N.Y. Mets: Gainfully Flawed Employees

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

10-8 (.566)

2nd Place; 1.5 GB

New York Mets: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

It's been a funky start to the season, and the numbers bear that out.  For the moment, you can't help but call the Mets a good, entertaining team, with a flare for the dramatic.  Yet they're also proving quite flawed.  The pitching, and the bullpen in particular, is beset with more problems than a math book.

After 18 games, here is how the Mets stack up against the National League:

• Runs:  3rd (103)
• Avg:  5th (.268)
• OBP:  4th (.354)
• SLG:  9th (.437)
• OPS:  8th (.791)
• HR:  8th (23)
• Total Bases:  5th (279)
• XBH:  6th (60)
• Walks:  5th (74)
• Strikeouts:  3rd (178)
• Stolen Bases:  1st (10)

I'm pleased to see the Mets leading the N.L. in stolen bases.  It means they're not a static offense.  Although middle of the pack in power, they're top five in runs scored, team average, OBP, and total bases.  In other words, the Mets feature a varied offense not dependent on the home run for scoring.

Although Zack Wheeler most recently turned in a fine performance, the entire staff has been largely ineffective.  We know who they are.  It's early; it's cold; wait till it warms up; I get it.  But pitching is supposed to be this team's primary strength.  In light of their collective struggles, the Mets have been somewhat lucky to be getting by as well as they have.

• League worst ERA:  5.54 
• League worst WHiP:  1.53
• Most Hits Allowed:  172
• HR Allowed: 4th (29)
• Earned Runs Allowed:  14th (98)
• Walks Allowed:  4th (71)
• Strikeouts:  1st (181)
• Highest Average Against:  .273
• Highest OPS Against:  .837

They've certainly done themselves no favors on defense.

• Ninth in total chances and 10th in turning double plays (as they do not pitch to contact).  Yet, they've committed the fourth most errors.  They have allowed the most stolen bases; fifth worst at throwing runners out.  Their overall .980 fielding average ranks 13th of 15th, and their defensive efficiency ratio rates dead last. 

I've said all along the Mets, Braves, Phillies, and Nationals will spend the better part of the season abusing one another.  It may not take many more than 90 victories to secure this season's division flag.  Of the Mets 18 games played to date, all but two have been against the N.L. East.

Record vs. Division

• Philadelphia:  1-2
• Atlanta:  2-2
• Washington:  3-3
• Miami:  3-0

If nothing else, the Mets are proving resilient - flawed, but resilient.

• Stats: Mets.com