How the Mets Will Approach Their West Coast Trip While On a Four-Game Winning Streak
The Mets have proven, once again, that when one star rises, another explodes. With the team back in cohesive synchronicity with each other, there is an electricity in the ballpark as they play together. After winning the final game against the Braves, the Mets had a series sweep against the Angels, the first of its kind since June against the Colorado Rockies. The question becomes: will the streak last?
Leaving the East Coast, their homefield advantage, and the lush pastures of Citi Field, leaves fans and foes alike wondering whether the momentum of the Mets can be replicated across the country. Tonight, the Mets are slated to play the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. While the Mets have a four-game winning streak, the Giants are feeling the California heat, losing six out of their last eight games. Both teams have something to prove. Tonight will give us the answer to who’s willing to do it.
Momentum aside, tonight’s game is set to be a solid matchup. Right now, the Mets are 59-44, leading the NL East. The Giants are third in the NL West, with a 54-49 record. These records are not different enough for Mets fans to go into the game without any reservations. Besides, they know better than that. Expecting another sweep is like a massive jinx sent right to Mr. Met and the traveling caravan themselves.
Mets fans would be right, however, to stay cautiously optimistic. Most would argue that ‘cautious optimism’ is a Mets fan’s mode of operandi. Given the excitement of the Mets’ post-series sweep against the Angels, it seems that the team has woken up with fresh eyes. Francisco Lindor broke his 0-for-31 slump, the longest of his career, and his leadership answered the prayer of devoted Mets fans across the globe. Shortly after, almost as if in response to Lindor, Pete Alonso launched a three-run homer in the third inning, bringing the Mets to a 5-1 lead against the Angels. In the fourth inning, with Lindor’s RBI single, Luis Torrens crossed the plate, extending the lead to 6-1. By the end of the game, the Angels put up a solid offense, finishing with a 6-3 score. However, with the prowess of the Mets, consistent and together as they’re playing right now, there was no chance.
The Mets play best when they play together. Like a family, each member plays for the other. It’s a fluid dynamic; one player's bad day can impact the whole team. However, oppositely, a player’s leadership and fire can energize the team, bringing them back to a whole and happy unit. Their stint on the West Coast is going to be telling for the rest of the season. Will this be the team that shows what they're made of, or will the doubt start to creep back into their heads?
