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Mets 2017 Season Preview: Who will be the Mets’ kryptonite this season?
Emmanuel Pepis, Staff Writer
Welcome to #FlashbackFriday, ladies and gentlemen. Because the team that I feel is going to be the biggest thorn in our side was popular at a time along with Surge, Tamagotchi, and Power Rangers. Yes, I’m talking about the Atlanta Braves.
The Braves aren’t expected to be contenders for anything this season, but they did snag a bunch of veterans. That included Mets fan favorite, Bartolo Colon. Add on top of that, how manager Brian Snitker turned this team into a more viable unit down the stretch (20-10 in their last 30 games of 2016) and presto! You have a recipe for a team that will be deceptively tough to beat regularly this season.
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In that 30-game stretch, the Braves took four of six meetings against the Amazin’s. Overall, Atlanta narrowly took the season series against New York 10-9 in 2016. If the veterans they brought aboard mesh well, then Atlanta will effectively have built a bridge to their younger talent that they’ve acquired. For reference, the Braves have seven of MLB.com’s Top 100 prospects.
But wait. There’s more! Because the player that will most likely give the Mets fits is on a different team: Marlins outfielder, Christian Yelich. For all the attention that Giancarlo Stanton gets, Yelich is progressing into a star in this league.
In four seasons, Yelich has a Gold Glove (2014) and a Silver Slugger award (last year). Yelich started to hit for a lot more power, turning in a .483 slugging percentage and crushing 21 homers after hitting 20 over his first three seasons with the Marlins. He also did very well against Mets pitching, hitting .375 with four homers and 14 RBI.
Yelich turned 25 in the off-season and is entering his prime. This season could be another big one at the plate for Yelich. The overall lineup has a chance to move forward, which could give Yelich even more RBI opportunities.
As mentioned earlier, the league has already recognized Yelich’s defense. Though the stolen base totals were down because of more extra base hits logged, Yelich is capable of racking up close to 20 steals. And even a very talented when healthy Mets staff will have a difficult time with the California native.