Six straight is great as Mets get set for West Coast gauntlet
The Mets complete a 6-0 homestand after their second consecutive sweep. Plus, how the offense has picked up an injured pitching staff.
What’s Up with the Mets? ⚾
The Mets shutout the Nationals 5-0 on Wednesday afternoon to complete the sweep and a 6-0 homestand (box)
New York’s pitching staff threw 21 consecutive scoreless innings to close out the series
After falling behind 3-0 in the first inning on Monday night, the Mets outscored the Nationals 28-2 over the next 26 innings
RHP Carlos Carrasco pitched five scoreless innings with five walks and five strikeouts while his father was in attendance
C Tomás Nido recorded his first career four-hit game and drove in three runs
SS Francisco Lindor became only the second player in Mets history to record an RBI in 10 consecutive games (Mike Piazza, 1999)
RHP Seth Lugo notched his ninth hold of the season with two scoreless frames
The Mets now have nine shutout victories in 52 games this season
Who’s Hot 🔥
SS Francisco Lindor has recorded an RBI in 10 straight games, tying him with Mike Piazza (1999) for the second-longest RBI streak in club history — he has 20 RBI in those 10 games
3B JD Davis is hitting .421/.476/.526 over his last five games started
Since his last blown save in San Francisco, RHP Edwin Díaz has thrown three consecutive scoreless innings while allowing just one single and striking out six batters
Today’s Game 🗓
Match-up: Mets (35-17) at Dodgers (33-17)
Where: Dodger Stadium — Los Angeles, CA
Starters: RHP Taijuan Walker (3-0, 2.83 ERA) vs RHP Tony Gonsolin (5-0, 1.80 ERA)
When: 10:10 PM EST
Where to Watch: SNY
Needed now more than ever, the Mets offense is delivering 📝
It wasn’t that long ago that some of us were wondering if this Mets offense was good enough to keep winning games. And while they’ll still likely be in need of a power bat to slot in at DH come July, there’s really nothing to complain about with this unit right now.
When Max Scherzer went down on May 18th, just three days after Tylor Megill was placed on the injured list, we were all saying the same thing: The Mets offense will have to pick up the slack while the starting rotation is on the mend.
Boy, oh boy, have they done just that.
In the 13 games since Scherzer went down, the Mets are averaging 7.2 runs per game, have scored double-digit runs four times and are batting .316/.365/.484 with 23 doubles, 15 home runs, five triples, eight stolen bases (only one caught stealing) with an .849 OPS as a team while averaging less than seven strikeouts per game.
This newfound hot streak on offense has been extremely welcome, as there is currently far less stress being placed on the injury-laden starting rotation and a bullpen that has been used more heavily over the last two weeks. The team has been smacking the ball around the yard as a unit during this stretch, but hot streaks by individual players that had been struggling have really pushed them over the top lately.
Since returning from the bereavement list — two days after Scherzer was placed on the IL — Starling Marte is hitting .340/.365/.580 with three home runs, a double, a triple, 11 RBI, two stolen bases and a .945 OPS. Francisco Lindor has driven in at least one run in 10 consecutive games, becoming just the second player in club history to accomplish that feat, and has posted a 1.080 OPS with six extra-base hits and 20 RBI in that timespan.
Even Eduardo Escobar has seen a bit of an uptick lately, as he’s recorded an .740 OPS with five extra-base hits and seven RBI in his last 11 games after putting up a .436 OPS in the 18 games prior. And, surprising to no one, Pete Alonso has been a mainstay in the lineup, slamming four home runs with a pair of doubles and 14 RBI in the 13 games since Mad Max went on the shelf.
While a run like this won’t be sustainable for the long-term because, you know, averaging over seven runs per game cannot ultimately last, and they now face a huge test flying into L.A. to meet their top National League counterparts in the Dodgers this weekend, the Mets offense has done everything they’ve been asked to do of late and more.
They’ve picked up the slack when they’ve been relied on more than ever, and it’s thanks to the bats that this club is in the midst of a season-high six-game winning streak and has extended their NL East lead to 10.5 games in the process. If they can continue to swing it on an above-average basis over the next few weeks-to-a-month, this Mets team should be more than capable of holding their own until the calvary arrives in the rotation.
Down on the Farm 🌾
Khalil Lee (OF, No. 7 Prospect, Triple-A): 2-for-5, 2B, RBI
JT Schwartz (1B, No. 19 Prospect, High-A): 1-for-5, 2B, 3 RBI, run scored
Dominic Hamel (RHP, No. 9 Prospect, Single-A): 6 IP, 4 H, ER, 4 BB, 8 K
Box Scores: Triple-A | Double-A (PPD) | High-A | Single-A
Around the League 🚩
Former Mets 2B/DH Robinson Canó is expected to decline an option to the minor leagues by the Padres, which would make him a free agent for the second time in three weeks (Heyman)
Dodgers SS Trea Turner extended his league-leading hitting streak to 24 games in the club’s loss to the Pirates
The Phillies finally won a baseball game, edging out the Giants 6-5
The Braves salvaged their series in Arizona thanks to a three-run homer by 3B Austin Riley
The Angels/Yankees game was postponed due to rain and will be made up as a doubleheader on Thursday