It’s safe to say, things have not gone to plan in Flushing.
The Mets and their colossal disappointment of a season reached the halfway point playing Game 81 Thursday against the Brewers at Citi Field. The club entered Thursday (36-44) sitting 8.5 games back of a playoff spot despite owning the largest payroll in MLB history at $344 million.
The good news is that there are still 81 more games to go and there is plenty of time for the team equipped with veteran talent to make a turnaround. The bad news is the hole the Amazin’s must climb out of has only gotten steeper as the club didn’t win a single series in the month of June.
“[I’m] disappointed in not winning enough games,” said Buck Showalter. “That could change. Knowing that we’ve got a full half-season a full left season left [is nice].
“I like the fact that our guys haven’t given in and have stayed together. It’s hard with so many influences and things you are constantly bombarded with. Sometimes, making them feel like things are better than they are and things are worse than they are. Just trying to stay consistent.”
One of the troubling factors for the Mets this season is how they start their ball games. The first inning hasn’t been kind to the Amazin’s as they rank dead last in first-inning scoring (0.28 runs per game) and have allowed the third most first-inning runs (59) in baseball.
“Number one, your facing the best hitters they have,” said Showalter. “Your facing 1-2-3-4 [in the lineup] and a lot of the time, the pitchers haven’t quite found their step or their comfort zone yet. It’s a common thing with guys in the Hall of Fame, the first inning, you better get them early.
“Now, on the flip side of that, we’re not scoring as much in the first? Yea, I don’t have a good answer for that. [It’s] something we’re aware of and would like to do better and we need to.
“But um, it’s not good.”
The Mets’ pitching, however, has struggled in basically every inning. The team currently ranks 25th in ERA (4.59) better than only the Reds, Royals, Rockies and Athletics whose combined payrolls is about $20 million less than Steve Cohen’s.
The clock has hit the halfway point and if the Mets want to right the ship, it will have to happen soon as it’s getting late early in 2023.
Jose Quintana (rib) is scheduled to continue his rehab on Friday. The left-hander has yet to appear in a game this season after signing a two-year, $26 million contract with the Mets this offseason.
If all goes to plan, Quintana will make a start before the Mets enter the All-Star break.
“In a perfect world, you’d like to see something and come out of Friday and it’ll probably be Sunday or Monday before you know what you’re dealing with,” said Showalter. “In a perfect world, that would be positive enough to get him a start before the break.”
The veteran left-hander registered a 2.93 ERA last season with the Cardinals and Pirates. Quintana owns a 3.75 career ERA in 315 games.
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