Five teams to watch in MLB’s second half
By Tim Haberin
New York Mets
May 21, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the seventh inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
This year’s New York Mets could be a case study in just how far great pitching and no offense can take a team. After storming out of the gate, the blue and orange have endured a very streaky first half. Yet they stand five games over .500 at the break, trailing the Washington Nationals by only two games in the NL East.
The young guns in their rotation require little introduction. Matt Harvey is managing a 3.07 ERA in his first season back from Tommy John surgery. 22-year-old Noah Syndergaard has been mowing hitters down at a 9.7 K/9 clip. The ace of the staff, however, has been Jacob deGrom. There has been no sophomore slump in the slightest for the reigning NL Rookie of the Year. He has nine wins under his belt with a sparkling 2.14 ERA.
Hitting has been a considerably tougher challenge, though. The Mets are 28th in the league with 310 runs scored; only the Phillies and White Sox offenses have been more barren. Curtis Granderson currently paces the squad with 13 homers, while Lucas Duda and Wilmer Flores lead the way with a middling 38 RBI each. No one in the starting lineup is batting over .277 at present.
David Wright‘s status is a monumental question mark and will be a major key to the rest of the Mets’ campaign. If he can return at some point and contribute anything close to his typical offensive output, it will be a huge lift to the rest of the lineup. Getting catcher Travis d’Arnaud back would also be a substantial boost.
As with many of the teams on this list, the trade season can make a big difference in the Mets’ ultimate fate in 2015. With the club angling for its first postseason appearance since 2006, GM Sandy Alderson should be looking high and low to bolster his offense for the stretch run.