POTW: Quintana, Alvarez Deliver in the Clutch

The Mets split the week between six games against the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies and currently find themselves tied with the Atlanta Braves for the third and final Wild Card spot. Back-to-back losses at Citizens Bank Park to close out the week cast some uncertainty heading into the final stretch. However, with Atlanta’s late-inning implosion to Los Angeles, the Mets ended the week in the thick of things thanks to strong performances from two players who are having September’s to remember.

Offensive Player of the Week: Francisco Alvarez

While Alvarez has been fantastic on the defensive side of the ball and working well with the pitching staff, he has fallen short of his offensive expectations for much of the year. Before his three-run homer on Tuesday, a big part of the Mets’ six-run ninth inning, Alvarez had gone 49 at-bats without one. We’ve seen flashes of his raw power; we just haven’t seen him string it together for a consistent stretch.

Alvarez opened up the scoring in Friday night’s offensive surge for the Mets with another three-run homer off Aaron Nola. It was a high fly ball that clashed off the left field foul pole, traveling an estimated 378 feet with an exit velocity of 99.4 mph. He has the type of power to find extra-base hits in bunches when he’s at the top of the game, and if he can add a few more during the final 13 games, it will be a huge boost.

His stats for the week included going 5-for-18 at the plate with two home runs, six RBIs and a walk while scoring three runs.

Pitcher of the Week: Jose Quintana

Quintana is pitching at his best over his last four starts, allowing only one earned run across 25 innings, good for a 0.36 ERA. His resurgence couldn’t have happened at a better time for the Mets, as they make a run for a Wild Card ticket. Not only is he pitching effectively, but he’s pitching deeper into games by getting into the seventh or better in three of the past four starts.

Friday night’s performance was nothing short of spectacular for the veteran southpaw in a lopsided 11-3 victory. Quintana tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing only three baserunners. He held the high-powered offense to a pair of singles and a double off the bat of former MVP Bryce Harper. It was Quintana’s first start without allowing a free pass since May 28.

Every game has more value this time of year, especially in the thick of a playoff race. The Mets will lean on Quintana at least two more times down the stretch, and it would be a massive boost if he can keep up this level of play.

Honorable Mention: Jose Iglesias

Iglesias has been the unsung hero of the Mets 2024 Mets. It’s that simple. He doesn’t put off the power numbers that will light up the scorecard, yet he is as consistent of a player both offensively and defensively as there is across the game right now. For a guy who was signed to a Minor League contract in the offseason before beginning his season in Triple-A Syracuse, he has provided a huge spark wherever you plug him into the lineup.

Jeff McNeil‘s season-ending injury earlier this month paved the way for Iglesias’ name to be penciled in at second base every day for the stretch run. On Saturday, he led off in the batting order with Francisco Lindor dealing with back soreness. He started the game with a base hit and tallied two hits in Lindor’s absence, showing he can handle the bat no matter where you put him.

This week, he finished 8-for-22 at the plate, including one extra-base hit in Tuesday’s loss in Toronto. He’s an old-fashioned table-setter who scored five runs in six games, creating scoring with his constant knack of getting on base. Showing off his high IQ at the dish, he did not strike out in any at-bats this week.

Up Next

The Mets return to Citi Field to host the surging Washington Nationals Monday night for a three-game series. Tied for the final Wild Card spot with a Braves team picking up steam, they cannot afford to look past a developing team and must take care of business to maintain a promising position. With a four-game series against the Phillies coming up and a series with the Braves and Brewers to close out the season, the time is now to take control of their destiny.

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