In Cano Hurry

The Mets are 15-20 with a month left to go in the season, and they've decided that, with Alonso slumping, Wacha and Porcello underperforming and Edwin Diaz still letting runs by, that they're going to compete this year.

Sugar Ray Leonard returned to boxing at age 41. When he announced he was going to do that on Leno, the night's other guest, Jeff Dunham's puppet Walter, was quoted in worriedly saying "uhhh...okayyy..."

And that's where I am with the Mets this year. They just got Miguel Castro, Robinson Chirinos and Todd Frazier as mild reinforcements, NEARLY TRADED EDWIN DIAZ [and if you're knowing what you're getting with Diaz and still trading for him, you deserve his ERA], and are trying to stay in the race, and yet are working against the Phillies, who are mild but streaking, the Marlins who just got Starling Marte, and the Braves who are way out in first.

The good news is that the Mets are getting positive production from Robinson Cano, who's giving his best performance since 2017. He's hitting .375 with 17 RBIs, and even in a DH role he's still a great presence on this team.  He's still a five-tool player, he's still a great hitter, and he's the backbone of this lineup.

You also have Jacob deGrom, Michael Conforto, Dominic Smith, Seth Lugo and most surprisingly Luis Guillorme doing their usual things, keeping the lineup afloat. The bullpen, beyond Familia and Diaz infuriating people, is actually pretty solid. I do think the Mets should have tried trading for a starting pitcher, but considering they actually do have a lot of those [just a lot of them aren't performing and/or are injured], I understand.

The Mets have a chance this year. A chance. I'm not sure how likely their playoff berth is, especially with the crowded NL field, but...it could happen.

Coming Tomorrow- One of the three buzz-worthy Tigers rookies.