New York Mets centerfielder Brandon Nimmo issued a passionate rallying cry by asking fans to galvanize for their final home series of the season against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Mets currently hold on to a Wild Card spot in the National League, but they will need to post a winning record over the last 10 games to remain in that position.
Brandon Nimmo was selected by the Mets in the first round of the 2011 MLB draft. He is now in his ninth season with the club, having made his major league debut back in 2016. Last year, the Mets signed Nimmo to an eight-year, $162 million extension, keeping him at the ballclub until the 2030 season.
On Wednesday, Nimmo spoke with SNY's Steve Gelbs immediately after their 10-0 thrashing of the Washington Nationals, which completed a sweep of the three-game series for the home team at CitiField:
"I mean we're ready to go," Nimmo said during the on-field interview in front of the home fans. "This is going to be playoff baseball. And Mets fans, we need you guys to fill this place up. This place needs to be rocking on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
"We need your help! We need everybody to get out here! We need this place full! This is playoff baseball! This is what you guys want! Let's go, Let's go Mets!" he added.
Heading into the series opener against the Phillies on Friday, the Mets have an 84-68 record, which puts them in second place in the NL East standings. They are currently tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the last two Wild Card berths, while the Atlanta Braves are just two games behind them.
A peculiar season for Brandon Nimmo so far
The New York Mets had a poor opening couple of months to the season but they have been the best team in the MLB since June with a 60-35 record. Similarly, Nimmo had a poor start to the campaign from an offensive perspective but has improved at the plate as the season wore on.
Nevertheless, the numbers have come down from last year in nearly every batting category for Brandon Nimmo. He is hitting .227/.337/.398 for the season with a .735 OPS. His batting average has dropped by more than 40 points and his slugging has fallen by nearly a hundred points.
However, Nimmo has produced 20 home runs thus far and has already recorded a career-high 81 RBIs after moving out from the leadoff spot.