David Wright, Johan Santana and R.A. Dickey are the biggest reasons the Mets are 28-23 and creating a buzz, but right behind that trio is the manager: Terry Collins is again proving he is the right man for the job.
“This team, we believe in ourselves,” a Mets player said earlier this week. “And it starts with the boss.”
Collins believes in his players, and that hasn’t gone unnoticed in a clubhouse that has become populated by rookies and journeymen in recent weeks.
Instead of fretting over who is injured and not playing, Collins keeps his focus on the field. Collins trusts his players, whether it’s Wright or Vinny Rottino.
The manager doesn’t pitch or hit, but he sets the right tone for the Mets: Work hard, don’t give up and believe anything is possible.
Collins seems to have gotten his players to buy into his message. The reward is a team still in the hunt as spring prepares to become summer.
A review of May:
MVP
Wright isn’t going to hit .400 this season, but it was fun while it lasted. Wright has been the constant in a fluctuating lineup and still belongs in the NL MVP conversation. If there has been a blemish in his game it’s his low home run total — he has only five — but he’s getting on base and driving in runs. He’s also on pace to strike out fewer than 100 times.
LVP
Ike Davis has been bumped from full time to a platoon at first base. The next stop will be Triple-A Buffalo if he doesn’t soon get his act together. He’s striking out once every three at-bats and hasn’t come close to driving the ball on a consistent basis. Lucas Duda could easily be shifted to first base upon Jason Bay’s return from the disabled list, allowing Davis to spend a month in Buffalo trying to rediscover his swing.
Looking ahead
The next few weeks could be the toughest stretch of schedule the Mets will face this season. Some of the highlights include a jaunt to Washington for three games next week followed by a trip to The Bronx for the first installment of Subway Series games. Then come three games at Tampa Bay. Later in the month, it’s three more games against the Yankees and a trip to Los Angeles for four games against the Dodgers. In between, the Mets also face the Reds and Orioles.
Biggest organizational decision
Matt Harvey has been strong in seven of his last eight starts at Buffalo, but the Mets are determined not to rush the right-hander to the major leagues. Still, it seems likely Harvey will get called up at some point this season. Slotting Harvey behind Santana, Dickey and Jon Niese could make for a formidable rotation.
On the hot seat
Just about anybody in the bullpen not named Tim Byrdak.
Last month’s casualties included D.J. Carrasco and Manny Acosta. Frank Francisco was on the verge of losing the closer’s job before a recent hot stretch. Ramon Ramirez, Jon Rauch and Bobby Parnell are having roller-coaster seasons. The Mets can only hope Jenrry Mejia will help stabilize the bullpen upon his arrival, likely at some point this month.
GAME OF THE MONTH: METS 5, PHILLIES 2, May 7
Jordany Valdespin’s pinch-hit, three-run homer off Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth inning capped a wild comeback against Roy Halladay and the Phillies’ bullpen.
The rookie Valdespin was activated before the game to replace injured Ruben Tejada. In the ninth, Mike Nickeas stroked a double to put runners on second and third before Valdespin unloaded his first major league hit into the right-field seats.