(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Not even the most pessimistic New York Mets fan could picture being fourth in the NL East at the end of June.
But here we are, as baseball is full of surprises.
The Mets are 36-43, 16.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves for the division lead and behind the Miami Marlins and the Philadelphia Phillies, too.
A big part of their issues stem from the disappointing performance of their starting rotation.
The unit has suffered all kinds of injuries, struggles, suspensions, and anything you might think about.
Basically, you could say that when the Mets’ starters reach six innings, they have as good of a chance to win as anyone in the league.
However, when that doesn’t happen and they are left at the mercy of their bullpen, their odds fall considerably.
The numbers say it, not us.
“The Mets are 22-3 when their starting pitcher goes at least six innings. They are 14-40 when that does not happen,” Mets insider Anthony DiComo tweeted.
The Mets are 22-3 when their starting pitcher goes at least six innings.
They are 14-40 when that does not happen.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) June 28, 2023
22-3.
That is the number that the front office, manager Buck Showalter, and the coaching staff should be looking at.
Finding a way for their starters to give the team six solid innings could unlock a whole lot of success for the Mets.
Of course, it’s much easier said than done.
Max Scherzer has reached a point in which he can be trusted again, and Justin Verlander is on his way there.
David Peterson had a solid start on Tuesday, his first one back from Triple-A.
If he can become another trustworthy arm for the Mets, that could mean the start of their redemption tour as a team.
Kodai Senga needs to find the plate more consistently and be more efficient with his pitches, while Carlos Carrasco is another wild card.
If he can recover some form and get in a groove, then the Mets have a chance.
Perhaps a division crown is out of the question at this point, but if they start playing more consistently and the rotation responds, the Mets could have a path towards a Wild Card spot.
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