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MLB Postseason Contenders or Pretenders?

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Apr 30, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros players celebrate Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) game-winning RBI hit against the Seattle Mariners in the bottom of the 10th inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros players celebrate Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) game-winning RBI hit against the Seattle Mariners in the bottom of the 10th inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 6, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets first baseman Lucas Duda (21) and Mets left fielder Michael Cuddyer (23) and third baseman Daniel Murphy (28) and second baseman Dilson Herrera (2) and shortstop Wilmer Flores (4) celebrate after the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Citi Field. The Mets defeated the Orioles 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets first baseman Lucas Duda (21) and Mets left fielder Michael Cuddyer (23) and third baseman Daniel Murphy (28) and second baseman Dilson Herrera (2) and shortstop Wilmer Flores (4) celebrate after the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Citi Field. The Mets defeated the Orioles 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

5. player. 3. . 1st Place. NL East. New York Mets

The Washington Nationals were not only the pre-season favorite to win the National League East; they were also the odds on favorite to win the World Series. Yet it’s been the New York Mets that have sat atop the division for more than a month.

Through Wednesday, the Mets are 18-10 with a four-game lead over the Atlanta Braves and with a 4.5-game cushion over the Nationals. New York is 13-3 at Citi Field this year and have the third best run differential (+23) in the National League.

The biggest reason for New York’s early season success is the club’s top-notch pitching staff, and the starting rotation in particular. Led by the ageless Bartolo Colon (5-1, 2.90 ERA), Cy Young candidate Matt Harvey (5-0, 2.41) and veteran lefty Jon Niese (2-2, 2.40), the Mets have a 2.90 team ERA that ranks second in the National League. None of the Mets regular five starters has an ERA higher than Dillon Gee’s 3.86, and the next highest is reigning Rookie of the Year Award winner Jacob deGrom’s 2.95.

In fact, the New York starting rotation has been so good that manager Terry Collins has only had to go to his bullpen for 68.1 innings, which is 20 innings below the MLB average and just one-third of an inning behind Cincinnati for the fewest in the Majors. But the pen has still been terrific when called upon.

Even with closer Jenrry Mejia suspended and Bobby Parnell, Vic Black and Jerry Blevins injured, the Mets have one of the best bullpens in the NL. The New York bullpen has allowed just a .181 batting average to date, which is the best in the NL. With a combined 2.77 ERA, Mets relievers have the third best mark in the league.

The biggest question mark for the Mets is offense. The team is hitting just .236/.304/.354 to date, which ranks 11th, 11th and 12th in the NL, respectively. They also rank tenth in the NL in runs scored (109), 12th in hits (213) and 10th in home runs.

However, the good news is that most of that has come with David Wright and Travis d’Arnaud on the DL, Daniel Murphy and Curtis Granderson struggling and Lucas Duda – though solid with a .290/..379/.440 slash – not hitting for power. Duda has just two home runs so far.

After six consecutive losing seasons, the Mets have slowly become more and more competitive. Primarily because of their pitching staff, but also because they should improve offensively as the season goes on, the Mets have what it takes to contend in 2015.

The Mets are a: Contender

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