Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
In 2021, Carlos Carrasco‘s ERA in the first inning was 13.50. In 12 starts he allowed 18 runs in the opener, putting the Mets into a deficit nearly every time he touched the rubber.
In 2022, Carrasco has improved to a 7.20 ERA in the opening inning. If you eliminate his last two starts, Carrasco has been excellent against the first three batters, allowing four runs in 13 innings pitched.
The Houston Astros clearly have Carrasco’s number, pouncing on him for five and six runs respectively in back-to-back starts.
What seems to be more concerning is Carrasco’s placing the blame on the umpire and not his own ability.
“The first inning, the umpire made the wrong call right there,” Carrasco said. “It changed the ballgame completely. I think he screwed up right there.”
The call in question?
Jose Altuve, the very first batter of the game, had a check-swing ruled a ball on a 0-2 count. Altuve would walk.
Then the Astros proceeded to hit into a forceout by Jeremy Pena, Yordan Alvarez singled, Alex Bregman singled, and Kyle Tucker hit a three-run home run. The Mets were down 4-0 by the time they came to bat.
Manager Buck Showalter agreed the call was missed but wants his pitcher to move past it.
“He probably should’ve been out of the first inning, but he didn’t get a call . . .,” Showalter said. “There’s enough opportunities to make that not matter. Obviously, it was a swing. But those things come and go all season long.”
Carrasco said he struggled to refocus after the first batter of the game. After 13 years in the majors, Carrasco has seen loads of missed calls. Why is this one so different?
Maybe because Carrasco hasn’t been at a level he’s used to and is searching for excuses.
In his last 12 starts, Carrasco has a 5.83 ERA. Despite that, he holds a 7-3 record over that stretch.
He has a career 3.92 ERA yet hasn’t been able to find himself in New York due to injury. Last year was lost for the Mets and the pitcher. New York flailed at the end and multiple setbacks cost Carrasco a chance to build off a strong 2020 where he pitched exquisitely for Cleveland.
Carrasco has made 15 starts this season, the most he’s made since 2018. The Mets don’t have another option if he continues to struggle and they’ve relied on the offense’s ability to play from behind during his starts.
If his back is still injured then he should admit it. Neither he nor the team gains anything from his bravado.
The Mets need to invest in starting pitching. If Carrasco continues to struggle maybe a role out of the pen is his best chance to succeed.
