The New York Mets are looking like a championship-caliber team.
To have that “look”, or that “edge,” a team needs to produce runs with ease on offense, have an excellent pitching staff, and make more than just routine plays on defense.
Regarding that last sentence, the Mets have some excellent defensive players on their roster.
That is an underrated aspect of a playoff contender: defense.
On Thursday, the Mets completed an odd double play that included a little bit of everything: quick reactions, baseball IQ, a bad throw, and then an excellent one.
In fact, according to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, who covers the Mets, it wasn’t technically a double play.
But hey, fans will gladly take it!
An Odd, But Effective Sequence
“Uhhh… Score it a 5-6-1 fielder’s choice with a 9-6 putout. Not technically a double play! (the Mets will take it),” he tweeted, with a video of the play.
Uhhh…
Score it a 5-6-1 fielder's choice with a 9-6 putout. Not technically a double play!
(the Mets will take it) pic.twitter.com/ruxcRXpRie
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) May 12, 2022
With Juan Soto at second base, Josh Bell hit a grounder to third base.
The third baseman fielded it and threw to second base, as the Mets defense caught Soto between the two bases.
The play resulted in Soto being tagged out at the hot corner, but Bell was trying to advance to second base.
Pitcher Taijuan Walker had the ball at that time, and threw to second base: his throw missed its target and right fielder Starling Marte picked up the ball and threw to third to try to retire Bell, who was now on his way to third base.
The throw arrived in time, and two outs were recorded on the play.
It was an odd sequence, but the Mets defense made it work.
Except for Walker’s throw, everything was on point.
NEXT: Taijuan Walker Looked Like His Elite Self Again On Thursday