2 signs the Mets can rebound in Game 3 vs. the Brewers, 2 red flags signaling they’re done

Good news and bad news. Good news is it wasn’t over in two which is more than the Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles, and Atlanta Braves fans can say. The bad news is the New York Mets need to hop back up on the horse and win on Thursday to avoid elimination. The game also starts a little earlier so we birds who like to see the sunrise get a little more sleep. We’ll make up the hour we lose in November when the clocks fall back.

This emotional week for Mets fans started before the playoffs began. Monday’s victory against the Braves created a wave I’m not sure any of us have gotten off of. The days have been a snail’s crawl. How much we tip is based on how well the Mets are doing. Uber drivers beware today. The Mets ripped out our hearts.

It ain’t over yet. There are signs the Mets will rebound in Game 3 against the Milwaukee Brewers. In the words of Han Solo, don’t get cocky. There are some red flags signaling it’s already over, too.

Sign the Mets rebound: The Brewers bullpen is more taxed

Even in their win, the Brewers turned to their bullpen more than a team would probably prefer. This is their style of play. It’s a little ironic because the Mets spent 162 games trying to chase the starting pitcher only to now play a team in the playoffs where you’d probably prefer to keep him on the mound.

Milwaukee needed 5 relievers after Frankie Montas on Wednesday. They used 4 the day prior with Aaron Civale eating up the final 3 innings. 

In a war of bullpens for Game 3, we should trust the Mets to at least look well-rested at this point. Their issue is more about depth. The playoff roster has multiple relievers whose cleats won’t hit the mound dirt unless absolutely necessary. Max Kranick is here to eat innings in a blowout. Adam Ottavino’s continued presence on the Mets is more a case of “who else would they even go with?” Danny Young could face a lefty to try ending an inning. 

An elimination game for both teams should make the use of pitchers interesting. Both starters will have early hooks. Managerial choices but the execution by those pitchers will make the difference in this one.

Red Flag: The hot and cold Mets offense froze up in Game 2

Going 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position will not win you very many games. This is what the Mets did in Game 2. Their lack of extra base hits (they had none) resulted in a low-scoring performance. A potent power-hitting ball club throughout 2024, they have yet to go yard in this series. Do we get a breakout performance of free-swinging sluggers or something much less so in Game 3?

Two consistent frustrations over the last month or so with the Mets I’ve had is how they seem to rely on one big inning. It’s fine when that inning is explosive like it has been at times. They won because of it in Game 1. In Game 2, a first inning run and two more in the second was all they could manage. The clichéd “score early and often” didn’t quite register with the Mets who seemed to only read the first half.

The finger pointing should wait as even the silenced hitters have found ways to contribute. Francisco Lindor has yet to pick up a hit but has a couple of walks. Pete Alonso is coming up small in his big spots, but did clog up the bases in Game 1.

This year’s Mets team seems equally as likely to score 10 times in Game 3 or get one-hit as they did the last time they were eliminated in the playoffs.

Sign the Mets rebound: They created opportunities in the loss they need to cash in on

As poorly as the offense performed, they did create opportunities to score. Their 8 singles, 4 walks, and hit by pitch created some trouble on the base paths. It wasn’t all just with two outs either. The fourth, sixth, and eighth innings all began with a single or walk. Big strikeouts and a double play led to goose eggs in those even-numbered late innings.

One lucky bounce could very well have changed the outcome of this game. A big swing could have done the same.

The Mets hitters froze up in this one but they can quickly thaw for Game 3. There is no strategic change to make. Other than putting the ball in play in those spots, it’s all about executing.

Mets hitters only struck out 7 times which isn’t a whole lot. A good number just seemed to happen when they had opportunities to sneak a single through the infield. They didn’t fan once in the final three innings. Making contact is the first step to getting a hit. The issue wasn’t contact. It was making contact when it mattered most.