Three takeaways from the Mets-Marlins series
Mets relief pitcher Max Kranick (32) follows through on a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning at Citi Field on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. Credit: Brad Penner
The Mets' 5-0 loss to the Marlins Wednesday might have been an uninspiring finale, but otherwise, the first homestand of the year was nothing short of charmed – riding a hot start by Pete Alonso, strong starting pitching, and a shutdown bullpen to five wins in their last six games.
Here are three takeaways from their 2-1 series win over the Marlins.
1. Brett Baty is still at second base . . . for now.
With Jeff McNeil (oblique) beginning his extended spring training in Florida, president of baseball operations David Stearns will likely have some roster decisions on the horizon, and it could very well come down to either Brett Baty or Luisangel Acuna. That’s bad news for Baty, who might be running out of chances.
After a hot spring training, the infielder is hitting .111 and committed a key error in the fifth inning of their loss Wednesday, leading to two unearned runs. Carlos Mendoza, though, said he isn’t giving up on his young player.
“It’s not easy because you want to see results and as of right now, he’s struggling,” Mendoza said. “He’s going through it. But he’ll continue to work hard. We’ll continue to support him and we’ll continue to give him opportunities. He’s got to fight through it.”
Baty, for his part, said he needs to be more decisive in his at-bats, but feels good in the cage. And despite the boos he received Wednesday, he’s only had 27 at bats to prove himself this year. “I know that’s not an excuse at all, but I’m saying it’s a very small sample size,” he said. “I think for sure (I need to be more aggressive) – not allowing them to get ahead. It’s something I’m working on…I think that would help a lot.”
2. Max Kranick looks like the real deal.
Granted, the bullpen had a little bit of an off day Wednesday, but that’s only compared to the master class they’ve put on early this season. Even after Edwin Diaz’s hiccup – three earned runs in the ninth, and the wildness that we’ve occasionally seen in the last few years – the unit has an MLB-best 1.70 ERA.
Kranick allowed one unearned run Wednesday, too, on a bloop single, but has otherwise been untouchable: He’s allowed just one of eight inherited runners to score this season, two hits in nine innings, and no earned runs. His career-high scoreless inning streak extended to 14 innings, dating back to last year. He hasn’t issued a walk to any of the 29 hitters he’s faced, and he’s the only reliever in baseball who’s pitched more than 25 innings this season to not do so.
“He continues to show” that he’s for real, Mendoza said. “We’ve been riding him pretty hard…He attacks. He throws strikes. He’s not afraid to challenge hitters.”
3. The Mets are on the cusp of getting healthier.
Luis Torrens’ MRI came back clean after being out of the lineup since Sunday with a forearm bruise and he's currently not expected to go on the injured list. Francisco Alvarez (fractured hamate bone) began his rehab assignment with Single-A St. Lucie Wednesday, and McNeil could return at the end of the month if his extended spring training goes as planned.
Laura Albanese is a reporter, feature writer and columnist covering local professional sports teams; she began at Newsday in 2007 as an intern.
