Mets: Shut Down By Good Pitching - But Now It's Our Turn

The Mets ran into a buzz saw the last two nights at the hands of two great pitchers. Now it’s their turn with deGrom and Stroman back to back.

The Mets may be still feeling the shock of a head-on crash with Yu Darvish and Blake Snell, who carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning last night while losing two straight to the Padres.

Now it’s the Mets turn, though, and they’ll be sending their best, Jacob deGrom and Marcus Stroman, to the hill for the final two games tonight and tomorrow night.

While the Padres are hoping to catch either or both on an “off-day,” don’t bet a parlay in Vegas on that one.

Mets Going For A Split

A split is usually what teams look for on the road, and that challenge lies ahead for the Mets, if not to hold their lead in the National League East Standings., then to at least save face and to gain momentum for next weekend’s series at Citi Field against these same Padres.

The Mets continue to play with enthusiasm and a building chip on their shoulder. With the rest of the NL East teams shooting themselves in the foot and still trying to make their way to .500, the pressure is not on the Mets, though pride is always a driving force with any team.

Still playing without J.D. Davis, Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo, and Jeff McNeil – all of whom have no imminent expected return date, the Mets continue to make do with what they have.

Mason Williams is a good addition in centerfield, and his play in the field has been noticed. Dominic Smith, James McCann, and Francisco Lindor are both showing signs of life, while Pete Alonso looks like he’s ready for a breakout any day now.

For spirit and lift on a team, look no further than Kevin Pillar, who returned to the Mets lineup a week after having his face shattered by a pitched ball.

But it’s the pitching that’s gotten the Mets where they are, and until they get their full complement of players back, it’s the pitching that will need to be the center point of the team.

deGrom and Stroman back to back will continue to give teams a preview of what it’ll be like to face the Mets in the playoffs and the return of Carlos Carrasco (when it happens) and Noah Syndergaard (if it happens) will only add more ammo.

Mets: Looking Ahead A Bit

Assuming the Mets play hard in the final two games of the Padres series, they get somewhat of a break with an off-day Monday. However, most of that will be consumed by travel, then two games at Camden Yards against the Orioles followed by another off-day on Thursday, before the Padres bring their traveling show to New York next weekend.

Hopefully, both deGrom and Stroman go deep into their games, and with the days off next week, the bullpen, which has been an unheralded surprise all year, gets a much-needed breather.

SNY televises tonight’s game, but the game on MLBN is blacked out in the New York area, which is (I’ll repeat myself) a travesty of justice.

Here’s What Readers Are Saying…

Walter Le Blanc Tough TO Score Runs when your lineup has guys that are Bench Players & DFA CASTOFFS

Mercedes Hellowell Yes! Let’s go Mets

Nick A Ficorelli II With all due respect, I don’t see Stroman as an elite pitcher. He’s good, but he’s not great.

Cesar Abraham Cortez Challenge accepted. Go Padres!

Mike Gossman Tight ball games with the bottom of our rotation with the roster we’re fielding against the PADRES have actually been what some should consider impressive “L’s”. This Mets team is very interesting to watch!