Juan Soto's Return Boosts Mets' Playoff Hopes

0:00On April 21st, the Mets are set to bring back Juan Soto from the injury list this Wednesday. No rehab needed after just over two weeks sidelined by A, right calf string. Before going down, the star outfielder crushed it with a 355 batting average, 4-12 on base, and 5-16 slugging over the team's first eight games, one of the best starts in the league. That injury hit right as the Mets started tumbling, winning their first game without him to go 7-4, then dropping 11 straight to sit at. 7-15, the worst mark in the national league, just half a game ahead of the major's basement. Fans and analysts are buzzing about the timing, with the outfield turning ice cold in his absence, posting a 232 average 305 on. Base, and 3-22 power, their ranks below average across the board. Playoff odds have differed from over 80% to around 41, putting real pressure on this squad to climb out of the hole. Meanwhile, replacements like Carson Benj at 143 batting, Brett Beatty around 200,

1:03and Tyrone Taylor at 214 have dragged. Things down, though MJ Melindez has flashed hot with a 357 line in a tiny 16 plate sample that probably won't last. Soto sliding back into leftfield could spark the lineup, especially with Luis Robert holding it down in center, hoping this flips the script before. The season digs deeper. I'm Cory with the story, and even listening to MLB News today, AI-powered baseball coverage.