David Lennon: Mets Must Refine Their Edges
The Mets closed out a cold, windy game at Citi Field with a dramatic 11th-inning walk-off. Luis Robert Jr. launched a three-run homer to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2 on Saturday. The swing followed a leadoff walk by Jorge Polanco in extra innings.
Robert’s return validates a winter gamble
President of baseball operations David Stearns took notable risks assembling the 2026 roster. One of those moves has paid off early, as Robert shows signs of his 2023 All-Star form. He had battled injuries the past few seasons before this return.
The homer came on a low slider. It pushed the Mets past a team they trailed late in both the 10th and 11th innings. The victory broke a haunting stat from last year.
Historical context and clubhouse tone
Last season the Mets were 0-70 when trailing after the eighth inning. That mark underscored the previous team’s struggles. Manager Carlos Mendoza said the current group feels different in approach and spirit.
Corner defense under scrutiny
Stearns’ winter changes also created defensive questions at the corners. Bo Bichette was signed to play third base despite having never played there before. Jorge Polanco has almost no experience at first, with one career pitch played at that spot.
Bichette’s throws showed an up-the-line tendency. Polanco made several plays, including a timely tag and routine first-base flips. But both players still displayed mechanical clunkiness in their new roles.
In-game consequences
On Saturday Bichette was charged with an error after a fourth-inning misplay on Bryan Reynolds’ grounder. Reynolds advanced to third with two outs and added pitches to David Peterson’s total. Peterson later escaped by getting Nick Yorke to ground to second.
The extra baserunners increased Peterson’s workload in gusty conditions. The wind chill hovered in the mid-30s. Peterson said he focused on executing one pitch at a time.
Adjustments and lineup moves
The Mets plan a defensive tweak for Sunday’s finale. Polanco is expected to DH while Brett Baty will make his Mets debut at first base. That swap should boost corner defense.
Mendoza indicated Polanco could rotate around the infield and outfield during the club’s nine-game stretch. The team left Port St. Lucie knowing those experiments were far from finished. Spring training was always meant to help refine new defenders.
Early season outlook
Through two games the Mets sit at 2-0. Bichette and Polanco appear somewhere in the middle of the expected adjustment curve. Any lingering glitches will draw scrutiny now that games count.
As David Lennon observes, the club will need to refine several edges to sustain success. Continued reps and defensive reps remain the obvious remedy.
David Lennon is an award-winning columnist and a Hall of Fame voter. He has covered six no-hitters, including two perfect games. Reporting for Filmogaz.com.
