-Illar of the Day, Games 32-35

During the 2020/2021 offseason, the Mets made an unprecedented move: they signed two players whose last name ends with -illar, Jonathan Villar and Kevin Pillar. While the names are pronounced differently (Vi-yar versus Pill-ar), the two bench pieces for the Mets have contributed a fair amount to their early success already.

Inspired by our own Maggie Wiggin on Twitter, we will declare an “-illar of the Day,” celebrating which player had a more productive (or less destructive) day for the Mets.

Game 32, Mets at Rays

Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

Jonathan Villar’s 2-run home run accounted for the entirety of the Mets’ offense in their first loss in a week.

-illar of the Day: Jonathan Villar

Game 33, Mets at Rays

Villar scored a run in another loss, which wasn’t much but was something at least?

-illar of the Day: Jonathan Villar

Game 34: Mets at Rays

Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images

Neither did anything this game.

-illar of the Day: Kevin Millar, former ballplayer, now host of an obnoxious MLB Network show.

Game 35: Mets at Braves

Kevin Pillar hit a well-struck double and had an overall great game until he was hit in the face by a mid-90s fastball that likely put him out of commission for a month or so. That hit-by-pitch also led to the game-winning RBI, so he takes the cake for his on-field performance as well as the relatively minor injuries he sustained after such a scary moment.

-illar of the Day: Kevin Pillar

Since Pillar hit the IL before Game 35, we are suspending the -illar of he Day until both are back on the field together. Feel better, Kevin, and get back, because the race just isn’t the same without you.