Three Mets predictions for the final three weeks of the 2020 season

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WEST PALM BEACH, FL – MARCH 11: The Franklin batting gloves sit in the batting helmet of Ali Sanchez #74 of the New York Mets before a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros at Fitteam Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 11, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Astros defeated the Mets 6-3. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

What will happen with the New York Mets in the final three weeks of the 2020 season? We make some predictions.

Only three weeks remain for the 2020 MLB season. The New York Mets are right in the thick of the playoff race only because of the expanded playoffs.

Eight teams from both leagues will make it to the postseason this year. For the Mets to have any shot at it, they can’t take a day off.

Anything can happen between now and the end of the year. Based on what we’ve seen so far, this is how I predict the final three weeks of the year will go.

A major injury, a big reinforcement steps up

The Mets have been fairly healthy this year. There hasn’t been any devastating injury, but I think this September we see someone go down.

Specifically, I’m looking at the position players. They’ve managed to keep all of the starters off the IL for any extended period of time. Someone, though, will suffer an injury and possibly miss the rest of the year.

Fortunately, the Mets will have a chance to show off their depth. Following this injury I’m predicting, someone from the bench steps up and we hardly miss the man that ends up on the sidelines.

I know this prediction isn’t so specific but I think it tells us a little more about the team and how well they’ve managed to pick each other up.

On the infield, the Mets now have Todd Frazier to fill in at either corner spot. We could also see Luis Guillorme play regularly at second base, third base, or shortstop if needed.

In the outfield, the Mets have a little more flexibility. Jeff McNeil can play either corner spot or shift from the outfield to the infield and allow Jake Marisnick to get even more at-bats.

I’ve seen enough Mets baseball to know an injury is always lurking. Luckily for the 2020 team, the reinforcements are already there.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets delivers the pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the sixth inning at Citi Field on September 06, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

Jacob deGrom locks in his Cy Young case

I don’t know if Jacob deGrom is actually going to win another Cy Young or not. What I do know is that he’ll pitch well enough in the final three weeks to lock in his case for the award.

Nobody in the league is a better pitcher than deGrom. Despite what some numbers may suggest right now, I don’t think there is a National League pitcher too many managers would prefer to see on the mound more.

Yu Darvish has had a spectacular 2020 season. However, as we have seen in the last two seasons, many of deGrom’s best contenders for the Cy Young often fade down the stretch.

deGrom’s greatest weapon throughout his career has been consistency. Even in the 2017 season when he gave up more runs per nine than usual he was a contender for the Cy Young. That’s because Big Jake does a lot more than just prevent runs. He goes deep into the game, embarrasses batters, and gives his team a chance to win every fifth day.

There’s no reason to think deGrom is going to hit a wall this year. He’s not “due” for a bad stretch because he has never showed a tendency to get into any sort of funk.

It has been a while since deGrom has been able to pitch a game this late in the year with purpose. I think knowing how much more meaningful these games are can give him an even greater boost—as if he needs any more motivation.

That’s right. My second prediction says that deGrom is awesome.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 05: Brandon Nimmo #9 and Luis Guillorme #13 of the New York Mets celebrate after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field on September 05, 2020 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Phillies 5-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Mets make the playoffs but just barely

I think the Mets do make the playoffs this year. Pete Alonso will heat up, Michael Conforto will continue to tear up the league, and the club will manage to outplay the Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals.

Beating up the Marlins and Nationals are key to the Mets making the playoffs this year. I think the Philadelphia Phillies will finish in second behind the Atlanta Braves, leaving the Mets to fight for one of the final two spots.

The American League has done a fine job at beating up on the National League teams this year. We’ll need to hope this trend continues. The powerhouses in that league must continue to take care of business versus the fringe playoff teams in the NL for the Metropolitans to go beyond game 60. I think it happens but just barely.

Once the Mets do get to the postseason, all bets are off. I think they can win a short series against a superior team. deGrom changes everything and can defeat anyone he has to.

Beyond that, the Mets may run into some trouble. How will Seth Lugo or David Peterson perform in their first playoff starts? As much as I trust them in the regular season, there’s something about going against a team like the Los Angeles Dodgers in the playoffs that scares me.

The last three weeks of the 2020 season should be fun. We’ll know a little more about the battle between Andres Gimenez and Amed Rosario for shortstop. We should also get a better taste of which free agents are worth bringing back next year and which ones we can wish well in their future endeavors.

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The 2020 season has flown by. What do you predict happens in the final three weeks?

Home / New York Mets News

What will happen with the New York Mets in the final three weeks of the 2020 season? We make some predictions.

A major injury, a big reinforcement steps up

Jacob deGrom locks in his Cy Young case

Mets make the playoffs but just barely

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