After a putrid first half to the 2019 season, the New York Mets’ relief corps appears to be finding their way. Too little, too late? Maybe. But still encouraging, nonetheless.
The Metsies’ bullpen put up a 5.63 ERA in the first half, third-worst in MLB, allowed 4.22 walks per nine innings, fifth-most, and gave up 1.50 home runs per nine, seventh-worst.
There were bright spots if you want to consider their 9.40 strikeouts per nine innings (12th-best in MLB) a plus, but there’s no question this group cost the Mets a handful of wins over the first three months. That’s unacceptable.
With things getting desperately out of reach in the NL Wild Card race, the Mets can’t afford to lose any more heartbreakers than they already have this year. Hopefully, the tide is beginning to turn in that area.
Despite three gut-wrenching losses in San Francisco, the Mets’ relievers — and pitching staff as a whole (2.83 ERA; best in baseball) — have been one of MLB’s best so far in the second half.
Over 37 innings pitched heading into Tuesday night’s series opener versus the Padres, the Mets’ bullpen owned a 2.43 ERA (third-best in baseball) and had left 90.7% of inherited runners on-base (second in majors). Oh, we’ll take that.
Despite 8.51 strikeouts (21st in MLB) and 4.14 walks per nine innings (12th-most), these guys are doing what general manager Brodie Van Wagenen most assuredly had in mind when he assembled this group; getting the job done.
Since the All-Star break (heading into Tuesday), relief regulars Seth Lugo, Justin Wilson (better late than never), Edwin Diaz, Luis Avilan, and, you guessed it, Jeurys Familia, haven’t allowed an earned run.
Interchangeables Tyler Bashlor and Jacob Rhame are also included in this group, which is pretty great to see, albeit in a very small sample size (3.2 innings combined).
Regardless of when the next bullpen implosion rears its ugly head on the Mets, this little stretch of effectiveness, however long it may last, should be drawn upon as inspiration when times inevitably get tough again.
