With the start of the 2019 season rapidly approaching, I believe it’s time that we give you the ultimate breakdown of each division and predict their position in the standings come season’s end. It’s hard to predict record, so we’ll just give you their placement in the standings. Of course, this is coming from a fan’s perspective and what we think it could look like, not what it will. Today, we focus on the National League East and the New York Mets:
New York Mets
2018 record: 77-85, 4th in NL East
Projected Lineup:
LF Brandon Nimmo
3B Jeff McNeil
2B Robinson Cano
RF Michael Conforto
1B Pete Alonso
C Wilson Ramos
SS Amed Rosario
CF Juan Lagares
Pitcher
Starting Rotation:
RH Jacob deGrom
RH Noah Syndergaard
RH Zack Wheeler
LH Steven Matz
LH Jason Vargas
Key Bullpen Pieces:
RH Edwin Diaz
RH Jeurys Familia
RH Seth Lugo
RH Robert Gsellman
LH Justin Wilson
Key Bench Pieces:
INF Jed Lowrie
OF Keon Broxton
INF J.D. Davis
1B Dom Smith
3B Todd Frazier
Now, I am a Mets fan but I’m sure by now you can tell I am not biased at all. I speak objectively when talking my predictions and my prediction for the boys from Queens will show you that. GM Brodie Van Wagenen came in and immediately made signings that impressed some fans and improved an offense that just couldn’t score in 2018. They sign Wilson Ramos and Jed Lowrie (who is out until who knows when because that’s the Mets). They trade away Jay Bruce to the Mariners and in exchange get back the always dangerous, Robinson Cano. Age aside, Cano can still hit. He is entering his age 36 season, but when you look at his numbers, there’s nothing saying Cano’s production is slowing down heading into 2019. But he’s not even the guy to watch this year. That honor belongs to Michael Conforto. Coming back from shoulder surgery, Conforto had a down first half, but raked the second half posting a .539 SLG and an .895 OPS with 17 home runs. He enters 2019 as the X factor for the Mets and if he can produce like that year-round, a possible MVP candidate. Also look for top prospect Pete Alonso to make an early impression with his outstanding power at Citi Field. 34 home runs and a .579 SLG in the minors last year along with a strong spring. Alonso will make a case for NL Rookie of the Year.
Much like the Nationals, the Mets have a 1-2-3-4 of the rotation which, when healthy, can be the best in baseball with the reigning Cy Young winner and newly extended, deGrom, Syndergaard, Wheeler and Matz. I say when healthy because this is what has been the Mets’ kryptonite for the last several years. We saw at the end of last year what these guys can do when all healthy and pitching together. Now the question is, can that roll over into 2019 and can they avoid the injury bug.
The bullpen has stepped up significantly with the acquisition of Diaz, arguably one of the best relievers in the game, and the return of Familia after spending the second half of last year helping the A’s to a Wild Card birth. They immediately form a dangerous 8-9 inning tandem for the back end of that pen which also includes Lugo, Gsellman and Justin Wilson.
As a Mets fan, of course I want them to win the division and I’ll be rooting for them all year. But, I’m also a realist. It all comes down to health, which has typically worked against the Mets. If they can get on a hot streak like in 2015, there’s no question they could win the division, but the Nationals and Phillies will be tough matchups all season long.
2019 predictions: 3rd in NL East
