Full Count: Mets Pitching Report Week 4

How about that for a turnaround?

Since my last blog, the Mets have flipped the switch and are currently on a six-game winning streak. So, what gives?

Is it fundamentals, is it the timely hitting or is it the return of Jason Bay?

Well, all of the above. And of course, not so coincidentally, a great effort from the staff-both from the starters and the bullpen-has played a big part.

As stated in the last few columns, the Mets staff was as bad as bad can get, but to their credit they strung together some impressive performances and are enjoying quite the resurgence.

In the last six games the Mets have gotten a quality start from their starting pitchers in five of those games. The bullpen would then proceed to get key out after key out. Now that everyone has a clear role in the bullpen, they have stepped up their game and are running like a well-oiled machine.

Everyone is contributing and the staff looks stable from top to bottom.

Here are the lines from the last six starts:

• Chris Capuano vs. the Astros on 4/21: 7 innings pitched; six hits and two walks allowed; one run allowed and the victory.
• Mike Pelfrey vs. the Diamondbacks on 4/22: 7 innings pitched; five hits and two walks allowed; one run allowed and the victory.
• Dillon Gee vs. the Diamondbacks on 4/23: 6 innings pitched; five hits and one walk allowed; four runs (two earned) allowed and the victory.
• Jon Niese vs. the Diamondbacks on 4/24: 7 innings pitched; six hits and two walks allowed; two runs allowed and the victory.
• Chris Young vs. the Nationals on 4/26: 4.2 innings pitched; four hits and two walks allowed; three runs allowed and a no-decision.
• R.A. Dickey vs. the Nationals on 4/27: 6.2 innings pitched; eight hits and one walk allowed; two runs allowed and a no-decision.

Now here are the numbers from the bullpen in the last seven games:

• 16.2 innings pitched; 12 hits and two walks allowed and two earned runs with 15 strikeouts.

Those lines are a complete 180 from what the Mets were getting from their pitchers while losing 12 of their 14 previous games.

The main thing is that the staff is limiting the walks. This boils down to the basics and it seems the Mets have gone the extra mile to correct this flaw.

Most assumed this staff was better than what they looked liked prior to the winning streak and now the real potential is shining through.

You got to love how well Pedro Beato, Ryota Igarashi and Taylor Buchholz are doing in situational roles in the middle innings. You also have to be pleased with the stabilization Jason Isringhausen has brought to the role as the primary setup man. After that, Francisco Rodriguez is once again doing his thing in the ninth.

The only dilemma now, and it’s a good problem to have, is what does the club do with Gee. Gee was kept around because of his effectiveness, even though Young was activated off the DL on Tuesday. Gee was kept around while D.J. Carrasco was sent to the minors to find his groove.

Gee may start on Friday vs. the Phillies depending on how Pelfrey feels. Pelfrey has been sick with the flu and has lost ten pounds. Terry Collins says he’ll likely go with Gee, but Pelfrey stated to reporters he should be good to go.

In any event the Mets have six good options to choose from. Considering how brittle some of the starters (Capuano, Young) are this is not a bad thing.

Once the Washington series is done with the real test begins. Next on the slate is another road trip to Philadelphia this weekend and then a home stand against the defending champion San Francisco Giants followed by a series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Oh and after that? A road trip to Denver for a rematch with the Colorado Rockies.

So, we will see the mettle this staff truly has. I know it may come off as hyperbole but those 12 games could ultimately define the season

For the time being it’s nice to see the staff come together in the face of adversity and get the Mets back on track.