Tom Brennan - Inherited Runners Scored and Other Pitcher Trivia

Austin Warren 

Just a quick article here:

Yes, I want Tariq Skubal, too, but that is not the subject of this article.

Diversity of articles is our strength.

This is about the Mets 2026 bullpen. The Mets did pretty well in 2026 with regards to their bullpen, no matter how much complaining we may hear about it, and all the more stunning when you consider how many solid relievers they traded away at the trade deadline and which were replaced with unproven minor leaguers.

The Mets pen went 36–26, with a 3.76 ERA, and 5.3 Wins Above Replacement and a decent 31 of 49 in saves. The WAR stat was one of the top 10 in baseball. 

The Nationals and one other team both had bullpen war exceeding -3 in 2026. Had the Mets had a horrible bullpen like one of those teams, we certainly would’ve been screaming loudly and with full justification.

So, all in all, I think the Mets had a relatively successful bullpen in 2026. And, given the trades, and the injury to closer Devin Williams, I think the pen had a remarkably good year all in all. Add in that anticipated help from prospects Ryan Lambert and Dylan Ross in 2026 really never materialized, and even more impressive. David Stearns and Mets managers should get credit where credit is due here.

Not allowing inherited running runs to score is quite a talent. The Yankees had a guy named Brent Headrick, who inherited 54 runners and only allowed 8 to score. Darned impressive.

The Mets? I was having a little trouble finding the stats so I queried AI.

Austin Warren allowed one of 22 inherited runners to score. Nice!

Toby Meyers allowed four of their team to score, as did Jonathan Pintaro

Nate Lavender allowed three to score, all coming on one base is loaded hit. Otherwise he was sensational.

Daniel Duarte allowed three of 10 inherited score.

Jeffry Yan allowed 5 of 9 to score. We weren’t leaving for joy over that ratio

I do not know how many inherited runners Devin Williams had to try to prevent from scoring, but according to AI he only allowed one inherited runner to score.

Finally, Dedniel Nunez inherited two runners and neither scored, and according to AI, in his career, he has allowed only two of 18 inherited runners to score, which is pretty impressive.

I give the pen a B Grade for 2026.

HBP STATS

The Mets are often baseball piñata’s when it comes to having their hitters get hit by pitches. Not in 2026, though. 

The Mets, who almost always are leading the major leagues or are close to it in their hitters, getting nailed by pitches, came in 28th with just 50 HBP.

The Mets pitchers hit 79 opposing batters. Make of that disparity what you will.

Interestingly, the Chicago White Sox lead all of baseball in both batters being hit by pitches, and their pitchers hitting other teams’ batters. That must’ve been fun to watch.

OK, checking out here. Have a great day. But first….

MACK’S HALLOWEEN COSTUME PICTURED HERE IS VERY CONVINCING

I do hear Unsubstantiated rumors that Mack is going out trick-or-treating as Steve Cohen. 

Mack does realize that he will be paying a hefty luxury tax on the excessive amount of candy that he receives as a trick-or-treater. But Mack views it as a necessary cost of doing candy business.

I’m going out as John Candelaria, the Candyman. Because the Candyman can, and so can I.