Paul Articulates - Some thoughts as the Mets limp home to Citi Field

Last night the Mets lost a heart-breaking series to the Nationals by falling victim to a second walk-off in three games.  The seeming invincible bullpen was "vinced" in both of those games.  The culprit was not walks, but some timely hits and in the latest game, a very untimely error.

On the season, the pitching staff is still exhibiting control, ranked 18th of 30 teams in walks allowed and boasting a 7th best WHIP at 1.20.  

We know that the pitching staff has been throwing very well this year, so it is time to put this series behind us and get back to the basics that were winning games in April.  Trust the stuff, throw strikes, let the defense do the work.  There is no better formula for success. 

There are going to be duds like this in a long season, so the team can't let it fester.  They need to get the bats going.  It seemed like that was exactly what was happening yesterday with a five run first inning and another run in the second.  Too many zeroes after that against a largely inadequate Washington bullpen.

For the season, the Mets are in the middle of the pack in runs scored (118) and OPS (.701) which are two good indicators of an offense's health.  However, if you take Pete Alonso out of the stat, the Mets plummet.  It is wonderful that Pete is carrying the team through this streak, but it is unfortunate that he has to.  

This lineup is too good to be a one man show, particularly with McNeil and Alvarez back on the ballclub.  With those two available, there should be plenty of lineup combinations that can put pressure on the opposing pitching, while at the same time affording rest to anyone that needs it because of the bench depth.

This week the Mets experimented with Jeff McNeil in centerfield in Saturday's game.  McNeil has shown competence just about anywhere in the field, but I am not sure that he has the wheels to cover the widest part of the ballpark.  

McNeil, Nimmo, Marte, and Soto are all very capable corner outfielders, but to me, only Tyrone Taylor and the injured Jose Siri are proven defensive stars in center.  

Now, if one were to experiment with that position, LuisAngel Acuna is very fast and seems to have a strong baseball IQ.  He has played CF in 35 games as a professional, four while still in the Rangers' system and 31 games last year in Syracuse.  He has logged no time at the corner outfield positions in the minors, so those 35 games are in totality his outfield experience which seems like very little.  

The only other option on the active roster right now is Jose Azocar, who has not seen time since last Tuesday's game against the Phillies.  The fact that Mendoza started McNeil in center on Saturday says everything you need to know about his confidence in Azocar.

So now we begin a series against the Diamondbacks, who enter the series at 15-13, having just lost consecutive series to the Braves, Rays, and Cubs.  Hopefully they don't find what they are missing until they leave New York.  The Mets need to find some consistent offensive mojo.  In the last 7 days, Lindor, Vientos, Torrens, and Alonso have been hitting well but Soto, Nimmo, Marte, and Taylor need to find some balls to drive.  

Winker appears to be coming around, and maybe just what he needs is an Arizona staff that has a 4.19 ERA over those same 7 days.  In that span, they have given up 35 runs in six games which is fourth worst in MLB.  We line up with Peterson, Senga, and Holmes pitching who have given the team many good innings so far.