Mets News: Luis Severino gets it, Joey Wendle’s miscue, Edwin Diaz is human

The New York Mets went into the eighth inning of Monday’s game with a goose egg across the board for the Chicago Cubs in the hit column. Luis Severino cruised through the Cubs lineup efficiently and all of the stories about how he chose for the team to wear the City Connect uniforms only two days after their debut were getting written.

Severino’s desire to wear the newly-debuted uniforms so quickly was already one way to quickly embrace himself with the fans. Add in what he said after the game, it’s a reminder of how much he understands New York sports.

The topic of booing and cheering players has been a big one for the Mets in recent years. Severino’s realistic take on the topic of cheers and jeers is further proof of how well he’ll continue to fit in with the Mets. Playing for the New York Yankees during some leaner years or at least ones with disappointing endings can help in that department.

Joey Wendle isn’t filling the role with the Mets that they need him for

Although it didn’t break up the no-hitter, a play by Joey Wendle in the eighth is one Mets fans aren’t ready to forgive so easily. Runners on the corners and two outs, Wendle decided to go for the double play on a weak groundball to third base rather than chuck it home.

The run tied the game at 1 and seemed to swing momentum. The Mets hadn’t scored a run since Brandon Nimmo’s leadoff home run. Would they have any magic left in them?

Mark Vientos wouldn’t get a chance to play hero again as he was replaced at third base for defensive purposes by Wendle. Wendle has made some obvious errors on the infield. Although this one won’t show up as anything more than a fielder’s choice, it’s a devastating one and will have fans unforgiving. When you’re on the team for your glove, you need to make smart decisions.

Edwin Diaz is human after all

As much as we all feel the need to blame the guy who served up a 400+ foot home run in the ninth inning, there needs to be some sort of leeway for a pitcher as typically spectacular as Edwin Diaz. The velocity hasn’t been quite the same this year and if you are a bit concerned, you’re not alone.

Maybe more so than velocity which doesn’t necessarily translate into success always is how the home run allowed by Diaz is already his second of the year. He gave up 2 in the shortened 2020 campaign and only 3 each in 2021 and 2022. A starting pitcher, like Max Scherzer for instance, can live through a bunch of solo home runs. Closers don’t have this luxury. Their wiggle room isn’t even going to allow them the space to allow one run.

Unfortunately for Diaz, this is now his fourth consecutive appearance without a save opportunity. He started the year by appearing in three straight losses just to get him some work. Monday’s loss is the first time in a while he did appear in a game the Mets didn’t win. Ironically, it’s the first time he struck out the side. Too bad it included a pair of his, too.

Diaz has done so much, so well for the Mets that it’s hard to come away from this game blaming him. Responsibility falls on a boneheaded decision by Wendle but equally as much on the bats that didn’t do a thing after the first hitter of the game.