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Nothing has gone as anticipated for the New York Mets to date within the remaining video games of the 2024 common season.
Hurricane Helene canceled a pivotal sequence towards the Atlanta Braves which is not going to conclude Monday with a doubleheader. Then, Friday night time in Milwaukee, the crew failed to indicate a spark in an 8-4 loss to the NL Central champion Brewers.
The New York Put up’s Jon Heyman declared the no-good, very dangerous outing in Milwaukee “one of many worst performances of the season” and that “there was nearly zero encouraging taking place.”
Anthony DiComo @AnthonyDiComo
To date tonight, the Mets have allowed seven runs, walked 4 batters, allowed 5 stolen bases, given up a grand slam, had a handed ball and a wild pitch (that plated a run), dedicated one error (plus a second misplay that price them a base), and had their supervisor ejected.
Francisco Lindor returned to the lineup but is not close to his MVP-level self as he continues to deal with a back injury.
Ace pitcher Sean Manaea, the team’s best this season, lasted just 3.2 innings and gave up five earned runs, including a grand slam from the team’s own, personal Freddy Krueger, Rhys Hoskins.
Manager Carlos Mendoza was tossed after (rightly) arguing a (horrendously bad) called strike by umpire Ramon De Jesus and Francisco Alvarez left the game with back tightness after an awkward slide.
Umpire Auditor @UmpireAuditor
In a high leverage situation in a game with playoff implications, umpire Ramon De Jesus rang up Francisco Alvarez on two pitches well outside the zone.
He then ejected manager Carlos Mendoza for arguing.
De Jesus missed 12 calls and 8 went against the Mets.#Mets #Brewers pic.twitter.com/I8sQzRrlpP
If what happened on the field was not bad enough, the Atlanta Braves defeated the Kansas City Royals on a strong effort by starter Max Fried (more on him in a moment) and are now engaged in a virtual tie with the Mets and defending NL champion Arizona Diamondbacks for the final two Wild Card spots.
If there is a positive for the team it is that they possess the tie-breaker with the D’backs so should those two teams be tied at the end of the season, the Mets would get the playoff nod.
The team can go 3-1 of their remaining 4 and clinch, per SNY. They will additionally go 2-2, however each these wins have to return towards Atlanta for that state of affairs to play out. Ought to the crew someway handle a playoff berth earlier than Monday’s scheduled video games with the Braves, that doubleheader is probably not performed in any respect.
No matter how they get there, the Mets can’t afford to play like they did towards Milwaukee Friday night time or Atlanta on Thursday, once they misplaced 5-1. They’ve to search out that momentum that drove them to a 3-1 sequence win over the Phillies that had them wanting like the most popular crew within the NL coming into the ultimate week.
The Mets face a sticky pitching scenario with their two greatest, Manaea and Luis Severino, having been overwhelmed up and bullpen depth being questionable all season.
Jose Quintana (10-9, 3.74 ERA, 126 SO) will take the mound towards Milwaukee’s Jared Koenig (9-4, 2.51 ERA, 61 SO) Saturday night time whereas no possible pitchers have been introduced for the series-ender Sunday.
If Lindor continues to be banged up and can’t contribute to the extent he had set for himself, the crew should contemplate placing Luisangel Acuña again within the lineup.
MLB Community @MLBNetwork
Luisangel Acuña has six XBH and a 1.228 OPS in 9 video games since being known as as much as the Mets 🤯@YonderalonsoU breaks down the younger sensation and the way he is benefitted from their Triple-A bench coach J.P. Arencibia’s teachings. #MLBTonight pic.twitter.com/hwyDx3Qad8
In 10 video games with the Mets, Acuña blasted three dwelling runs, 12 hits, and solely 4 strikeouts in 32 at-bats whereas accumulating a slash line of .375/.394/.781.
Preserving the NL MVP candidate for the postseason, when his on-field management will likely be most necessary, is the suitable name.
