There are a lot of things Mets GM Sandy Alderson and manager Terry Collins will consider over the next two days as they construct their postseason roster in preparation for the wild-card game against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, at Citi Field.
Collins has been spoiled with access to 40 players since September 1. Now, they’ll face Madison Bumgarner with 25.
Here are the questions Alderson must answer:
CATCHER: Could they consider carrying a third catcher in Kevin Plawecki? They could go this way because in the one game format Collins shouldn’t hesitate to use a pinch-hitter or pinch-runner. Plus, in the back of his mind should be the prospect of extra innings.
FIRST BASE: Who starts? The early word is Lucas Duda could get the start over James Loney with the thinking he might have one good swing in him. We’ve heard a lot about the possibility of Eric Campbell. Even if he doesn’t start, he should be there because he represents a right-handed pinch-hit option.
OUTFIELD: Jay Bruce, Curtis Granderson and Yoenis Cespedes will be the starters. However, the recent play of Juan Lagares introduced an element nobody considered two weeks ago. Lagares has shown he can swing the bat, so if he’s carried, who will the Mets choose between Michael Conforto and Alejandro De Aza? There’s no way Collins would favor De Aza’s defense over Bruce’s bat, but he could choose him over Conforto.
STARTERS: They will carry three, Syndergaard, Bartolo Colon and one of Seth Lugo or Robert Gsellman. Why three? Because what happens if Syndergaard were to get injured or shelled early in the game?
BULLPEN: Since the opponent is the Giants, who are heavy with left-handed hitters, will the Mets go with an extra lefty like Josh Edgin? The rest of the pen would include Jerry Blevins, Hansel Robles, Fernando Salas, Josh Smoker, Addison Reed and Jeurys Familia.
One thing is undeniable, the Mets bullpen is one of the best in the game with Salas, Reed and Familia holding down the 7th, 8th and 9th inning roles.
Meanwhile in San Francisco, the Giants bullpen has been an absolute disaster with not one reliable arm they could count on. If the Mets could get past Bumgarner and into the Giants bullpen early, could be Game Over for Bochy and Co.
