Due to the Diaz Dictate, Mickey Callaway was once again put in a position where his best option was to bring in Robert Gsellman in the eighth inning with the tying run at third. This was very problematic.

For starters, Gsellman is far from the Mets best reliever. That honor goes to Edwin Diaz. However, Callaway is not allowed to use him in just any high leverage situation with the game on the line.

Arguably, Seth Lugo is the team’s second-best reliever, but Callaway opted to use him in a lower leverage situation due to Jason Vargas‘ inability to pitch past the fourth.

With their track records, Jeurys Familia and Justin Wilson are better relievers, but then again, they created the eighth inning mess, and so, it was up to Gsellman. Historically, that’s been a dicey situation.

As noted by MMO‘s Mathew Brownstein, Gsellman had entered the game with inherited runners two previous times this year. Including his walking home a run in a similar situation against the Phillies, Gsellman had allowed the inherited runner to score both times. Last year, Gsellman allowed 19 inherited runners to score.

As is the case with many relievers, this was a precarious situation for Gsellman. The pressure of the situation was heightened by a number of other issues.

As noted earlier, the bullpen was running out of options as Vargas had a short start. Moreover, with Chris Flexen pitching in lieu of the injured Jacob deGrom in the ensuing game, the Mets could ill afford to tax their bullpen further.

In addition to that, this was a game against the Cardinals. Aside from being a hated rival, this is a team with whom the Mets may be fighting for a Wild Card spot this season. Needless to say, even though this was just April 19, this was a big spot.

Gsellman responded by getting Jedd Gyorko to pop out and Matt Carpenter to ground out to get out of the jam and help the Mets win the game 5-4.

With the way the Mets starting rotation has struggled early this year and the restrictions Brodie Van Wagenen has put in his manager in terms of how he may use his bullpen, there is going to be an onus on Gsellman to deliver in these spots. Yesterday, he delivered, and that is why this was the Neon Moment of the Week!

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