Mets using Jose Butto in Game 1 hints at possible unexpected role for a teammate

By the time Jose Butto entered Game 1 for the New York Mets, it was clear there was no comeback in sight. Carlos Mendoza managed like the 6-0 game was always in the early stage and the bats were one swing away from taking the lead. On one hand, we can appreciate the absence of a white flag. On the other hand, it sets the team up poorly.

Calling upon Butto to throw 1.2 innings in relief of Danny Young had fans scratching their heads. The best and most consistent relief pitcher in the regular season for the Mets, the more fitting choice would have been to call upon Tylor Megill. Seen just once this postseason when the Philadelphia Phillies walked it off in their one win over the Mets, Megill’s presence on the Mets postseason roster was exactly for this type of situation. Or so we believed.

Do the Mets have something else in mind for Tylor Megill than eating innings in relief?

David Peterson is off the market in Game 2 as is Butto. They’ll be shorthanded tonight with Sean Manaea on the mound. It shouldn’t be a problem. They have enough other choices to get them through. This includes Megill.

It was already a little suspect when the Mets turned to Megill last Sunday against the Phillies with the game on the line. Back then, the team didn’t have the freshness in their bullpen. Just one day off between the Wild Card series and NLDS, Megill just happened to be the guy Mendoza trusted the most. Things didn’t go their way.

Questioning the use of relievers is far too easy. There was no reason at all to go with Butto over Megill for the final 1.2 innings other than to get him some work. The Mets were already essentially giving Kodai Senga a rehab start. Why not handle the game as practice at the finish, too?

Senga’s poor outing could always suggest the Mets have a different plan for Megill. Way back on May 28, Megill tossed 7 shutty against the Dodgers while striking out 9 batters. It was a much different Mets team then. Reed Garrett and Adam Ottavino allowed a run each to let the game get tied up. Jorge Lopez let the Dodgers abuse him in the 10th before the Mets went down 1-2-3 in their opportunity. Brett Baty and Tomas Nido were two of those outs.

Megill pitched well in September, posting a 2.45 ERA in 5 starts. He struck out 30 in 25.2 innings of work in his effort to lower the season ERA down to 4.04. Should the Mets consider him for a start over Senga in Game 5? Do they view him as a credible high-leverage reliever to use late?

Butto threw 43 pitches in Game 1 and was left to grind it out. It could have been a far better use of Megill or maybe even Phil Maton who, dating back to the regular season, has allowed at least one run in 3 of his last 4 appearances.

We won’t have to wait long to find out if using Butto unnecessarily in Game 1 mattered at all. Sean Manaea has given them great length for weeks. The off-day on Tuesday will let everyone recuperate.

Far bigger than how the Mets used their bullpen was their inability to get to the Dodgers’ relief corps. If there was one thing the offense needed to do, it was to force them to use up a couple more arms.