Insides As “Mets Strike Gold in Scherzer Trade: Luisangel Acuña’s Jaw-Dropping Start Stuns the League!”
The Big Apple doesn’t fall far from the family tree… or something like that.
Despite the odds, the New York Mets have emerged as one of the most thrilling teams in baseball this season. Usually, I steer clear of discussing “aura,” but this team definitely has it—a unique spark that characterizes the fiercest, often most successful postseason underdogs.
Currently, New York is on track to knock out the Atlanta Braves and secure the final Wild Card spot in the National League. This could lead to an exciting postseason clash with the division-leading Philadelphia Phillies, a match-up that would be a ratings bonanza and a must-watch event.
Before falling to the first-place Phillies on Friday, the Mets had won four straight games. They’ve been on fire, even with MVP candidate Francisco Lindor sidelined, as Luisangel Acuña has stepped up to fill in at shortstop.
Acuña, the key piece in the Max Scherzer trade and the younger brother of Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr., garnered significant attention when he joined the Mets last season. It’s tough not to have high expectations when your last name is associated with the reigning NL MVP.
So far, Luisangel has not only met those expectations but has surpassed them. While it’s still early in his MLB career, Acuña is definitely making waves during his inaugural stint.
Luisangel Acuña is insane right now. That's three home runs for him in his first 24 Major League plate appearances. pic.twitter.com/IBJDPJFUfV
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) September 21, 2024
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Luisangel Acuña continues to shine in his MLB debut with a home run in the Mets-Phillies game. Yes, you read that right—Acuña has hit three home runs in just 24 plate appearances, averaging one homer every eight at-bats, which is an impressive rate. If he can maintain this remarkable performance, the Mets could genuinely surprise people this October.
Realistically, Acuña will likely cool down at some point; it’s hard to sustain such a high level of play. However, he’s peaking at just the right moment. While relying on untested 22-year-olds in the playoffs can be risky, and Francisco Lindor is expected to return to the lineup soon, if Acuña keeps up his current level of play over the next week, the Mets will have to find a spot for him.
Beyond just hitting, Acuña is also incredibly fast on the bases and shows promise in the field. Although he still has room to grow before becoming a regular infielder for the Mets, delivering a homer-fueled postseason performance is the best way to showcase his value to the coaching staff. Acuña is actively dispelling concerns about New York’s playoff prospects.
Conversely, the Texas Rangers sit eight games under .500 and are far from the postseason picture. Scherzer has made nine appearances this season, recording a 3.95 ERA and 1.15 WHIP, along with 40 strikeouts over 43.1 innings. However, he was placed on the 15-day injured list this Saturday due to a hamstring strain, just one start after returning from a lengthy absence due to right shoulder fatigue.
It’s fair to say that Scherzer’s season hasn’t gone as hoped, largely due to circumstances beyond his control. While Texas won the World Series, which means the Scherzer trade will never be seriously criticized, when considering Acuña’s potential long-term impact on the Mets, it certainly feels like New York may have come out ahead in that deal.
Acuña still needs to demonstrate his capabilities over more than 24 plate appearances, but he has certainly made a strong initial impression on the New York fanbase.