A pleasant early NY Mets trend we hope to see continue in 2025

The New York Mets' roster is built for match-ups, and so far, they've utilized their roster depth to play match-ups to the best of their ability. So far, every chance they've gotten to play left-handed vs right-handed match-ups, the Mets have taken advantage of it, and hopefully, they keep doing this as the season goes on.

During the season's first game, the Mets started the contest with Starling Marte as the designated hitter. Marte had about league-average numbers overall last season but excelled against left-handed pitching, batting to the tune of a .310/.384/.460 with a .368 wOBA and 141 wRC+ in 113 plate appearances. The Astros started left-handed ace Framber Valdez, whom Marte got a hit off of. 

However, later on in the game, after the Astros pulled Valdez in the 8th inning, the Mets pinch hit the lefty-hitting Jesse Winker for Luis Torrens to face the right-handed throwing Bryan Abreu. The Mets re-signed Winker this offseason to provide a platoon/bench bat for Marte. Winker rebounded in 2024 and had a .253/.360/.405 slashline, .338 wOBA, and 115 wRC+ vs RHPs. 

The next day, Winker got the start at designated hitter over Marte as the Astros trotted out Hunter Brown. Like Marte, Winker also got a base hit against the Astros' starter, drove in a run, and also drew a walk. Then during the third game in the opening series against the Astros, the Mets started Winker again against RHP Spencer Arrighetti, but later pinch hit Marte when lefty reliever Bryan King was inserted into the game. But Marte/Winker aren't the only players the Mets are platooning so far this year.

They're also using a similar strategy at second base. Brett Baty has gotten two starts so far during games two and three. Baty has struggled thus far in his Major League career, with just a 72 wRC+ in the Major Leagues heading into 2025, but limiting most of his playing time to just right-handers may benefit him. Over the last two minor league seasons for Syracuse, Baty has a .917 OPS, .385 wOBA, and 17.5% barrel percentage against righties. While he has a similar .853 OPS and .376 wOBA when facing lefties, his barrel rate drops to just 6.9%.

The other side of that platoon is Luisangel Acuna. Acuna impressed in a late-season call-up in 2024 with a dozen hits, including six XBH in his first 40 plate appearances. Granted, he had just a 69 wRC+ in 587 plate appearances at Triple-A last year. Acuna actually had reverse splits in 2024, though his .292 wOBA vs RHP was still below average and only marginally better than his .270 wOBA vs LHP. While Acuna went 0-3 with an error in his first start of the year at 2B, he still worked a 12-pitch walk against Josh Hader.

Either way, Acuna got the nod against Valdez in game one. However, there are multiple other ways the Mets can use Acuna. Acuna can still be used as a right-handed hitting platoon partner when Jeff McNeil is activated off the IL. The former All-Star second baseman only received 32 plate appearances in spring training before his oblique injury. His career OPS vs. RHP is .801, compared to .738 vs. LHP. Acuna was also used as a pinch hitter in game two when left-handed reliever Steven Okert came in from the Astros' bullpen. He also remained in the game and made a slick defensive play at second base in the 8th inning that prevented the tying run, Yordan Alvarez, from reaching first base. Given that this is the first time Brett Baty has received regular reps at second base in the Major Leagues, having a platoon partner as adept at playing the keystone as Luisangel Acuna is important. 

The Mets entered the year with plenty of opportunities for playing match-ups, so it's good to see they're trying to take advantage of it as much as they can. It could definitely help the Mets utilize their line-up to its fullest ability, put players in the best position to succeed, and could force opponents to play into the Mets' strengths.