Through ten games this season, the New York Mets record stands at 7-3. They are in second place in the Eastern Division, a half game back of the Philadelphia Phillies.
What's remarkable about that isn't so much the record - they were after all two wins away from going to the World Series last year. It's that they've done it while averaging 3.5 runs per game: 7th lowest in the majors. If I told you a team with Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto and Pete Alonso would be this anemic offensively this early in the season and still be in second place in their division, you'd think I was pulling your leg.
So why are they doing so well? In a word, pitching. The Mets team ERA through ten games is a league best 1.72. How significant is that? The Los Angeles Dodgers are second with a team ERA of 2.63, and they were supposed to have the best pitching staff in all of baseball.
The starting rotation, which was supposed to be a sore spot for this team, has so far been outstanding. Just take a look at the numbers below. Not one starter has an ERA at or above 3.00.
But as good as the starters have been, the relievers have been even better. With the exception of A.J. Minter - who was brought in from the Atlanta Braves to be the set-up man for Edwin Diaz - and Danny Young, they have been virtually untouchable. Through ten games, Diaz, Huascar Brazobán, Jose Butto, Max Kranick, Reed Garrett and Ryne Stanek have allowed just one earned run. Somewhere up in Heaven, Rube Walker and Tug McGraw are looking down and smiling.
Can you imagine where the Mets would be right now without their pitching? I can assure you they wouldn't be 7-3; more likely 3-7. And that is very good news because there's no way this team with all its offensive talent is not going to break out sooner or later. Already, Lindor is starting to get untracked. After going hitless in his first three games, he's 8 for his last 22 for a .363 batting average; Soto has reached base safely in all ten games and is batting .286; and Alonso is leading the team with 3 home runs and 11 RBIs. His 1.086 OPS is 12th best in the majors.
If there is a concern it's at third and second base. Mark Vientos, Luisangel Acuña and Brett Baty are a combined 8 for 73 for a .110 batting average and one run batted in. That would be unacceptable even on the '73 Mets, and that team had the likes of Don Hahn, Ed Kranepool, Ron Hodges and Jim Fregosi on the roster.
Once Jeff McNeil comes back, that should take care of second base. McNeil is a proven hitter with some pop in his bat. But Vientos at third remains a problem. He has got to produce. Last year, he batted .266 with 27 HRs and 71 RBIs, and the Mets are counting on him to put up similar numbers this season. If there's one thing you can point to that's encouraging it's that last night he walked three times; a sign that he at least isn't swinging at bad pitches. Sometimes you have to walk before you can run, no pun intended.
Think about it: last year, the Mets got off to an 0-5 start, CitiField was a ghost town, and the fans had little to root for. This year, they're off to a 7-3 start with two more games against the Miami Marlins before they hit the road to play the A's and Twins. A 5-1 trip is not out of the question.
The excitement is palpable; the expectations couldn't be higher.
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