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.

The feared break in the -illar of the Day festivities was just one game, as Villar was unavailable for the first game of the Mets/Padres series in San Diego. But luckily, a pinch hitting appearance in Friday night’s game meant that Villar’s barking hamstring wasn’t as serious as feared. Let’s get back to it!

Game 50: Mets at Padres

Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic

This was not exactly a banner day for the -illars, as Kevin went 0-4 and Jonathan grounded out in a pinch hitting role. Neither negatively or positively impacted the game, and so neither gets the title for the day.

-illar of the Day: Comedy legend for his roles in Christopher Guest’s films and countless sitcom guest spots, the late, great Fred Willard.

Game 51: Mets at Padres

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In his second pinch-hitting opportunity of the series, Villar drove in Pillar. That’s a tie, baby!

-illar of the Day: Both!

Game 52: Mets at Padres

Photo by Albert L. Ortega/WireImage

Both -illars got the day off, and so neither could claim the prize.

-illar of the Day: GOB Bluth himself and the voice of Bojack Horseman, Will Arnett!

Game 53: Mets at Orioles

In what was a disastrous game all-around, Pillar made a nice play to save a few runs, putting him in the unenviable position of being celebrated in a blowout loss.

-illar of the Day: Kevin Pillar

Game 54: Mets at Orioles

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The lovingly nicknamed OF Doom (hat tip to @FitzyMoPeña on Twitter) went off in the Mets’ blowout win against Matt Harvey with a pair of dingers.

-illar of the Day: Kevin Pillar

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The Tally So Far:

Though injuries have played a part in this contest, we now have enough data to put together a leaderboard as we move into the summer. Jonathan still has a lead due to his dominant start, but Kevin is creeping up, with a quasi-sweep of this batch of games.

Jonathan Villar: 19 wins, 2 ties

Kevin Pillar: 14 wins, 2 ties

Other -illars: 5