As we usher in a fresh month, the New York Mets are serving up some reasons to celebrate. After all, as June kicks off, Mets fans are seeing their squad clocking in with a solid 36-22 record.
This ties them with the Phillies at the top of the NL East and lines them up with the Dodgers and the Cubs for the best record in the entire National League. It's no secret that earlier this month, the Mets hit a bit of a rough patch.
But facing off against teams like the White Sox and the Rockies, who are on a trajectory to be among the season's struggling franchises, has been just what the doctor ordered to reset their momentum.
Of course, in the backdrop of this success is a quiet murmur from the fans about Juan Soto's performance, given the hefty $765 million, 15-year contract given to him this offseason. But let's flip that concern on its head and see it as an opportunity.
As Kerry Miller aptly stated in his Bleacher Report article, "So-so Soto hasn't held them back much." The underlying metrics are telling a promising story—his walk and whiff rates are right where they've always hovered, and he's still amongst the elite in the top 10 percent for exit velocity and expected slugging in the majors.
Sometimes the game just throws some bad luck your way.
Meanwhile, the Mets are keeping stride with the Phillies, holding their own in the race despite any bumps in Soto’s road. And if Soto starts heating up alongside the return of pitchers Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas, Mets fans better brace themselves for a thrilling ride.
Mets supporters are already buzzing, hoping that Soto's homer against the Rockies is just a taste of what’s to come. If he can channel that power on a consistent basis, the formidable combo of bats and arms will be a sight to behold.
