Prior to heading out West on their recent 10-game, 11-day road trip on June 2, the prospects of the Mets, who at the time were 35-18, maintaining the best record in the National League, were daunting. They were facing two of the NL’s best teams in the Los Angeles Dodgers for four games and the San Diego Padres for three. And despite the Los Angeles Angels losing 14 games in a row, leading to the firing of their manager, Joe Maddon, breaking the losing streak one day before the Mets arrived, they were still capable of getting the better of their opponent over the three-game series.
Upon their return home to Citi Field on Tuesday to host the Milwaukee Brewers, the Mets had proven to be resilient and resourceful. They had gone 5-5, splitting with the Dodgers, dropping two of three to the Padres and winning two out of three games versus the Angeles. After shutting out the Brewers 4-0 on Tuesday, the Mets were 41-22, first in the NL East, five games ahead of the second place Atlanta Braves and still holding the best record overall in the National League.
“Could have been better, could have been worse,” said Mets manager Buck Showalter via SportsNet New York. “People out there really don’t want to hear you complain about a tough West Coast trip.
“What was really tough about it as far as your mode of travel and your plane and your car and your hotel and food? I mean, come on. You just have to be disciplined with your sleep.”
The Mets averted losing one of baseball’s best power hitters on the trip after first baseman Pete Alonso was struck on his right hand in the first inning by a pitch on June 7 versus the Padres. But he returned three days later to play against the Angels. Heading into last night’s game, Alonso was tied for second in Major League Baseball with 18 home runs and second in RBIs with 59. When the Mets took the field last night, second baseman Jeff McNeil led them in batting with an average of .321, was tied for the team lead in hits with 67, and was second on the team with 15 doubles behind third baseman Eduardo Escobar who had 16.
Starter Tylor McGill also came back last Friday after being out almost one month with right biceps tendinitis. Megill went 3.1 innings, giving up five hits and two earned runs in his return. At 4-2 with a 4.50 ERA, he is scheduled to start tonight in the series finale against the Brewers.
Fellow starters Max Scherzer, who has been out since May 18 with an oblique strain, and Jacob de Grom, who hasn’t pitched since last July, as his most recent arm ailment is a stress reaction of his right scapula, are both are reportedly progressing well in rehab with no definitive time set for either to be back in the rotation.
The Mets will remain home for four games beginning tomorrow to take on the Miami Marlins then go on the road to play the Houston Astros next Tuesday and Wednesday. Afterwards, they’ll meet up again with the Marlins in Miami for a three-game series June 24-26.