Mets starting lineup: 2 encouraging, 2 discouraging takeaways this season

Encouraging: The NY Mets starting lineup is scoring runs despite their weaknesses

Even with a couple of shutouts against them already this season, the Mets are finding ways to score runs at a decent rate. They’re not pummeling the opponent into submission nor do they look like a lineup of guys who will regularly reach double-digits.

A poor team batting average and a few other discouraging signs haven’t held them back from crossing home plate. Their 122 runs scored through 27 games is about middle of the pack. With five shutouts along the way already, it is actually a backhanded compliment about how much they can score when the offense is cooking.

After 27 games each for these contenders, the Mets actually had more runs scored than the Philadelphia Phillies (117), New York Yankees (114), and of course the San Diego Padres (99). The Padres have bigger problems than their ability to get around the bases.

Adversity has continually popped up and slapped the Mets in the face this season. The lineup hasn’t been affected greatly by injuries. The bigger problem has been the lack of hitting from key players like Francisco Lindor and Starling Marte. Several cold nights at the plate from them and others at the bottom of the order have made the Mets a little easier to defeat.