Juan Soto, Playing Like An MVP, Leading Mets Late in Season

For a large portion of this season, fans have describe it as a down year for Juan Soto. Did he have a slow start? Sure. Did he have his fair share of struggles with runners in scoring position in April and May? Absolutely. But for over three months now, Soto has been an absolute force at the plate. His at-bats in Monday’s 10-8 win over the Detroit Tigers was ultimately the difference for the New York Mets.

The Mets trailed 3-2 heading into the top of the fourth inning. After the first three hitters reached base, Brett Baty and Francisco Lindor struck out. It looked like another big situation was going to end with nothing to show for it. Soto had a different idea. He delivered with the second grand slam of his career, driving a 1-2 curveball off of Charlie Morton over the wall in right center field. The Mets led 6-3.

That lead very quickly disappeared. When Soto came to the plate in the top of the sixth inning, it was 6-6. Another big situation. Two on, one out. Soto was able to get to an inside sinker from Drew Sommers, driving it down the right field line for his first triple of the season. Two runs would score to put the Mets back on top, a lead that would eventually hold up. Two-for-three, a home run, a triple, two walks and six runs batted in. A fantastic day at the plate.

If a slash line of .257/.397/.518 with 36 home runs, 90 runs batted in, 26 stolen bases and a 159 OPS+ is considered a down season for Soto, that’s pretty remarkable. He’s now sitting a 4.7 fWAR, just 0.2 behind Lindor for the team lead.

Soto’s eye at the plate is still excellent. He leads the league with 113 walks, which would already be the fourth time in his career that he has accomplished that feat. Since June 1, Soto is hitting .276 with a 1.023 OPS over 79 games.

Can he catch Shoehi Ohtani (-1500) or Kyle Schwarber (+800) in the race for the National League MVP? It’s going to be difficult, but Soto’s odds have shortened (+10000) in recent days. If he finishes the season in a way he is capable of, a late push for the award may be on the cards. For his career, Soto is hitting .298 with 36 home runs and 130 runs batted in the month of September.

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Soto is delivering, time and time again. The Mets are in a position where they want to secure their place in the postseason. Potentially make things interesting with the Philadelphia Phillies for the National League East division title. That becomes a possibility when the likes on Lindor and Soto are swinging the bat at the level they are at right now.

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