The Mets couldn’t make it three straight double-digit offensive outbursts, as they dropped the second game of the doubleheader against the Phillies, 9-6. This was the third doubleheader of the year for the Mets and all three have resulted in splits.
The game started off as a continuation of the first game, as the first three Mets to bat all hit doubles, staking Steven Matz to a 2-0 lead. But Matz had neither command nor control and gave up the lead in the bottom of the first, surrendering a three-run homer to Rhys Hoskins.
The Phillies added three more runs in the second inning, which ended up being Matz’ last inning of work. Matz will undoubtedly get another start but let’s not pretend that his pitching the last few games have merited that.
Amed Rosario and Michael Conforto were the hitting stars for the Mets. Rosario doubled twice on inside pitches, which makes you wonder about their advance scouts. Why anyone pitches him inside at this point is a mystery. Rosario finished with three runs scored. Conforto had three hits and added four RBIs.
Matz may have rushed his return or possibly Dr. Jeff Wilpon gave him the “you must pitch because I’m paying you to pitch” speech. Either way, after a weak April he had a solid May, June and July with one regrettable effort per month. Therefore, it’s hard to judge he’s at concerning his growth as a pitcher. He has a live arm, but seems to be on a Wheeler-esque career path where the babying had to stop, the health has to be consistent and then he needs to master his control for his potential to shine through. It’s not that he walks many guys, it’s that he has a tendency to hang a curve or throw a fastball down the pipe and get those pitches knocked to the moon.
Matz had the shiny ERA in the first half of the season but his peripherals told a different story. We’ve seen the luck disappear in his four starts here in the second half. You can’t let other teams run all over you and serve up a healthy portion of gopher balls and expect to succeed in the long haul.
At this point, I’m skeptical if he can be fixed.
I would bet most were skeptical of Wheeler being fixed, who seemed further away from consistency than Matz is because Wheeler could walk the ballpark. But, the stolen bases aren’t as bad as Matz’s tendency to throw a pitch down the heart of the plate. At times, it appears he telegraphs the curve by slowing down his delivery then it tends to just roll up there with “Kill Me” written all over it. Either master it, or junk it and learn a splitter as your off speed pitch.