Mets Believe Positively Amid Recurring Issues, Yet Crisis Is Clear
The Struggling New York Mets: A Season of Offensive Limitations and Pitching Woes
The 2022 season has been a challenging one for the New York Mets, with both their batting and pitching performances falling short of expectations.
Batting Woes
The Mets have struggled to produce runs consistently, with a batting average of around .242, an on-base percentage (OBP) of about .320, and a slugging percentage near .414. These figures combine for a team on-base plus slugging (OPS) of around .734, which is below the MLB average.
Key hitters like Pete Alonso have shown individual success, with a .370 weighted on-base average (wOBA) and a high exit velocity and hard-hit percentage. However, Alonso's batting average has dipped to .168 with a .593 OPS in his last 26 games. Francisco Lindor's performance has also been disappointing, with a .191 batting average and a .602 OPS in his last 50 games.
The Mets' home ballpark, Citi Field, has historically suppressed offensive numbers due to its pitcher-friendly dimensions. While changes in 2012 helped somewhat, offensive production remains a challenge for the Mets.
Pitching Struggles
The Mets' pitching staff has also faced difficulties, with negative advanced metrics indicating weaknesses. While specific pitching statistics for 2022 are limited, the overall team Wins Above Replacement (WAR) in pitching for this period saw a negative contribution around -12.6.
The Mets' starting rotation has struggled to provide length, with no starter recording at least one start of six or more innings in 51 straight games. David Peterson is the only Mets starter who has managed this feat during the 51-game stretch.
The bullpen has been overused due to the struggles of the starting rotation, with the relievers throwing 209.2 innings in the last 49 games.
Current Slump
The Mets' recent schedule, featuring hot teams like the Cleveland Guardians and Milwaukee Brewers, has made their slumps more challenging. The Mets' losing streak has deepened their hole in the standings, with their lead atop the National League East disappearing. They now trail the first-place Philadelphia Phillies by 5.5 games.
Despite their current struggles, the Mets believe they can still turn their season around and make a run for the division. Mets manager Buck Showalter believes the team needs to start playing better and getting the job done.
The Mets' big bats have been largely ineffective for weeks, if not months. Brandon Nimmo, for example, has struck out 26 times in his last 58 at-bats and has a .476 OPS (.269 on-base percentage).
The Mets' struggles are not just a blip on the radar, but a crisis. The team lost to the Milwaukee Brewers, 7-6, on Sunday, marking their seventh consecutive loss and 11 losses in their last 12 games. The loss came in the ninth inning due to a walk-off home run by Isaac Collins off closer Edwin Diaz.
Looking Ahead
The Mets are still developing pitching depth, with top prospects like Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong in the minors as of 2025. The team will likely rely on these prospects to improve the rotation and bullpen stability in the future.
Despite the challenges, the Mets remain optimistic about their chances for the remainder of the season. They believe they have the talent and players to turn their season around and make a run for the division.
[1] FanGraphs, MLB Team Stats - New York Mets - 2022 Regular Season (https://www.fangraphs.com/stats/team-stats?pos=all&stats=bat&team=15&year=2022&type=24&season=H2H) [2] FanGraphs, Player Stats - Pete Alonso - 2022 Regular Season (https://www.fangraphs.com/stats/batting?player_id=624177&position=1B&team=15&type=24&season=2022&year=2022&tab=batting&stat=wOBA&sort=15) [3] Baseball America, New York Mets Top 30 Prospects (https://www.baseballamerica.com/minor-leagues/new-york-mets-top-30-prospects/) [4] ESPN, Citi Field (https://www.espn.com/mlb/ballpark/_/id/33) [5] Baseball-Reference, New York Mets Team Leaders (https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYM/2022_slashing.shtml)
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