Thomas Szapucki’s first MLB start was an utter disaster, as he gave up 4 HR and 9 ER in 1.1 IP, as the Mets lost the rubber game of the series, 9-3, against the Giants Wednesday afternoon in San Francisco.
Szapucki was consistently in the mid-90s with his fastball but he couldn’t throw his breaking ball for a strike and the Giants simply feasted on him.
Acknowledging that this is hindsight but why did the Mets call up Szapucki at all? He pitched well in Triple-A this year but managed just 22 IP in seven games. If he’s averaging just 3 IP per start in the minors – what are the chances he’s going to go 5 IP in the majors?
And on top of that, the pitcher to relieve Szapucki was Trevor Williams. This is definitely not hindsight – as Wobbit and I discussed this in the Game Chatter in real time – but if you were going to pitch Williams on short rest – why not just start him? Williams threw 53 pitches and tossed 3.2 scoreless innings. Szapucki threw 49 pitches in 1.1 very non-scoreless frames.
At the end of the game, Gary Cohen actually asked what the Mets would do when this spot in the rotation came up again. There’s no way on earth that anyone but Williams should get the ball. And if the Mets opt for Szapucki over Williams – it will be the biggest misstep of the season by far.
Francisco Lindor had a nice day with a double and a homer, giving him four extra-base hits in the past two games. And Williams wasn’t the only reliever who flourished, as Colin Holderman, Chasen Shreve and Seth Lugo each pitched a scoreless inning.
And it had made no difference in the outcome but the home plate umpire had a really bad day. Bring on the automated strike zone.
I have a bad feeling with the Phillies coming to town… the same Phililies that recently swept the Dodgers in LA.
The Mets were discombobulated in this series. They let Joc Pederson completely undo them, and that’s a blemish on the pitching coaches. The same problem with Schwarber last season and with Austin Riley. Whatever he’s doing, don’t let him do it!
Jeremy Hefner seems a tad polite for my liking. I like pithing coaches to be nasty men… stingy men. That attitude rubs off on the pitchers. Pitching is part mechanical, part mental, and more than a little meanness.
Can’t wait to get Megill and Max back, both who seem naturally nasty.
By the way, I love Trevor Williams. He can close games as far as I’m concerned. Throws the ball where he wants it, keep sit down. He’s my number one reliever. Holderman still looking formidable. I never feel very secure giving Diaz the ball in a close game, and Lugo seems shaky and inconsistent. Trevor May comes back soon… the starting pitchers have to be feeling antsy…
As I looked at the box score and saw Williams pitching 3.2 innings, I asked “then why didn’t he start!” Incredibly weird decisions sometimes…
I have to agree with just about everything you said Wobbit, and I’m not ready to make any trades yet.
I expected better of Szapucki. This was a train wreck of Jared Eickoff proportions and I am not ready to put Szapucki in that category.
Gut Reaction: Syracuse Szapucki. I feel sorry for him. This game reminded me (shudder) of the 2020 season. Turn the page and take two games of three from the Phillies.
The Mets were within one out of proving Metsense’s prediction of a 1-2 series, but, alas, the bullpen and Syracuse call up assured his accurate prognostication.
The cross country flight and off day should distance the disappointment in SF, but the pitching will need to get back on track, without three big arms. They can stand a throw away game once through the rotation if the vets are reliable, meaning quality starts from the starters and closing out wins on the back end.
I watched a replay of the game. That was tough to watch. Szapucki looked like a high school pitcher. I agree with you guys. Williams should have started.
I hope McNeil didn’t hurt himself when he slammed into the wall.
Alonso is swinging at bad pitches out of the zone again.
We miss Scherzer alot already. How would this game be if Max pitched. Let’s see if we can scoop up Mahle or Montas without giving up too much.
No need to repeat what ya’ll have said. I liked how Szapucki responded after the game. Rather than being all down-in-the-mouth, he acknowledged he had a lot to learn and saw where he needed to get better. That kind of attitude, after such an enormous disappointment, bodes well for his growth down in AAA.
How Corbin of the Nats? Shouldn’t cost prospects just Uncle Steve money. Could he eat some innings while we wait on th injured starters?
In his last 52 games, Corbin has a 5.64 ERA and opponents are slashing .292/.350/.497 against him with a .362 wOBA. That means the average hitter turns into Pete Alonso or Matt Olson against him, as both of those guys have .362 wOBA this season.
That’s going to be a hard, hard no from me.
They want to unload both Corbin and Strasberg money. So… Strasberg, Corbin and Soto for…
Corbin appears done.