Juan Soto powered the NY Mets win, 2 small at-bats paid them dividends

Juan Soto’s bat took center stage in Monday’s win in Detroit. But buried beneath the big swings were two quieter moments that might matter just as much for the New York Mets. August taught this team that it can finally capitalize on runners in scoring position, and now it looks like Carlos Mendoza is intent on creating those chances instead of waiting for them.

That’s how the Mets ended up bunting their way into runs against the Tigers. Twice they sacrificed runners over, twice they scored, and even a third attempt briefly came into play before Mendoza pulled it back. It wasn’t desperation; it was deliberate. By moving runners up, the Mets not only manufactured scoring chances, but they also sidestepped the double-play trap that’s haunted them all season. Paired with the power that finally arrived in August, the offense suddenly looks far more complete.

By moving runners and avoiding double plays, the Mets are turning a simple wrinkle into a new offensive edge.

Juan Soto carried the Mets on Monday, going 2-for-3 with a grand slam, six RBIs, two runs scored, and two walks. His bat powered the offense, but the team’s approach has evolved beyond relying on one swing. In August, the Mets hit 53 home runs—a franchise record—and led all of MLB with a .366 average with runners in scoring position. Power is there, but situational hitting is proving equally valuable.

Monday offered a perfect example. The Mets sac bunted twice, and both times it led directly to runs. After Alonso hit into a double play in the first inning with runners on first and second and no outs, Mendoza called for a sacrifice bunt in the very next inning with the same situation. Mullins moved the runners, and Torrens drove in the team’s first runs of the game with a double down the line. The small-ball plays weren’t just standard practice; they were calculated moves built on the team’s success with runners in scoring position.

The wrinkle also helps the Mets navigate one of their season-long weaknesses. They are tied for fourth in MLB with 107 double plays, which can end promising rallies before they start. By moving runners over with confidence that the team will drive them in, Mendoza is turning the Mets’ RISP success into a repeatable, strategic advantage. Pair that with the power that exploded in August, and the offense feels more versatile, confident, and dangerous than ever.

Monday offered a glimpse of a new wrinkle in the Mets’ offense. By pairing their power with calculated small-ball plays, they not only generated runs but also avoided the double-play jams that have plagued them all season. Creating scoring opportunities while sidestepping those rally killers will only grow in importance down the stretch and in the playoffs. If Mendoza adopts this approach selectively, it could make the offense more versatile when every run counts.