The New York Mets have been the ultimate mixed bag in recent years. From 2008 to 2014, the
Mets finished an average of nearly 19 games out of first place, settling in anywhere from 4th to
2nd in the division at season’s end.
The 2015 campaign saw the struggling franchise make a surprise run to the World Series,
where the Kansas City Royals dismantled the Mets in just 5 games.
2016 saw a 2nd place divisional finish and a Wild Card loss, followed by a 4th place finish 27
games out of first place last season.
This is, after all, a franchise that has almost as many 90+ loss seasons (three) as 90+ win
seasons since 1999. The Mets haven’t won at least 100 games since 1988.
Fast forward to this season. Just elevengames in and the Mets are off to the best start in
franchise history at 10-1. Having already taken a series over the Cardinals and fresh off a
surprising sweep of the Nationals, highlighted by a throttling of Nats’ ace Strasburg in the first
game, this team has the early appearance of a contender.
It’s not a coincidence. The young, talented pitching staff is finally healthy and solid veterans are
sprinkled throughout the line up to balance out young talent.
The pitching staff is obviously headlined by Syndergaard and deGrom (40 strikeouts over 6
combined starts) while Matz and Harvey have been a bit of roller coaster ride through a couple
of starts.
Due to solid play from the starting rotation, the Mets rank 4th in ERA and just 6th in opponents’
batting average. Jeurys Familia is leading the way from the bullpen with a league-leading 6
saves.
It’s not all pitching though, as offense is being generated throughout the lineup and off the
bench. Look no further than Cespedes’ .178 batting average as an indication others are
stepping up at the plate. In fact, the most productive hitter in the lineup currently is Asdrubal
Cabrera with three doubles, three home runs and a .333 average.
A 10-1 start is just about as good as anyone could ask this early in the season but there’s a lot
of games left to be played. But the real question is, what is the ceiling for this Mets team?
The bats are generating run support and the starting rotation and bullpen are getting the job
done. Despite the fact they haven’t beaten a single team that currently has a winning record,
the Mets have to like their chances if they can stay fairly healthy.
The East looks like a two team race between the Mets and Nats despite the Braves being an
early surprise at 7-5. The early momentum should give the Mets confidence down the stretch
but this is the Mets.
Barring major injury, this certainly looks like a team capable of eclipsing the 90 win mark for the
first time since 2015. The change of manager and shuffling of roster pieces has paid early
dividends but there’s also plenty of reason to be skeptical of this team as true contenders.
This is, after all, a franchise with a history of falling apart and falling overwhelmingly short of
expectations. These Mets won’t win the World Series this season, likely won’t even get there,
but this is a fun team to watch in the early going that will push for a playoff spot and find itself
entrenched in a battle for the division late in the season.
If nothing else, the Nats and the rest of the league have been put on notice the Mets aren’t to be
taken lightly.
