The Put it in the Books Show S8 E5: Mendoza Magic, Pitching Power, and the Road Ahead

The Put it in the Books crew is back for Season 8, Episode 5, and the Mets are 28-16, sitting atop the NL East with a sparkling 17-5 record at home. Farace, Rodriguez, and Keith are in the lineup tonight, and Producer Joe is a game-time decision—though there’s a good chance he’s behind the wall, lost in a sea of Citi Field concession options or pretending to scout bullpen arms from his couch.This week, the guys break down a Mets team that’s built what might quietly be the best pitching staff in baseball. The rotation is shoving, the bullpen has been solid, and the Mets currently lead the league in ERA. Not bad for a staff many thought would need duct tape and prayers to get through May.Meanwhile, the offense is showing signs of stability, and the young guys are pushing the veterans. Are we watching a new era start to take shape? And more importantly, did the Mets actually hit the jackpot with Carlos Mendoza? In just his second year, he’s got this team playing focused, consistent baseball—and maybe, just maybe, we’ve finally found a manager who knows when not to over-manage.As the season grinds on, the crew looks at whether the Mets should consider a six-man rotation to keep things fresh. With guys like Senga already off to a strong start, could spreading out the workload be the key to sustaining success deep into the summer?The upcoming schedule isn’t exactly a walk in the park. After going 4-2 on the homestand against the Cubs and Pirates, the Mets now enter a tough stretch with series against the Yankees, Red Sox, and Dodgers. That means all eyes will be on the Bronx this week, where Juan Soto returns to Yankee Stadium—but this time, he’s wearing blue and orange, and it’s going to be loud. Probably not in his favor.And yes, we’ll close the show with a quick reality check on the latest round of clickbait: the so-called Pete Alonso trade rumors. Because clearly, the best time to trade your franchise slugger is while you’re in first place and playing your best baseball in years.Join us for all that, plus sarcasm, chaos, and whatever stat Keith has printed out this week that no one else asked for. Let’s put it in the books!