Compared to expectations, the New York Mets are not having a great year, a good year, or even a mediocre year. Drama has surrounded the team at every turn and the poor results have followed. A home series against a decent Los Angeles Angels squad doesn't seem like the greatest opportunity to turn things around. But one look at the Mets' interleague history should have fans feeling good about the weekend.
Interleague specialists
Headed into Friday night's game with the Angels, the Mets sported a 178-164 record in interleague play. At first glance, that doesn't sound mighty impressive - it's just 14 games over being exactly average, a .520 winning percentage.
Believe it or not, however, it is the best overall mark for any team in the history of the NL.
There probably isn't a logical explanation for this statistical oddity. After all, the Mets have won just two World Series championships in their history - they aren't any better than other NL squads. The advantage for interleague play generally lays with the team that's home, since the designated hitter rule differs by league. The amount of home and away games is relatively even throughout the MLB, though. The Mets are just really good when they see their American League counterparts.
Trying to save the Mets' season
Things fell apart for the Mets almost from the starting gun this season. Injuries to outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and ace Noah Syndergaard - not to mention third baseman David Wright well before the year - derailed any promising start.
Fellow starter Matt Harvey was suspended for missing a game under auspicious circumstances. More injuries came as manager Terry Collins and general manager Sandy Alderson came under fire.
So far, however, the interleague play has worked its usual magic for the beleaguered team. In the first two games of the series against the Angels, the Mets are 2-0.
Jacob DeGrom looked good in the Friday night start and the bullpen managed to close the door on Saturday evening. Then again, it can all come crashing down for the team very quickly as evidenced on Sunday, when injury replacement pitcher Tommy Milone gave up five runs in the first inning. It would take a miracle for New York to overcome the massive deficit they put themselves in. Luckily, the team does have a couple of interleague games coming up against the Texas Rangers in two weeks, where they can again prove their dominance to the rest of the NL.
