Mets in June: They Find A Way To Lose

Since the start of the month, the Mets have lost 15 games in the standings, going from 3.5 games back in the NL East to 18.5. “We’re trying,” said reliever David Robertson. “It just feels like nothing is going our way.”

When this swoon (shades of past horrible Junes) began, I was thinking "Stop talking first place; they like a game behind in the wild card."  The Angels might get in as one, right?

The team has problems, and not just the loss of their closer before the season began, but they have talent. Three wild cards allow mediocre teams to get to the playoffs, especially if they have a run.  And, I thought (still kinda think) the Mets have a run in them.  But, now it will be to have a bit of respect.  

The loss of an elite closer, who the team just signed for a long expensive contract, hurt the pen overall. Not the only problem.  Injuries to starters and then scuffling from Verlander even when he came back.  Scherzer is playing fairly well.  The latest was six innings, two runs.  Yes, he is being paid LOTS of money but that will do if this team was hitting.*  

The team is not.  Okay, now Vogelbach might be hitting a bit and McNeil is having a few good games lately (he has been really struggling).  But, the team is totally underperforming as a whole.  And, even with better pitching, you need the Mets to hit.  Toss in always finding a way to lose, including defensively, or one of their stars failing in some way.  

Up 4-2, the team went to Robertson, their most trusted high-leverage reliever to start the eighth inning. After getting the first out, Joc Pederson reached on error when Alonso couldn’t make a flip to Robertson at first base. He then walked J.D. Davis to put two on.

This a total find-a-way game. Carrasco gave you five and two runs. Not great but San Francisco is playing well and for a back-end starter, that's okay.  The Mets even got a gift run when a fan interference (at Citifield) call did not stop them from scoring a run, which the GKR team fairly noted was a somewhat generous call.  As Ron Darling (who seems to be around a bit less late) noted, the Mets are due for a break.

Of course, one of the two runs at that point was from an old friend (and fan of Friends, to help him learn English) Flores.  And, another scored in that mess (JD Davis).  Alonso misplays, another case of even your stars somehow failing (another brain freeze moment involved running out of the baseline in an earlier game).  And, then one of the few (if not perfect) relievers makes a really fatal mistake.  

Robertson (2-2), a 38-year-old veteran who has pitched more like a 24-year-old this season, threw him a cutter for a strike, a curveball outside and then another one right over the plate. Bailey did what a hitter at any level would do with a mistake pitch and drove it out of the park to put the Giants (46-36) back on top.

This season seemed promising with Verlander and company though I thought a bit too much money was spent.  But, billionaire owner, what is he going to use the money for anyhow?  And, over 80M this season is spent on two older pitchers, who have been somewhat underwhelming.  

The owner had a press conference to put himself out there. He said the GM and manager won't be fired this season. This seemed to me a bit too assured -- why guarantee it with things going so bad?  No need to be coy; give them a nod of approval.  But, emphasizing it seems curious.  Also, this talk of looking for a head of baseball relations.  Has a feel of the 2021 season before Buck came.  Like we on in a holding pattern where they don't want to do too much.  I felt a lot of "wait until next season" over the years.  

(Buck made some dubious moves but often it's like "was this all on him or is he getting instructions?"  You praise managers when teams go well, you need to give them some blame, especially with a team playing so sloppy.)

If the Mets keep on playing this way, he wouldn't likely make any big moves at the deadline. He did suggest a willingness to eat some money.  There is a certain core, two old vets (one who allegedly is willing to waive his no-trade clause), but a bunch of odds and ends.  Who will be here in August?  

Get something for Pham while he's hot! A struggling Marte might be a key face that won't be staying.  Marte blew two key chances in a recent game and got caught stealing in the ninth last night.  He is coming off an injury, but he is one of multiple players who have looked lost. Has enough value to be trade bait though.

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* It is not like you can trust the pen, which early on, seemed to do its job.  But, the fact it is full of also-rans and veterans who regularly don't have clean innings (Drew Smith struggling, Ottavino not a guarantee, Robertson showing he's human in recent weeks) is starting to show. Still, if you look at some of the top teams this season, they often win with offense.