1 Mets player whose role should change in the NLCS

The New York Mets are on an incredible postseason run with high expectations of reaching the World Series this year. The team has managed to advance thanks to timely hitting late in games and efficient pitching.

The Mets' pitching has been one of the best this postseason in terms of ERA and top among teams in strikeouts. However, relief pitcher Phil Maton has turned out to be the pitcher with the worst performance, questioning the role or type of use the Mets should give him moving forward.

Phil Maton should not be used in a high-leverage situation in the NLCS.

Since arriving at the Mets, Maton has been a reliable and efficient arm in the team's bullpen. In 31 games, Maton posted an ERA of 2.51 with a ratio of 9.42 strikeouts per 9 innings and excellent control, granting just 1.88 walks per 9 innings.

However, serving in his role as a pitcher in high-leverage situations in the postseason, Maton has been unable to limit the contact of his opponents, thus far posting an ERA above 13.00 with a worrying BABIP above .500. Maton has deteriorated his control at the plate, allowing almost four walks per nine innings and allowing two home runs in less than three innings pitched.

Maton is an important pitcher in the Mets bullpen, and his role is decisive in the team's performance in this next series. The team should try to ease Maton's workload into less pressing opportunities so he can find his rhythm early in the series and see if they can count on him in a more prominent role as the series progresses.

Despite the current results, the sample of this past regular season shows that Maton is a reliable pitcher on the Mets roster and will be decisive in the team's victory in the next championship series. The Mets must manage his role immediately so he can return to being that pitcher who serves as a bridge in relief for Edwin Diaz.