Mets vs. Diamondbacks: 5 things to watch and series predictions | April 29 - May 1

Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Diamondbacks play a three-game series at Citi Field beginning on Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

Preview

Is the Juan Soto breakout coming?

If it feels like we've posed this question a few times during this article series only for Soto to not break out in the ensuing few games, it's because we have -- and he hasn't.

But this time feels different.

Soto has five multi-hit games in his last nine contests and has reached base safely in six of his last nine plate appearances, including a double he effortlessly ripped down the left field line his final time up on Monday.

The home run power has been absent since Soto's last long ball on April 15, and it should be noted that he hasn't yet hit his first homer at Citi Field as a Met.

Come on down, Brandon Waddell?

The Mets are planning to use a sixth starter on Wednesday night, and they utilized Jose Urena for three innings on Monday.

That means the even money is on Waddell getting the call from Triple-A Syracuse and taking the ball against Arizona.

The left-handed Waddell last pitched in the majors in 2021, and compiled a 5.68 ERA in just 12.2 innings in parts of two seasons with the Pirates, Twins, Orioles, and Cardinals while working in relief.

Then he went to play in the KBO in Korea, where he became a starting pitcher and had serious success -- posting a 2.98 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 53 starts over 244.2 innings in three seasons.

So far this season in Triple-A, Waddell has a 1.54 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 23.1 innings spanning five starts.

Is Brandon Nimmo back?

Nimmo was mired in a bad slump, which was hampering the Mets' offense a bit since he wasn't doing much while batting in the middle of it.

That changed on Monday.

Nimmo had a monster day against the Nats, going 4-for-6 with two home runs and a double while driving in nine runs -- tying a Mets single-game record.

If the elite version of Nimmo is back, it could catapult New York's offense to new heights.

Corbin Burnes is rounding into form

Burnes, the prize of this past offseason's MLB free agent pitching crop, chose the D-backs in part because he wanted to be home in Arizona.

That's an obvious boon for the Diamondbacks, and Burnes is starting to round into form after an uneven start to the season.

He allowed just two runs in 6.0 innings against the Cubs on April 18, and held the Rays to one earned run over 5.1 innings during his last start on April 24.

Burnes gets the nod on Wednesday.

Corbin Carroll is playing like an MVP again

After bursting onto the scene in 2022 and finishing fifth in MVP voting in 2023 (while winning Rookie of the Year), Carroll had a relatively down season in 2024.

Across 158 games, Carroll had a .749 OPS, with the dip due mostly to his low batting average (.231) and OBP (.322).

Carroll is having no such issues this season.

Through 28 games, he's slashing .308/.376/.667. He has nine home runs, is leading the National League with 37 hits, and is leading all of baseball with four triples.

Predictions

Who will the MVP of the series be?

Juan Soto

It's time, right?

Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?

David Peterson

Peterson will need to be on his game against dangerous lefties Carroll, Josh Naylor, and Pavin Smith.

Which Nationals player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?

Corbin Carroll

It's hard to stop someone who's on an absolute heater.