3 UP
1. d’Arnaud Loves Miami
Travis d’Arnaud has struggled much of the season at the plate with an 85 OPS+ and 86 wRC+. But that’s just when he plays anywhere other than in Miami. In Miami, d’Arnaud is the player the Mets always expected him to be.
In 10 games at Marlins Park this season, d’Arnaud is hitting .440/.500/.880 with a double, triple, three homers, and eight RBI. In fact, he’s been a difference maker in Marlins Park dating back to his game winning homer in that 16 inning game.
For the 2018 season, the goal may not be to try to fine tune d’Arnaud so he can reach his potential. It might just be hypnotizing him so he always thinks he’s hitting in Marlins Park.
2. Evans Making Most of Opportunity
After he made an impression in Spring Training, Phillip Evans did not follow that up with a strong season in Triple-A. In fact, if not for the injuries, it is not likely the impending minor league free agent would have received an opportunity to play in the majors.
As it turns out, Evans did get that chance to play in the majors, and he is making the most of that opportunity. In his limited opportunities, he is 7 for 21 with two doubles and an RBI. In addition to hitting, Evans has shown himself to be a slick fielder at second and third. More than that, he has shown himself to be a smart baseball player running the bases well.
Overall, Evans has shown he may very well have a role as a Major League utility player going forward, which is more than anyone would have thought of him two months ago.
3. Flexen in the Pen
After a rough “start” in his Major League career, the Mets have recently shifted Chris Flexen to the bullpen to close out the season. The young pitcher, who had just seven Double-A starts under his belt before his call-up, has been a much better pitcher out of the bullpen.
In his four appearances, Flexen has pitched five innings allowing just one earned run. In those appearances, he has a 1.80 ERA, 1.400 WHIP, and a 9.0 K/9. These are much different numbers than the 7.85 ERA, 2.073 WHIP, and 5.9 K/9 he had posted as a starter.
In the end, Flexen is learning how to get Major League batters out while slowly building up his confidence. Ultimately, this could be one of the best things to come out of this depressing season.
3 DOWN
1. Lost at Sewald
For the most part, Paul Sewald has had a good rookie season despite the ever changing roles and inconsistent use of the bullpen. Unfortunately, he is limping to the finish line. That much was evidence when he allowed a walk-off homer in Tuesday’s game.
In September, Sewald is 0-1 with an 11.25 ERA, 2.250 WHIP, and a 9.0 K/9. Opposing batters are hitting .381/.409/.905 against him. Simply put, he’s tired, and he’s having trouble getting batters out.
Even with these struggles, Sewald has had a good rookie season where he has shown enough to merit being in the conversation for the 2018 bullpen.
2. Rosario Sick
Amed Rosario missed this series as he became violently ill with gastroenteritis. While the Mets ultimately expect him to get better, he did miss a chance to play against a division rival he should see 19 times a year for the next decade or so. Seeing the Mets get swept in this series, all Mets fans really missed seeing him play in the field.
3. No Reynolds
On the eve of September call-ups, Sandy Alderson had specifically mentioned Matt Reynolds as a player whom the Mets wanted to take a long look at in the Month of September. Notably, Alderson believed the Mets have never really given him an opportunity to play consistently and show the team what he is capable of doing.
Well, Reynolds still hasn’t received that opportunity. Reynolds has not received a start in well over a week, which is all the more astounding when you consider Rosario has been sick recently. Instead, the playing time that was purportedly going to go to him went to Nori Aoki, Jose Reyes, and Asdrubal Cabrera.
As has been a common theme of late, the Mets are going nowhere this season, and the lone goal should be to find out about these young players. Instead, the Mets want to go with Aoki, Reyes, and Cabrera in an apparent attempt to win as many games as possible. Lot of good that did them as the Marlins just swept the Mets.
