The New York Mets — Smoking Hot!!

Before this homestand started, I wrote that the Mets must go 5-1 or 4-2 in the six games, and that it would be easy to do, what with their opponents not being the greatest teams in the world. Well they did it, going 4-2.

It didn’t look good at the beginning, dropping the first two games to the lowly Astros. But then they stormed back, winning the final game against Houston, then sweeping the Diamondbacks out of Citi Field.

Jason Bay was certainly a catalyst — they haven’t lost since he came back to the lineup, hitting .333 with a home run and three RBIs in the four games. He also provided solid defense in left field, which certainly has been lacking since the season began.

Perhaps bolstered by Bay’s presence in the lineup, David Wright broke out a career-worst slump in a big way, slamming three home runs (below, circling the bases after the first of two homers in Sunday’s 8-4 win) and raising his average more than 30 points.

Ike Davis also hit three home runs and is now batting .316, and is among the league leaders in RBIs with 18.

The pitching has been excellent during the winning streak — starters went seven innings in three of the four games, allowing the beleaguered bullpen to get some much-needed rest. In response, the relievers who were called upon allowed just one run in nine innings of work.

Now the Mets must keep this going. After a day off Monday they play a three-game set in Washington. At 10-10 the Nationals have a better record than the 9-13 Mets, but they are not the better team. The Mets should win two-out-of-three before heading to Philadelphia for their second series there of this young season.