The entire stretch has been happily surreal, from the prominent involvement of Grimace and a Latin pop star/utility infielder to a months-long playoff push that resulted in the Amazins clinching a Wild Card spot in Atlanta a day after the regular season was supposed to end.

Through the first month of the season, no one in the National League is hitting like Pete Alonso. The New York Mets slugger has set a career-best pace and has led the way in his team's ascent to the top of the standings.

One of the biggest reasons for the Mets’ early success has been slugging first baseman Pete Alonso. The four-time All-Star leads the National League in OPS with an incredible 1.124 mark, and has been among the league’s best run producers in the early going.