The New York Mets are in good shape at the All-Star break.
After taking two of three from the Rockies, the Mets are over .500 at 49-46. They are also in sole possession of the third Wild Card berth in the National League.
Granted, New York missed the opportunity to sit pretty at the halfway point with 50 wins after dropping the series finale to Colorado on Sunday. However, it was still an impressive homestand, with the Mets going 5-1. They outscored the Nats and the Rockies by a combined 39-24.
All eyes will now be on the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game – as well as the remainder of the Draft. But before we switch our attention fully, let’s recap the Colorado series in another edition of 3 Up, 3 Down …
Jul 12, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets center fielder Harrison Bader (44) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
You can always count on Francisco Lindor. The leader of this team can come through in the clutch when his team needs him the most. He did it again on Saturday. With the offense struggling, Lindor stepped up to the plate in the eighth inning and blasted a three-run bomb. It was a dagger to the hearts of the Rockies, effectively icing the game there and then. Star players carry that label because of their ability to deliver in the biggest moments. Lindor did that Saturday, signing the Mets a series win. He’s also done it time and time throughout his time in Queens.
Christian Scott was on a short leash on Saturday, pulled after just four innings after giving up a pair of homers. Enter José Buttó, who stepped up out of the bullpen. The starter-turned-reliever delivered 2.2 innings of near-perfect relief work, allowing just one hit while striking out five. Then, in the second installment of a daring double act, Dedniel Núñez came in to finish the job. The righty threw two hitless innings with no walks and three strikeouts to seal the win. It was a much-needed boost for a bullpen that struggled in this series.
To be successful in the MLB, you need your role players to step up here and there. The Mets have that in Harrison Baderand then some. The Gold Glove defender has been an unexpected but welcome plus on the offensive side of the ball. That was evident in the series opener on Friday when Bader went off offensively. The eight-year veteran – who has never hit more than 16 homers in a single season – blasted two home runs in a single game for the second time in his career.
Both of Bader’s blasts were important. One gave the Mets a 3-2 lead, while the other blew the game wide open. All in all, Bader has been providing consistent contributions from the nine-hole in the lineup all year, and that’s been a vital ingredient in why this offense has been red-hot.
Jul 14, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jose Quintana (62) delivers a pitch during the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
José Quintana entered Sunday’s game with a 2.82 ERA over his previous ten starts. Then the wheels fell off. The veteran was shelled for five earned runs on six hits, including giving up four homers. It was the first time in his career that Quintana had allowed four home runs in a single game. As a result, the Mets had no chance of winning the game and missed the opportunity to enter the All-Star break at 50 wins. For Quintana, he will hope Sunday was just a blip as he looks to either raise his value as a trade chip or continue to help this team down the stretch.
At this point, we may as well reserve a spot in this section for the bullpen. Because, as of right now, we’re guaranteed at least two implosions a series from the pen. Other than Saturday, the bullpen continued its struggles in this series. Jake Diekman and newly-acquired Phil Maton combined to allow three earned runs on three hits on Friday. Thankfully, Edwin Díaz got the job done in the ninth. Then, on Sunday, Adrian Houser‘s recent struggles continued as he allowed two home runs out of the bullpen. He has given up three earned runs in each of his last two outings. The trade deadline can’t come soon enough for this beaten-up bullpen.
J.D. Martinez has cooled off considerably. The DH was in a groove in June but has become entrenched in a slump over the past few weeks. The veteran didn’t record a single hit against the Rockies, going a combined 0-for-9 with six strikeouts in the series. Furthermore, over the last 14 days, Martinez is hitting just .189/.318/.324/.643. As a result, the All-Star break has probably come at the perfect time for the 14-year vet. Sometimes, rest is the best medicine.
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