Mets are staying afloat despite lackluster performances from key components
The New York Mets have had a solid start to the 2026 season, but it has been without their best and brightest stars.
Mets are staying afloat despite lackluster performances from key components originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The New York Mets are 7-5 through their first 12 games of the 2026 season, placing them at 0.
5 game back of the National League East lead. This has happened without their best stars, who have seemingly gone dormant or gotten injured to start things off. How is this possible?
Who is stepping up? Well, it has not been the hyped young gun in Carson Benge , who hit that opening day home run before enduring a frigid cold-streak at the plate. It also has not been from Juan Soto, who is out with a calf injury for the next two to three weeks .
It hasn't even been from Francisco Lindor, the player that would be deemed as the captain of this squad, if they were to name one. To throw one on there from the rubber, David Peterson has had a very shaky start to the season, in which he will be due for a new contract at the end of. Instead, Nolan McLean has been fantastic on the mound.