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HOUSTON — Since we already knew that $765 million import Juan Soto is a wunderkind who regularly hits balls off upper decks, here’s the best thing we learned in the inaugural 2025 Mets victory Friday night: Star closer Edwin “Sugar” Díaz was merely tinkering, trying new things and basically toying with us in spring.
Man, that’s a relief.
Because, let’s face it, Díaz — the one entrusted again in the ninth inning and the game’s best-paid reliever — has to be right for the Mets to be good. We’ve seen good Díaz (1.31 ERA in 2022), and there’s nobody better. And we’ve also seen bad Díaz (5.59 ERA in 2019), and there’s nothing sweet about that.
Anyway, the Díaz who showed in his first game that counts is a lot closer to vintage Díaz, a Díaz so good it’s time to ready those home trumpets. The velocity, which let’s face it means plenty to a two-pitch closer not named Mariano Rivera, was back within normal range. After a spring where he threw 96 mph almost at his best, he averaged close to 98 and saved the Mets’ 3-1 victory. And those two ticks are indeed everything.