3 Up
1. The ReplaceMets
The Mets opened the series against the Cincinnati Reds just hours after they wrapped up their series against the Nationals late Sunday night. It was a quick turnaround, so Terry Collins opted to go with the B lineup for the early afternoon game. Luckily the Mets didn’t miss a beat. In particular, Matt Reynolds, who was operating on less sleep than anybody on the Mets, had the best day of all of them. Reynolds got things started with a solo homerun, and ended up going 3-4 with two RBI, including that solo shot.
2. Bart Keeps Rolling
After going seven strong innings in his last outing against the Marlins, Bartolo Colon followed that up by pitching six innings of no run ball in the series opener on Monday. Colon gave up just five hits in route to his 13th victory of the season. Colon arrived in Cincy a day earlier than in teammates, and it proved to be key as he got them off on the right foot after a very quick turnaround. Colon’s ERA is now at just 3.22, and is 13-7 on the year.
3. Jose the Catalyst
The Mets haven’t had a true leadoff guy since Jose Reyes last departed the team several years ago. Since he’s been back in that leadoff spot for these Mets, things have been clicking on all cylinders. He got a much needed day off in the series opener on Monday but in the two games he played in, Reyes went 4-9 with two home runs and two RBI. Since joining the Mets Reyes is not batting .287 with six HR and 15 RBI.
3 Down
1. Conforto Still Struggling
For whatever reason, Michael Conforto cannot get things going back up in the big leagues. After going on a tear down in Triple-A Las Vegas, Conforto has gone just 2-13 since being called up last week. He went 0-3 in his only start of the series on Monday, and then went 0-2 in pinch-hitting opportunities. The Mets are hoping he can find his way, as another bat in this already dangerous lineup would be huge.
2. Walks an Issue for Montero
Rafael Montero has done his job for the most part in his last two starts for the Mets. He’s kept them in games and has shown signs of why they were originally so high on him a couple of years back. However, the one issue that surfaced in years past, is still an issue today. In his first two starts, Montero has walked 10 batters. In those two starts Montero ended up with no-decisions, but if he wasn’t able to dance out of constant trouble, they could have easily have been losses.
3. Questions Around deGrom and Matz
There is still a great deal of uncertainty when it comes to if/when the Mets will see Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz again this year. Terry Collins told reports prior to Wednesday’s game that he is still not sure when deGrom or Matz will be able to return from their injuries. Matz has been on the DL since August 15th, and deGrom is still out with soreness in his forearm. While Seth Lugo, Robert Gsellman, and Rafael Montero have filled in brilliantly, if the Mets are going to go anywhere this year, they need both deGrom and Matz to be healthy.
