3 Up, 3 Down: Mets Handle Business In Chicago
The New York Mets did what they had to do in Chicago over the weekend.
Taking on one of the worst teams in baseball history, the Mets needed to sweep the White Sox. No ands, ifs, or buts. And they did, taking all three games with relative ease.
As a result, coupled with the Braves dropping three of four to the Phillies, the Mets are now just one game back of Atlanta for the final Wild Card spot in the National League.
Talk about a successful weekend.
New York took care of business while things broke the right way elsewhere to set up a thrilling finish to the regular season.
And, on that note, let’s dive into another edition of 3 Up, 3 Down…
3 UP
Sep 1, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Sean Manaea (59) delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
PITCHING PROWESS
Sean Manaea has been money for the Mets when it has mattered most. With every game now crucial, Manaea has elevated his play. He delivered another stellar start on Sunday. In a game the Mets needed to win to clinch a crucialsweep, the lefty tossed seven scoreless frames while allowing just two hits and two walks with five strikeouts. It was Manaea’s third start of at least seven innings and no earned runs this season. Furthermore, he owns a 3.35 ERA this year, and opponents are hitting just .207 against him. If the Mets make the postseason, Manaea’s ability to come up clutch late in the season will be a big part of why. Oh, and New York is 10-2 in Manaea’s last 12 starts, too.
CRUCIAL ADDITION
President of baseball operations David Stearns looks like a very smart guy for adding Jesse Winker at the trade deadline. The former Mets nemesis has morphed into a key ally down the stretch run. Winker enjoyed a monster series in Chicago at the plate. He went 3-for-4 with one RBI, a double and two runs on Friday. He followed that up with a home run as part of a three-run first inning on Saturday, along with two RBIs and one run scored. The Mets needed outfield help and lineup depth at the trade deadline, and Winker is certainly providing both in abundance.
PLENTY OF RELIEF
You can’t fault the Mets bullpen this weekend. They didn’t put a foot wrong. Yes, they were going up against an awful White Sox team that will finish as one of the worst in baseball history. However, you can only beat what is in front of you, and the bullpen did its job all weekend long. Adam Ottavino, Reed Garrett and Phil Maton combined for 2.2 scoreless and hitless innings Friday. Maton, Huascar Brazoban, Ryne Stanek and José Buttó combined to allow just one run in four innings of relief on Saturday. If that wasn’t enough, Edwin Díaz was lights out in the ninth inning on Friday and Saturday to finish the deal with ease. The Mets needed these three games in Chicago, and a spotless bullpen certainly played its part in the sweep.
3 DOWN
Jul 1, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) looks out from the on deck circle against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports
SLUMP CITY
Francisco Alvarez can’t seem to escape from the all-time slump he’s engulfed in. The catcher went a combined 1-for-8 against the White Sox, striking out twice. He is now without a home run since August, and his last multi-hit game came on August 7. As a result, Alvarez is now hitting a lowly .150/.195/.224 with an ugly .419 OPS since the All-Star break. The Mets require all the help they can get down the stretch. They need Alvarez to find a way to break out of this slump. And quick.
STRIKING OUT
One disturbing negative to emerge from the weekend – and there weren’t many – was the amount of times the Mets struckout on Sunday. Mets hitters struck out 16 times against the White Sox, surpassing the previous season-high of 14. Now, eight of those strikeouts came from a legit ace in Garrett Crochet. Still, striking out 16 times against the worst team in baseball is a little concerning. Plus, when you consider that the Mets have also been struck out 136 times over the last 13 games, that is a trend worth keeping an eye on.
HIGH USAGE
Edwin Díaz was brilliant against Chicago, earning the save on Sunday and coasting through the ninth inning in Friday’s series opener. As a result, the closer has pitched in four of the last five games for New York. Expect that usage to continue to trend upwards. Díaz will be used frequently by the Mets down the stretch as the team will treat every game like it’s their last. However, in a year full of dazzling highs and crushing lows, you just hope that Díaz will be able to handle the increased workload. After a couple of costly mistakes recently, the Mets need the 2022 version of Edwin Díaz here on out.
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