3 insights from the Mets series against the Miami Marlins

After the All-Star break, the New York Mets began their second half with a road trip to Miami, where they faced the Marlins in a four-game series.

The Marlins scored two runs each in the second and third innings of the first game, which was ultimately too much for the Mets and they lost 4-6.

Game two was a pitcher’s duel between Luis Severino and Roddery Munoz, with Francisco Álvarez hitting a ground ball into a fielder’s decision that gave Pete Alonso the only run in the Mets’ 1-0 victory.

After a sacrifice fly by Luis Torrens gave the Mets a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning, Jazz Chisholm Jr. responded with a three-run home run in the second half of the inning, which would be enough as the blue and orange bats went cold and lost the third game 4-2.

Two home runs from Francisco Lindor and three RBIs from Jeff McNeil were all the Mets needed. Although the Marlins scored the tying point in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Blue and Orange held on and won Game 4 6-4 to secure the series tie.

Jeff McNeil’s bat has awakened again

Arguably no Met struggled more in the first half than the 2022 batting champion. However, McNeil’s bat has revived after adjusting his swing during the All-Star break. The 32-year-old hit four of 12 against the Marlins with three home runs and six RBIs.

If McNeil performs at the plate, the Mets’ lineup will regain some of the flexibility and length it has lacked in recent weeks.

Luis Severino shines in the short term

Severino was originally supposed to pitch on Sunday, but had to pitch a day earlier due to Jose Quintana’s illness. Despite the short lead time, the Mets’ surprise star shone. The 30-year-old played six strong innings against the Marlins, allowed no runs and only two hits, and had seven strikeouts.

Severino has been everything the Mets hoped for, and his ability to pitch on short notice could now play a huge role in postseason games should the situation arise later this season.

Jose Iglesias just keeps hitting

While McNeil struggled the most in the first half, his counterpart at second base, Jose Iglesias, shined, and that continued in the first series of the second half. Iglesias went six for 14 against the Marlins with a double, a triple and an RBI.

The 34-year-old has revived his career since wearing the blue and orange jerseys and is likely to remain a key part of the team in the final phase.