Quick Takes: Carlos Carrasco Struggles Again, Francisco Álvarez’s Debut

The New York Mets failed to capture a series sweep against the Miami Marlins Sunday afternoon. The team fell behind early and were unable to mount a comeback despite several terrific chances. By game’s end, the score read 7-2 Marlins and New York dropped to an even 5-5 on the season. So, what were the takeaways from Sunday afternoon’s game?

The Carlos Carrasco Problem

The Mets’ rotation is banged up as it is, so Carlos Carrasco‘s performances through two starts is even more alarming. The 36-year-old veteran has now allowed 11 earned runs over two starts (8 2/3 innings). Today, he also exhibited the issue that plagued him most of last season: first inning woes. Carrasco allowed a three-run home run in the opening frame and instantly put his team on the comeback trail.

Carrasco’s velocity on his fastball was once again down in the low-90 mph range. He also only induced three swing and misses as well as allowed an absurd 10 hard-hit balls. So, the underlying metrics paint just as brutal a picture as his 11.42 ERA through two starts indicate.

Of course, it has only been two starts, so, the Mets moving on from the former Cleveland Indian already seems extremely unlikely. The other variable here is the organization really cannot afford to do so right now. Other options on the 40-man roster include current minor leaguers José Butto and Joey Lucchesi. Maybe, when Justin Verlander gets healthy, a conversation can be had, but, for now, Carrasco is going to be the guy.

After the game, manager Buck Showalter said he expects Carrasco to improve, “He didn’t really have a feel for his split all day. He’ll be better.” Carrasco, himself, added that he feels really good physically. So, we shall see how his next outing goes.

Francisco Álvarez‘s So-So Day

After the injury to Omar Narváez that sent him to the injured list, Francisco Álvarez was called to the major leagues. After backing up Tomás Nido on Saturday, Álvarez got the start on Sunday. Overall, it was an okay performance, as Álvarez did line a two-strike pitch to right field to drive in a run. Though, he also fell victim to some Marlins’ baserunners.

On the day, Miami stole five bases. Álvarez also sailed a throw in center field trying to nab a runner resulting in an error, the first of which a Mets’ player has committed all season long. It is worth mentioning, Álvarez did make a nice throw down on a stealing Jon Berti. Though, he was called safe and the Mets did not challenge the play despite it looking like the play could have been overturned.

As for at his performance at the plate, as mentioned above, Álvarez took a two-strike pitch into right field to score a run in his first at-bat. Though, he went hitless the rest of the game, including a crucial strikeout swinging at the ball in the dirt when the Mets had a runner and second and third with one out. Overall, his final line read 1-for-4 with one RBI, two strikeouts, and that one error committed in the field.

After the game, Álvarez confirmed that it will be easier to help limit runners from taking liberties against him when he gets more familiar with the pitching staff. He also seemed content with his performance, “I felt good, but we didn’t win, so that doesn’t make me feel good.”

Struggles With Runners In Scoring Position Continues

Outside of Carrasco’s poor outing, the main theme of New York’s loss to Miami on Sunday was the struggles the Mets had with runners in scoring position. The team went 2-for-12 with in scoring position, resulting in a gaudy 10 men left on base.

Eduardo Escobar, Tim Locastro, and Tommy Pham all failed to score anyone in the second inning after the Mets had runners at second and third. Meanwhile, the same thing occurred in the fourth inning when Álvarez and Locastro both failed to get runners in during very similar circumstances to the second frame. Worth pointing out, some strong Marlins’ defense aided the Mets’ struggles, as the Pham batted ball in the second had an xBA of .410 at 103.4 mph off the bat and the Locastro bloop out had an xBA of .850 in the fourth inning.

Regardless, these struggles aren’t new. Entering Sunday’s game, the Mets left an average of 4.67 runners in scoring position per game. That number was tied for the most in the major leagues. Further, their .216 average with runners in scoring position on the season ranks fourth-worst in the league, only better than the woeful Detroit Tigers, Oakland Athletics, and Kansas City Royals.

Luckily, hitting with runners in scoring position can sometimes be a volatile statistic and it’s also only 10 games into the season. Hopefully the hits start coming for the Mets at the right time.