It’s never a good idea to fall behind by four runs. The Mets tested that hypothesis on Monday, didn’t believe the results and tested it again on Tuesday. Hopefully the believe it now and will instead open up tonight’s game with a four-run lead, instead.
Some quick analysis since the trade deadline. While the sample size is very small, it is 10% of the remaining games post trade deadline.
6 games, 1-5 record
4,3,1,5,2,3…runs per game, avg. 3.0 vs season avg. 3.8, above 4 once (only win)
5,7,3,6,8,12…hits per game, avg. 6.8 vs season avg. 7.4, the 12 hit outburst only resulted in 3 runs
5,6,7,4,6,6…runs against per game, avg. 5.7 vs season avg. 3.8
Like many others, I strongly preferred adding quality pitching at the deadline, even after the Hill acquisition. That did not occur. The elevated runs against can be attributed to primarily the omission of deGrom combined with Walker apparently hitting a major innings wall. In any event, even had the acquired another quality starter, that would only help every fifth day, plus residual bullpen impact. The offense is a factor every day, it has been dismal, and it continues to be dismal. Over the last 6 games it has faced basically mediocre pitching and been dismal. Now they face the better two of the Marlin starters and can look forward to Wheeler on Sunday. Their ability to compete for the division is being severely compromised by the bats. The optimists among us will conclude that they are due.