Despite some recent injury issues, the New York Mets have been one of the best teams in the National League in 2022.
They have a 26-14 record, proof of the team’s excellent all-around play since the beginning of the season.
“With a quarter of the season in the books, the Mets have built a strong lead atop the NL East,” SNY tweeted.
With a quarter of the season in the books, the Mets have built a strong lead atop the NL East 📊 pic.twitter.com/YOpp9dePpW
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) May 20, 2022
Their good play means they have built a strong lead in the NL East division, which was supposed to be a strong one with the reigning champions, the Atlanta Braves, and the Philadelphia Phillies in contention.
The Mets are up seven games against the closest competitors, the Phillies, and they hold an eight-game advantage over the Braves.
The Mets’ Good Play Has Combined With Their Foes’ Lousy Performance
Part of the reason behind the Mets’ big lead is because every team in the division has played below expected standards, most notably the Braves and Phillies.
But the Mets, who are now dealing with injuries to Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom, probably won’t complain about their foes’ inability to win games.
In fact, that seven-game lead will be tested in the coming weeks: deGrom and Scherzer aren’t expected back before July, and the rest of the pitchers and the offense will need to be on the top of their game.
Chris Bassitt is now the de facto ace, and Taijuan Walker, Carlos Carrasco, David Peterson, and Trevor Williams will need to step up.
Will they be enough for the Mets to avoid a collapse similar to the one they endured last year?
Keep in mind the Mets held a five-game advantage as last as June last season, only to finish third in the division when all was said and done.
Only time will tell.
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