It’s hard to imagine a game getting off to a better start or having a more disappointing finish than this one. Brandon Nimmo staked the Mets to a 1-0 lead with a leadoff homer while Luis Severino took a no-hitter into the eighth inning. But it was all bad news from there, as the Mets lost to the Cubs, 3-0, Monday night.
Severino issued a leadoff walk in the eighth inning and the no-hitter was broken up when the next batter hit a soft single to center. A fielder’s choice put runners on the corners with one out. Next man up hits a slow roller to third base. Joey Wendle, just inserted at the beginning of the inning for defense, opts to try for a double play, rather than getting the out at home. The batter beats the relay throw to first and the game is tied.
The Mets were unable to score in their half of the eighth inning, leaving it a tie game. Carlos Mendoza called on Edwin Diaz, who pitched on Sunday, to come to the mound. Meanwhile, Adam Ottavino, who hasn’t pitched since Wednesday, was passed over.
It didn’t turn out well. Diaz gave up a double and a homer and took the loss.
It was a terrific outing for Severino, who needed just 101 pitches to complete eight innings. He allowed just the one hit, struck out five and lowered his ERA to 2.31 for the season. Despite the shiny ERA, the Mets are just 2-4 in Severino’s start this year.
Jacob deSeverino
“Jacob deSeverino”
Blasphemy
Gut Reaction: it is surprising that Severino is pitching like he did in 2017 and 2018. It was a gem.
If Wendell would have thrown to the plate they would have got the tying run out. At that point of the game and basing it on the score, that would be the better play. This April, Wendell is not fulfilling his role as a defensive replacement. His offense is lacking also. If he doesn’t turn it around soon he should be replaced by Iglesias, who is a more accomplished fielder.
Iglesias is still an absolute wizard in the field. Wendle is not hitting anyway, and its reached the point where Iglesias doesn’t even have to outhit Wendle to be a plus for this team. Iglesias had an opt out at the start of the season that he did not exercise. I wonder if that was it, or does he have another one?
Coming up to the quarter pole and the Mets’ home OPS is Galvis-like. This is the problem. Again.
The Mets finally get some length from the starters and the offense doesn’t respond. August will be exhibition games if this doesn’t improve soon.
Two great outings from the starters. Another day of non hitting by the Mets. Too many starters took an 0-fer leaving the team praying to a 1-0 shutout. Can’t say enough about the job Severino did and can’t complain enough about Wendle not making the obvious play at the plate. By the time you play high school ball, you should know where the ball needs to go if it is hit to you with men in base. And for him they gave up on Guillorme? Need to win today to get a shot at a series win. Manaea has done well thus far and expecting another strong outing today. The question will be whether the Mets bats will show up. Lindor is back under the Mendoza line. What are they paying a hitting coach for if he cant get players untracked. Conversely Hefner looks like a genius this year thanks to Stearns creative pitching acquisitions. Keep forgetting they are essentially a .500 team, give or take 6-7 games so not sure why I expect them to play like the Braves or Dodgers.
Gut Reaction: I came into the chatter a few batters before Severino gave up a hit and I left the Mets losing 3-1. I’m done for a while…
In the postgame comments, Mendoza called throwing to first by Wendell a “no-brainer”. It isn’t often you see a veteran being criticized so openly in the press, which shows Mendoza’s discontent for the play. We don’t know how Stearns took that, but it’s fair to ask if Wendle is better than Inglesias, who is known as a smart player and is ready at AAA.
One more thing from me: I didn’t like the Diaz entrance in the ninth. He pitched yesterday and even more important, Ottavino has now warmed up t three days in a row and hasn’t pitched. You have to let the guy participate in that position. Tied game and a rested bullpen. Diaz has been great so a misfortune isn’t the end of the world, but why are you killing Diaz?