3 Up, 3 Down: Mets Loss Unacceptable

3 UP

Escobar Hitting Again

With Luis Guillorme and Brett Baty injured, the New York Mets had little other choice than to go back to Eduardo Escobar. Fortunately, Escobar has begun hitting again.

In this series, Escobar was 3-for-10 with two homers, and four RBI. He also drew two walks.

He’s now recorded a hit in six out of his last seven games. He appears to be heating up as the Mets near the home stretch of the season, and judging from the Mets offense, it could’ve have come at a better time.

Scoreless Inning Hunter

With the way the Mets bullpen is built at the moment, relievers have a chance to impress and carve out a larger role. No one is making more of an impression right now than Tommy Hunter.

In the series, Hunter made two scoreless appearances pitching three innings. He lowered his season ERA to 2.00.

Hunter now has made a scoreless appearance in six out of his last seven outings. Over that stretch, he’s struck out seven while only walking three.

Given his body of work, he’s making a strong case to be on the eventual postseason roster. On that note, he has a 0.00 ERA as a reliever in the postseason.

Mets Still In Control

Let’s be honest. Losing this series to the Washington Nationals was completely unacceptable.

There weren’t many bright spots and even those were a bit marred.

For example, Jeff McNeil continued his hot hitting, but he made a crucial error helping cost the Mets a game. Carlos Carrasco came off the IL earlier than expected only to struggle against a bad lineup.

Despite all that, the Mets still control their destiny holding a one game lead over the Braves with a very favorable schedule. Aside from the three against the Braves, the Mets play a reeling Brewers team, and 18 of their remaining 24 games come against teams on pace to lose 94+ games.

The Mets will be fine and will be in the postseason.

3 DOWN

Scherzer “Left” Game

The Mets best chance to win the World Series is with a healthy Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer. They have the potential to be an even better version of what Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling were in 2001.

In order to be that, the Mets need them to be healthy and available. That’s problematic when Scherzer removes himself from a game after 67 pitches citing “general fatigue” with his left side.

It was the same oblique which forced him to the IL earlier this season. While Scherzer had declared himself good to go and will likely avoid the IL, we just don’t know how well he can pitch.

DH Situation Still Ruf

Since the trade deadline, Mets designated hitters have a 99 wRC+. That’s an improvement over what they had, but it’s still not where the Mets imagined it would be.

Part of the reasons is Darin Ruf is hitting .167/.213/.238 without a homer since joining the Mets. After a hot start, Daniel Vogelbach is 7-for-47 over his last 20 games.

As noted in the last 3 Up, 3 Down, this has coincided with Pete Alonso‘s struggles at the plate which continued into this series.

At some point, you have to wonder how long before the Mets give Mark Vientos some sort of a look, even as a power threat on a bench devoid of it. You also have to wonder when we’ll see Tyler Naquin get a shot to DH.

Bullpen Problems

Trevor May was on the COVID IL leading to the overuse of Adam Ottavino, and Ottavino finally broke from the usage.

Adonis Medina, who was called up over other potential useful arms, imploded.

The Mets still don’t have a viable left-handed reliever. Right now, their plan is just hopes and prayers.

Maybe those prayers get answered. Tylor Megill and Joey Lucchesi have looked good in their rehab outings. Maybe, David Peterson will finally adapt to the bullpen.

That’s a lot of gambling for a team with real World Series aspirations. At the end of the day, the Mets could’ve and should’ve done more to address this bullpen at the trade deadline.