IGT LAD@NYM, 8/30/2022

[Gwreck]

Frayed Knot wrote: Y'know for a team that's scored a grand total of three runs over the last two games via two solo HRs plus a three-base error, we sure do a lot of bitching about a bullpen that gave up A run (on a cue shot double plus a stick-the-bat-out single) while being asked to cover 17 outs in those games.

The Mets have plenty of playoff bullpen options, including trusted starters such as Carrasco or Peterson (and Williams), as well as returning-from-injury options like Megill and Smith.



The real worry is, as noted, that the offense was insufficiently upgraded at the deadline.

[MFS62]

The Mets have plenty of playoff bullpen options, including trusted starters such as Carrasco or Peterson (and Williams), as well as returning-from-injury options like Megill and Smith. The real worry is, as noted, that the offense was insufficiently upgraded at the deadline.

SNY agrees that both are a concern:

https://www.sny.tv/articles/playoffs-nearing-mets-catching-lefty-relief-deficiencieshttps://www.sny.tv/articles/playoffs-nearing-mets-catching-lefty-relief-deficiencies

Instead of Rodriguez, it should've been Seth Lugo (who almost certainly won't be available Wednesday anyway) pitching a second inning. Lugo, by the way, has held lefties to a .184/.259/.263 line this season. Rodriguez has had a few impressive moments this year, but has been a big disappointment overall, with a 5.17 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 38.1 innings. That he was in a tie game in the seventh inning last night is a problem.

Later

[Edgy MD]

I imagine that no writer ever got a column rejected writing that the bullpen could be better.



Clearly, Showalter has his reluctance to use his relievers over multiple innings. I have my problems with that, but it's a different issue.

[Frayed Knot]

Did the SNY piece also advocate for Lugo over Joely in the late innings of Sunday's game too or is he fine with Rodriguez after he tosses

a scoreless inning and only questions his use after games where he knows that Rodriguez got touched for two soft hits by lefties?

[MFS62]

You'll be able to answer that yourself if you read the piece.

Later

[Edgy MD]

I read it, and no, and it says nothing about what he advocated for on Sunday.



The writer also contradicts himself by declaring that "the Mets are this starved for left-handed relief," but writing four paragraphs later, "Also a problem with regards to Rodriguez is the three-batter rule, which makes a pitcher like Rodriguez (who is very good against lefties but struggles against tough righties) a lot less valuable."

[MFS62]

I guess he needs a good editor who would have caught that contradiction.

Later

[Frayed Knot]

=MFS62 post_id=105894 time=1661976453 user_id=60]
You'll be able to answer that yourself if you read the piece

[MFS62]

Well put.

Later