N.Y. Mets: No Place Like Home and in First Place

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

THEY'RE COMING HOME

Mets sweep series vs. Marlins

I - NYM 7; MIA 3

II - NYM 6; MIA 5

III - NYM 6; MIA 1

New York Mets: An Opening Day Hero's Welcome Awaits the Boys of Flushing.

Pay attention.  As I like to say, greatness is fleeting.

Jacob deGrom earned his second victory.  He's already a fifth of the way towards matching last year's win total.  In the meantime, the reigning Cy Young award winner is merely picking up where he left off.  In his final start of the 2018 season, deGrom tossed eight scoreless innings of two-hit ball, with ten strikeouts.  So far this season he has yet to yield a run through 13 innings pitched, allowing just seven hits and two walks, while authoring back-to-back games of double-digit strikeouts.  He fanned 14 Miami Marlins on Wednesday, giving him 24 for the season.

Just for kicks, deGrom connected on his first home run of the season in the third inning; a bomb launched deep into the right field seats.  It was a swing of beauty to behold.

With Wednesday's victory, the Mets wrap up their season opening road trip with a 5-1 record, having taken two of three from the Washington Nationals and sweeping the Miami Marlins.

Next stop: Opening Day at Flushing by the Bay, where a hero's welcome surely awaits deGrom and the National League leading New York Mets at Citi Field on Thursday afternoon.

After making his major league debut, getting his first MLB hit, and connecting on his first MLB home run all on the road, Mets fans will finally get to greet their touted rookie "the Polar Bear" Pete Alonso.  The 24-year old package of TNT has done nothing but rake.  Management wise, slotting Pete in the two hole provides him with superior lineup protection.  The more Brandon Nimmo gets on base at a proficient rate, the less likely teams will pitch around Alonso while hitting ahead of Robinson Cano, Michael Conforto, and Wilson Ramos.  On Wednesday, he went 2 for 4, with a double and RBI.

Just for fun ...

• Alonso's first six games: 9 for 22 (409/.458/.727/1.186); four doubles; one home run; seven RBI; earning major league minimum.
• Bryce Harper's five games: 8 for 16 (.500/.652/1.188/1.840); two doubles; three home runs; five RBI; signed for $330 million over the next 13 years.

Not so fun ... the bullpen.

Along with Mickey Callaway's maneuverings, the bullpen is quickly gaining attention for the wrong reasons.  While Edwin Diaz holds up his end of the bargain with three saves through four appearances, the bullpen as a group owns a .500 ERA and 1.611 WHiP based on nine earned runs on 22 hits and seven walks through 18 innings pitched.  The main culprits being Luis Avilan; Justin Wilson; Robert Gsellman; and Seth Lugo.  The latter two obviously inspire the most concern.

In the meantime, starting pitching and offense are carrying the day.  Through the first six games, the Mets are averaging 6.1 runs on 10.1 hits and three walks per game.  They're third in the National League in hits, fourth in team batting, and sixth on OBP.  They're also fourth in runs scored, yet are 11th in home runs having hit just four.  All of which I believe validate hitting coach Chilli Davis who emphasizes situational hitting, and slashing to all fields.