Mets vs. Athletics: Key Storylines and Series Predictions | April 11-13

 

How Much Longer Will Brett Baty Get Leeway?

Brett Baty's struggles at the plate continued in the Mets' series against the Marlins, and his defense also faltered — an errant throw to second base led to two runs in Wednesday's loss. At the plate, Baty has consistently fallen behind in counts, expanded the strike zone, and made weak contact.

After Wednesday's game, he acknowledged that "indecision" was hurting him, possibly tied to a lack of confidence. In 27 plate appearances over 10 games, he's posting a .111/.111/.148 slash line with 11 strikeouts.

With Jeff McNeil expected to begin a rehab assignment this weekend, Baty has limited time to prove he can hit at the major league level before the Mets potentially make a change.

Is Kodai Senga Ready for More?

Kodai Senga, recovering from a mostly lost season due to injury, has been eased into action during his first two starts. In his most recent outing against the Marlins, he pitched 5.0 shutout innings but was pulled after just 77 pitches, a pattern that followed his season debut.

Despite the limited workload, Senga has posted solid numbers, with a 1.80 ERA (2.80 FIP), a 1.10 WHIP, and a 10.8 strikeout rate. As he heads into Sunday's game against the A's, with warmer weather and more rest, it could be time to extend his outings.

Welcome to Sacramento

The A's, in a temporary home at Sacramento's Sutter Health Park while awaiting a new ballpark in Las Vegas, have made a quick impression as a hitters' haven. The park has seen 18 home runs and 70 total runs scored over six games, suggesting that the Mets' offense could get a much-needed boost.

However, the A's have been struggling, holding a 5-8 record and a -17 run differential, the worst in the American League. The Mets should watch out for players like Tyler Soderstrom and Brent Rooker, who could exploit weaknesses in the A's lineup.

Pete Alonso's Red-Hot Start

Pete Alonso is off to an incredible start, slashing .333/.451/.667 with three home runs and five doubles in 51 plate appearances. His hard-hit metrics — including exit velocity, barrel percentage, and hard-hit percentage — rank in the 99th percentile.

What’s most encouraging is the way Alonso is approaching his at-bats. His elite ability to control the strike zone is evident in his 92nd percentile strikeout rate and 83rd percentile walk rate, suggesting his strong performance is no fluke.

Hello, Luis Severino

Luis Severino, a key contributor to the Mets' NLCS run last season, signed a two-year deal with the A's this offseason. His first three starts for Oakland have been a mixed bag: after tossing 6.0 shutout innings on Opening Day, he allowed five earned runs in each of his last two outings. Severino will face Senga in Sunday's series finale.

Predictions

MVP of the Series: Mark Vientos
Vientos has struggled, but he’s reached base in five straight games and is seeing the ball better.

Best Mets Pitcher: Kodai Senga
Senga has been solid despite some rust, and he should continue his strong performance.

A's Player to Watch: Shea Langeliers
The A's catcher already has three home runs this season, and could be a thorn in the Mets’ side.