The first half was a large number for the Mets.
Stars corresponding to Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander and Pete Alonso struggled via stretches of inconsistency. The bullpen sputtered with out injured nearer Edwin Diaz. Key contributors from final yr’s 101-win staff have taken steps again.
The end result was a 42-48 document earlier than the All-Star break, good for fourth place within the NL East and 18.5 video games behind the division-leading Braves. The $360 million Mets confirmed indicators of life with a six-game successful streak to start July, however they ended the half on a bitter notice with back-to-back losses to the equally disappointing Padres.
The excellent news? With three NL Wild Card spots, the Mets stay inside hanging distance of playoffs at seven video games out.
Here are 5 issues the Mets must do to salvage their season.
START STRONG
The subsequent three weeks shall be key for the Mets to find out the place they stand on the Aug. 1 commerce deadline. If they’re going to make a reputable push, they’ll must win video games quick to show their roster is value investing in.
First up is the NL West-leading Dodgers, whom the Mets already beat twice throughout an April sequence on the street. This weekend’s three-game set is at Citi Field, the place the Mets are a recreation above .500 this yr.
The schedule will get simpler from there, with the lowly White Sox coming to city. The Mets then face the Red Sox and the Yankees on the street earlier than internet hosting the last-place Nationals for 4 video games to shut out the month.
They’ll in all probability must go at the least 10-5 over that stretch to think about making win-now trades.
GET ALONSO GOING
Alonso bought off to a superb begin with an MLB-best 22 dwelling runs via June 6. The subsequent day, nonetheless, he was hit on the left wrist with a Charlie Morton pitch, sending him to the injured listing for almost two weeks.
The All-Star first baseman hasn’t been the identical since returning on June 18. He’s hit solely 4 dwelling runs within the 20 video games since and is batting .143 in July.
His .211 batting common this season can be a career-low, as would his .807 OPS. The Mets lineup was already top-heavy earlier than Alonso’s struggles. A return to productiveness would go a good distance.
ADD A BAT
Assuming the Mets are in place to purchase on the deadline, including a hitter needs to be their high precedence. Remember, the Mets badly needed so as to add extra top-end expertise to their lineup after they agreed to a $315 million contract with Carlos Correa.
Correa’s deal fell via attributable to his bodily, and the Mets failed so as to add one other significant bat. Daniel Vogelbach has underwhelmed at DH, and the staff wants for extra offensive manufacturing out of its outfield.
Shohei Ohtani is the horny goal, however there’s no indication the Angels would commerce the two-way famous person, and he’s attributable to turn out to be a free agent this offseason. The Mets ought to store for cheaper choices — Cody Bellinger might match — or discover somebody who can even assist subsequent yr, when expectations shall be simply as excessive.
If the Padres resolve to hear on Juan Soto, who’s beneath staff management via 2024, the Mets needs to be throughout it.
GET MORE OUT OF SCHERZER, VERLANDER
The essential purpose the Mets have been thought-about a favourite within the National League coming into 2023 was the big-money future Hall of Famers on the high of their rotation. But Scherzer and Verlander, who each earn $43.3 million this season, have been unremarkable.
Scherzer’s 4.31 ERA is the second-worst of his profession — and greater than two runs larger than it was in his first season with the Mets. Verlander, who received the AL Cy Young final yr with Houston, had a 4.50 ERA via June 20 however has since lowered it to three.60 with three straight sturdy begins.
The Mets want each veterans to dominate within the second half in the event that they’re going to make a run.
CONSIDER SELLING
It can be robust to surrender on such an expensive staff, but when the Mets fail to make up a lot floor by the commerce deadline, they need to flip their focus to subsequent season.
They don’t have many gamers who would fetch a giant return, however 38-year-old nearer David Robertson might deliver again a chunk that helps sooner or later. Same goes for outfielder Tommy Pham, who is popping in a pleasant season on the plate. Both are on one-year offers with New York.
Scherzer, who turns 39 this month, has a $43.3 million participant choice subsequent season, whereas the 40-year-old Verlander is assured the identical quantity. It’s arduous to think about one other staff taking over these contracts, however the Mets might discover these commerce choices, too.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com