Categories
MLB

2015 New York Mets Season Predictions | MLB Betting Preview & Odds

2015 MLB Team Season Previews – Mets

This year’s darlings from Queens are hardly perfect, not to mention every other team in the NL East division is competing for the consolation prize after the Washington Nationals, but there’s elements to like on the Mets roster.

MLB Lines & Matchup Insight

[dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

2015 MLB Team Previews – NY Mets

NL East Odds: +600
NL Championship Odds: 14/1
World Series Odds: 33/1

The thing that jumps out to me is their starting pitching depth. Even after losing Zack Wheeler with a torn UCL ligament, New York is stacked in its starting five, with other options remaining in Triple A.

Despite being what could politely be labelled a fat slob, veteran hurler Bartolo Colon continues to laugh at Father Time. The 41-year old still gobbles innings like he does sausage n’ peppers hoagies: 176 innings and an ERA hovering at 4.00, to be precise.

[dfads params=’groups=63744&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

After Colon, Jacob deGrom is the reigning NL Rookie of the Year, Matt Harvey looked like an ace in 2013 before Tommy John surgery, Jon Niese has been as steady as they come and Dillon Gee is functional – and he has only been thrust into duty as Wheeler is on the shelf.

In the minors, former Blue Jay prospect Noah Syndergaard looms as a possible impact major leaguer and Steven Matz isn’t far behind him. With the adage that “pitching wins championships”, the Mets seem set in that department.

The head-scratching arises, then, with New York’s position players. The Mets acquired aging Michael Cuddyer for the outfield, although he is injury-prone, a poor fielder and cannot hit anywhere other than Coors Field (Cuddyer was employed by the Rockies last year).

The Mets have no middle infielders to speak of, a problem ever since Jose Reyes was jettisoned to the Marlins years ago. Help will come if 3B David Wright has a bounce-back performance at the plate; he was effective getting on base last season but his sexier stats fell by the wayside.

[dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

Look for 1B Lucas Duda to have a big run-producing year – he’ll bat cleanup in this lineup at had a .450 slugging percentage in 2014. There is room for improvement in catcher Travis d’Arnaud, RF Curtis Granderson might have a late-career power surge and Daniel Murphy is steady, if unspectacular.

Thus, the Mets might be able to push a few runs across and a few might be all they’ll need with this effective pitching staff.

New York has some team defense to help, too: CF Juan Lagares is an absolute stud with the glove, and while SS Wilmer Flores can’t hit a lick, he is also a slick fielder. It will further buttress a group of hurlers that will terrorize divisional opponents this year.

The Mets can also expect to pad their win total against two miserable teams below them in the East, the Phillies and Braves. New York is definitely better than those two outfits, so they will need to take care of business when the opportunity arises.

[dfads params=’groups=63745&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

Ultimately, the Mets have too many glaring weaknesses to keep pace with the Nats, and probably the same applies with the young, upstart Miami Marlins. The Mets’ one major strength is really strong, but I’m not sure that is enough to carry this team to the postseason in the marathon 162-game season.

While this team could surprise if they get a major bounce-back year from top-dollar Wright and unplanned for production elsewhere, the lack of reliable bats probably mean that while New York is a pretty good ballclub, it will be spectating in October.

Some people see this team as a stealthy wild-card candidate, but I’m not one of them.

2015 Prediction: 82-80, 3rd NL East

We’ll be providing 4* free plays on the blog all season long, and check out our EXPERTS for guaranteed premium baseball plays!

[dfads params=’groups=65348&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

By James Hayes

James has been naming every player on the EA Sports video game rosters for half a decade now, he’s finally putting his knowledge to better use writing for us here at CappersPicks.com. Your comments are welcome below…Give Us Your Take!