I know it’s a bold statement, however, the Mets WILL win the World Series.
The Mets have been playing for 60 seasons and the last time they competed in the playoffs was 2016 when they lost to the San Francisco Giants. Despite Mets fans fearing they will fall out of first place, they will definitely be a playoff team this year and are favored over twenty-eight other teams to win it all.
They have appeared in the World Series five times, in 1969, 1973, 1986, 2000, and 2015. The Mets won the World Series twice, in 1969 and 1986.
In 1969, the Mets’ opening day starters were: Tommie Agee (Center Field), Rod Gaspar (Right Field), Cleon Jones (Left Field), Ken Boswell (Second Base), Ed Charles (Third Base), Bud Harrelson (Shortstop), Jerry Grote (Catcher), Ed Kranepool (First Base), and Cy Young award winner Tom Seaver (Pitcher). Managed by Gil Hodges, they won a hundred games that year, played in the first year of Major League Baseball’s post-season playoffs, and the “Miracle Mets” defeated the Baltimore Orioles for their first World Series victory.
In 1986, the Mets’ opening day starters were: Lenny Dykstra (Center Field), Daryl Strawberry (Right Field), George Foster (Left Field), Wally Backman (Second Base), Howard Johnson (Third Base), Rafael Santana (Shortstop), Gary Carter (Catcher), Keith Hernandez (First Base), and Cy Young award winner Dwight Gooden (Pitcher). Managed by Davey Johnson, they won a hundred games that year (108 to be exact), and defeated the Boston Red Sox for their second World Series victory.
In 2022, the Mets’ opening day line-up was: Starling Marte (Right Field), JD Davis (Designated Hitter), Francisco Lindor (Shortstop), Pete Alonso (First Base), Eduardo Escobar (Third Base), Robinson Cano (Second Base), Mark Cahna (Centerfield), Jeff McNeil (Left Field), and James McCann (Catcher). Managed by multi-Manager of the year award winner Buck Showalter, they are on pace to win at least a hundred games and go on to defeat the New York Yankees for their third World Series victory.
(NJ.com recently reported that the Mets are more likely to win the World Series than the Yankees.) For those who are concerned about the Dodgers, the Mets have proven they can handle Los Angeles, they beat them two out of three in their season series earlier this month.
We’ll see how this plays out, but here are some of the reasons why the New York Mets WILL be the last team standing when the season is over.
Pete Alonso
Pete Alonso holds the Major League record for home runs by a rookie. This year he has more than thirty home runs, over a hundred runs batted in, and leads the team in OPS.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 01: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets in action against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field on September 01, 2022 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Dodgers 5-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Francisco Lindor
Francisco Lindor holds the record for most multi-hit games in the postseason by a player under twenty-three. So when the playoffs start, watch for him to kill it both offensively and defensively.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 01: Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets singles during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field on September 01, 2022 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Dodgers 5-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Starling Marte
2022 Mets All-Star Starling Marte has the second-highest batting average amongst the Mets starters and leads the team in stolen bases.
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 31: Starling Marte #6 of the New York Mets reacts after a two run home run in the third inning during the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets at Citi Field on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 in New York, New York. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Jeff McNeil
Jeff McNeil is a career .300 hitter and this year has the third highest batting average in Major League Baseball.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 28: Jeff McNeil #1 of the New York Mets in action against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field on August 28, 2022 in New York City. The Rockies defeated the Mets 1-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Max Scherzer
Max Scherzer will surpass 200 career wins this year and is a future Hall of Famer.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 28: Max Scherzer #21 of the New York Mets in action against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field on August 28, 2022 in New York City. The Rockies defeated the Mets 1-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Jacob deGrom
Jacob deGrom’s numbers since returning from injury are jaw-dropping. With an ERA under 2 and fastball just under 100 mph, he and Max Scherzer are arguably the most dangerous one-two punch in the Majors.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 25: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets in action against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field on August 25, 2022 in New York City. New York Mets defeated the Colorado Rockies 3-1. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
