With the loss today, the Mets have had some problematic trends popping up since the Puerto Rico series. Heading into Sunday’s game with Johan Santana on the mound, the Mets are 47-40, having gone 4-8 since peaking at 43-32 after taking a series from the Twins. They are exhibiting (lately) a lot of their mid-2009 tendencies that did them in even before the injury bug bit them. Incidentally, it has reared its ugly head with the recent dual oblique injuries to Pagan and Reyes. Even though Pagan has returned to normal, Reyes is still not swinging from the left side, and left the game today after a long throw from the outfield.
Despite scoring at a good clip during their 4-8 stretch (that is, until they ran into the Reds) the Mets have scored runs at an okay clip, but besides Wright and Pagan, no one has really hit for two weeks. That’s leaving runners on base, or going to sleep altogether, as the Mets did against Tim Hudson.
Mike Pelfrey has admitted that he’s had a period of dead arm. That’s okay. Jason Bay and Ike Davis really haven’t been good all year, and Jeff Francoeur’s ineptitude at the bat is showing through, as is Rod Barajas. Additionally, Davis, Francoeur, and Barajas have been getting free passes because Ike is “the savior,” (and in reality, he’s hit .250 with occasional power), Francoeur because he’s a great guy with a great arm and nothing else, and Barajas because he carried the offense in April. But right now, the Mets’ lineup is not putting out anywhere near the production it should, or needs to. Beltran will be a sight for sore eyes in the cleanup spot.
The Mets have seemed to go to sleep lately after not taking the early leads as often as they used to. They’ve squandered a bunch of leads and come close to doing so on other occasions.
The reality is, whether the Mets are 47-41 or 48-40 heading into the break, they will be on pace for around 86-88 wins, as opposed to the 90-92 win pace they were on just a week ago. It’s true, teams go through amazing hot streaks, as the Mets did from May 22 to the final week of June, and they also hit holes in the road. Honestly, the Mets could be playing worse-we’re just down on them because of the expectations. But that is not to say there are not some serious red flags popping up.
The Mets need to prioritize adding a starter and a bullpen arm. At this point, I’m not sure which is more important. But I think it’s worrisome to see that they have just gone on cruise control into the All-Star break after showing fight the whole year. Indeed, it’s a grind, and a long season. Hopefully the break can really revitalize them.
Let’s hope Johan can be a stopper tomorrow.
Let’s go Mets!
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