Watching Steven Matz toy with the Miami Marlins tonight I couldn’t help but wonder what might have been or what could be. The New York Mets were supposed to go deep into the playoffs this season with five starters and two reliable reserves just in case something happened.
Well, something did happen and six of those pitchers have spent some time on the disabled list.
Teamed with Jacob deGrom, manager Terry Collins, said the Mets have the beginnings of a strong core.
Matz is back and going strong, working into the seventh inning in three of his last four starts, including seven scoreless in beating the Marlins, 8-0.
“It’s going to take pitching if we’re going to get back into this thing,’’ Collins said.
Matz was superb despite only four strikeouts as he pitched to contact.
“I let them put the ball in play,’’ Matz said. “I got a lot of groundball outs [12] and that helps me go deep into games.’’
Matz’s control was on tonight as he not only painted the corners but brushed Giancarlo Stanton off the plate, something Mets’ pitchers don’t always do.
Robert Gsellman went on the disabled list today which gives Rafael Montero another chance to stay in the rotation. Montero has made three straight strong appearances and is coming off a good start.
While the Mets are optimistic about him, they are also hoping for innings from Seth Lugo, Thursday, in Miami, plus a positive medical report on Zack Wheeler.
Even should all those things materialize, the Mets are in such a hole that catching the Nationals isn’t likely to happen, but .500 is within reach.
Perhaps more importantly – and you can decide for yourself whether it is good or bad – the Mets open the second half with ten straight at home, which could make them competitive enough to where it could decide their direction at the trade deadline.
