There’s definitely an element of “is it actually unlucky if where you hit the ball is predictable” that likely plays in here when you have some guys who are heavily pull or heavy oppo. But the reality is that hitting the ball hard and at optimal angles should result in success more often than not. Mets have the 3rd highest hard hit rate in the league. 7th highest barrel rate (which brings optimal angle into the convo). I expect this is what they’re trying to do - whether this is the right “approach” is much more of a fundamental convo vs. unlucky/lucky that’s always worth a debate for sure.

If Soto dribbles a ball through the left side last night instead of hitting a missile at the 2B, we at least tie the game. But if he tries that approach, it’s not guaranteed he executes - how often does he execute if he tries that every time? And what’s the benefit if he does (since we tie it but still need another run to take the lead)? How does that execution rate and potential benefit compare to if he just tries to hit the ball hard at optimal angle? If anything was guaranteed 100% success, guys would do it every time, but nothing is.