The Mets are feeling more optimistic about their current standing, especially when comparing themselves to others in the league.
Recently, Edwin Diaz has been performing well, showing flashes of his dominant 2022 self. Just the morning after Diaz dispatched the Yankees in a quick 1-2-3 inning during Saturday’s game, the MLB revealed that the Phillies’ co-closer, Jose Alvarado, has been suspended for 80 games due to a drug policy violation, which is a significant blow for the team.
If you look at the NL East, it seems to be a tight three-way competition, and right now, the Mets find themselves in a strong position. The Phillies were already dealing with some internal issues before this setback, losing a key player in Alvarado. As they navigate the rest of the season, playoff implications will also come into play. Meanwhile, Braves reliever Raisel Iglesias has struggled significantly, ranked low among closers due to giving up six home runs in just 18 innings.
Relief pitching has been particularly unpredictable this season. Diaz’s younger brother, Alexis, who was an All-Star in 2023, has recently been sent down to the minors after struggling with a 12.00 ERA in six appearances earlier this year. Additionally, Devin Williams had a rough start this season, leading to some changes across the league, including the Yankees’ close role shifting to Luke Weaver.
