Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Athletics play a three-game series at Citi Field starting on Friday night...
5 things to watch
Will the power output heat up with the weather?
With the exception of the relatively balmy weather on Opening Day (when the Mets smacked two homers and erupted for 11 runs), all of their home games so far (there have been six total) have been played in suboptimal conditions.
It was so cold on Tuesday and Wednesday against the Diamondbacks that the game times were shifted from 7:10 p.m. to 4:10 p.m.
This has created an environment where the ball is not carrying much, and resulted in a near total power outage during the recently completed three-game series against Arizona. Luis Robert Jr. hit a long solo homer on Thursday, but that was the only dinger hit by either the Mets or D-backs during the series.
Overall, the Mets -- who have also played four games at cavernous Oracle Park in San Francisco -- have hit just 10 home runs this season, which is more than just six teams.
Francisco Lindor, Bo Bichette, and Jorge Polanco have yet to go yard, but perhaps the overall deep freeze lifts during the series against the A's, with the temperature expected to be around 60 degrees for all three games.
The Jorge Polanco situation
Polanco has been in and out of the lineup and limited to DH duty lately due to an Achilles issue that could require an IL stint.
With Polanco hobbled, it has been Mark Vientos and Brett Baty getting most of the starts at first base.
Beyond the defensive adjustments being made in light of Polanco's Achilles (and more important) is the fact that the lineup is shortened when he's not in it.
And Polanco's absence has been felt even more since the Mets are already without Juan Soto, which means two of the regular top four hitters in their lineup are missing on days when Polanco sits.
Can Kodai Senga keep it going?
Senga has been stellar to start the season, carrying over his spring training success.
In 11.2 innings over two starts (both on the road), Senga has allowed just four runs on nine hits while walking five and striking out 16.
Senga's FIP (1.69) is more representative of how he's looked so far than his ERA (3.09).
But the most important thing is that he again looks healthy. And if it stays that way, it's fair to believe the results will follow.
During his four-year MLB career, Senga has a 3.00 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with a strikeout rate of 10.2. Translation? When he's healthy, he's an elite performer.
Jeff McNeil's return
McNeil, who was traded to the A's during the offseason, will be at Citi Field as a visitor for the first time.
The infielder, who spent the first eight years of his career in Queens, has started to heat up after a slow start to the season.
Over his last six games, McNeil is slashing .389/.476/.444 in 21 plate appearances.
That includes a pair of two-hit games against the Yankees in the Bronx.
The hot and cold A's
The A's are 5-7, but are coming off a series win over the Yanks.
Their offense has been all over the place and ordinarily all or nothing.
For example, they scored 23 runs in two wins over the Astros earlier this week, but were shut out in their one loss to Houston.
And even while taking two out of three games in the Bronx, the A's mustered just seven runs total.
One thing to keep an eye on is the health of slugger Brent Rooker, who exited Thursday's game early due to a back injury.
Predictions
Who will the MVP of the series be?
Without Soto, Robert has been the toughest out in the lineup and the biggest source of power, hitting .333 with an NL-leading .480 OBP.
Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?
Freddy Peralta
Peralta, who gets the ball on Sunday, has looked better than his results. Expect that to start to match up.
Which A's player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?
Shea Langeliers
Langeliers is off to a strong start, with a 182 OPS+ over his first 45 at-bats.