NY Mets: 19 thoughts after their first 19 games of the 2021 season
Justin Toscano
MLB Writer
NEW YORK — The Mets have struggled offensively this season, but are 9-10.
It certainly could be worse.
Now they'll head on a two-city road trip (Philadelphia, St. Louis).
Here are 19 thoughts on the Mets after their first 19 games:
1. Jacob deGrom is, as Brandon Nimmo said after deGrom's two-hitter, from a different planet. Tom Seaver and Dwight Gooden are the Mets' most famous pitchers historically. I never got to see them play live, which is why it's surreal to hear fans — those who did get to see them live — marvel at deGrom. He will probably be someone I tell my grandkids about in the future.
2. Let's be clear: I don't actually believe the 2021 Mets' lineup will struggle all year. It's got to even out — or at least that's what I keep telling myself. Too much talent, too much depth. But it's been a rather concerning start.
3. The issues with runners in scoring position is something that must change. The Mets can't be at their best without that. Even worse is what happened against the Red Sox: The Mets didn't create many scoring opportunities.
4. Francisco Lindor will be fine. He's a star for a reason. He understood why fans booed him on Tuesday night, but he'll provide plenty of moments that'll make fans cheer. He already has on defense, but here's a guess that some plate production will come soon.
5. Is the bullpen getting enough love? Edwin Diaz, Miguel Castro, Trevor May and Jeurys Familia have sub-3 ERAs. When that many key members of your bullpen are pitching well, you're going to be in games.
6. The Mets are also in a decent position because of incredible starting pitching. As their offense has lagged through the first month, the starters have propped up the lineup with quality outings. If you watched the 2020 Mets, you know this is a big difference from last season.
7. So I've naturally been thinking since spring training: What will this rotation be like with Carlos Carrasco and Noah Syndergaard? It could be a gauntlet for opponents. But I guess if you're the Mets, you never count your chickens before they hatch (or whatever that saying is).
8. Luis Rojas was ejected for the first time in his career during the Cubs series! As someone who covers him, I wasn't sure the day would ever come (I'm only half-joking). He's so calm, cool and collected, but the players loved seeing that fire out of him.
9. It's so nice having fans back.
10. Seriously. I mean it. From the cheers to the boos to the funny plays in the stands on foul balls, the in-game atmosphere is much better this season. Let's never have a year without fans again. Sound good?
11. Are the Mets a better defensive team than in years past? I fluctuate between thinking they are and are not. Let me explain.
12. They're clearly stronger up the middle. Lindor is better than Amed Rosario and James McCann is better than Wilson Ramos. The Mets believe Brandon Nimmo has improved in center field (My eye test says he has improved a bit, but it's been a small sample size). But being stronger up the middle usually means being better defensively, right?
13. The Mets have made a few highlight plays in the field. They've also executed a couple nice relays to get outs and save runs. But then they've had games like the one in Chicago — you know what I'm talking about — when they just seem inept. Defensively, they've made every type of mistake under the sun to this point.
14. But somehow I come back to thinking they'll end up being better defensively than in years past.
15. Speaking of defense, you might have noticed the Mets have been well-positioned in their shifts to snag some hard liners and scoop up some ground balls. Rojas lauded the baseball analytics department, led by Ben Zauzmer, for the improved positioning. They've done this using new formulas.
16. The above note is just one example of the increased analytics presence in the organization. The Mets beefing up that area should help them now and in the future. It's provided them a better infrastructure as they look to become a sustainable winner.
17. I had this team winning the NL East with 98 victories. I'm still confident the Mets will win the division, but I'm not feeling great about my 98-win prediction.
18. "Winning takes precedence over all," the late Kobe Bryant once said. "There's no gray area. No almosts."
19. This team, with baseball's richest owner and a talented roster, will have no excuses if it doesn't make a postseason run. Expectations are high.
Justin Toscano is the Mets beat writer for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all Mets analysis, news, trades and more, please subscribe today and download our app.
Email: toscanoj@northjersey.com
Twitter: @justinctoscano