Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was asked about a number of different topics prior to Sunday night’s Subway Series finale…
Marte will continue seeing opportunities
Starling Marte hasn’t quite been able to find his groove yet this season.
Adjusting to his new role as more of a part-time player, the 36-year-old slugger is hitting just .192 with two extra base-hits and a .604 OPS through 28 games.
Despite the struggles, Marte continues to find himself in the middle of the Mets’ lineup when they face left-handed pitching — as is the case for Sunday’s Subway Series finale against Yankees ace Max Fried.
Even with Jeff McNeil back, Brett Baty swinging a hot bat, and Luisangel Acuña providing a spark on both sides of the ball Mendoza says that Marte will continue seeing chances moving forward.
“He’s been an elite player in this game,” the skipper said. “It’s not an easy role to be in when you’re used to playing every day, it takes time to adjust. I just have to continue giving him at-bats, he’s a good player. The way the ball continues to jump off his bat, the bat speed, it’s there — he’ll get going here pretty soon.”
Soto’s uptick in stolen bases
Juan Soto isn’t exactly known for his blazing speed.
The superstar outfielder swiped just seven bases all of last season for the Yankees — but things have been different over his first 45 games with the Mets, as he’s already halfway to that total.
Soto has stolen a base in each of the first two games of the Subway Series, pushing his streak to three straight and giving him a total of five on the year.
He’s currently on pace for 18, which would shatter his previous career-high of 12.
“He’s just taking advantage of opportunities,” Mendoza said. “He’s using the information and trusting it. That’s something he talked about with Antoan [Richardson] from the beginning, not only the defense in right, but becoming a better baserunner overall.
“Yesterday, that play stealing third it kind of ended up being the difference. He scores on a sac fly and we won the game by one run. It’s something that from the beginning they’ve been working on and every time the opportunity presents, we’ll take advantage of it.”
Taylor cramped up, but good to go
Tyrone Taylor was dealing with some cramping in his calf after diving head-first into second late in Saturday afternoon’s victory.
After talking things over with the training staff, Mendoza said that Taylor is good to go for the series finale, but he still elected to give him a day off — so McNeil will start in center in his place.
McNeil is still relatively inexperienced at the position having logged just five big-league appearances out there this year, but Mendoza says the coaching staff likes what they’ve seen from thus far.
“I think he’s been fine in center,” he said. “He hasn’t really been tested too much, but he’s doing a good job of making the routine plays — so I’m comfortable with using him out there, that’s why he continues to get reps.”
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