Mets: Three good omens a championship is coming to Flushing in 2021

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PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – MARCH 16: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros in a spring training game at Clover Park on March 16, 2021 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

It’s too early to know exactly how far the 2021 New York Mets can go in their chase for a championship. Now three and a half decades since the 1986 team won it all, those old enough to remember the golden era of Mets baseball are growing increasingly impatient.

There are Mets fans out there who look at the 2015 team as the brightest year in club history. A few older fans may recall the excitement of 2006 and maybe even how close the club came in 2000.

Each year, there are some positive and negative signs which could reflect accurately as to how far the team will go. In 2021, these three signs point toward the positive and could be the beginning stage of a parade in Flushing this October.

Mets start providing Jacob deGrom with run support

Imagine how much better Jacob deGrom’s overall numbers would look the last three seasons if he was getting the run support he deserved. While the offense doesn’t get all of the blame for his lack of wins, it’s a major component as to why the best pitcher in the National League these last three seasons hasn’t been earning too many W’s to his stat sheet.

The Mets did a fine job this winter at upgrading their offense. Look around the diamond. Take a peek at the bench. Put your faith in what those bats can do.

There was no lack of trying on behalf of the front office this winter. Knowing full well that even an already potent offense like the one in place could use some upgrades, the Mets did just that.

At times, deGrom’s outings have felt like he was working alone on the mound. He has provided the team more offense than the other eight men in the lineup making for a mix of jokes and general frustration.

There’s no telling how amazing of a year deGrom can have if he starts receiving even a single run more each time out. The man can do a lot on his own. However, the Mets cannot win a championship unless he does get some assistance.

Mar 27, 2021; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets center fielder Kevin Pillar (11) celebrates with right fielder Michael Conforto (30) after scoring a run in the 3rd inning of the spring training game against the Houston Astros at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Mets offense is consistently clutch with runners in scoring position

A criticism many have of the Mets offense in recent years has been their lack of scoring runs in clutch situations. The bats tend to get streaky and when they’re good they’re good. But when they’re bad, they’re horrific.

How many times have we seen a runner stranded on third? How many opposing bullpens have shut this team down?

There’s little doubt the Mets have the ability to score a lot of runs in 2021. The question we need to answer is whether or not those runs can come in high-leverage situations late in games.

If the Mets hitters can change the narrative and become a squad of comeback kids, we’ll know things are going pretty well in Flushing.

To do this, we need to see fewer runners left on base, clutch home runs, and some smart decisions by the manager. Luis Rojas’ skipper-skills will be put to the test this season as he navigates through a roster containing several key bench pieces. Removing a player for defensive purposes too soon could come back to bite the Amazins quickly. Not doing it early enough could be catastrophic when the Mets are on defense.

However they do it, we need to know this team is never out of a game. Whether the score is tied, the Mets trail by one, or it’s late and the team is just going through the motions, the more unexpected rallies this offense can put together, the more likely we are to celebrate at the end of October.

PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – MARCH 16: Jeurys Familia #27 of the New York Mets delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros in a spring training game at Clover Park on March 16, 2021 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Mets bullpen is as steady as it gets

Ha! The Mets with a steady bullpen? It’s a laughable thought.

But what if? There are a lot of guys in there who have been gone at one point. Jeurys Familia is, after all, one of the best closers in Mets history. Dellin Betances has been to the All-Star Game multiple times as a setup man. Trevor May, Aaron Loup, Miguel Castro, and so on and so forth. What if they all have average-to-good years?

There is a lot of pressure riding on the bullpen this season. So bad in recent seasons that Greek historians have debated about changing Achilles’ death in The Iliad from getting slashing in the heel to suffering a blown save in honor of the Mets relievers, it’s going to take a whole lot of good happenings for this to be a strength of this ball club.

Considering the rotation and the offense, even an average season out of the relievers will make a difference. In fact, this alone could help the Mets capture a playoff spot.

I have about as much faith in this actually occurring as I do being selected as the first person to rise up to heaven during The Rapture. The relievers have done nothing to prove they will be anything more than a problem.

Next. Best starting pitchers in Mets history

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As jaded as I might be when Mets relief pitchers enter the game, I’ll hold out a little hope for a better immediate future.

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Mets start providing Jacob deGrom with run support

Mets offense is consistently clutch with runners in scoring position

Mets bullpen is as steady as it gets

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