The New York Mets exhaled a sigh of relief following their victory against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of the series. After being swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates and dropping the series opener to Milwaukee, the Mets are looking ahead and have been compelled to make some strategic roster adjustments in preparation for their upcoming showdown with the New York Yankees.
The Mets have recently encountered a challenging phase in the season, having lost five of their last 19 regular-season games, a worrying trend for the fan base. Despite this, Juan Soto’s exceptional performance, which earned him the NL MVP award in June, has demonstrated why the team invested significantly in securing his talents.
While Soto has shone brightly on the field, the Mets’ pitching staff has struggled during this stretch of games. Nonetheless, following their much-needed win over the Brewers, the team is expected to confront additional challenges as they navigate forced roster changes ahead of the series finale and the looming matchups against the Yankees.
Let’s break down the Mets’ key roster adjustments:
- RHP Paul Blackburn has been placed on the 15-day injured list.
- RHP Dedniel Nunez has also been placed on the 15-day injured list.
- RHP Blade Tilwell has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.
- RHP Austin Warren has been returned to Triple-A Syracuse.
- RHP Justin Hagenman has been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse.
- RHP Rico Garcia has been added to the major league roster.
Mets’ pitching challenges persist
The Mets have been delivering impressive offensive performances, largely thanks to Soto. However, their pitching staff has faced significant struggles. Recent injuries have forced the Mets to make several roster adjustments ahead of their upcoming series, but those who have remained healthy have largely underperformed.
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Both players currently on the injured list were not having standout seasons before their setbacks. For instance, Paul Blackburn has allowed two home runs this season, just two shy of his total from the last season. He currently holds a -0.6 WAR and a disappointing 7.71 ERA across 18.2 innings pitched.
On the other hand, Dedniel Nunez presents a slightly better WAR of 0.4, having allowed one home run and six hits over 10 games and 9.2 innings pitched. Given the current state of their roster, the Mets have an opportunity to regroup and strategize in order to improve their pitching performance moving forward.
Warren’s chance to shine
In light of these challenges, head coach Carlos Mendoza is reevaluating his lineup as the Mets prepare to take on the Yankees. Despite Aaron Judge being in peak form this season, the Yankees have had their own struggles. This presents an opportunity for Warren to showcase his talent and contribute significantly to the Mets’ pitching corps during this critical matchup.
