In the first four game of the 2024 Mets season, the opposition has exhibited their flaws, exposed their weaknesses, and exploited their mistakes. While anyone watching could have picked up on this, here are some numbers to really drive home the point. And, given the Mets offensive woes so far, driving something home is a refreshing change.
- The number of hits that starter Sean Manaea gave up to the Tigers in his Mets debut on Monday night. Manaea was relatively masterful in his 6 innings pitched, striking out 8, walking 2, giving up the lone hit to Andy Ibanez on the final play of the top of the 6th. On that hit, Brandon Nimmo threw Carson Kelly out at home when he tried to score from second. Manaea’s performance along with Nimmo’s play are usually the kinds of moments that get a rally started. Not for the Mets on Monday night, as they wasted whatever few opportunities they could muster.
- The number of times Brandon Nimmo led off an inning by getting on base. The first time was a hit-by-pitch in the first inning. The second, a leadoff walk in the bottom of the 8th. The second time was especially painful as it came just after reliever Edwin Diaz pitched a sparkling top of the frame. Whatever momentum that carried faded quickly, as Nimmo’s walk was followed by a Francisco Lindor strikeout, a Pete Alonso strikeout (his first of the year), a Francisco Alvarez ground out, and a bunch of dejected fans.
- The number of strikeouts that Diaz now has on the season. In two games since returning from a season-canceling injury last spring, Diaz has looked like the pitcher he was in 2022. Mets fans could breathe a sigh of relief if these were save situations.
- The total number of hits by the Detroit Tigers in their 5-0 win on Monday night. Half of those hits came in the 10th inning following a Joey Wendle error on a ground ball that could have (arguably) led to an inning-ending double play. Instead, a run scored on that play, which was then followed by a single, a sacrifice fly and a 3-run home run giving Detroit…
- The total runs scored by the Tigers on a night when they looked especially absent through the first 9 innings. The Mets did not allow 5 runs in any of their extra-inning games last year.
- The number of at-bats the Mets had with runners in scoring position on Monday night. They went 0-6, although three of those at-bats came in the bottom of the 10th when the runner started out the inning on second base per MLB rules. Otherwise, they had Nimmo on second in the first inning with no outs, but Pete Alonso popped out and Alvarez grounded into an inning-ending double-play. The only other scoring position opportunity they earned was a 2-out double by Alvarez in the bottom of the 6th, which was followed by a DJ Stewart fly out. Speaking of DJ Stewart…
- The number of hitless at-bats by DJ Stewart to start out the 2024 season, following his 0-3 on Monday night. The Mets outfielder was given a brief opportunity to prove his value to the team while they wait for JD Martinez to be game-ready. So far, Stewart hasn’t done much to make a case for himself to stay with the big-league club when they call Martinez up.
- The total number of hitless at-bats between the Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso, the Mets #2 and #3 hitters, and the players the team is relying on most to produce some offense. While there have been multiple culprits for the Mets lack of production in these first 4 games, the struggles for Lindor and Alonso have been key factors so far.
What more number worth noting – 35 – that’s the total number of innings since the Mets took their first, and so far only, lead of the 2024 season.
The Mets will try to get on track when they face the Tigers on Tuesday night, if the weather cooperates. Adrian Houser will make his own Mets debut and will hope for more support than they gave Manaea.
