The Mets have had fairly a time looking for a full-time third baseman over the previous 5 years. After David Wright was sidelined with again and neck accidents, the membership tried a number of infielders, however few produced on the fee an on a regular basis third baseman wants to supply and plenty of struggled defensively.
The third base state of affairs received so dire at one level in 2017 that catcher Travis d’Arnaud needed to man the recent nook for a recreation. Although that exact recreation might need offered some comedic reduction throughout an in any other case disastrous season, it underscored the necessity to discover a long-term alternative for Wright.
The membership had already drafted Mark Vientos earlier within the season within the second spherical and two years later chosen Brett Baty within the first. Todd Frazier, J.D. Davis, Jonathan Villar and others all hung out at third however most have been a bit of greater than fill-ins.
But when Eduardo Escobar was signed over the winter, his former Arizona Diamondbacks teammate Taijuan Walker knew he could be far more than a serviceable fill-in.
“I knew what he could do,” Walker stated Wednesday after the Mets defeated the Miami Marlins 5-4 at Citi Field. “The moment we got him in the offseason, I was texting everyone on the team. I told everyone he’s a great addition to our ball club. Not only with what he does on the field but off the field and in the clubhouse. The energy he brings, the smile he brings.”
Walker forgot to say the clutch hits he brings.
Escobar has been scorching scorching this month and drove in all 5 runs in that massive walk-off win over the Marlins that allowed the Mets to regain a one-game lead within the NL East. He aided in overcoming a 4-0 deficit with a two-run house run, a game-tying single and the game-winner within the tenth.
In the month of September, Escobar is slashing .330/.379/.638 with eight house runs and 24 RBI, that are tied for the third-most within the league in that point span. His eight homers are tied for the sixth-most. Escobar has largely been stable all season, however he had a dismal August hitting simply .176. Now, he’s having his greatest month at the most effective time.
“Nothing has really changed, but things came up the way they should because of all of the work I’ve been putting in,” Escobar stated by way of a translator. “But the most important part is that the team has been able to win games.”
That one-game lead over the Atlanta Braves won’t be a lot nevertheless it provides the Mets the sting as they head to Atlanta for a sequence that may decide the winner of the division. The offense has been considerably inconsistent in current weeks and there’s no reduction in sight with Starling Marte nonetheless injured. It has largely been Pete Alonso and Escobar carrying the Mets on the plate. They’ll want some assist in the postseason, however having these bats scorching going into this sequence certain might assist in the Mets’ quest to win their first NL East title since 2015.
“I’ve seen that before,” supervisor Buck Showalter stated of the third baseman’s five-RBI efficiency. “But I’m glad I got to see it tonight, I can tell you that.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com