By : Mike Rifkin
Currently the New York Mets own the best record in MLB at 9-3. Yesterday the Mets swept a doubleheader from the San Francisco Giants and a big reason why is the new guys they brought in during the offseason.
In game two of the doubleheader Max Scherzer made his Citi Field debut and it was as advertised. Scherzer, who signed a three year 130 million dollar contract, had a no-hitter into the sixth inning and wound up giving up one run in seven innings with 10 strikeouts. Scherzer is now 3-0 with a 2.50 ERA and has 23 strikeouts in 18 innings of work.
The Mets other big addition to the rotation Chris Bassitt will get the start tonight against San Francisco. Bassitt so far is 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA and has 14 strikeouts in 12 innings. But the biggest thing about Scherzer and Bassitt is that they are talking to the other starting pitchers and showing them how to pitch. So far the rotation has been really good even though Jacob deGrom has not pitched yet.
The Mets offense also got revamped this offseason. Starling Marte was given the longest contract by the team this offseason at four years and 78 million dollars. Early on Marte is hitting .239 with two home runs and 10 RBI. Marte does have a .300 on base percentage, .391 slugging percentage, and .691 OPS. Marte gives the Mets the element of speed as he already has three stolen bases and if you watch the first inning of game one yesterday he manufactures the Mets first run by hitting a single, stealing second, advancing to third on a bad throw and scoring on a wild pitch. The Mets haven’t had that element at the top of the lineup since Jose Reyes. Marte also has played a good right field. Eduardo Escobar signed a two year 20 million dollar contract to play third base. Escobar who had a key two run double in the game two victory yesterday is hitting .289 and has 4 RBI. Escobar has .438 on base percentage, .500 slugging percentage and a .938 OPS. Escobar has already drawn 10 walks in 11 games played, his career high for walks is 50. Mark Canha who is currently on the Covid list was off to a good start as well. Canha is hitting .381 with three RBI and has .500 On base percentage, .381 slugging percentage, and .881 OPS. The Mets offense has come up big with two outs and runners in scoring position posting a slash line of .362/.474/.575. The offense also leads the league in stolen bases on base percentage and tied with the Dodgers in runs scored.
But the biggest addition the Mets made this offseason was manager Buck Showalter. Showalter leads by example every time a Met player has been hit by a pitch (feels like one per game) Buck is on the top step of the dugout ready to go. Buck has been around the game a long time and is very smart just watch the play on Sunday having JD Davis steal second base on an appeal play.
I know we are only 12 games into the season and a lot can happen between now and October but the Mets look really good and a big reason why are the new additions that they made during the offseason.
The Sports Insanity Network 