Zack Wheeler and the New York Mets entered into this series with Atlanta knowing that it could help define their season. The opener of this series on Monday night, showed more of the same for the team as they fell to the Braves by a score of 12-3. Zack would struggle for his second consecutive start.
Wheeler, 29, did not look as bad as box score did on the night as he pitched six innings while allowing five runs, four of which were earned on ten hits. He walked two on the night while striking out four, taking the loss on Monday.
Zack spoke of his team’s chances after another ugly loss, this time to the first-place Braves.
“I don’t think we feel like it’s getting away,” Wheeler said. “We know that we have to start winning some ballgames pretty soon. We’re almost to that point of the season where you have got to bear down and win games. It starts with the pitching. It starts with me. I have got to keep runs off the board.” (NY Post)
Wheeler was battered around a bit, giving up a lead-off home run to Ronald Acuna Jr. to set the tone for the night. It was not the performance Zack and the Metropolitans were hoping for, especially coming off a rough outing against the Yankees in which he allowed nine runs, five of which were earned.
As the time ticks closer to the trade deadline, players have begun to become aware that this team is not trending upwards as they begin to look to be more sellers than buyers. Wheeler spoke of his own possible fate at the upcoming deadline after Monday’s loss.
“It’s something that you don’t want to think about, but I guess it’s in the back of your head,” Wheeler said. “But I’m here now. I want to help this team win. I know we’re very capable of it.” (MLB)
Wheeler tossed 108 pitches to get through his six innings of work, 72 of which landed for strikes. His ERA rose a bit to 4.94, moving closer to that dreaded 5+ number. His record now sits at 5-5 on the year with a WHIP of 1.33 and a FIP of 3.84.
