Michael Conforto, Jeff McNeil and the big bats return

Despite losing six of their last 10, getting shut out four times in the past week, and losing three more pitchers to the IL, the Mets somehow sit atop the NL East with a four-game lead over the surging Nationals and five over the struggling Phillies and Braves. [as of Thursday night]

The Bats Return
While half the lineup was nursing injuries, the pitching stepped up and carried the load through May and half of June, led by the top three starters who are all having terrific seasons. Now that the bats are finally returning, the Mets offense will need to flip the script and carry the weight for the next month or so; at least until we can either trade for another starter or finally get a healthy Carlos Carrasco into the rotation.

Murderer’s Row
Seeing a nearly full lineup with more than just two or three big bats is a sight for sore eyes. Prior to the season starting, MattyMets was boasting that this could be our best offense since 2006 and possibly ever. With more runners on base in front of them and more protection behind them, Francisco Lindor, Michael Conforto, and Pete Alonso should all start driving in runs in bunches.  And the Mets, suddenly with a very weak back of the rotation, will need all the run support they can get.

An Unlikely Trade Partner
As if the rotation being down four arms wasn’t enough, the bullpen is now short a few arms as well with Robert Gsellman and Jeurys Familia joining the crowded IL. In another few weeks, when the mid-summer trade market starts to materialize, the Mets would be wise to call on the Kansas City Royals, who have some quality veteran arms they may be willing to part with, like starter Danny Duffy and reliever. The lefty Duffy is having a great year and is 32 and in his walk year. Duffy was injured for a stretch but just returned to action with a pretty 1.85 ERA across eight starts.  Fellow lefty starter Mike Minor is 33 with one year remaining on a modest contract. His numbers are not as strong, but he brings versatility as a former reliever. Reliever Scott Barlow is having a great year out of the pen with a sub-2 ERA and a high strikeout rate. He’s just 28, but getting pricier in arbitration. This is clearly not the Royal’s year as they sit well below .500 with no chance of catching the White Sox and Indians in the AL Central. Perhaps the Mets could pry one or two of these arms loose.

Survive the Gauntlet
From now until the All-Star break, the Mets have 18 games in 17 days. We’ll start with four against the Phillies at home, followed by a makeup game at Washington, a three-game series in Atlanta, and another three at Yankee Stadium. Beyond that gauntlet, we’ll return home for seven games against the Brewers and Pirates. Going 12-6 is not unthinkable and it would leave the Mets in good standing heading into a much needed four-day break around the All-Star game.

First up, the Phillies. #LFGM.