Edwin Díaz got injured in March 2023, signaling a tough season for the New York Mets.
But now, he's back and leading a bullpen that has helped the Mets recover from a bad start.
The Mets have won 12 of their last 16 games, bouncing back from a rough beginning. They have even won games against Atlanta and the Los Angeles Dodgers, and are only 2 1/2 games out of first place.
The Mets' bullpen has a strong record with Díaz having four saves, Reed Garrett going 3-0 in relief, and Brooks Raley not allowing a run in seven innings. Adam Ottavino also has 14 strikeouts without a walk.
The bullpen and a decent rotation have helped the Mets overcome slow starts by Francisco Lindor and Francisco Alvarez, who is now injured.
The Mets' six-game winning streak ended with a loss to the Dodgers. They are now playing against San Francisco before heading home to face the Cardinals and Cubs.
TRIVIA TIME
Díaz achieved 32 saves in 2021 and 2022, making him the seventh Mets pitcher to reach at least 30 saves in a season.
DIGGING A HOLE
The Dodgers won the series finale against the Mets 10-0 on Sunday and are leading the NL West, despite having just two games over .500. Other division champs from last season are struggling.
The Twins are already eight games behind the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians, as well as five back of Kansas City and four back of the Tigers. Last year's success seems unlikely to repeat.
The Houston Astros are trailing first-place Texas by only five games in the AL West. However, they have allowed 124 runs, second only to Colorado. They lost 6-0 to Washington on Sunday.
COMEBACK OF THE WEEK
The Tampa Bay Rays made an impressive comeback against the Los Angeles Angels, eventually winning 7-6 on Tuesday night.
Tampa Bay's win seemed unlikely as they were down to their last outs in multiple innings. They managed to tie the game and eventually secure the win in the 13th inning.
LINE OF THE WEEK
Travis d’Arnaud smashed three home runs, including a grand slam, in Atlanta’s 8-3 victory over Texas on Friday night.
TRIVIA ANSWER
Jeurys Familia had 51 in 2016 and 43 in 2015
Armando Benitez had 43 in 2001, 41 in 2000, and 33 in 2002
Billy Wagner had 40 in 2006 and 34 in 2007
John Franco had 38 in 1998, 36 in 1997, 33 in 1990, and 30 in 1991 and 1994
Francisco Rodriguez had 35 in 2009
Jesse Orosco had 31 in 1984
