The New York Mets enter the 2022 MLB All-Star Break with the second-best record in the National League. So far, everything is going very well in Queens.

Although the Atlanta Braves are catching up to them for the lead in the NL East, the Mets have dominated in the first half. Their pitching staff, even without Jacob deGrom and with injuries to several key arms, has been rock solid and their hitting core has been very good, too.

Led by a cast of All-Stars in Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, Starling Marte and Edwin Diaz — as well as other studs like Max Scherzer, Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, Mark Canha and Taijuan Walker — New York looks very likely to snap its playoff drought. With a trade for Juan Soto potentially in the works, the Mets could really hit the ground running as the playoff race heats up.

Here are three bold predictions for the second half of the Mets' 2022 season.

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3 bold Mets predictions after the 2022 MLB All-Star break

3. Pete Alonso takes the title for NL home runs

The “three-pete” didn't come to fruition at the Home Run Derby, as Alonso lost to Julio Rodriguez in the second round. Still, the Mets' slugger can reach a different accolade during the homestretch of the season.

Alonso, who has 24 dingers to his name right now, is due to hit more home runs in the second half of the year. His home run percentage is currently below his career average. If he picks it up even slightly, he should be able to snatch the lead by the end of the season.

Meanwhile, the NL's current leader in long balls, Kyle Schwarber, has a massive home-run percentage of 7.4 percent, the highest of his career. It's possible that playing in Citizens Bank Park is a key factor but even still, Schwarber is due for some regression. Austin Riley, who's in second place, also has an HR% that's higher than his career average but is only 0.7 percent better than Alonso in that stat currently.

Perhaps Alonso losing his Home Run Derby crown will inspire him to hit more home runs in the second half of the season. Either way, he will most likely be among the leaders in all of baseball in that category. Passing Aaron Judge seems like a tall task but Alonso can still lead his league in homers just like his New York counterpart is set to do.

2. Edwin Diaz wins the Trevor Hoffman Award

One of the four Mets All-Stars is setting himself up to take home some hardware. Edwin Diaz is establishing himself as one of the best closers in baseball and is in a great position to take home the Trevor Hoffman Award, given to the NL's best relief pitcher.

Diaz has the lowest ERA of his career (1.69) as well as a career-best FIP of 1.18 and 75 strikeouts in 37.1 innings. His 18.1 strikeouts per nine innings are an insane mark and his save percentage of 87.0 percent is among the best in MLB.

With Diaz playing so well and the Mets having one of the best records to show for it, the Milwaukee Brewers' monopoly over the award should soon come to an end.

1. The Mets win the NL East

Fans of MLB's other 29 teams are all patiently awaiting the Mets collapsing in the second half of the season. New York has developed a reputation for spectacular mishaps and awful luck with injuries. Although the latter has already reared its ugly head this season, the former may not be coming for the Mets' 2022 season.

New York should add more good hitters at the deadline to replace Eduardo Escobar and/or J.D. Davis but still have a very impressive lineup. The Mets lineup is adept at getting on base and avoiding strikeouts. Their pitching unit as a whole is a strikeout factory that also is good at preventing walks. Some bullpen help is needed but they still have the talent to win the NL East.

The Mets can't afford to go on a prolonged losing streak if they hope to win the division. The Braves have the third-best record in the NL and a deep roster full of talent. New York making a few deals at the deadline should allow them to hold off the reigning champions.

Even with deGrom's chances of pitching this season drop by the day, the Mets have shown a level of depth, clutch performances and overall talent that they haven't seen in a while. New York should almost certainly see the playoffs once again and could very well do so with its first division title since 2015.