New York Mets vs. San Francisco Giants: 5 Players To Watch In NL Wild Card Game

Oct 4, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard (34) works out the day before the National League Wild Card game against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Pedota/The Record via USA TODAY NETWORK
Oct 4, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard (34) works out the day before the National League Wild Card game against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Pedota/The Record via USA TODAY NETWORK /
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New York Mets vs. San Francisco Giants: 5 Players To Watch In NL Wild Card Game
Sep 20, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) strikes out to end the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Yoenis Cespedes

Cespedes is the engine that makes the Mets offense go. They essentially go as he goes, and he is a big reason that they are in the postseason.

Since the Mets acquired Cespedes from the Detroit Tigers at the 2015 MLB Trade Deadline all he has done is hit. In 189 games with the Mets, Cespedes has 48 home runs, 130 RBI, and 101 runs scored. He is the heart and soul of the Mets lineup, and if they are to knock off Bumgarner they will need him to step up once again.

Cespedes relishes the bright lights of New York, and they only get brighter once the regular season comes around. Going against Bumgarner is a tall task, but Cespedes has found some success against him. In 13 plate appearances, Cespedes is 3-for-10 with three walks and one RBI. Those aren’t out of this world numbers, but against a player the caliber of Bumgarner, that is pretty good.

Cespedes has feasted on left-handed pitching this season, slashing .341/.457/.624 in 85 at-bats with 19 walks. The Mets are hoping that success against southpaws carries into the postseason against Bumgarner.