In their last 13 games, the Mets are 8-5. While they’ve benefited from playing nine games in this stretch against Philadelphia, Miami and Cincinnati, the 2014 club is in no position to turn its nose up when it comes to wins regardless of the quality of the opponent. The offense has averaged slightly over five runs per game in this stretch and the starting pitching deserves some kudos, as well.
In this span, the starters have given 82 IP, an average of 6.1 innings per game. They’ve delivered a 3.40 ERA, with a 3.2 K/BB ratio, thanks to 20 BB and 64 Ks. For the last two weeks, it’s like the Mets have sent out Chris Tillman (3.40 ERA) or Garrett Richards (3.22 K/BB) to the mound every night.
The starters have 10 Quality Starts in this stretch and not one is of the minimum 6 IP, 3 ER variety. In the last four games, the starters have gone 26 IP and allowed 5 ER, with 6 BB and 20 Ks. It’s not a case of one or two pitchers dominating and the others along for the ride. Each of the five starters has delivered a strong outing in this span. Here’s how they break down:
Bartolo Colon – 18.1 IP, 10 ER, 2 BB, 9 Ks, 2 QS
Dillon Gee – 19.2 IP, 7 ER, 6 BB, 14 Ks, 3 QS
Zack Wheeler – 17.2 IP, 5 ER, 7 BB, 21 Ks, 2 QS
Jon Niese – 13.1 IP, 9 ER, 1 BB, 9 Ks, 1 QS
Jacob deGrom – 13 IP, 0 ER, 4 BB, 11 Ks, 2 QS
Colon and Niese each had a start where they gave up 6 ER while Wheeler had an outing where he went just 4.2 IP. Niese will try to notch his fifth QS in his last six games Monday night with a home start against a Colorado squad missing both Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki.
It looks promising for the Mets to continue their strong starting pitching the next three games at home against the Rockies. But the schedule gets tougher the remainder of the season. Ten of the last 16 games of the year are against division rivals Washington and Atlanta, with seven of those against a Nationals squad which has won 10 of 12 against the Mets this season and have scored 5.2 runs per game against New York in 2014.
So much for the ” lose to get rid of TC” plan.
Have faith — in 10 games against the Nats and Braves we could easily go 2-8.
Guys, I can’t stand Collins. I would rather cheer for the Braves than see Collins back. However, I want the Mets to win every game, although that’s kind of improbable. If the organization has not seen enough over the course of four years to realize Collins hurts this team, they won’t see it now either.
These kids play hard, and win in spite of the knucklehead. They deserve the positive momentum going into next year. We all deserve it.