The Mets won 15 games in April.
If they can also win 15 in May, June, July, August and September, they will finish with exactly 90 victories and reach the goal set by general manager Sandy Alderson in spring training.
But we have also seen enough in recent Mets seasons to know playoff tickets are not printed in the spring. Most notably, the team was in solid shape under manager Terry Collins heading to the All-Star break in 2011 and ’12, only to melt in the summer heat.
The starting pitching continues to carry the club. The bullpen remains a concern, but is getting results. The big question is whether this team will hit enough to make these 15-win months continue.
But Curtis Granderson can’t really be this bad, right? And the Mets have to believe David Wright, Lucas Duda and Travis d’Arnaud, among others, are due to make noise.
Before moving ahead to May, a look back on a strong April for the Mets.
MVP: Jon Niese
The Mets couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season by the left-hander, who had his spring training curtailed by arm soreness that twice necessitated an MRI exam.
Niese, now in his fifth season, has emerged as a veteran presence who could be a valuable trade chip if the organization ultimately decides to deal pitching for much-needed offensive improvements.
LVP: Curtis Granderson
Granderson is batting .136 with a homer and seven RBIs, hardly the kind of production the Mets thought they were getting for four years and $60 million. Granderson is on pace for almost 200 strikeouts, but the Mets will take that if he can hit 25-30 homers.
With Granderson struggling, Wright hasn’t had much, if any, protection in the lineup, perhaps explaining the fact he has only one homer.
Looking ahead
The Mets love playing on the road, so the next seven days in Colorado and Miami could be a good opportunity for them to build equity for later in the month, when the Yankees, Nationals and Dodgers all appear on the schedule.
The dreadful Diamondbacks will play three games at Citi Field in late May before Ike Davis makes his return to town with the Pirates. The Mets also have six games this month against the Phillies.
Toughest organizational decision
Jose Valverde has already been bumped from the closer’s role and Kyle Farnsworth is considered a stopgap in what could become a revolving door.
But where will Terry Collins turn if Farnsworth fails? Vic Black continues to post zeroes at Triple-A Las Vegas, but is walking too many batters for the Mets’ liking. Gonzalez Germen and Jeurys Familia have high upsides, but do they have the mental toughness for the role?
Daisuke Matsuzaka could be another stopgap candidate, but if the Mets want to develop a long-term solution, Jenrry Mejia’s name will likely be discussed.
Mejia has thrived as a starter, but also will be facing an innings limit this season. Moving him to closer could keep him on the team all season and fill a need.
Game of the month
April 23: METS 3, Cardinals 2
Travis d’Arnaud tagged out potential tying run Matt Carpenter at the plate in the ninth inning to help Kyle Farnsworth nail down the save. Daniel Descalso delivered an RBI double to left-center to slice the Cardinals’ deficit to one, but Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit cutoff man Ruben Tejada, whose strike to the plate nailed Carpenter. BOX SCORE
5Â key stats
2: Homers combined by Curtis Granderson and David Wright.
4: Games the Mets are above .500 – the first time they have reached that level since July 14, 2012.
5: Blown saves in 11 opportunities by the bullpen.
12: Quality starts by Mets pitchers in their last 14 games.
20: Runs scored by Eric Young Jr., the most by a Mets player in March/April since Ryan Church in 2008.