
Brach has more saves than Betances
Although I would guess Brach is far down in the line to potentially take over the closer’s role in 2020 at any point, I do think he’ll have a chance to save a game here or there. In my second prediction, I’m going to proclaim he gets more saves than Dellin Betances.
How this happens is simple. Betances is a guy we should expect to pitch mostly in games where the Mets are winning. This means the majority of his appearances will take place in a setup role before Edwin Diaz enters the game. What about those other games?
There’s always an opportunity for a comeback. We should also see a few games this season when Diaz is unavailable to pitch the ninth. Seth Lugo is already limited in how often he can go which leaves this team with fewer options.
Brach does have closer experience and as recently as 2018, he was pitching in the ninth-inning regularly for the Baltimore Orioles. He saved 18 games for them a year prior, posting a 3.18 ERA for the year.
Brach isn’t the same pitcher he was during his best years in Baltimore. However, save opportunities are often available for just about anyone. Due to the circumstances of where he fits in with the bullpen, I think he’ll have even just one more opportunity to close out a game and earn a save to his stat sheet than Betances will. Last year, Paul Sewald even earned a save for the Mets.
Betances is capable of closing. If anything happens to Diaz, he should be the guy who takes over.
Because of this prediction, I suppose I’m betting on Diaz to bounce back and have a far more productive season. Otherwise, with a healthy Betances in the role, Brach has no chance of passing him.