Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 7, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) and relief pitcher Edwin Diaz (39) celebrate after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Mets won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Mets’ first half of the 2024 campaign was an absolute roller coaster. From the early struggles and multiple tough stretches to a pair of long winning streaks, all while rallying around a song from their 34-year-old second baseman.
Now, as the blue and orange sit in the final wild-card spot at 49-46, three Mets organization members will make or break the second half.
Three Mets who will make or break the second half of the season:
Edwin Díaz
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In his first season back from tearing his right patellar tendon, Edwin Díaz has struggled to be the consistent high-end closer the 30-year-old was in 2022.
Díaz has pitched 26.2 innings across 27 appearances to a 4.05 ERA with a 1.163 WHIP and 37 strikeouts while going 10-for-15 on save chances.
While plenty has gone wrong for the Puerto Rican native in the first half between injuries, demotions and a suspension, if the Mets want to have a successful second half, Díaz needs to return to form.
Pete Alonso
Credit: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports
2024 has been an interesting year for Pete Alonso, as the man nicknamed Polar Bear has not played to his standards and could be traded at this year’s deadline
In 95 games this season, Alonso is slashing .240/.319/.454 with 19 home runs and 51 RBIs while also mashing 21 doubles.
Whether Alonso will remain on the team after the trade deadline is still up in the air, but the blue and orange need the Florida native to have a big second half if they hope to continue their success this season.
David Stearns
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While not a player, there is an argument to be made that no single person will have a larger impact on how the second half goes than the Mets’ president of baseball operations, David Stearns.
Stearns has kept his deadline plans quite close to his chest, with only a report regarding the potential to trade away some expiring starting pitchers and recognizing the need for bullpen help, which he has fulfilled with trades mainly involving cashing and waiver claims.
There is still a possibility that the 39-year-old blows up the team, hoping to create a sustainable winner, or buys heavily at the deadline to bring October baseball back to Flushing. Whatever Stearns decides, it will heavily impact the Mets’ second half.
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Publish date : 2024-07-18 09:48:51
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