3 Up, 3 Down: Mets Get Back On Track In Colorado

The New York Mets quickly put the train back on the tracks in Denver.

After dropping a series to the Los Angeles Angels, the Mets somewhat atoned for that disappointment by taking two of three from the Rockies in Colorado.

Some great pitching, clutch hitting and a huge offensive breakout were the key ingredients behind New York’s rocky mountain success as this long road trip enters its final stage.

And, on that note, let’s dive into another edition of 3 Up, 3 Down…

3 UP

POWER UP

This hasn’t been a vintage year for Pete Alonso, despite what the stats may say. He’s struggled in a number of areas, including with runners in scoring position. His inability to drive runners home really hurt the Mets against the Angels, as it has all season. However, we saw a potential turning of the corner on Thursday. With the Mets desperately in need of a series win, Alonso stepped up as only he could with an intoxicating display of pure power. The slugger blasted not one but two mammoth home runs, finishing the day 3-for-5 with three RBIs.

Both of Alonso’s homers – his 24th and 25th of the year – were impressive, but his gargantuan 471-foot blast in the first was a true marvel. We all know that Alonso has the power to be able to take over games, just as he did in Denver on Thursday. Now, we need to see that on a much more regular basis down the stretch. By the way, with his second homer traveling 454ft, Alonso became just the eighth player since 2015 to hit two home runs of 450ft or more in the same game. He now needs to carry this team with his pop and his ability to make things happen.

CAPTAIN CLUTCH 

Much has been made about the Mets’ struggles with runners in scoring position since the All-Star break. Granted, they didn’t exactly go away overnight in Colorado. However, there were some notable improvements in that area thanks to Francisco Lindor. The NL MVP contender came up with the clutchest of clutch hits on Wednesday, displaying icy cold veins to hit a two-run single in the top of the ninth. Those runs won the game for the Mets, and Lindor proved once again that when his team needs him the most, he’s able to step up and deliver.

HELP COMING

Starling Marte took a sizable step in his recovery from a knee injury on Thursday. The outfielder played five innings in the field for Low-A St. Lucie and hit a home run, both of which are encouraging developments. That came hot on the heels of a single and a stolen base in the first inning of the outfielder’s first game of his rehab assignment. It remains to be seen just how effective Marte can be given how beaten up he’s been over the past few seasons. However, there is no doubt that he can still offer something at the big league level. Plus, his return will give the Mets some much-needed depth and lineup flexibility for the stretch run.

3 DOWN

SAME OLD STORY

Yes, the offense broke out in a big way in the series finale. Yes, the team opened the game with four consecutive extra-base hits for the first time in franchise history. Overall though, the three-game set in Colorado also proved to be tough sledding for the offense. The lineup struggled for eight innings on Wednesday in what turned into a bullpen game for the Rockies. The Mets went 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position on the way to putting up just three runs in a tough loss in the series opener on Tuesday as well. Sure, Thursday’s big day at the plate wiped away all previous offensive sins from this series. That doesn’t mean there still isn’t room for concern, however.

MASTERS OF THEIR OWN DOWNFALL

The series opener was just an ugly night for the Mets. The offense didn’t show up, the pitching struggled and there were also self-induced wounds, too. Both Tyrone Taylor and Mark Vientos committed critical errors, leading to three runs being scored in a decisive fourth inning. When everything else is going against you, you need don’t need your own players contributing directly to your downfall.

MORE NEEDED

The Mets need consistent power from their top sluggers if they are to secure a Wild Card spot. That equation includes Francisco Alvarez. Power has evaded the catcher for a sustained stretch now, as Alvarez is without a home run since July 26. Furthermore, he only has two home runs since June 25. Now, Alvarez did hit a triple on Thursday, but that was his only extra-base hit in Colorado. Since the All-Star break, Alvarez is hitting .204/.235/.306 with just one home run and four RBIs. It isn’t exactly a hot take to suggest the Mets need more from their catcher. A lot more.

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