Call to the pen
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Did the New York Mets blow their playoff chances?

By Dylan Smith

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 25: Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets of the New York Mets looks on during the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on August 25, 2019 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Teams are wearing special color-schemed uniforms with players choosing nicknames to display for Players' Weekend. The Braves won 2-1. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 25: Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets of the New York Mets looks on during the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on August 25, 2019 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Teams are wearing special color-schemed uniforms with players choosing nicknames to display for Players' Weekend. The Braves won 2-1. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /
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Worrisome Factors for the New York Mets
(Photo by Lizzy Barrett/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Worrisome Factors for the New York Mets

1: The bullpen and Edwin Diaz

As we all know, Edwin Diaz has struggled in his first season with the Mets, but the righty arguably had his best outing on Friday night. Diaz worked out of trouble by striking out Ronald Acuna Jr. and then Ozzie Albies. Diaz then came into a close game on Saturday only to once again fall victim to the long ball and was later removed due to injury. Diaz’s high disappeared as quickly as Freddie Freeman‘s long home run left Citi Field.

If the Mets are going to have any chance at pushing for the playoffs, the club is going to need Diaz to figure it out. Seth Lugo and Justin Wilson can’t do it all late in games. I am a big fan of Mickey Calloway’s recent decision to use Lugo in higher leverage situations but that now leaves an open role in the 7th and 8th innings, especially after Robert Gsellman‘s recent injury.

On the bright side, Jeurys Familia has improved but I am still inclined to hold my breath whenever he enters the game. Brad Brach could also prove to be a valuable addition even though his performance lately has been less than adequate. Edwin Diaz has electric stuff, as he showed Friday night, he just needs to find his command and attempt to resurrect some of the form that he displayed last year in Seattle.

One more consistent dominate arm could tie together a very entertaining pitching staff as the New York Mets’ starting pitchers seem to always keep their team in the game into the late innings.

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