The New York Mets have been on a pretty good run throughout June and into July. It may get better soon, as the starting pitching is getting a boost. Christian Scott has returned to the team, and pitched very well through six innings last night except for one unfortunate mistake that cost him three runs.
Kodai Senga had a terrific 35 pitch start in a rehab assignment last night so we may finally see him after the all-star break. Jose Butto is also back with the team, and although he relieved in his first outing there is potential for him to join the rotation as well.
The bullpen continues to look vulnerable, with no one shining in their relief outings which cost the Mets a game they should have won. But if the starting pitching gains arms, then the pen could also gain arms as pitchers like Tylor Megill and David Peterson seem like targets to become relievers. Both have terrific stuff, but have been unable to command it consistently for six innings.
My thinking is that they could be used in 2-3 inning appearances instead of throwing three pitchers one inning apiece for multiple days. This would keep guys like Diekman, Ottavino, and Garrett fresher.
Something more significant has to happen than the relief shuttle between Syracuse and New York. To date that seems to have been the approach to keep bullpen arms rested, but none of us following the Mets would deem that an effective strategy. So if the front office is realistic enough to understand that with 20 teams competing for the players that do come available at the trade deadline there is not a good deal to be had, then making an internal move like Megill to the pen seems sensible.
There are probably other scenarios that are being considered, and there is still about a month to go, but this is an approach that does not have to wait. The bats are still hot, so more runs are being scored to support the pitching than any other time this season. That won’t last forever, and by the time the red hot bats return to earth, the Mets need to have a much more solid approach to pitching if they want to remain in contention.
Happy Independence Day everyone!!
8 comments:
The good news about last night is that both the Padres and Cards also lost.
No distance lost in the race
Sure the pen looked bad but the homer given up by Scott didn't help either. Ruined a good outing for Christian
No surprise we have to stop losing games when we have a 5 run lead as we've done it twice in less than a week. Fortunitly with Senga close to returning from the Witness Protection Program and Sticky coming back Sat. and finally making the decision that we need at least 2 long men in the pen. Here's where Sterns earns his money because it's go time David and were counting on you.
Scott is a very good, but HR-prone, pitcher.
We need Senga badly. He got pulled after 35 pitches, so does that mean 3 more minors outings at 45, 55, 65 pitches, to have him ready to throw 75 pitches in his first Mets game back?
That would mean the last week of July.
Diaz will disappoint upon his return. He will come back with ultra-clean hands, lose the feel for his slider, and will give up several HRs until he finds a better way to grip the ball. This is why we need Megill to take up some 6th and 7th innings so there are more ready arms to finish games.
The other thing that points to multiple long relievers is the fact that when Senga does come back, he is not going to go deep into ballgames for a while. They will be very conservative in managing his pitch count.
1-0 loss and this is another example of looking ahead to the "eazy" part of our schedule and we get Skenes tomorrow. Now just a thought: why are we "resting" our DH who just sat for a game for a cleat issue but is fine to play for .183 hitting Stewart?
Gary,
Why not use a pinch hitter for McNeil in the ninth? I think management sometimes does not want to admit a veteran player needs to be replaced at some point.
I'm starting to think Mendoza is a moron . Left Scott in too long and pulled Ottovino too soon. Does not have a clue. Why was Houser allowed to pitch to Winkler. If a guy owns you pitch around him.
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