The New York Mets (73-39) are putting on a show game after game. After starting the second half with back-to-back losses they have been nearly unbeatable. Following those two losses, they are 15-2 behind nothing but purely dominant victories. Here is how their offense has made them so successful.
A Scoring Barrage
The offense for the Mets has given their pitching staff plenty of run support this season. Run support has been their biggest drawback in recent seasons and they have finally turned a corner.
The first games of the second half were very tough as they lost 4-1 and 2-1 to the San Diego Padres. They were held to only one run or fewer in back-to-back games for the first time since the Houston Astros held them to a total of one run over two games on June 28 & 29.
Since then though they have been getting production up and down the entire lineup. To close out July they outscored opponents 36-17. The first week and a half of August has continued their excellent stretch of run production. In 11 games they have outscored opponents 69-40. That is a combined 105-57 in only 17 games.
Rare Occurrences
They have been scoring runs at a pace that has not been seen by the Mets in many years. Over their past nine games, they have scored at least five runs each time. Seven of those nine have been six or more. They racked up 61 runs in that stretch. The last time they had a nine-game stretch of five or more runs was April 27 – May 6, 2017. In that stretch, they scored 71 runs.
Additionally, they are on a six-game win streak where they have won each game by three or more. The last time they had a stretch of six wins, non-consecutive games, where they won by three or more each time was when they did it in seven straight wins between September 11-22, 2019. However, dating back to the start of the 2000 season, they have never accomplished this feat in a six-game win streak.
Here are some stats to show just how spectacular their offense has been. Over their high octane 17-game stretch they have a .311 team batting average with a .319 average with runners in scoring position. Additionally, they stacked up 23 homers and an average of 10.8 hits per game.
Impact Players
It is important to look at which sluggers have been the most pivotal performers during these past few weeks.
Francisco Lindor
It has been quite the offensive showing this season from one of the best shortstops in the game. A few years ago the Mets made a big move to grab Francisco Lindor from Cleveland and he is showing that the Mets made the right move.
This season he is batting .270 with 20 homers and 81 RBIs, but it is his second-half work that has been most noteworthy. Across all 19 games of the second half, he has a .386 batting average with 27 hits, 11 walks, four homers, 15 RBIs and 20 runs scored.
There are two stats that need some additional context.
Lindor has scored a run in 13 straight games which ties a franchise record. He has the chance to pass the legendary David Wright who did it way back in 2008.
Most impressive though, Lindor has recorded 81 RBIs so far this season. This ties Jose Reyes (2006) for the most RBIs by a Mets shortstop in a season. There are 60 games remaining so he will certainly blow this out of the water.
Pete Alonso
The Mets have been the beneficiaries of the spectacular power of slugger Pete Alonso. It has been another remarkable season for the current leader of the offense. He is known for hitting a ton of home runs, but he has been able to prove himself as a great all-around hitter by getting on any way possible.
This season he is batting .282 with 29 homers and 96 RBIs. Across all 19 games of the second half, he has a .366 batting average with 26 hits, 11 walks, five homers, 18 RBIs and 14 runs scored. As previously stated he does more than hit homers.
It is not even the middle of august and he is already on the brink of triple-digit RBIs. He is one of two MLB players, Aaron Judge, with 90 or more RBIs this season. Alonso is looking to top his career high in this category of 120 which he posted in his rookie season (2019).
Being able to showcase power while consistently getting on base is key to being a great player on a top-tier team.
After nearly falling out of first place in the National League East, the New York Mets have jumped back out to a massive lead. They currently hold a seven-game lead over the Atlanta Braves. This massive lead can be attributed to impeccable pitching and unstoppable offense. They aim to continue this great stretch, but they will be tested. Ahead of them is 13 games in 12 days including two against the New York Yankees, four against the Atlanta Braves and seven against the Philadelphia Phillies.
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