Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Angels play a three-game series at Citi Field starting on Monday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.
5 things to watch
Francisco Alvarez's return
After spending a month with Triple-A Syracuse, Alvarez is returning to the Mets ahead of Monday's series-opener.
When David Stearns discussed Alvarez's demotion, he said the things they wanted to see from him were "not statistical." Reading between the lines, that meant one of the things they wanted him to improve was his defense — something that was giving him serious trouble before he was sent down.
Meanwhile, Alvarez — who homered in his final game with New York before being sent to Syracuse — carried that with him to the minors, going on an eye-popping power tear.
While in Triple-A, Alvarez smashed 11 home runs, including one he cracked over the batter's eye in center field on Sunday.
As was the case when Alvarez was sent down, the Mets' bottom of the order has been struggling to produce. But if the 23-year-old catcher can start putting together consistent at-bats and be a serious power threat, it can change the dynamic of the lineup.
The center field situation
The Mets continue to patch center field together by using Tyrone Taylor and Jeff McNeil. But the case can be made that McNeil should be getting nearly every start.
While center isn't McNeil's natural spot, he's done an admirable job there. He also has an .813 OPS.
As far as Taylor, he's been mired in a deep slump and is hitting just .211/.264/.309 with a .572 OPS and 66 OPS+. He provides elite defense, but his bat is hurting the Mets badly.
It's expected that New York will trade for a center fielder ahead of the July 31 deadline. But until then, it should be McNeil who's out there.
Can the starting rotation provide length?
The only Mets starter who has been providing serious length is David Peterson, who tossed 6.0 strong innings during Sunday's win over the Reds.
Sean Manaea just came back from the IL and is being eased back in, while Clay Holmes is having his innings managed in what is his first season since transitioning from the bullpen.
The inability of the starters to go deep has put undue stress on the bullpen, which started to wilt late in the first half.
Against the Angels, New York will be sending Kodai Senga, Frankie Montas, and Manaea to the mound.
Senga, like Manaea, is still getting fully stretched out after returning from the IL. He went 4.0 innings in his first start back while tossing 67 pitches, so he should conceivably be good throw around 80 pitches this time around.
The same pitch number could be a target for Manaea, who was limited to 69 pitches over 4.0 innings during his start this past Friday.
The Angels have serious punch
Los Angeles is 49-50 and likely headed for another finish that has them missing the postseason. But their offense can be dangerous.
With Mike Trout (17 homers, .834 OPS), Jo Adell (21 homers, .805 OPS), Taylor Ward (23 homers, .795 OPS), Zach Neto (15 homers, .816 OPS), and Logan O'Hoppe (17 homers, .703 OPS), the Angels' lineup is formidable.
That potential hasn't always translated, with the Angels in the middle of the pack in the AL as far as runs scored.
But Los Angeles has been hot lately, scoring 36 runs over the last six games, which included them talking two of three from the Phillies over the weekend.
Los Angeles' pitching leaves a lot to be desired
The Mets won't be facing the Angels' two best starters during this series, with Yusei Kikuchi (3.13 ERA) and Jose Soriano (3.83 ERA) not lined up to pitch.
Los Angeles will be sending out Tyler Anderson (4.34 ERA) and Kyle Hendricks (4.88 ERA) in the first two games in New York, and haven't yet named a starter for Wednesday's series finale.
Overall this season, the Angels have surrendered 496 runs — the third-most in the AL and fifth-most in baseball.
The only teams that have allowed more runs than the Angels are the Rockies, Athletics, Nationals, and Orioles.
Predictions
Who will the MVP of the series be?
Despite his homer on Friday, Soto has been relatively cold to start the second half. That ends here.
Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?
Sean Manaea
Manaea has allowed just two runs in 7.1 innings while striking out 13 in his first two appearances of the season.
Which Angels player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?
Jo Adell
Adell launched two homers over the weekend in Philadelphia.
