David D’Annibale, Staff Writer |
The 2020 baseball season has arrived and all 30 baseball teams have started their spring training games. After finishing 86-76 last season, the New York Mets are looking to clinch a playoff berth for the first time since their 2016 season, which ended with a loss to the San Francisco Giants in the wild card round of the postseason.
The Mets enter the 2020 season with one of the best pitching rotations in the league. The rotation consists of Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman and Rick Porcello. The final spot in the rotation will be decided in spring training between Steven Matz and Michael Wacha. DeGrom is coming off his second straight NL Cy Young season. Syndergaard and newly acquired Porcello are coming off their highest ERA seasons. Syndergaard posted a 4.28 ERA, and Porcello had an ERA of 5.52. However, Porcello and Syndergaard have potential to dominate opposing batters. Porcello was awarded the AL Cy young in 2016 after winning a career high 22 games and having an ERA of 3.15. Syndergaard had his best season in 2016 when he won 14 games and had an ERA of 2.60. Stroman is another crucial part in the lineup, who is coming off an excellent 2019 season with the Blue Jays and Mets. The Mets acquired him at the trade deadline and will need him to put up similar numbers in the 2020 season.
One of the reasons the Mets failed to make the postseason in 2019 was their bullpen. So, in the off-season they signed former Yankee Dellin Bellances to help fix their issues. If Edwin Diaz and Familia rebound in 2020, plus if Seth Lugo and Justin Wilson stay healthy, the Mets have a chance to have the best bullpen in baseball.
Coming into the 2020 season the Mets could have the most intimidating lineups in baseball. The key to their lineups success will be staying healthy. One of the biggest pieces will be Rookie of the Year and Homerun Derby Champion Pete Alonso. Alonso became the Mets single season homerun record holder after hitting 53 home runs in 2019. Alonso’s presence in the lineup makes everyone around him better. Jeff McNeil is coming off an amazing 2019 campaign. Micheal Conforto hit a career high 33 home runs in 2019. Getting a healthy Yoenis Cespedes back into the lineup could be a difference-maker in the 2020 season. When healthy, Cespedes is a game changing player for the Mets lineup. The health of veteran Robinson Cano will be important for the Mets in the 2020 season. Also, JD Davis, Amed Rosario, Wilson Ramos, Dominic Smith, Brandon Nimmo and newly acquired Jake Marisnick will have important roles in the upcoming season.
Nothing will come easy for the New York Mets as they play in one of the toughest divisions and schedules in baseball. The Mets will have to compete with the Atlanta Braves, Washington Nationals, Miami Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies for a division title.
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