Fansided

New York Mets 2015 MLB season preview and predictions

By Jeff Weisinger

Aug 27, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) and starting pitcher Jonathon Niese (49) and starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33) and starting pitcher Dillon Gee (35) sit in the dugout during the eighth inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) and starting pitcher Jonathon Niese (49) and starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33) and starting pitcher Dillon Gee (35) sit in the dugout during the eighth inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 27, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) and starting pitcher Jonathon Niese (49) and starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33) and starting pitcher Dillon Gee (35) sit in the dugout during the eighth inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) and starting pitcher Jonathon Niese (49) and starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33) and starting pitcher Dillon Gee (35) sit in the dugout during the eighth inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

For the first time in a long time, the New York baseball spotlight shifts from the Bronx to Flushing, Queens.  However whether or not the spotlight stays on the “Amazins” is the actual question.

The spotlight left the Mets before it could even get close to shining on the team in 2014 when ace Matt Harvey was shut down late in the 2013 season with a torn UCL, requiring Tommy John surgery.  His departure for the season made 2014 a throwaway year for the blue and orange.  The Mets finished 2014 79-83, second in the NL East and marking their highest win-total since 2010.

While their record wasn’t so impressive (compared to those who played in October), the Mets did have one thing going for them: an improved pitching staff that’s supposed to be better in 2015 and the fact that while they struggled for the most part in 2014, they managed to outscore opponents by 11 runs.

For the fans who have been very, very patient for a long time now, the Mets have a chance to get back into the playoffs for the first time since 2006, where they lost the NLCS to St. Louis in seven games, winning 97 games.  The Mets may not get to the 97-win total, or even close, however given the talent on the team, especially on the mound, it’s not that farfetched to consider the 2015 New York Mets a favorite for a spot in the National League Wild Card game in October.

Although the Nationals are still the heavy favorites to win the NL East, the return of Harvey to the mound, along with the new acquisitions, mainly Michael Cuddyer could make the Mets the sleeper team of the majors in 2015, even without pitcher Zack Wheeler.

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