Mets routed by the bay as the Mets continue their arms search
Thomas Szapucki was knocked out after allowing 9 runs in only 1.1 IP
What’s Up with the Mets? ⚾
The Mets dropped the rubber game of their three-game series with the Giants 9-3 at Oracle Park on Wednesday (box)
LHP Thomas Szapucki - who was called up from Triple-A Syracuse to make a start for the club’s shorthanded pitching staff - was racked for nine runs in only 1.1 IP
The Mets bullpen was lights out in relief of Szapucki - RHP Trevor Williams allowed just one hit over 3.2 IP and Colin Holderman, Chasen Shreve and Seth Lugo combined for three hitless innings
The Mets lost only their second series of the season, but did win their season series against the Giants 4-3
Jeff McNeil left the game after making a sliding catch into the wall in foul territory in the third inning - he was diagnosed with a knee contusion and is day-to-day
Roster Moves 📰
Acquired RF Daniel Johnson from the Guardians
Recalled LHP Thomas Szapucki from Triple-A Syracuse
Optioned RHP Stephen Nogosek to Triple-A Syracuse
Who’s Hot 🔥
INF Francisco Lindor has a four-game hitting streak with multiple-hits in three of the four games. Over his last 11 games, Lindor is hitting .311/.400/.600 with two doubles, a triple, three home runs and 14 RBI.
In 20 games since April 21, INF Luis Guillorme is hitting .404/.466/.539
RHP Colin Holderman hasn’t allowed an earned run over his first five big league relief appearances, having allowed just a hit and a walk with seven strikeouts over 6 IP
Today’s Game 🗓
The Mets are off on Thursday. They open a three-game series with the Phillies on Friday night at Citi Field.
The Mets are finally hitting, but they need to find more starting pitching 📝
Wednesday’s series finale against the Giants once again underscored a serious need the Mets have in their starting rotation at the moment.
The Mets were in need of even more starting pitching depth well in advance of what turned out to be no contest anyway on Wednesday afternoon thanks to yet another postponement on Friday in Denver and a need for a fifth starting pitcher in only four days.
The Mets asked Trevor Williams to be their extra starter for their doubleheader on Saturday, and that didn’t go particularly well for him (although he was stellar in 3.2 IP of relief on Wednesday in San Francisco), and they turned to Thomas Szapucki in the rubber game of their three-game series against the Giants on Wednesday.
Szapucki was the obvious choice to get the ball on Wednesday, aside from being their only choice. He pitched for Triple-A Syracuse on Friday while the Mets were in the middle of a late spring snowstorm in Denver, so the Mets were left with one of two options for Wednesday’s game - go with Szapucki or roll the dice in a bullpen game.
The Mets got both in the end, although by the time Buck Showlater went to the bullpen, his club was looking up at a 9-0 deficit with Szapucki being hung for all of those runs in only 1.1 IP.
To be fair, there’s no replacing Max Scherzer or Jacob deGrom, although both Tylor Megill and David Peterson have done pretty good impressions of those pitchers early on this season. But now that the Mets are without those two and Megill, their starting rotation is really in a bind - they simply lack enough major league competitive bodies to weather this storm at the moment.
Like, they literally do not have enough people to fill out a major league rotation.
The Mets have entered arguably the most difficult part of their schedule. After this upcoming six-game homestand with the Phillies and Nationals (with no off-day), they head out west again to face the Dodgers, Padres and Angels before coming home to face the Brewers - that’s 13 straight games against the league’s elite, with only two off-days in between and four starting pitchers in-hand.
It’s hard enough in this league against average teams without enough starting pitching.
Fortunately for the Mets, they’ve built a cushion in their lead in the National League East which gives them time and a margin for error. And, their offense has ticked up significantly over the last couple of weeks which has helped them weather this storm on the mound and win some higher scoring games. In fact, the Mets have averaged 6.9 runs per game over their last 11 games, having posted double-digit runs in three of those contests. They’re hitting .289/.342/.463 and have seen an uptick in power, slugging 11 home runs during that span.
Perhaps most important is the surge from Francisco Lindor, who is currently enjoying a four-game hitting streak and has 14 RBI during this surge. Lindor got off to a hot start and then lost his way for about three weeks. This hot stretch has put Lindor on a 162-game pace for 28 home runs and 116 RBI this season. Even 80 percent of that pace would be a fine from Lindor (and obviously more would be gravy), but needless to say this is as good as he’s looked at the plate since he joined the club before the 2021 season.
In the end though, its going to come down to an arms race. There are only so many high-scoring games the Mets can win. The date on the calendar the Mets are looking towards is July 19. That is the All-Star Game and the best hope of getting Scherzer and/or deGrom back into the fold. That’s more than 50 days away - Billy Eppler and the Mets front office will have to get creative in finding more bodies who can get them competitive outs between now and then.
Down on the Farm 🌾
Mark Vientos (3B, No. 4 Prospect, Triple-A): 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R
Jake Mangum (OF, No. 22 Prospect, Triple-A): 3-for-5, 2B, R
José Mena (C/DH, High-A): 4-for-7, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 2 R
Jordan Yamamoto (RHP, High-A): 2.1 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K
Luis Moreno (RHP, Single-A): 6 IP, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, W
Box Scores: Triple-A | Double-A | High-A: Game 1 Game 2 | Single-A
Around the League 🚩
The Nationals became the first team to shutout the Dodgers this season in a 1-0 win at Nationals Park on Wednesday
The Yankees placed Giancarlo Stanton on the injured list with an ankle injury and Jonathan Loaisiga also went on the injured list with shoulder discomfort
The Rockies placed Kris Bryant on the injured list with a back issue