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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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Feb 23, 2015; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA;New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard (34) takes a throw at first base during spring training at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2015; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA;New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard (34) takes a throw at first base during spring training at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports /

Three keys for success

-The pitching rotation has to do what everyone is expecting and projecting it to do: be dominant.

Even without Zack Wheeler the Mets starting pitching rotation still has the ability to be one of the best in the National League with Harvey and deGrom leading the charge.  The only concern with this starting five is that it could be top heavy.  However the rotation could also get even better than expected if Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz or Rafael Montero make their way to stay with the big club early on in the season.

-The lineup has to do what it hasn’t done in a while – hit:

The Mets brought the fences in during the winter, making it easier for the Mets to hit home runs at home in Citi Field.  The only thing is, now they have to actually make contact and hit the ball.  The Mets hitting a mere .239 last year won’t cut it again in 2015 if they’re going to compete in the National League, let alone the NL East.  The addition of Cuddyer, a rejuvenated David Wright and closer fences should give the Mets lineup the jolt they need to keep up with everyone else and support their pitching staff.

-The bullpen has to stay solid:

This one is kind of a given for any team, however is more pertinent to the Mets.  In the Sandy Alderson era, the Mets’ bullpen has been horrible, and the start it had last year was no exception to the rule either.  Both Jose Valverde and Kyle Farnsworth were canned after Bobby Parnell’s season ended after one outing.  However after those three were done in Queens, they actually improved, giving a glimmer of hope.

Jenrry Mejia went from starter to reliever and shined (6-6, 3.65 ERA, 98 K, 28 SV) and Jeurys Familia became a solid reliever after being a starter in the minors (2-5, 2.21 ERA, 73 K, 1.177 WHIP).  Carlos Torres (8-6, 3.06 ERA, 96 K) turned in his second straight solid season out of the pen.

With a healthier rotation, the bullpen can really be the stars of the show if they can close out games in 2015.

Next: 2015 season predictions

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