Mets drop a flop to the Brewers as the Mets rotation is being over-exposed
The Mets allowed double-digit runs for the third time in a week on Tuesday
What’s Up with the Mets? ⚾️
The Mets were blown out by there Brewers on Tuesday night by a score of 10-2 at Citi Field (Box)
LHP David Peterson was largely ineffective over four innings, allowing four runs on six hits - it was the first time the Mets have lost a game started by Peterson this season
RHP Jake Reed poured fuel on the fire in his 0.2 IP of work, allowing five runs in the fifth which put this game to bed
The Mets did get solid relief work the rest of the way - Trevor Williams, Adam Ottavino, and Joely Rodriguez combined to allow just a run over the final 4.1 IP
Jeff McNeil was the offense for the Mets on Tuesday - he drove in two runs with a homer and a single
The Mets saw their nine-game home winning streak end on Tuesday, but did turn three double plays - it’s the first time they’ve turned three double plays in two straight games since 2014
Starling Marte was removed from Tuesday’s game after being hit by a pitch in his right forearm - x-rays were negative and he is day-to-day
Today’s Game 🗓
Match-up: Mets (41-23) vs. Brewers (35-29)
Where: Citi Field — Flushing, NY
Starters: RHP Tylor Megill (4-2, 4.50 ERA) vs LHP Aaron Ashby (1-5, 3.91 ERA)
When: 7:10 PM EDT
Where to Watch: SNY
The weakness in the Mets rotation is being over-exposed…📝
Tuesday night’s flop was one of those games in that third of the season the Mets just weren’t going to win.
Normally, that would be ok. However, the Braves just can’t seem to lose so the gap in the National League East is shrinking at an accelerated rate as a result.
Just think - the Mets are 8-6 in their last 14 games. And, they’ve lost six games in the standings during that span thanks to an astounding 14-game winning streak by the Braves to get them to 37-27 for the year.
Of course, if you thought the Mets were winning this division by a double-digit figure, or that the race was over altogether, I’d like what you’ve been drinking, please.
Having said that, the Mets schedule hasn’t been the easiest of times for them yet thev’ve managed to do pretty much what one should expect against the Dodgers, Padres, Angels and Brewers - that is play .500 ball and just ensure they get to the shore without drowning. And, well the Mets have gone 6-6 with one more to before a perceived reprieve in their schedule.
The Braves, on the other hand, have had a far easier schedule to deal with over the same span this month. They’ve taken care of business and gone on an amazing winning streak. Hat tip to them for getting their season together - there was no reason for that roster to be 23-27 when this winning streak started.
And no, the Mets haven’t drowned by any means. No matter how well the team plays, it’s hard for the Mets to combat a long winning streak from a division rival unless of course they’re on a similar ride.
That’s hard to do when the Mets are facing the better clubs in the league the vast majority of the time during this span.
Still, Tuesday night was a flop and a punt for the Mets none the less. Their area of weakness right now - the starting rotation and middle relief - betrayed them again and has now become over-exposed as the staff allowed double-digit runs for the third time in a week. The irony of it all was the Mets chose to start David Peterson because the Brewers have struggled against left-handed pitching this season (they now have a .659 OPS against southpaws), and they took advantage of Peterson, his ineffective change-up and slider, and his poor pitch execution inside the strike zone.
It was the first time the Mets have lost a game started by Peterson this season, and that’s all well and good but it’s clear the Mets rotation is badly in need of an injection of health from one or both of Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer. Peterson and Trevor Williams have done an admirable job filling in over the first two months, but it’s hard for the Mets to put forth what is really a three-man rotation every week and expect the wave to last over the course of a long period of time. They’re simply not able to get enough quality innings out of those two rotation spots, leaving the bullpen vulnerable and adding pressure to the rest of the rotation.
Scherzer seems like he’s closer than deGrom - if all goes well Scherzer could be back by the end of the month based on his current track. That depends on Scherzer and not suffering a setback and how many rehab starts he would need before being activated. deGrom, on the other hand, maybe slightly ahead of schedule but he’s still tracking for a return sometime in July.
It’s going to be fun when Scherzer and deGrom are pitching back-to-back games. It’s what everyone has been waiting to see since December. Good things come to those who wait, I suppose.
The question is, can the Mets hold on to the division lead between now and then? The Mets have fared well despite the absences from their two big horses in the rotation, but give me a call when Atlanta loses a game.
Down on the Farm 🌾
Mark Vientos (3B/OF, No. 5 prospect, Triple-A): 2-for-5, HR (11), RBI, 1 run scored
Francisco Álvarez (C, No. 1 prospect, Double-A): 3-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, 1 run scored
Dominic Hamel (RHP, No. 9 prospect, Single-A): 3-for-4, 2 2B, 2 BB, 4 runs scored
The St. Lucie Mets won the Florida State League East Division first half title with their 5-1 win over Tampa on Tuesday
Box Scores: Triple-A | Double-A | High-A Game 1 - Game 2 | Single-A
Around the League 🚩
Dodgers LHP Tyler Anderson took a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Angels at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, but Shohei Ohtani broke it up on Anderson’s 123rd pitch of the night
The Astros threw two immaculate innings in one game against the Rangers, the first time that has ever happened in MLB history
Orioles C Adley Rutschman hit his first big league home run, but the Orioles fell to the Blue Jays 7-6 in Toronto
The Phillies removed RHP Corey Knebel as their closer on Tuesday, but the Phillies were able to defeat the Marlins 3-1 in Philadelphia
The Angels have had informal discussions with the agents for Shohei Ohtani on a long-term contract extension (Athletic)
Braves INF Ozzie Albies underwent surgery on his broken foot on Tuesday - he is still expected to return this season for the Braves