Carlos Carrasco. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
It has been a difficult season for many within the New York Mets’ organization, but no player has struggled more than starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco. Saturday’s start against the Washington Nationals was just a continuation of a disappointing stretch for the veteran right-hander, allowing eight runs (six of which were earned) on eight hits in just 2 1/3 innings to earn his fifth loss of the season.
The Nationals jumped on Carrasco in the top of the first inning, scoring three quick runs on hits from Joey Meneses and Dominic Smith. Stone Garrett added a fourth on a sacrifice fly to center field, putting the Mets in a 4-0 deficit before even getting their chance to hit. Carrasco’s troubles would carry over to the second, as Jeimer Candelario‘s double would give the Nationals a 5-0 lead.
For the second consecutive start, Carrasco’s was unable to make it through three innings. Run-scoring hits from Riley Adams and Lane Thomas in the top of the third put the Nationals ahead 8-1, quickly ending the pitcher’s outing. The Mets would eventually fall by a score of 11-6, ending their brief two-game winning streak.
Carrasco is now 3-5 with a 6.40 ERA through 70 1/3 innings this season. The Mets have traded closer David Robertson and starting pitcher Max Scherzer in recent days, making it clear that the front office will be making more deals ahead of the Aug. 1 trade deadline. Carrasco’s contract expires at the end of this season, so if any teams express interest in him as a backend of the rotation piece, owner Steven Cohen will certainly look into it.
The 36-year-old is enjoying an awful run since the team returned from the All-Star break. Carrasco has thrown a total of 9 1/3 innings across three starts, owning an 0-2 record with a 14.46 ERA during that stretch. While he is not the only player who has underperformed in 2023, a majority of his outings have not been up to par.
With no signs of these struggles stopping, it’ll be interesting to see if the Mets make a decision to remove Carrasco from the rotation.
