The Mets’ surprising start has been fueled by their younger players, just not the ones most expected to step up.
Ike Davis, who broke out with three hits, including the game-winner in Sunday’s win over the Rockies, and Lucas Duda were supposed to be the youth that propped up the middle of the order. Both have struggled early, but the Mets continue to surge with five wins in their past six games. Outside of David Wright, Kirk Nieuwenhuis has been the biggest reason in the lineup why. The 24-year-old had the game-winning hit in the series finale against the Marlins and seemed to have one again against the Rockies on Sunday before Frank Francisco gave up a home run to Carlos Gonzalez, passing the torch to Davis.
Nieuwenhuis did not make the team out of spring training, but was immediately called up when Andres Torres strained his calf on Opening Day. Nieuwenhuis will slide over to left field when Torres comes off the disabled list Monday night in Houston. But the real predicament for manager Terry Collins will be when Jason Bay returns off the DL, and the Mets will then have four starting outfielders for three spots. The Mets are paying Bay a lot more money than Nieuwenhuis, but if he stays hot then the Mets cannot replace just because a big salary is returning.
By all accounts, Bay is a great guy and a tireless worker, but he has struggled terribly since coming to Queens. By the time Bay returns, the league may have figured out Nieuwenhuis, and Bay’s return will be a welcome sight.
But at this moment Nieuwenhuis has proven pivotal to the Mets success and deserves to be in the lineup every night.
(Rankings for games through April 29)
1. Rangers (16-6) (Previous ranking: 1) – Yu Darvish is getting the headlines, but Colby Lewis has been Texas’ best starter so far this year.
2. Dodgers (16-6) (2) – Andre Ethier is providing great backup for Matt Kemp in the lineup. Both outfielders have 24 RBIs so far this season.
3. Braves (14-8) (10) – Have been amongst the best in baseball since getting swept by the Mets to start the season; Tim Hudson’s return will only help.
4. Rays (14-8) (13) – James Shields and David Price are 8-1 combined.
5. Cardinals (14-8) (3) – Kyle Lohse is Mr. April the past two seasons: In 2011 the veteran righty went 4-1 with a 1.64 ERA, but he improved this year going 4-0 with a 1.62 ERA.
6. Orioles (14-8) (14) – Adam Jones and Matt Wieters are meeting the lofty expectations they had as prospects, but if Baltimore is going to stay in the race the starting pitching has to maintain their impressive start.
7. Nationals (14-8) (6) – Seemed early to move Bryce Harper up to the big leagues, but the 19-year-old was impressive at least through two games.
8. Mets (13-9) (7) – Do they give Matt Harvey a chance if Chris Schwinden struggles as Mike Pelfrey’s replacement?
9. Yankees (12-9) (8) – Freddy Garcia could not survive in the rotation long enough to be replaced by Andy Pettitte.
10. Giants (12-10) (17) – The real Tim Lincecum finally showed up with eight innings of one-run (unearned) ball against the Padres on Saturday.
11. Blue Jays (12-10) (9) – It’s stunning that Toronto is over .500 despite the fact Jose Bautista is hitting .212 with two homers.
12. Tigers (11-11) (4) – Prince Fielder had gone 20 games without homering before he launched one of Yankee Stadium on Sunday.
13. Indians (11-9) (15) — Cleveland is only paying $5 million of the $15 owed Derek Lowe, and for once he is not getting overpaid after a 4-1 start.
14. Red Sox (10-11) (12) – Getting away from Boston may have been the best thing for Bobby Valentine’s team, which went 6-1 on their seven-game trip to Chicago and Minnesota.
15. Diamondbacks (11-11) (5) — Trying to survive injuries to Daniel Hudson and Chris Young.
16. White Sox (11-11) (11) – Gordon Beckham is off to another miserable start.
17. Mariners (11-12) (16) — A stunning sweep in Detroit, highlighted Seattle’s week.
18. Athletics (11-12) (20) – Oakland signed Mike Francesa favorite Brandon Inge (2-for-20) to add some pop to their offense.
19. Reds (11-11) (23) – Jay Bruce is second to Matt Kemp in homers in the National League.
20. Phillies (10-12) (18) – Jimmy Rollins (.222) and Hunter Pence (.253) were being counted on to carry the lineup with Chase Utley and Ryan Howard out, and neither has delivered.
21. Rockies (10-11) (21) – Carlos Gonzalez found his swing against the Mets over the weekend.
22. Brewers (10-12) (19) – It just seems like the good vibes around this team left with Prince Fielder.
23. Pirates (9-12) (27) – In 21 games this season, neither Pittsburgh, nor their opponent, have scored over six runs in a game.
24. Cubs (8-14) (28) – After a strong September last year, first baseman Bryan LaHair has four home runs in the first month of the season.
25. Marlins (8-13) (22) — The struggling Jose Reyes was dropped to second in the order for a couple of games over the weekend.
26. Angels (7-15) (24) – It’s only 22 games, but they have already spotted the Rangers a nine-game advantage in the AL West.
27. Astros (8-14) (25) – I give it to June before the Wandy Rodriguez and Carlos Lee trade rumors begin.
28. Royals (6-15) (26) – For all the talk of Kansas City’s young hitting prospects, it is Billy Butler that is carrying the offense early.
29. Twins (6-15) (29) – Josh Willingham has combined with Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau for a formidable middle of the Minnesota lineup.
30. Padres (7-16) (30) — Anthony Bass has been solid since being moved into the rotation.
