As the 2024 Major League Baseball season unfolds, the New York Mets are a team that epitomizes resilience, overcoming early adversity to carve out a noteworthy campaign. Despite a rocky 0-5 start, the Mets rebounded emphatically with a 12-3 run, showing flashes of potential that hinted at their capabilities. However, the season was far from straightforward.
After their impressive recovery, the Mets hit another rough patch, dropping 27 of their next 39 games. This inconsistent form left fans and analysts questioning whether the team could truly contend. Yet, in a display of resolve, the team went on to compile a remarkable 65-38 record from June onwards, a consistent run that ultimately secured their place in the postseason.
The Road to the Postseason
The Mets' postseason berth was clinched in dramatic fashion against the Atlanta Braves. It was the penultimate game of the regular season, Game 161, when a ninth-inning home run decisively punched their ticket to the playoffs. Such moments are etched into the fabric of Mets history, serving as a testament to their perseverance and tenacity.
Facing the Milwaukee Brewers in the Wild Card Series, the Mets demonstrated their postseason mettle. The series went the distance, with New York advancing past the Brewers in Game 3 thanks to another timely home run. Yet the euphoria was tempered when their playoff journey ended in the National League Championship Series (NLCS). The Los Angeles Dodgers proved to be formidable adversaries, dispatching the Mets in six games.
Key Contributors to the Mets' Success
Among the standout performers this season was Francisco Lindor, whose performances put him in the conversation for MVP. His influence and leadership provided a backbone for the team, both in the dugout and on the field.
Pete Alonso, another critical figure for the Mets, continued to demonstrate his prowess with 34 home runs during the 2024 season. His career tally reached 219 home runs since his debut in 2019, cementing his role as a central pillar in the Mets' lineup. However, as Alonso prepares to hit free agency in the offseason—coinciding with his 30th birthday in December—the Mets face uncertainty over his future tenure with the team.
The Pitching Core and Future Outlook
The Mets also found strength in their starting rotation, featuring Sean Manaea, Jose Quintana, Luis Severino, and David Peterson. Each played a crucial role, with Manaea, Quintana, and Severino making at least 31 starts each, maintaining ERAs no worse than 3.91. The collective effort from the starting rotation resulted in 115 out of 162 regular-season games, compiling a collective ERA of 3.56. This consistency provided the Mets with a solid foundation from which to build their campaign.
However, the offseason beckons significant decisions, with Manaea, Quintana, and Severino all set to become free agents. The Mets' front office has expressed a commitment to bolstering their pitching lineup, recognizing it as a critical area for maintenance and growth going into the next season.
Despite their eventual NLCS exit, the Mets’ late-season performance highlighted their potential to be a formidable contender in future seasons. Their tenacity and ability to adapt to circumstances are key attributes that point towards continued success.
As the Los Angeles Dodgers advance to face the New York Yankees in the World Series, the Mets are left to reflect on a season marked by resilience and promise. The journey may have ended sooner than hoped, yet the narrative forged by the Mets in 2024 is one of determination—a season that suggests the best is yet to come for the team from Queens.