The New York Mets won a thriller Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals in a tense back-and-forth affair. The leads changed multiple times before Francisco Lindor hit a walk-off home run to capture the victory. David Peterson’s solid start and the bullpen’s excellence opened the door for Lindor’s dramatics. Could the Mets add to their winning streak?
Luisangel Acuna gives fans something to enjoy every day. He thrills in the field with his dynamic glove. He excels in getting on base and stealing them with outstanding speed. He brings the occasional pop, usually for the most clutch moments. Saturday was no exception.
Acuna led off the bottom of the third in a scoreless game. The Mets needed a spark, and he provided it with a leadoff double. It paved the way for a multirun inning behind hits by Juan Soto and Pete Alonso. Acuna and Alonso are becoming a run-producing dynamic duo.
Run scoring rallies and Alonso have been synonymous. He has accounted for nearly half of New York’s runs this season and maintained the astounding play Saturday. He doubled in the 3rd to increase the Mets’ lead to 2-0; he hit a HR in the 8th to add valuable insurance.
Alonso’s statistics continue to impress. He is hitting .348 with a 1.175 on-base plus slugging percentage. He has hit six HRs with 23 RBI in 21 games, putting him on pace for 46 HRs and 177 RBI. He leads the National League in RBI, slugging percentage, and OPS. Say MVP, and he quickly comes to mind.
The Mets’ relief corps has become the franchise’s lifeblood. Manager Carlos Mendoza has called on them continuously to provide four to five innings; they haven’t blinked. They have been the catalyst for New York’s best team earned run average, a sparkling 2.27.
The bullpen entered the bottom of the sixth, grabbing the baton from Kodai Senga. The Mets clung to a 2-0 lead, needing an out to close the frame. Reliable Reid Garrett provided what was needed, getting Alec Burleson to ground out to second. Garrett has yet to allow an earned run this season.
A.J. Minter has been one of the most reliable setup men; it was a coup for General Manager David Stearns to acquire him. Minter handled the 8th and fought through command issues, walking three. He skillfully kept all the baserunners off the board, handing the close opportunity to Edwin Diaz.
It has been an adventure lately for Diaz. He gave up five runs in two appearances late last week and looked to get back on track. He kept the Minnesota Twins off the board Wednesday in a tie game.
Saturday offered a chance to shut the door with style. Diaz didn’t disappoint, striking out Thomas Saggese and Nolan Gorman, then getting Yohel Pozo to ground out. He looked unhittable in the process, which is huge for New York. Having their closer back to full domination would be the perfect capper to a lights-out bullpen.
Kodai Senga entered the season as a huge question mark. He barely pitched last season due to injury and imploded in the playoffs against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Command issues became a prime focus during the offseason.
Stearns and Manager Carlos Mendoza planned a six-man rotation to help Senga’s recovery. They focused on giving him ample time to adjust back to full-time work. He labored in his first start, allowing four runs in five innings, but has excelled since.
Senga held the Miami Marlins and the Athletics scoreless in his last two starts. He pitched seven innings against the Athletics, his longest start since 2023. In those two appearances over 12 innings, he allowed nine hits, four walks, and struck out eight. He controlled his exceptional pitching arsenal throughout.
Could Senga continue his magnificence on Saturday? Indeed, he could! He pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing three hits, two walks, and striking out four. He displayed sound command and extended his scoreless innings streak to 19. He lowered his ERA to 0.79 and improved his record to 3-1.
Senga arrived in New York off a stellar Japanese career record. He won the Japanese Triple Crown in 2020, was a five-time Japan Series champion, and a two-time Pacific League strikeout leader. He maintained ace-level excellence that he aimed to bring to the United States.
Senga looks like that pitcher in the early going. His pitching arsenal is ridiculous, it includes a four-seam fastball, a cutter, and his signature Ghost Fork. He also throws a slider, a curveball, and a sinker. Give him control, and he makes hitters look silly.
Senga has the skills, makeup, and experience to become an ace for the Mets. He only needs injury luck; staying on the mound will enable him to develop command. The combination of control and filthy stuff will put him well in the Cy Young conversation.
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