As the New York Mets mounted a comeback on Tuesday night against the Texas Rangers to extend their win streak to seven games, the return of Francisco Alvarez to the lineup has been a major boost, particularly with his bat heating up in the Lone Star state. After having only two total hits in 14 at-bats against the Marlins and Padres, he is 6-for-9 in the two games against Texas with four RBIs.
Two of those RBIs came in a big spot in the top of the eighth when Alvarez hit a two-run double to tie the game at six against his former teammate, David Robertson, as part of his 3-for-4 night at the plate.
Jun 17, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) follows through on his RBI single against the Texas Rangers during the sixth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
Even though the Mets offense is starting to find its rhythm as of late, no one can deny how much of an impact Alvarez has had in lengthening out the lineup. In the last 15 games in which the catcher plays from start to finish, the team is 14-1. In his brief career in the big leagues, he has shown the ability to have a trait that isn’t easy to quantify. That would be the clutch gene.
While Alvarez has driven in 14 runs this year, six of them have come in the seventh inning or later and 13 of them have come with runners in scoring position (six of them with two outs). Yes, the home runs haven’t been there in those spots just yet, but 2023 showed us he does have the ability to provide the flare for the dramatic.
If you go back to last season, Alvarez had 98 at-bats with runners in scoring position. He had a slash line of .245/.312/.500 with seven home runs (second on the team behind Pete Alonso‘s 12), 39 RBIs (fifth), and an .812 OPS. If you stretch that sample size out to the seventh inning or later, he had eight home runs (second behind Alonso’s 15), 19 RBIs (3rd behind Alonso and Lindor), and an OPS of .764.
With Alvarez’s power, he has the ability to change the game with one swing of the bat as he did on Tuesday. It wasn’t just him in the comeback win as Mark Vientos had a three-hit performance of his own (3-for-5, three runs scored, solo home run). As this lineup lengthens out from six-through-nine, it is only going to make it tougher for opposing pitchers to navigate.
A GAME-TYING 2-RBI DOUBLE FOR FRANCISCO ALVAREZ! pic.twitter.com/8peOHLBjGh
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 19, 2024
Since Alvarez is now back, he is a hitter that a pitcher is afraid to make a mistake against and that is value for something. Yes, he has helped the pitching staff tremendously with the way he calls a game, but if the Mets are going to stay in this wild-card race for the duration of the season, it is going to be up to their offense to be the most consistent unit between offense, starting pitching, and bullpen.
Tuesday night brought up another classic, late-game Alvarez moment in his short Mets history along with his game-tying home run in the ninth inning in Arizona last year. Not only does he provide the clutch hits, but it is his energy when those moments happen that can lift a team.
The Mets and their fans hope there’s more to come as he continues to develop his game, but it is clear right now his presence has brought a boost to the team that they desperately needed as their season was spiraling out of control.
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