3 Up, 3 Down: Mets Winning Streak Gone In Windy City

3 UP

Cookie Doesn’t Crumble

The New York Mets’ biggest issue this season has been their starting pitching. In particular, Carlos Carrasco was a problem because he struggled to adapt to the pitch clock, and then he went on the IL with elbow inflammation. There was legitimate concern if the rule changes and/or the injury would spell the end of his career.

In his second start coming off the IL, he was a throwback to the type of pitcher the Mets saw last season. Over 6 2/3 innings, Carrasco only allowed one earned on five hits while walking two and striking out four. Essentially, he shook off the Dansby Swanson first-inning homer and made quick work of the Chicago Cubs.

The Mets are desperately looking for at least one consistent starter behind Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. Carrasco at least gave us some hope it could be him.

Power Rankings Sham

For some reason, Major League Baseball omitted Pete Alonso when they came up with “Hitter Power Rankings.” Alonso would show how much of a joke they are by homering in two of the three games against the Cubs.

With regards to the homers, Alonso tied his own Mets record by having 19 homers by June. He is also leading the majors in homers by four homers. He is currently on pace to hit 60 homers. He is also leading the National League in RBI in what may be a season for the ages, whether or not MLB chooses to recognize it as such.

Speaking of power, Francisco Álvarez is emerging as a second real power threat. Since April 19, he is second alone to Alonso with a .511 SLG, and he ranks just behind Alonso and Francisco Lindor in homers. Right now, Álvarez is everything the Mets thought he could be, and at some point, we are going to put his name in the All-Star and Rookie of the Year conversations.

Marte Alive

It was a rough start to the season for Starling Marte. However, he seems to be coming around lately, and it seems he is poised to become a significant offensive threat in the lineup.

Over his past 13 games, Marte has a .356 OBP while hitting a homer and knocking in six runs. He has been a real threat on the base paths stealing five over this stretch and 14 on the season.

Late last year, the team fell apart, and many Mets fans believed if Marte were healthy, the collapse would not have happened. He’s a leader and an important player in this lineup. His returning to being that player is as positive a sign as we have seen from the Mets lately.

3 DOWN

Disloyal Buck

For reasons beyond comprehension, Buck Showalter felt compelled to bring up Alonso’s cursing on The Michael Kay Show. As Kay himself said, he was not going to bring it up, but Showalter brought it up twice so he can tell everyone how he didn’t like it and how Alonso won’t do it again.

There are the types of issues that are supposed to remain in-house, especially with respect to a player like Alonso, who has never been anything other than a good teammate and model citizen. More than that, Alonso has given Showalter everything he has had for over a year now.

Showalter would not like players publicly chastising them. Keep in mind, he’s left the door open by being obstinate with the young players. Despite being one of the Mets best hitters, Álvarez bats ninth. Mark Vientos can’t get in the lineup over the floundering Daniel Vogelbach.

In the end, Showalter crossed a line and did it while being one of the Mets problems this season. He owes his players the same respect they give him.

Senga Needs a New Genesis

There was every hope Kodai Senga turned the corner after a great start against the Tampa Bay Rays. Unfortunately, it appears that it was a one-game blip.

After being handed a 2-0 lead off an Álvarez two-run homer, Senga immediately gave back the lead. Again, walks were an issue, with him issuing five walks. His 5.8 BB/9 is far too high for him to be an effective Major League starter.

The Mets are doing what they can to maximize his effectiveness by finding him extra rest when they can. For the most part, it just isn’t working. Perhaps, the issue is just comfort level.

Senga has been a different pitcher at Citi than he has been on the road. He is 2-1 in four home starts with a 1.57 ERA and a 2.07 K/BB. He is 2-2 on the road with a 6.12 ERA and a 1.8 K/BB.

Give Vogelbach

As alluded to earlier, Showalter keeps putting Vogelbach out there over Vientos or literally any other option. In all seriousness, the Mets look like they need literally any other option at the moment.

On the season, Vogelbach has a 108 wRC+. For comparison, the top 10 DH in the league have a wRC+ of 120 or above with Yordan Alvarez and Nolan Gorman topping 170.

It has been really bad for Vogelbach lately with his hitting .196/.328/.294 this month. His OPS is .622. It doesn’t matter what position he plays. He can’t be in the lineup hitting like that. That goes double when his position is designed solely to hit.

Sooner or later, Showalter is going to have to face reality and make the right choice. We could say it’s a tough choice, but that is misleading because sitting a .622 OPS player is not remotely tough.