The New York Mets bullpen was a big reason for their hot 11-1 start with a 3.39 ERA in March/April on the other hand they’ve been one of culprits in going just 9-18 since.

May has been a much different story for the Mets bullpen (Mets as well with 3-10 start) with a 5.20 ERA that ranks 27th in baseball. The strikeouts are down big time with only 7.38 K/9 (28th) and they’re allowing a whopping 2.01 HR/9 (29th).

Overall, the lone bright spot for the Mets pen in May has been their walks dropping from 4.03 per nine innings in March/April to 2.52 BB/9.

Part of the issue for the Mets bullpen has been the starters, they’ve thrown only 61.1 innings over 13 games this month. The last time they had a starter go more than five innings was Zack Wheeler against the Cincinnati Reds over a week ago.

A.J. Ramos has struggled in May giving up five runs on ten hits in 5.1 innings. The home run ball has been a problem for Paul Sewald (7.20 ERA) and Robert Gsellman (4.63) as they’ve each given up three homers in May.

The Mets bullpen in May would be a complete and utter disaster if not for the 11 scoreless innings from Seth Lugo.

Gsellman and Sewald both started off the season great but have pitched a ton this season already. Gsellman’s 26.2 innings rank him second among relievers and Sewald’s 23.2 innings put him tied for 11th.

One healthy (Jamie Callahan on DL for Las Vegas) bullpen option on the 40-man roster the Mets have yet to explore this season is right-hander Tyler Bashlor. He had issues getting his velocity up to his norms in spring and early this season but it’s back and he’s been closing game for the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies.

Bashlor, 25, has a 1.35 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 10.8 K/9 six saves and has held opponents to a minuscule .143 average. His only blemish this season has been seven walks in 13.1 innings.

Bringing back P.J. Conlon as another lefty that can also give them length as a former starter is another in-house option to try and improve the pen.

Of course, probably the best way to get effective work from the bullpen is the Mets starters pitching longer in games.