in what was ultimately the game-winning hit.
Down on the Farm 🌾
1B Ryan Clifford (No. 4 Prospect, Double-A: 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, R
SS Marco Vargas (No. 14 Prospect, High-A): 2-for-3, BB, R
C Chris Suero (No. 21 Prospect, High-A): 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, R
BOX SCORES
Single-A STL | High-A BRK | Double-A BNG | Triple-A SYR
Today’s Game 🗓️
Match-up: Mets (26-15) vs. Pirates (14-27)
Where: Citi Field — Flushing, NY
Starters: LHP David Peterson (2-2, 3.05 ERA) vs. RHP Paul Skenes (3-4, 2.77 ERA)
When: 7:10 PM EDT
Where to Watch: SNY
Francisco Lindor continues to be impressively clutch… ✍️
Over the last year plus, every time the Mets have needed a meaningful, game-changing hit, the guy who consistently takes center stage is Francisco Lindor.
The Mets’ all-world shortstop does essentially everything on a baseball field the right way. He’s dynamic defensively, is everything you could ever want in a leader—and could ultimately be named the Mets captain—and offensively can beat you with power, speed, and finesse.
But he’s also become just unbelievably clutch.
We all know and remember fondly Lindor’s exploits late last September and into October. And it feels like he’s taken that momentum and really carried it into 2025.
For starters, he’s consistently been able to get the Mets offense off to a good start and take the pressure off of the team’s starting pitcher. He’s already connected on four leadoff home runs, which has often set the tone for what has been a very good first month and a half for the Mets as a whole.
Lindor is currently slashing .301/.368/.509 and is tied with Pete Alonso for the team lead in home runs with nine.
Everything about his offensive game has been noteworthy and standout, but for the purpose of this editorial, I’m especially impressed with his performance late in games.
In the 7th inning or later this season, Lindor is hitting .288 with four home runs and 16 RBIs. In spots late in games when the opposition has their best relievers in the game, Lindor’s overall performance has not dipped in any way.
His ability to stay calm, embrace the moment, and treat pressure as a privilege is impressive and refreshing, and really enjoyable to watch.
Lindor and Alonso have combined to really carry this Mets offense early in 2025, while guys like Juan Soto, Brandon Nimmo, and Mark Vientos have all had spurts but not a sustained hot streak.
Once they really break out, this Mets line-up has a chance to be really, really scary. But it’s clear to everyone involved with the team that this team’s offense starts with one guy, and his name is Francisco Lindor.
Around the League 🚩
Behind home runs from Nolan Arenado, Lars Nootbaar, and Willson Contreras, the Cardinals defeated the Nationals 6-1
The Pirates walked off the Braves 4-3 with the winning run coming in on a slow roller to shortstop that Nick Allen who couldn’t get the force out at home
Rafael Devers demolished a long 440 foot home run in Boston’s 3-1 win in Kansas City
The Rockies won just their 7th game of the season in large part thanks to a three hit, five RBI performance from Hunter Goodman - they also fired manager Bud Black
Great win and yes, a great player. Last year Manea had the best year of his career and now Canning is doing the same. Whether it's Hefner or Stearns or both, someone deserves a lot of credit. Honestly, when they acquired Canning I thought they were scraping the bottom of the barrel and hoping for the best. Question: did I see Baty coming in as a defensive replacement for Vientos? Is this something new? I'm a Baty fan so I'm all for it.
I loved the show of emotion from Soto. It's something I've been looking for: a little more animation in the box, a little more life. He's been presenting as tight and dour, almost robotic, so far. He's at his best when he's in mano a mano mode, stalking the pitcher, looking for a ball to drive.
We saw flashes of it early, but then he got in a rut as we slogged through Minnesota and the cold and rain, and he unlocked. Now he may be locking back in. I wouldn't be surprised to see him break out this week.