Jay Bruce Heating Up At Right Time For New York Mets

Jay Bruce has found his groove right in time for the New York Mets postseason push.

When Jay Bruce was acquired by the New York Mets at the MLB Trade Deadline from the Cincinnati Reds, it was a mixed reaction. The Mets needed some juice for their lineup, but Bruce was a weird fit. They were in need of a centerfielder, but Bruce is a right fielder, so he just added to the corner outfield logjam.

But, if he was able to produce with the Mets as he had with the Reds, everything would be forgiven. Fans believed Sandy Alderson had found some legitimate protection for Yoenis Cespedes in the lineup, something that has been a problem. Bruce came to the Mets leading the National League in RBI with 80. He had 25 home runs, 22 doubles, and a slash line of .265/.316/.559.

But, Bruce is as streaky a player as they come. New York found that out the hard way, as Bruce quickly went into a cold spell. Going into a slump in Cincinnati may do under the radar; under the bright lights of New York, there is no such thing as under the radar.

Bruce struggled mightily with the Mets once he was acquired. It was really a continuation from the end of his Reds tenure, as he hit a measly .218 in his final month in Cincinnati. But, he was still providing power, as he had eight home runs and three doubles in July. Playing in the bandbox of Great American Ballpark may have helped, as Bruce was stuck in neutral with the Mets.

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Bruce hit .183 through his first month with the Mets, providing only two home runs and eight RBI. His second month didn’t go much better, as he had only five RBI and two home runs through September 23rd. At that point he was not even a fixture in the lineup, getting benched and pinch hit for in games.

The move looked like a disaster, as the Mets traded away top prospect Dilson Herrera and were receiving little to nothing from Bruce. But, maybe he just needed some time to adjust to his new surroundings as something has clicked for him recently.

On September 24th, Bruce entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning and smacked a solo home run. He was inserted into the starting lineup the next day and helped the Mets defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 17-0. Bruce went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs.

Bruce carried that success with him to Florida when the Mets faced off with the Miami Marlins in an important series. Bruce finished the series 4-for-11, launching two home runs with four RBI and two walks.

He would extend the home run streak Friday night when facing off with the Phillies again. Bruce went 3-for-4 in the game, hitting the home run and driving in three runs. It was encouraging to see Bruce providing run support without the long ball, as two of RBI came on singles in the fourth and eighth inning.

All in all, Bruce is currently riding a six-game hitting streak. During that streak he is batting 10-for-20, launching four home runs with six runs, eight RBI, and two walks. The hot streak could not have come at a better time, as the Mets are in a dogfight for a playoff spot.

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Bruce picking things up has helped get the Mets into the top Wild Card spot in the National League. The Mets are close to clinching not only a spot in the Wild Card game but having it played at their home field at Citi Field. For the first time as a Met, Bruce should be happy to be returning home as he will be going to Queens playing his best baseball in a Mets uniform.