3 reasons why the Mets could be a handful for the Dodgers this weekend

The Mets can beat the Dodgers because they have so many unsung heroes

The Dodgers got the headlines for their bonanza of an offseason, but the Mets are proving why David Stearns was such a good hire. Nobody got all that excited when the team signed Harrison Bader, Tyrone Taylor, and Sean Manaea, but those three have been instrumental in turning the Mets around.

Bader was signed in large part for his defensive aptitude, which is why Brandon Nimmo got moved to left field. He's been a real contributor on offense, too, especially recently. Bader has hit safely in six out of seven games, and he even had a string of four multi-hit games in a row. He's been one of the most active Mets on the bases with three steals, and he just hit his first homer of the season on Sunday.

Taylor was an even more under-the-radar signing than Bader, but the former Brewer has stepped up when called upon. His grand slam against the Braves last week put an exclamation point on a 16-4 beatdown, while his three-hit game on Sunday against the Pirates helped spark a 9-1 win. Taylor has looked comfortable no matter where Carlos Mendoza pencils him into the lineup, and although he's not playing every day, he's the kind of outfield depth piece that the Mets sorely lacked last year.

Manaea got lit up by the Royals in his last start, but his first two outings were gems. He gave up only one run in 11 combined innings against the Tigers and Reds, and he'll need to find that form again when he gets the ball to open the series against the Dodgers. It will be a tall task, as he'll be facing the likes of Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman, but with Yamamoto on the bump opposite him, Manaea has the opportunity to make a real statement on behalf of his surprising team.

Luis Severino also needs to be mentioned as a low-risk move that is already paying dividends, but he's not slated to start in L.A. after shutting down the Pirates on Wednesday. Severino was one of the worst starters in the league last year, but after reportedly fixing an issue with tipping pitches, he's been great for the Mets, with one earned run or fewer allowed in his last three starts after a mediocre debut.

The Dodgers may have star power on their side, but the Mets' new additions have been just as effective in turning around a culture that was borderline toxic last year. Bader, Taylor, and Manaea aren't names that will wow anybody, but don't be shocked if they help the Mets win the series this weekend.

The Mets can beat the Dodgers because Pete Alonso is on a tear, and he loves playing in L.A.

Until Pete Alonso finally signs an extension with the Mets, there'll be no end to the constant trade speculation he's endured. It's commendable though, that through it all, Alonso has continued to do what he does best: hit the baseball really hard.

The Polar Bear won Player of the Week for his performance in the second week of the season, and he already has six homers to go along with an OPS over .900. He's been protected in the lineup by the hot hitting of Brett Baty, which has allowed him to take advantage of getting more pitches to hit.

You wouldn't think a polar bear would like it in California, but Alonso has always loved traveling west to play the Dodgers. In his career at Chavez Ravine, the power-hitting first baseman has seven homers in 15 games, but he's been more than just a slugger, as his 22 hits and .349 average in these games prove.

The mainstays on the Mets have been very hot and cold to start the season. Francisco Lindor is trying to pull himself out of an awful slump, while Francisco Alvarez hasn't yet displayed the power he's capable of. Jeff McNeil and Brandon Nimmo have had some timely hits, but both are hitting under .220. Baty and Starling Marte have looked much better than last year, but at the end of the day, this lineup goes where Pete Alonso takes it. If he can continue his torrid start to the year, the Mets could easily walk out of L.A. with a series win.