The Mets play host to the Chicago White Sox for three games this week at Citi Field beginning Monday at 4:10 p.m. Here are five things to watch in the series, plus predictions.
5 Things to Watch
Polar Power surge?
There’s legit hope that Pete Alonso could spring into a homer binge after he gave the Mets the lead for good with a first-inning blast in their series-clinching victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday night.
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The two-run homer snapped career-long power outages for Alonso – 65 at-bats and 16 games – and, manager Carlos Mendoza noted following the win, the Mets are hoping that one swing is a signal that there’s a splurge of home runs coming.
The home run was Alonso’s 10th this season, meaning he became the third Met ever to reach double-figures in homers in each of his first seven seasons. Not surprisingly, the others are Darryl Strawberry and David Wright, the only two players ahead of Alonso (for now) on the Mets’ career homer list.
Yo, Adrian!
Adrian Houser, who is scheduled to start Monday for the White Sox, was a Met for roughly half of last season after he came over in the same trade with Milwaukee that brought Tyrone Taylor to Queens. Houser didn’t work out so well – he was released in July – but the 32-year-old righty just had a stirring ChiSox debut.
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Houser signed a one-year deal with the White Sox last week and then fired six shutout innings against the Seattle Mariners, who have the third-best offense in the American League. Houser had been released by the Texas Rangers after he recorded a 5.03 ERA in nine games for Texas’ Triple-A team.
Houser won’t be the only familiar name to Mets fans – Mike Vasil, a highly-touted pitching prospect with the Mets, has been a valuable reliever for Chicago. He was the winning pitcher Saturday against Texas after throwing three scoreless innings and has a 2.30 ERA in 16 games. The White Sox plucked him off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays in March.
Epic RISP fail
The Mets and the White Sox both have low batting averages with runners in scoring position. How will that show up in their three-game series?
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Entering Monday, Chicago was batting only .211 in such situations, the lowest mark in the major leagues. It might have something to do with their 17-36 record, which is the worst in the American League.
The Mets have struggled with RISP, too, with a .214 average. They are tied for 26th in the category. Still, the Mets have generated offense overall, at least enough to average 4.36 runs. That’s just above the MLB average of 4.33.
Can Brett Baty keep soaring?
Since his return to the majors May 7, Baty is batting .304 with a .986 OPS and five home runs in 16 games. His .652 slugging percentage over that span is 16th in MLB among players with at least 40 plate appearances. Baty also has continued to impress with his defense at third base.
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With the White Sox set to start three right-handers in the series, it could be another chance for Baty to help drive the Mets offense. He’s hit all six of his homers this year against righties and has a .793 OPS against them.
It might be ancient history, but we, at least, find it interesting that Baty homered on back-to-back days against the White Sox in 2023.
Home sweet home
Citi Field, obviously, has been a significant home field advantage for the Mets this season and that should continue against the struggling Sox. Is it the fully-formed “My Girl” singalong for Francisco Lindor’s walk-up music? The mascot race? Nah, those things are fun, but the Mets are just really good and they are exceptional at home.
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Sunday night’s victory over the Dodgers bumped their record to 19-6 in Queens this year, matching their franchise-best start at home (also 2015 and 2021). Their .760 home winning percentage is the best in the majors and Met pitchers are especially comfy at Citi Field, notching a 2.43 ERA. That mark is second in MLB to the San Diego Padres (2.36).
The White Sox are 26th in runs per game (3.43) and last in MLB in OPS (.643).
Predictions
Who will be the Series MVP?
Pete Alonso
We believe in the theory that home runs come in bunches. Sunday started something.
Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?
Tylor Megill
Megill is matched up Tuesday with Shane Smith, the Rule 5 pick who has been excellent for the White Sox (2.36 ERA), and is coming off a short-ish, but sometimes-dominant outing against Boston.
Which White Sox player will be a problem?
Luis Robert Jr.
He leads the majors with 20 stolen bases, so he’s a good test for the Mets’ improved defense against the running game. Plus, all eyes will be on him because he’s a potential trade target for every contender as the season goes on.
