Mets Earn Fourth Straight Series Win, Raising Fans’ Hopes

The New York Mets completed a three-game sweep against the Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, winning 9-1 in yet another impressive offensive showing. After starting the season 0-5, New York is now two games above .500 and vying for second in the NL East.

Following an underwhelming off-season in which the team missed out on big names like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani, the Mets began the 2024 MLB season with five straight losses. Between poor hitting and average pitching, made worse by the absence of injured ace Kodai Senga, it seemed like the team was planning to limp its way to 2025.

In 13 games since, however, New York has gone 10-3, winning four straight series against the Reds, Braves, Royals and Pirates. The team’s offense has picked up considerably and pitchers have held opposing teams to three runs or less in seven games since April 5.

In the Mets’ latest victory over the Pirates, completing the sweep, all of the team’s improvements were on full display. All but one of New York’s batters recorded a hit, and outfielders Starling Marte and Harrison Bader both hit home runs to put Pittsburgh away. Both players were major question marks entering the season, as Marte was coming off a nagging injury last year and Bader was a speculative off-season acquisition.

Meanwhile, the Mets’ pitching staff kept the Pirates in check all day. Starter Luis Severino allowed a single unearned run in six innings of work. Star closer Edwin Diaz was not required, nor were many of New York’s premier relievers, as Jorge Lopez, Jake Diekman and Grant Hartwig shut down the Pirates late to preserve the blowout win.

The Mets are still not a perfect team by any means. They still appear lightweights in a stacked National League in many respects. Star shortstop Francisco Lindor has improved slightly in recent weeks, but he is still hitting just .151 in 85 plate appearances.

However, the Mets have mostly completely rebounded from their early-season slump, proving that they can compete with some of MLB’s best teams. Starting Friday, the Mets will play a series on the road against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which may put the resurgent NL East team to the test.

Article by Patrick Moquin