​Brett Baty entered Wednesday’s game against the Royals in the eighth inning with the bases loaded and two outs, trailing 2-1. Given what unfolded in Tuesday’s roller-coaster matchup, a one-run lead proved fragile for the Mets, making it crucial for Baty and his teammates to add insurance runs. The left-handed throwing infielder was 0-for-3 on the day, leaving his hitting streak in jeopardy, and he faced Royals right-hander Alex Lange with a 1-2 count. Lange missed his spot with a changeup that sat over the plate, and Baty seized the moment, lining a single that delivered two runs and extended New York’s lead. The timely knock helped spark a Mets win, as they finished 6-2.
Baty’s performance on the season has fallen short of both his own expectations and those of Mets fans. While his defense has been versatile—positioning him at multiple spots on the diamond, including roles he hadn’t previously filled—the bat has not produced the power or average envisioned. Ahead of Wednesday’s game, he carried a .218 batting average and a .603 OPS. Yet that two-run single in the eighth not only provided a cushion but also extended what became a career-best eight-game hitting streak for Baty. During this stretch, he’s hitting a solid .300, going 9-for-30 with four doubles and four RBI, a notable uptick from earlier in the season.
Interim Mets manager Andy Green praised the coaching staff for their ongoing work with Baty, noting a shift toward more action to the pull side as the season has progressed. “There’s much more action to the pull side with him right now than it was for the majority of the season,” Green said. “He’s lacing doubles in the gap to the pull side, he’s allowing himself to take a swing and miss and not change who he is… He’s maintaining aggression. Really encouraged with that.” Green also highlighted that Baty is staying true to his approach, emphasizing trust in himself at the plate and the importance of not holding back. “He’s letting it go at the plate and trusting himself. That’s ultimately how you have to hit at this level; you can’t hold anything back. He’s winning to the pull side more frequently than he was earlier in the year.”
When asked if he had altered his approach, Baty attributed his improved plate discipline and power to a simple, repeatable plan: hit the ball hard. He explained that his pregame work has been strong and that he’s focused on clearing his head and making solid contact. “My pregame work is really good right now. Trying to just clear my head and trying to hit balls hard,” Baty said. “I’ve always been good at that. And the first part of this year, I was terrible at it. Just trying to hit balls hard again.”
With Jorge Polanco and Francisco Lindor back from injuries, Baty has found renewed confidence in the Mets’ offense, particularly after the resurgent five-run eighth inning. New York has tallied six or more runs in four of its last five games and posts a 3-1 record in that stretch. Baty believes the Mets’ offense is capable of delivering night after night, especially when the lineup is firing on all cylinders.
“This whole season, we’ve known what we could do as an offense. It’s just about going out there and doing it every single night,” Baty said. “We’ve got guys who specialize in getting on base, we’ve got scrappy at-bats, and we’ve got power guys who can drive the ball, too. It’s a complete lineup when we’re firing on all cylinders.” The Mets aim to sustain this offensive momentum, anchored by Baty’s timely hit-making ability and the returning contributions from Polanco and Lindor, as they push to build a more consistent, high-powered attack throughout the rest of the season.