The Mets have begun the season with an impressive 11–5 record, as the team rides their stellar pitching staff and consistent offense to first place in the NL East.
Despite the absence of ace Jaco deGrom, who has missed the start of the season after suffering a shoulder injury during preseason, the bullpen in Queens has stepped up as one of the premier pitching staffs in baseball — led by new Mets Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt, along with Carlos Carrasco, Tylor Megill and David Peterson.
The team’s 2.83 combined ERA is the 5th best in the MLB.
Bassitt and Trevor Williams are the team’s only starters to record a loss on the season, while the rest of the starters have combined for 9 wins on the young season.
Those impressive numbers have been a relief to Mets fans, who suffered the devastating blow when deGrom’s injury news came to light. Now, fans and teammates alike are salivating at the prospect of bringing their ace back.
Manager Buck Showalter said last week that the team was “very happy” with the righty’s progress, and he would undergo an MRI on his shoulder on Monday. If all goes well, he could begin throwing again later this week.
“I know everything’s going really well,” Showalter said. “[The doctors] are really happy with where he is right now. He’s doing well.”
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Meanwhile, on offense, the Amazins boast the 5th highest team batting average at .255, and the 2nd highest on base percentage at .343, behind only the Chicago Cubs.
The team’s offense has been propelled by a red-hot Francisco Lindor, who ranks 5th in the MLB in wins-above-replacement, and boasts an impressive .305/.408/.576 statline. Through 59 at-bats, Lindor leads the team in hits with 18, including 4 home runs and 11 RBIs.
Outfielders Mark Canha and Jeff McNeil have also had stellar beginnings to the season, with .324 and .302 batting averages, respectively. Fan favorite Pete Alonso has also contributed greatly to the team’s success, recording a splendid 16 hits and 16 RBIs in 62 at bats.
The well-rounded performance on offense and defense has given the team a victory in their first 4 series, coming against the Nationals, Phillies, Diamondbacks and Giants. The most recent ESPN Power Rankings list put the Mets as the 2nd best team in baseball, behind only the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The team is solidly in the driver’s seat in their division, as the other 4 NL East teams all boast losing records.
