Zack Wheeler continued his career-long dominance against the Marlins, as he hurled eight shutout innings, giving the bullpen a much-needed break, as the Mets came away with a 5-0 win. It was their fifth-straight win and the 12th time in the last 13 games they came out on top.
Wheeler entered the game with a lifetime mark of 6-2 against the Marlins with a 1.95 ERA in 78.1 IP. He finished the night with 8 IP, 0 R, 1 BB and 5 Ks. In his last seven starts he has a 2.62 ERA. And even that’s a bit misleading, as his last start before hitting the IL he allowed 6 ER in 5 IP. Five of his last seven games were Quality Starts and he’s working on a 15-inning scoreless streak.
Once again, the Mets’ offense got going early, as Todd Frazier gave the Mets a 1-0 lead in the first with an RBI double. Wilson Ramos followed up with a three-run homer in the third and Pete Alonso added a solo shot in the fifth.
The Mets look for a four-game sweep tomorrow when they host the Marlins at 12:10 p.m.
The catcher everyone wanted traded for a warm cup of tea keeps hitting, Frazier got into the act with a double that the left fielder may have lost in the lights as he was squinting after the play, and Wheeler was efficient without trying to be dominant and let the best infield defensive alignment the Mets can offer do the work. What wasn’t to like? Maybe it may come to pass that we let Guillorme play his normal position for an extended length of time and see the defensive dazzle for ourselves? [Hopefully he hits some.]
Lugo wasn’t available tonight and may not be tomorrow, not sure about Diaz, and Gsellman may not be available tomorrow. The Mets need length out of their inconsistent lefty tomorrow, and need to keep the roll as the Nats and Phils both won tonight. Scoreboard watching: wow! Forgot what it felt like.
What a great feeling to play meaningful games and not lament about being 11 games back in the WC race. Happy to take it one game at a time. If the good Matz shows up today than we might just have the best rotation in baseball. Hate to break up the chemistry but a good waiver piece might make a difference and I’m hoping that a BP arm becomes available, not a retread infielder who can’t hit like Panik or Cabrera. Great infield D last night and whoever said Alonso was a defensive liability must have been looking at another player. Can’t remember another 1B with all those acrobatic stretches. Excited about a possible today.
Gut reaction : this was a dominant win. Pitching, hitting and defense was superb. What does Wheeler have to do to win over the naysayers who don’t want to extend him? Ramos has issues with his defense. The injuries have taken their toll on his mobility. He is an average offensive catcher this year but he is not a hole in the batting order instead he has had many hits with runners in scoring position. This winter, they should upgrade the backup catcher position and Ramos get his role diminished.
Cano’s replacement at second base results in a hole in the batting order. Lagares, Hechavaria, Guillerme and Altherr can flash leather but are allergic to wood. The depleted bench made cause problems but they shouldn’t sign Panik because he’s no better then what they have. Smith, Nimmo, Lowrie(who’s he?) and even Cano are missed. Promoting Dilson Herrara and his 22 minor league home runs might be the move but he has to then be put on the 40-man roster.
BTW the Mets are 1 1/2 back of the wildcard and positioned to make a run when they play the Nats and the Braves. LFGM