Mets Predictions: 3 preseason expectations I was completely wrong about

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 30: Dominic Smith #2 of the New York Mets walks off with his teammates after a benches clearing incident between Smith and Jose Alvarado #46 of the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on April 30, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Mets 2-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 30: Dominic Smith #2 of the New York Mets walks off with his teammates after a benches clearing incident between Smith and Jose Alvarado #46 of the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on April 30, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Mets 2-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
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Apr 27, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets pitcher Trevor May (65) at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets pitcher Trevor May (65) at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Mets have played enough baseball this season for us to know how close or far we were with our preseason predictions. Nobody bats 1.000 with them. Otherwise, why even play the games?

So far, we’ve seen a much different team than expected. Some of it has been good. Other aspects have been bad.

Although I didn’t make any formal predictions for the season I can look back at and make fun of myself over, I am willing to admit how wrong I am at these three Mets predictions I had going into the 2021 season. There’s time for a 180-degree turn on any of them. Thus far, I’m eating a big serving of crow with a side of egg on the face.

The Mets bullpen is actually good

Please tell me I’m not the only one to think the Mets bullpen would be mediocre at best. Certainly still not completely trustworthy, the relievers have performed well—for the most part.

Imperfect with some of the roster spots, the Mets bullpen has been solid. Edwin Diaz looks like the top-flight closer the team thought he would be. The team is getting some big innings from Trevor May, Aaron Loup, and Miguel Castro as well.

Even Jeurys Familia, a guy I don’t think any of us will ever truly trust, is preventing runs from crossing the plate. What is going on with this team? The bullpen was supposed to be only slightly better, not an actual weapon.

I don’t think anyone is ready to put a lot of faith in the team’s relievers just yet. However, they have done well even without Seth Lugo around. If they can maintain this for a full year, the Mets may have a serious shot at going deep.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 27: Jeff McNeil #6 of the New York Mets reacts after striking out to end the fourth inning with runners on first and third base against the Boston Red Sox at Citi Field on April 27, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 27: Jeff McNeil #6 of the New York Mets reacts after striking out to end the fourth inning with runners on first and third base against the Boston Red Sox at Citi Field on April 27, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Jeff McNeil—and the rest of the offense for that matter—felt like a sure thing

Don’t worry, the Mets will score runs! I saw and heard it plenty during spring training. Regardless of how the bullpen performs or how lousy the defense is, the Mets will score! They’re going to hit. They’re going to mash and bash. So what if there are a lot of 11-10 wins? The Mets are a sure thing to hit.

Well, maybe not.

The Mets aren’t hitting well at all this year. It’s not even a case of failing with runners in scoring position. As a team, they have been unimpressive.

Hitting is down around Major League Baseball so it’s not just infecting them. Even so, we all expected a guy like Jeff McNeil to bat .250 in his sleep. One of the guys we all KNEW would put the ball in play and reach base safely with a hit hasn’t done so this year.

The Mets offense has had a few bright spots. J.D. Davis has done incredibly well and Brandon Nimmo is doing his usual awesome thing. I’ll even credit Pete Alonso for continuing to drive in runs. Alonso might be the only guy on this team doing exactly what we thought he might: hit around .250 and knock the occasional dinger.

McNeil and just about everyone else have let us down. Things should turn around at some point. I know it in my gut.

Then again, I didn’t think we’d reach May with so much ineptitude on a regular basis.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 08: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kevin Pillar #11 of the New York Mets in action against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on April 08, 2021 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Marlins 3-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 08: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kevin Pillar #11 of the New York Mets in action against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on April 08, 2021 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Marlins 3-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

The Mets bench will help the team produce runs

I was high as a kite on the Mets bench this winter. Jonathan Villar and Luis Guillorme as the infielders looked great! The combination of Albert Almora and Kevin Pillar in the outfield gave the team exactly what they needed. Although I’m not a huge Tomas Nido fan, I understood what he could bring to the team defensively so I didn’t complain much.

Of all the predictions for the Mets I got wrong, this is the one I was further from the truth on. Villar has hit well (at times) and Guillorme has done even better. The other three have been miserable at the plate.

Pillar is by far the biggest disappointment on the bench. One of the club’s primary pinch-hitters and even the guy who got first hacks to begin the year, he has been atrocious at the plate. Is it his move from the starting lineup to a reserve player hurting him? The same thing could be said about Villar, a man used to playing every day.

I can’t make an excuse for them or anyone else within this offense. I can only blame myself for thinking beyond the starting eight, things looked well.

A handful of at-bats doesn’t tell the whole tale of a season. I’m not as stupid as I look.

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This doesn’t stop me from frantically looking for the backspace button in my mind wishing I hadn’t predicted much better things from the bench this year.

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