3 NY Mets flaws that could lead to a quick exit even if they make the playoffs

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It’s not over yet, New York Mets fans. As crushing as the recent losses have been, let’s not forget how they beat the Philadelphia Phillies last Sunday with Zack Wheeler on the mound. This team has been incredibly good at times. Playing around a hurricane whilst on the road, they’ve been tested over the last week. So far, it has been a massive failure.

Through the loss in the one game they did play against the Atlanta Braves through the two versus the Milwaukee Brewers thus far, we’ve seen a much less incredible Mets ball club. In order to make the playoffs, they’re going to need to show up at least one more time (twice if the Diamondbacks win).

And even if the Mets do muster up the ability to make it to the playoffs, fans might be shaking in their boots as the likeliest scenario will have them playing the Brewers all over again in a best of three series in their ballpark. These Mets flaws can easily lead to a quick exit from a potential playoff situation.

1) The Mets have way too many hitters not hitting

As bad as the pitching has been at times this year, nothing is more frustrating than a lineup that puts up goose eggs. We got another on Saturday when the Mets failed to score any runs. It’s a reminder of how even in a September when they have rattled off a lot of wins, there were several games when they almost didn’t do anything at all. The Toronto Blue Jays held them hitless until the ninth. Even versus the lowly Chicago White Sox they didn’t do a whole lot of damage.

Far too many Mets hitters have gone up in smoke this month. The disappearing act has come at the worst possible time. Only five hitters have a September batting average above the .250 mark. One is DJ Stewart.

Brandon Nimmo, Harrison Bader, Jesse Winker, and J.D. Martinez are all below the Mendoza Line. Nimmo has somehow managed to bat only .183 yet lead the team with 15 RBI. Thanks to some clutch home runs this month, his September hasn’t been a complete wash. The same cannot be said about other underperformers. Pete Alonso has decent numbers yet he has done little to change the narrative about his lack of ability to come through in the big moment.

The Mets stepped up big in the absence of Francisco Lindor and perhaps a part of it was playing against the Washington Nationals. Or was it just because they were facing the Nationals?

Against superior pitching of the Braves and Brewers, they’ve shrunken. What are they going to do in the playoffs when the opponent can properly align themselves?

2) The Mets bullpen isn’t deep

How many Mets relievers do we really trust? Edwin Diaz can enter the circle. So can Jose Butto. Guys like Reed Garrett and Phil Maton are up for debate. Chances are you only have enough trust in your heart for one of them at the maximum. Everyone else is a lot more unreliable.

If the Mets make the playoffs, their postseason roster might include a bullpen featuring several starters instead of relievers. Tylor Megill has pitched much better than many of their relievers. For nothing more than to eat innings, he should be under consideration.

Playoff rosters do shrink by two and the Mets don’t have any hard debates to have in terms of leaving someone out. Eddy Alvarez who is ineligible for the playoffs altogether won’t join them. As for the pitcher, it’s up to them to decide if they hold off a starter for the next round (go ahead and laugh) or a reliever who hasn’t shown he deserves a spot. Is there any situation where you'd trust Danny Young or Adam Ottavino?

One can argue a deep bullpen is better than a top-heavy one. The Mets don’t have either. Not every day can be starter to Butto for two or three innings and then Diaz. Others will have to fill in. This can absolutely destroy this team.

3) The Mets starting pitchers aren't rising to the occasion against other playoff teams

Do we still trust the Mets starting pitchers? I do. But I also acknowledge they haven’t come up big for the Mets in their last three games. It’s a small sample but none of Luis Severino, Sean Manaea, or Jose Quintana have been good enough. We’ll see how David Peterson fairs on Sunday.

Starting pitching has been one of the surprise positives for the Mets this year. Many wrote their rotation off as some fangled Frankenstein put together with rejects from other organizations. Fair enough.

They took it personally. For months this season, it was the starters who were the most consistent part about the Mets roster. Because we don’t have memories of a goldfish, it sends chills down our spines (do goldfish have spines?) and reminds us way too much of how the Mets deflated in 2022 when they needed one win in Atlanta and had all three of their best pitchers on the mound. They came away with zero.

Although home field advantage in the Wild Card round was available to them, the starters again faded in the big moment versus the San Diego Padres. History doesn’t repeat. It rhymes. Lately, it feels like the pitching has fans twitching.

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3 undeniable Mets flaws that could lead to a quick exit even if they do make the playoffs

1) The Mets have way too many hitters not hitting

2) The Mets bullpen isn’t deep

3) The Mets starting pitchers aren't rising to the occasion against other playoff teams

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