By Rich Mancuso/ Sports Editor
The known is Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard at their best will carry the Mets. Manager Mickey Callaway said Friday night after a 3-1 win over the Diamondbacks it was no secret that all of New York knows that these two are important cogs to the success of this team. They pitch well and the Mets always have a chance.
And if Michael Conforto, who tied a career high with four hits, going 4-for-4 with two RBI, is more consistent then the Mets are a better team and have a chance to be where they want to be in October. With Yoenis Cespedes on the DL again and Juan Lagares joining the injury ward Friday, it is up to Jay Bruce and Brandon Nimmo in the outfield.
So Michael Conforto, one of the youngsters in this veteran team know it is time to step up. The struggling has to lead to more consistency and Friday night at the plate this was the Michael Conforto that the manager expects to see more often,
Conforto wants to keep that consistency. He said it is a process and over the past seven games he has gone 10-for-28, a double, two homers, five RBI and two runs scored. The Arizona Diamondbacks are still trying to find an answer because Conforto is 8-for-14 with a homer and five RBI in his last four games against them.
Regardless, Conforto is aware that he needs to be more consistent. And he needs to be more productive against the rest of the National League and those games in interleague play. Now there is that added expectation with the void of Yoenis Cespedes or the sometime Juan Lagares in the lineup.
“Felt comfortable up there,” said Conforto. “Felt good.” He said it has been a process at the plate and there has been that tendency of not chasing pitches as much. And when Michael Conforto goes to the opposite field the process is working.
He said about this productive night: “Hit the ball where it’s pitched. That’s where I am at my best.” It’s been working in the cages and perhaps this is now the perfect time for Michael Conforto to show what he has been working on.
“Could see him come out of it,” said Callaway. And that of course means being consistent because the Mets offense, with or without Michael Conforto depends on him, Jay Bruce and of course the production needed when Yoenis Cespedes is healthy and in the lineup everyday.
This first round draft pick of the Mets was a part of their youth movement. Then that unfortunate and freak dislocated shoulder injury at the plate last August stopped all the progress.and all that promise and promise had to start all over again.
Friday night may have provided a glimpse of hope. The Mets have been struggling and they took the first of three from the NL West division leaders who are also having issues with scoring runs.
On to the next step, Saturday night against left-hander Patrick Corbin and his 4-1, 2,53 ERA. This will be another test for the Mets as they try to get some consistency in the winning department. Again, Michael Conforto needs to step up and he is aware of the circumstances.
“We have to step up,” he said about the outfield. After a perfect night at the plate and because there is void out there, this is the time for Michael Conforto to show his value. The Mets need his bat to be consistent if they have any chance to make this season one of meaning.
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