The New York Mets entered Saturday’s matinee against the Colorado Rockies having rediscovered the home run. Following weeks of scoring struggle and power droughts, they hit three HRs Friday night against Colorado, led by Francisco Lindor, who crushed two. Could this continue? On Saturday, the Mets responded with an emphatic “YES!” as they smashed three cannon blasts in an 8-2 victory.
Juan Soto has been baseball’s most scrutinized player due to his massive contract and his underwhelming production. He entered the Colorado series on a major skid, 0 for his last 17, dropping his average to .224. The 9-48 Rockies, though, provide the perfect get-right opportunity. Friday, he took advantage, collecting two hits and knocking in a run. Would he build off this?
Soto responded to Friday’s success with an excellent follow-up. He walked in the first inning, coming around to score on Brett Baty’s triple. He went back-to-back HRs in the fourth with Brandon Nimmo, walloping a 404-foot blast over center field. He ended a three-week HR drought and padded the New York lead to 7-1.
Soto has started his Mets career slowly, falling in the same footsteps as Mike Piazza and Carlos Beltran. Being the highest-paid player in the game comes with intense scrutiny of every move. He has earned much of the criticism he has received, but he is also capable of going on incredible hot streaks that last seemingly months. Colorado may have been just the spark needed to set the fire within Soto.
Baty has aggravated many Mets fans with inconsistent play and inability to replicate his incredible minor league numbers in the Big Apple. An early-season swoon led to New York management sending him back to Triple-A for two weeks. Since his return, though, he has been a different player.
Baty shined in a huge showdown series with the Chicago Cubs in early May, hitting three HRs in the series. He smashed a power jack against the Pittsburgh Pirates a few days later, giving him four HRs in a five-game period. Baty excelled in the massive matchup with the Los Angeles Dodgers last weekend, collecting five hits, hitting a HR and knocking in three. He has been one of the few bats to perform in the clutch.
Baty continued his impressive turnaround Saturday. He responded to the Rockies’ first-inning run by keying an explosive Mets outbreak in the bottom of the frame. He came to bat with the bases loaded and one out, a spot New York has struggled mightily in. He crushed a triple to clear the bases. The Mets controlled the game following, ending up with one of their most fantastic scoring outbursts.
Lindor performed magnificently on Friday evening, crushing two HRs and leading a much-needed New York win. He is the straw that drives the Mets’ drink; when he plays well, they win. Saturday proved no exception.
Lindor led off the first with a single; his hit turned into four runs at the close of the inning. He walked in the second, then singled in the fourth, coming around to score on Nimmo’s HR. Once again, he ignited a crooked inning. He walked again in the sixth, making four times on base. His exceptional play led to one of New York’s most outstanding performances, no coincidence.
Manager Carlos Mendoza has given more thought to Nimmo hitting in the second spot. His production makes it hard to argue against it. In 15 plate appearances as the number two hitter before Saturday, he slashed an outstanding .385 average and .467 on-base percentage.
On Saturday, Nimmo hit from the second hole again and elevated his play. He singled in the first as part of the Mets’ four-run scoring display. He hit the first of back-to-back HRs with Juan Soto in the fourth, highlighting another huge New York inning. He closed his afternoon going 2 for 4 with two hits, a HR, two runs scored, and two RBI. If Nimmo can get going, the Mets’ scoring production ought to reach the levels many expected.
Kodai Senga has led New York’s rotation to the best ERA in MLB. He missed most of last season, and his bounce-back this year should have him at the forefront of the Comeback Player of the Year Award discussion. He has only allowed more than a run once in his last five starts, displaying outstanding composure when men get on base.
Senga maintained his profound pitching on Saturday. He fell behind quickly, allowing a first-inning HR to Ezequiel Tovar. He responded with lights-out pitching, allowing no more runs until the seventh and leaving with a 7-2 lead. He finished his afternoon throwing 6 1/3 innings, two hits, two runs, and striking out seven. He improved his record to 6-3 with a minuscule 1.60 ERA.
The Rockies have proved to be the perfect tonic to New York’s scoring woes. The Mets came into the Colorado series struggling to hit HRs for weeks; they have wacked six power jacks against the inept Rockies. Momentum is building; they can’t let up Sunday afternoon.
The Mets are notorious for getting comfortable winning series, leading to a loss of focus and intensity. New York has a massive road series ahead against the Los Angeles Dodgers; coming in off a sweep will be critical to success. It will breed confidence and winning impetus; without this, success in Los Angeles will be nearly impossible.
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