The Returns of Francisco Alvarez and Jeff McNeil: What It Means for the Mets
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After spending the early part of the season recovering from injuries sustained in spring training, Francisco Alvarez and Jeff McNeil are set to return to action ahead of Friday's series-opener. Their returns bring some interesting questions about playing time and roster dynamics.
Alvarez's Catcher Situation
There’s been some speculation about whether Alvarez will immediately take over the starting catcher role upon his return. Mets GM David Stearns didn’t offer a definitive answer earlier this week, leaving some uncertainty around the role. With Luis Torrens holding down the fort behind the plate, it'll be interesting to see how the playing time shakes out between these two, and if Alvarez steps back into his regular spot or if the Mets look to ease him in.
McNeil's Return and the Second Base Battle
McNeil's return also comes at a time when Luisangel Acuña is making a strong push for playing time. Acuña has impressed at the plate, boasting a 107 OPS+ heading into Wednesday’s game and hitting an impressive .353/.421/.471 over his last 38 plate appearances. It seems likely that McNeil and Acuña will split time at second base, with McNeil potentially getting some action in center field as well. During his rehab assignment, McNeil spent some time in the outfield, so it’s possible he could fill in at both second base and the corner outfield spots. Manager Carlos Mendoza has also expressed comfort with using Acuña in center field, adding another layer of flexibility to the Mets’ lineup.
Clay Holmes: From Reliever to Reliable Starter
Clay Holmes has been adjusting well to his new role as a starter. After starting with short outings of 4.2 innings, Holmes has begun to stretch out, going 5.1 innings on April 8, 5.0 innings on April 14, and a season-high 6.0 innings on April 20 against the Cardinals. Holmes has been leaning more on his expanded pitch arsenal, featuring six pitches in his latest outing, including a sinker, slider, four-seam fastball, changeup, and occasional sweeper and cutter.
The results have been impressive. Over his last two starts, Holmes has allowed just two runs on six hits in 11 innings, with 14 strikeouts. His ERA is now at 3.16, showing that his transition from reliever to starter is taking shape nicely.
Ryne Stanek: Dominating the Bullpen
Ryne Stanek has been a key part of the Mets’ bullpen, proving to be a reliable bridge to closer Edwin Diaz. Stanek has been virtually unhittable, posting a 0.96 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 9.1 innings across 10 appearances. His fastball, averaging 97.9 mph, has been a key weapon, with opposing hitters managing just a .192 slugging percentage against it. Stanek’s dominance has been a welcome surprise, and he’s quickly establishing himself as a top-tier reliever.
Washington’s Starting Pitching: Strong Performances
While Trevor Williams has struggled with a 5.95 ERA, the Nationals’ other starting pitchers have been performing well. Jake Irvin and Mitchell Parker are both coming off strong outings, and they’ll be key players in the upcoming series against the Mets.
Irvin has been solid, posting a 2.77 ERA over his last two starts, including a 6.1-inning, two-run performance in Colorado. Parker, on the other hand, has been lights out all season with a 1.39 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP. He threw eight shutout innings against the Orioles in his last start, allowing just one hit. The Mets’ offense will have its work cut out for it when facing these two.
James Wood: A Rising Star
James Wood has quickly become one of the most exciting young players in the league. After a solid rookie campaign last season, Wood has taken his game to the next level in 2025. Entering Wednesday’s game, he was slashing .253/.350/.552 with seven home runs and 16 runs scored. Only Fernando Tatis Jr. and Tommy Edman have hit more home runs than Wood in the National League.
Wood's development is something to watch, as he could become a key figure in the Nationals’ offense as the season progresses.
Predictions for the Series
MVP of the Series: Mark Vientos
Vientos has been heating up lately, hitting safely in eight of his last nine games. Expect him to continue his strong play and make an impact in this series.
Best Mets Pitcher: Kodai Senga
Senga has been nearly untouchable lately, not allowing a run since his season debut. With 17.2 consecutive scoreless innings under his belt, Senga looks poised for another dominant start.
Mets’ Thorn in the Side: James Wood
The Mets will do their best to limit the damage Wood can do, but his power and plate discipline will make him a constant threat. Keep an eye on him, as he could cause trouble for New York in this series.
With the return of key players like Alvarez and McNeil, and the rise of young talents like Vientos and Wood, this series promises to be an exciting one. Both teams have a lot at stake, and with intriguing pitching matchups and strong performances on both sides, it’s sure to be a showdown worth watching.