Mets set to open difficult stretch against the Braves and Phillies
Mets set to open difficult stretch against the Braves and Phillies
The Mets will play their next seven games against two of the best teams in the National League. Plus, could a six-man rotation actually work for the Mets?
What’s Up with the Mets? ⚾️
The Mets open a brief four-game homestand tonight with three against the Braves at Citi Field, followed by a two-game home and home series against the Phillies
When Kodai Senga returns the Mets are likely to use a six-man rotation (Newsday)
Jeff McNeil and actor Hank Azaria teamed up to host a charity poker event at Citi Field (SNY)
Down on the Farm 🌾
RHP Mike Vasil (No. 11 prospect, Triple-A): 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
DH Mark Vientos ( Triple-A): 2-for-5, 2B, 3 RBI
RHP Brandon Sproat (No. 13 prospect, Single-A): 5.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
Today’s Game 🗓
Match-up: Mets (18-18) vs. Braves (22-12)
Where: Citi Field — Flushing, NY
Starters: RHP Charlie Morton (2-0, 3.50 ERA) vs. LHP José Quintana (1-3, 5.20 ERA)
When: 7:10 PM EDT
Where to Watch: SNY
Can a six-man rotation work? ✍️
The Mets might soon be experimenting with a six-man rotation when Kodai Senga makes his return.
Christian Scott showed he belonged in the big leagues during his debut, and if all goes well, he probably won’t be sent back to the minors. It was clear all the way back in spring training his stuff played at the big league level, and any onlooker who watched that televised start in camp knew Scott could help the Mets right now.
And help them, he has.
So, with the rest of the rotation getting healthy, and with Senga needing an extra day of rest, a six-man rotation is a no brainer.
Last season, with four days rest Senga had a 4.61 ERA. With five days rest it dropped to 3.04, and with six days it dropped even further to 2.45. With Senga’s injury and those numbers to support the case, the team will need to be judicious with Senga in an effort to keep him healthy and for him to be their ace once again.
In theory, this should make the rest of the rotation stronger as well. So keeping them pitching while cutting down on their appearances could keep them healthy for any potential playoff push and beyond.
The issue with six-man rotations is the altered routines for the pitchers. Pitchers are trained and habitual for a four-day rest period, not five. In addition, pending free agents may not be happy about limited appearances and innings as they try to establish value in their walk years.
The problem the club faces is what to do with Adrian Houser, who lost his rotation spot to Scott last week. While it was a refreshing and necessary change bring Scott in and the club was aggressive in getting Houser out of the rotation, he is still taking up a roster spot.
Both Tylor Megill and David Peterson are rehabbing their injuries and Joey Lucchesi has been solid in Triple-A, giving the Mets potential options over Houser over the next month or so. Even with a six-man rotation, there will not be enough room for all the pitchers the Mets will have in relatively short order. There’s no question this is a good problem to have and hopefully Houser figures it out in the bullpen, but with the team putting themselves in a hole early, they can’t afford to lose ballgames and wait for a struggling pitcher to figure it out.
Especially since there are other options on the horizon and this club continues to insist they want to contend in 2024.
We will have to wait and see how the six-man experiment plays out and alot can change before Senga is healthy enough to rejoin the rotation. Other people may get hurt, or they may simply decide such a move is not in the best interest of the team in the end.
But for now it seems like a sensible move that could pay dividends down the road.
Around the League 🚩
The Diamondbacks finished off a sweep of the Reds with a 5-4 win in Cincinnati
With the loss, Cincinnati’s losing streak reached eight straight
The Astros defeated the Yankees with the help of two massive home runs at Yankee Stadium
The Athletics could look to trade elite closer Mason Miller but the price will be steep.
The gambling scandal involving Shohei Ohtani and his interpreter is being developed into a television series