Mets Offense Lacks Identity in 2024
The Mets 2024 season has mimicked a rollercoaster ride featuring many ups, downs, and loops. But the offense as of late has mirrored Kingda Ka.
The fall continued Friday against the Marlins at loanDepot park, where the club was shutout for the fifth time in 44 games. They mustered only five hits against lefty Jesús Luzardo, who struck out eight Mets and entered the day with a 5.97 ERA.
The only chance the Mets had to score was in the first. Francisco Lindor and J.D. Martinez both hit two-out singles, but were left on base when Mark Vientos popped up a hanging slider.
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After the first, the Mets collected only four more hits the entire game — all singles. They never put together another rally against the Marlins and lost 8-0.
Friday night’s game was a shining example of what the offense has been in 2024. Lack of power, walks, and situational hitting. All of these factors have led the Mets to be 19th in runs scored (183).
The lack of walks has particularly been alarming. The team is ranked 17th in the majors in walks (141) and 22nd in on-base percentage (.304). Outside of Brandon Nimmo and Martinez, the entire Mets roster is hovering around or below the .300 OBP mark.
Another glaring issue for the Mets has been their clutch ability. Which the club is destitute of. In late and close situations this season, the Mets are slashing .184/.294/.318 with 72 strikeouts in 325 plate appearances. In tie games, the Mets are slashing .209/.292/.331.
The only time the Mets seem to score is when they don’t need to. When the club is either down or up by four runs, the team is slashing .323/.363/.525 with eight homers in 171 plate appearances. Same goes for their power. 22 of their 43 homers have come in low-leverage situations.
All of these ailments have led to a lackluster whole. The offense isn’t good. And outside a week stretch where the Mets took down the mighty Dodgers, the Mets haven’t found a consistent base.
The lack of base stems from their core players. As of May 18, Lindor is slashing .195/.268/.362 with seven homers. Jeff McNeil is batting .232 with an 82 OPS+. The team won’t be better until their All-Star caliber players find consistency.
Luckily for the Mets, the third wild card exists, which they’re only one and half games back from. A postseason birth isn’t out of the question, but at 20-24 and a mediocre offense, the Mets have to find an identity.
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