This 2015 Mets team, is one of the hottest teams in baseball coming out the gate. The Mets have won 4 out of its 6 opening series, including 3 consecutive sweeps during an 11 game win streak. That win streak was snapped last Friday, when the Mets lost to their rivals in the Bronx. The Yankees (11-8) would win the Subway Series taking 2 out of 3 games. Sunday night the Bronx Bombers won the rubber match, 6-4. Even dropping this series to the Yankees, here are some reasons to show you that the Mets still the team to beat:
Pitching (Bullpen):
The Mets have a good pitching staff, that often times has its bullpen overlooked. Their bullpen has posted a 2.42 ERA through 19 games. Jeurys Familia leads the majors with 8 saves, and has replaced Jenrry Mejia. He is currently serving an 80 game suspension for testing positive for one of the league’s banned substances. The Mets are also without Vic Black, Bobby Parnell, Jerry Blevins, and Josh Edgin all due to injury. Yet they are still getting the job done night in and night out, to give the Mets a chance.
Pitching (Starters):
New York has a solid rotation, which is headlined by the return of their ace Matt Harvey. Both Harvey and Bartolo Colon have started the year with a 4-0 record. Jacob deGrom and Jonathon Niese both have 2 wins apiece and have given the Mets solid outings. Niese (2.74), Colon (2.77), and deGrom (2.96) all have ERAs lower than 3.00. Colon has been impressive to start, and at 41 he still has great command of his fastball. He is 2nd on the team in strikeouts (23) and in 4 starts has 26.0 innings pitched. Harvey looks healthy in his return back, posting a 3.04 ERA and winning all 4 of his starts.
Home Record:
At Citi Field, the Mets are a perfect 10-0 this season. It isn’t a coincidence that they are playing so well at home. There is excitement back in Queens, and the team is building off of it. The Mets are out hitting their opponents .272 to .241. As a team, they have hit 18 doubles and 7 home runs. Lucas Duda leads the team at home with 6 doubles and 7 RBIs.
David Wright Status:
Wright will begin baseball activities in Port St. Lucie, Fla., manager Terry Collins has told the media. The Mets could even have their captain back as early as this weekend. Time will tell, but Wright was hitting .333 with 1 HR and 4 RBIs when he was in the lineup. His offense back will instantly make the Mets better, and give Duda some support in the lineup. Eric Campbell has played well filling in. In 11 games, Campbell is hitting .232 with 8 hits (1 HR) and 5 RBIs.
The Mets will open up their next series on the road Monday night. Their opponent will be the Miami Marlins (8-11) for a 3 game series.
Barry Holmes/Pure Sports NY