The Mets opted to keep David Peterson in the rotation once Tylor Megill was activated from the IL and early results were not encouraging, as Peterson gave up 4 ER in 4 IP, putting the Mets in an early hole and leading to a 10-2 loss to the Brewers that tied the series at one game apiece Wednesday night at Citi Field.
To be fair to Peterson, the next two pitchers after him didn’t really distinguish themselves, either. Jake Reed gave up 5 ER in 0.2 IP and Trevor Williams allowed 1 ER in 2.1 IP.
Meanwhile, the Mets didn’t do a ton of damage against reigning Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes, as they managed just two runs. Jeff McNeil hit a solo shot in the fourth inning and he singled home Brandon Nimmo, who tripled, in the sixth.
Before the series started, this shaped us as the least likely one that the Mets would win. A win Thursday means another series win and all will be right in the world again.
That the Mets picked Peterson to start this game over Williams is laughable. Peterson is easily the least reliable starter. He somehow got to the fifth inning only allowing two runs and that was a minor miracle because he stunk! He was being bailed out by double plays and somehow he got through the lineup twice.
Now comes the blunder of the night: How do you let him face the lineup a third time through when he sucked the first two times through, hitting batters and walking as many as he hit and consistently pitching with traffic to the tune of 9 baserunners in four innings? I know it was only one Adames, but he started the damage. Peterson had no right being the starter and he isn’t a pitcher a winning team should use, especially when Williams is available and better, but having Peterson go through any lineup – much less a decent lineup – three times is cause for ridicule. Then, Williams is the guy to go to give you innings. Showalter made the same mistake two weeks ago with Szapucki. It’s weird that Showalter wants his players to always play smart but sometimes he forgets to manage smart. I put this game on him.
Gut Reaction: Peterson had no command. He has a 4.5 BB/9 rate this year. In his last two starts before this one , he pitched 3.1 1P, 1 ER, 4 BB and 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 4 BB
Williams deserved the start. In his last two starts, he pitched 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 0 BB and 5.0 IP , 0 ER , 2 BB. It is obvious that Williams should be in the rotation instead of Peterson. The Met long reliever is mop up man. If they want to do that, then Peterson could stay in the majors, but I prefer him at AAA and work on his control.
Let’s take the series tonight. Let’s go Mets!
It almost seems like the plan was to sacrifice this game. Putting up the 7th or 8th starter against the CY winner, sitting JD, and going to Reed first all seem pretty sub-optimal. On the other hand, we never know what information Buck and his coaches are dealing with. They’ve earned the benefit of doubt although these decisions don’t look so hot.
The lead has shrunk to 4 games and the Braves have salvaged their season. I think that’s good. While a runaway division title would be amazing, there is really no substitute for a tight pennant race going down the stretch. Assuming JDG and Max get return to form, I like our chances.
Both Gus and Metsense are absolutely astute . David Peterson has pitched himself out of the rotation, and may still be a valuable bullpen piece, but can the Mets afford I’m as done with him as I was with Steven Matz. Head case. Has the stuff for a ML pitcher, but not the mentality. But back to this game, why waste the more legitimate Trevor Williams again, bringing him into a game already out of hand? I was not happy at all with the choice also of Jake Reed in a 3-1 game against a good team. Corbin Burnes was still a bloop and a blast away from becoming irrelevant, and we bring in that guy? Game over.
Yeah, we can still win the series, but sooner or later these blowout losses take their toll. As a manager, you never want your players playing in meaningless innings, taking meaningless at bats, in games that are hopeless and farcical. It erodes the mental edges of the players and makes them less than sharp. Players don’t mind losing tight games where they still had a chance for victory, but games that are over after 4 innings hurt morale.
That said, it happens, but just a little too often to this team. Chalk it up to Buck trying to figure out his bullpen… Let me help him:
Relievers to use in tight games: Diaz, Smith, Williams, Lugo (I guess), Ottavino (ditto), Holderman.
Relievers to use when it doesn’t matter: JRod, Shreve (AAA), Reed (DFA, please), Peterson (until proven otherwise).
How Jake Reed ever got past major league scouts, ho boy…
Counting this game, the Mets have started four straight games with 2 baserunners, meaning Lindor’s first AB is with two on and no out in the first. The result? Nada. One time he bounced slowly to 1B and moved up the runners… hardly a legit #3.
I’m cranky. I hate to lose.