Overview

• Soto slashed .229/.367/.430 through 62 games with subdued body language under intense New York scrutiny
• At Dodger Stadium he won two seven-pitch battles, recorded a double, stole a base and revived his signature Soto Shuffle
• Manager Carlos Mendoza and co-hitting coach Jeremy Barnes attribute early struggles to bad luck in underlying metrics and highlight his recent hot stretch
• Soto says he “needs a little more time” to absorb the weight of his $765 million contract and credits Mendoza’s personal support for his growing comfort
• The Mets have surged to a 39-24 record atop the NL East as Soto’s resurgence fuels the club’s winning momentum