Mets Bullpen: Breaking down relievers usage after 15 games

The big guns

Right off of the bat, there is nobody more consistent for the Mets out of the pen than Seth Lugo. That simply has been the case for the Amazins’ ever since he hit the majors.

However, the Mets have multiple guys who are pitching their way into being manager Luis Rojas’ top relievers this season. And those guys are Miguel Castro and Edwin Diaz.

When the Mets acquired Miguel Castro at last year’s trade deadline, few knew what to make of the move. New York was not a true contender in the National League, and Castro only had a deal done through 2022. In ten games for the Mets, one may question the trade given his 11 hits given up in nine innings of work.

Well, through seven games, Castro has been worth it. In seven innings pitched, Castro has struck out 12 on his way to a 2.57 earned run average. The 26-year-old righty has shown he can hurl over 70 innings in a season, and he may be relied on to do it again in 2021.

Meanwhile, Edwin Diaz is making it seem as if his horrific 2019 season is really a fluke. In the shortened 2020 season, he owned an amazing 1.75ERA in 25.5 innings compared to his 5.59ERA in 2019.

Fast forward to today, where Diaz is once again looking like a shutdown closer once again. In eight innings, Diaz has two saves and has a 2.25ERA. All numbers that the Mets anticipated getting from the former All-Star when they acquired him in 2019.

Again, Lugo’s return is going to be huge for the Mets. Nonetheless, with Castro and Diaz pitching so well, the Mets are well-positioned until then.