The New York Mets won an extra-inning thriller on Wednesday night against the Miami Marlins, 6-5. Pete Alonso hit the game-changing blast, tying the game with a three-run Home Run in the top of the eighth. Would the Mets maintain their momentum into their much-anticipated home opener Friday afternoon?
Mets fans eagerly awaited the unveiling of the offseason prize, Juan Soto, and the return of franchise mainstay, Alonso. Fans expressed love for their stars, Soto, Alonso, and Francisco Lindor, with a standing ovation.
The answer was a resounding “YES!” Lindor started the Mets’ offense with a double. Alonso picked right up from his Wednesday night heroics with a two-run HR, sending the fans into a frenzy. Alonso has been the best Mets hitter by far. He looks relaxed, confident, and ready to strike at any moment.
Alonso is hitting .292 with an On-Base Plus Slugging Percentage of 1.183. He has 3 HR’s and 10 Runs Batted In in seven games. He has New York’s two most dramatic moments so far this season. He is also closing in on the Mets’ all-time HR record; now 24 from passing franchise legend Darryl Strawberry’s mark of 252.
The Mets bullpen shined in the first week, combining for a 1.64 Earned Run Average in the six road games. They reached another level of success on Friday by shutting the Blue Jays out for the last 3 2/3 innings. NY’s relief corps allowed only two hits, zero walks, and struck out six.
Spring standout Max Kranick has raised his performance. In 5 2/3 innings so far, he has only one hit, walked none, and struck out two. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza is showing increased confidence in Kranick, who adds another element to the deep bullpen.
Closer Edwin Diaz is among the best in the game. Setup arms A.J. Minter, Ryne Stanek, and Reed Garrett are a strong crew that locks down the 7th and 8th innings. If Kranick maintains his preeminence, the Mets bullpen will likely finish the season as the best.
Standout bullpens have become the weapons that managers seek to use come playoff time. Games have become five to six-inning starting pitching affairs and usually less. The Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen in last year’s playoffs was untouchable. This propelled them to the World Series championship. Mets fans should be excited to have an outstanding relief corps.
Alonso and the bullpen gave fans plenty to cheer about, yes, but the biggest positive development to occur yesterday involved Tylor Megill. The Mets rotation has taken injury hits to Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas. Clay Holmes and Kodai Senga will likely need ample time to become consistent starters.
Mets general manager David Stearns held off on big additions to the rotation, betting on NY’s pitching laboratory and analytics. It worked last year with strong performances by Manaea, Luis Severino, and Jose Quintana. Stearns’s track record is exemplary, and he should be trusted. Seeing clear answers emerge, though, will help to relax fans.
Megill is showing he may just become a rotational piece fans can count on. He tantalized the last few seasons by showing strikeout ability and often cruising through lineups the first time. He couldn’t maintain the excellence once hitters saw him a second or third time as he struggled with command.
This season has been a different story. Megill impressed in a difficult road environment against the Houston Astros in his first start, showing confidence and harnessing his pitches. His next assignment wasn’t any easier. The Toronto Blue Jays, led by slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., have been one of the top-scoring teams in the last few seasons.
Megill shut the Blue Jays down through five innings before tiring, walking two batters in the fifth. He allowed only two hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings. He looked in control throughout. He improved to 2-0 with a 0.87 ERA and 0.87 Walks and Hits Per Inning Pitched.
Megill is now tied for the lead in wins, and his overall metrics indicate a breakout. He has allowed less than a runner per inning. He looks mature and ready for any challenge.
David Peterson experienced a big leap forward last year, and this became critical during the Mets’ late-season run and playoff heroics. He came into the season facing similar questions as Megill this year with command and makeup. Megill is showing the same encouraging signs that Peterson did.
Mendoza is helping Megill by using his excellent bullpen tremendously. As soon as Megill showed a little fatigue yesterday, Mendoza made sure to get him out on a high note. The relief crew, by locking the game down, ensured that Megill would carry the high momentum.
Megill has a manager who will test him but also knows when to take him out of the game. Mendoza will build Megill’s confidence up step by step. Mendoza’s strategy worked exceptionally last season with Peterson. It is moving in a great direction this year with Megill.
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