Yesterday’s rainout necessitated a doubleheader today. Since going to 7-inning games in twinbills, the Mets haven’t fared particularly well but that’s not a big surprise given that their record in 2020 was lousy. This year, the Mets have played three doubleheaders and they swept Philadelphia and split with Colorado and St. Louis.
Marcus Stroman was supposed to start Wednesday and he’ll get the nod in the first game, with Joey Lucchesi starting in the second. Usually with twinsbills you worry about how the bullpen will hold up but that’s negated somewhat by having four fewer innings to cover under the new rule.
The question is if the Mets are better off with having their pen needing to cover all of the innings in one day. It seems to me the answer is yes. Stroman could potentially pitch a complete game in the opener. And even if he doesn’t, having to cover two fewer innings in the Lucchesi game has to be a good thing. Plus, there’s always the chance that Lucchesi carries his good start from last time forward and the bullpen doesn’t have to cover five or more innings for him.
No Smith? Thank God they signed McCann and Lindor!
Everything is better when the starters are effective. Rojas can make a big stride today letting his starting pitchers go deep. A hot Braves team coming in and the Mets will need their pen every day.
Winning a division means winning every series from rivals and more than holding serve at home..