The New York Mets arrived in Arizona fresh off losing not one, but two games on Sunday. They had ample chances to win both, but suffered two defeats thanks to brutal starting pitching and dreadful clutch hitting. An 18-7 start capped by a sweep of the rival Philadelphia Phillies had been followed by a 4-6 stretch with 5 one-run losses. Could the desert spark a turnaround?
The Mets completed their most transformational offseason ever centered around Juan Soto. Among their groundbreaking moves, few paid much attention to Griffin Canning. He went 6-13 last season with a 5.19 earned run average for the sad-sack Los Angeles Angels. He has never had double-digit wins, his best ERA since 2021, a pedestrian 4.32.
General Manager David Stearns is skilled in locating under-the-radar arms, shining last season with Luis Severino, Sean Manaea, and Jose Quintana. New York has an exceptional pitching coach in Jeremy Hefner, a renowned lab, and vastly improved analytics. Canning is their latest project.
Canning has given the Mets a winning chance each start. He has raised his game over the last month, pitching 21 innings, allowing 20 hits, 3 runs, and striking out 24. New York has won every game. Monday night, he continued his career-best stretch.
Canning struggled early, allowing a lead-off HR to Corbin Carroll. He then gave up a single to Ketel Marte, making fans think they were about to see a repeat of the Sunday games. He showed the fortitude that has marked his Mets career, getting a strikeout and a double play to close the threat.
Canning cruised through the rest of his outing, keeping the Diamondbacks at one run. Consistency and composure have been his trademark. He may work himself into trouble, but he has proven highly competent in getting out of it with minimal damage. New York keeps winning Canning’s starts, it is no coincidence.
Pete Alonso is shaping up to have a season for the ages. He leads the National League in batting average, 349, on base percentage, .469, and slugging percentage, .674. His on-base plus slugging percentage is an eye-popping 1.143. He has more hits, 45, and doubles, 13, than any NL bat and ranks near the top in HR, nine, and RBI, 33.
Monday night against Arizona proved no exception. Alonso went two for four, with a HR and two RBIs. His 4th inning 425-foot blast over left gave New York a 2-1 lead, which they did not give back. He also contributed a hit in the Mets’ three-run 7th, helping to keep the line going.
Alonso was remarkable once again, but he was outshone. Francisco Lindor put on his Superman cape and ensured New York would not go down to defeat. Like superheroes tend to do, he saved his best for the most dramatic moments.
The Mets clung to a 2-1 lead in the 7th and had wasted some earlier scoring opportunities. In the previous three innings following the Alonso HR, they got men on base only to fail to drive them in. Starting the 7th, they got an infield single and a double, putting two men on with one out. Would the clutch-hitting frustration continue?
Lindor responded with an emphatic “NO!” He homered to right center, knocking in Francisco Alvarez and Tyrone Taylor. A nail-biting game had been turned into a workable margin, at least it appeared so.
The Diamondbacks didn’t go down quietly, and Lindor would need to show off otherworldly skills again. Arizona blasted New York’s bullpen in the 8th, scoring three runs to cut the lead to one. They led off the 9th by getting on base due to an Alonso throwing error. Edwin Diaz has been erratic over the last few weeks, so few could fault Mets fans for not being confident.
Alex Thomas immediately took off for second, looking to move the tying run into scoring position. Alvarez threw him out, thanks to an incredible tag by Lindor, shutting down the Diamondbacks’ comeback attempt. Lindor caught an off-target throw, steadied his body, and managed to touch Thomas as he slid into second.
Lindor displayed why New York will be in the playoff chase. They have three MVP candidates in Alonso, Soto, and Lindor who can overcome injuries, iffy pitching, and bad luck to bring victories.
The Mets have a lot to work through. They are making endless visits to the injured list, with Jesse Winkler’s six-to-eight-week stint the latest. Their rotation has been in flux, and a determination must be made on whether they can maintain a sixth man. Their RISP performance ranks near the bottom.
Their core performers, though, always give them a chance. Lindor, Alonso, and Soto can each carry a team on their back for weeks. If they all get hot together, they can overcome any adversity. There will be more rollercoaster effects, but this team will have a happy ending.
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