Dangerous Mets pitching weapon needs to stick in the bullpen despite the rotation need

When the New York Mets win games like the one on Thursday, highlighting the way the team walked it off is just stating the obvious. I could spend my morning crediting the team for fighting despite only having 2 hits all game or make fun of the Atlanta Braves for literally running themselves into trouble and compare them to any other kind of run-off. 

Instead, let’s stay classy. Let’s look at one of the stars of the game whose 3 shutout innings helped lead them to victory.

Jose Butto is doing Seth Lugo things for the Mets. We remember how Lugo was, fairly or not, moved to the bullpen where he became one of the game’s best multi-inning relievers. Lugo always wanted to start again but because of need and how well he performed, the Mets rarely gave him any more starts after the 2018 season. Butto is in a similar spot and at least for right now, embracing his evolution.

Jose Butto is saving the Mets bullpen and moving him back to the rotation is out of the question for now

This wasn’t your typical three-inning performance by a reliever. Butto entered in the sixth with the bases loaded. A walk and two singles required a guy who has spent most of his professional life beginning an inning with no one on to get three big outs without allowing anyone to score. Butto struck out the first two then got a fly out to end the inning. He’d get through the next two innings cleanly as well, pitching a perfect trip through the Braves lineup.

Now 4-3 on the year with a 2.44 ERA in an even 7 starts and 7 relief appearances, there was a case for Butto to move back to the rotation with Christian Scott sidelined. The need for a sixth starter with Kodai Senga returning on Friday as well, surely created some internal debate with the Mets as to whether or not Butto as a starter or keeping him in relief was more valuable. The Mets will instead turn to Tylor Megill which as we’ve seen in the past from him isn’t the greatest solution.

Butto has been far too valuable for the Mets in relief to change things now. He has allowed only 3 hits in 13.2 innings of relief work. It’s beastly how good he has been. Despite the starting pitcher numbers being good this season as well, the team’s Achilles Heel is in relief.

What if Megill stinks? Someone else gets hurt? This is why the Mets probably do need some starting pitching depth added in the coming days. At the very least some minor league depth. They don’t have much to speak of.

The Mets could’ve rolled over against Chris Sale and the Braves. Not on their turf. Gusty performances like the one we got out of Butto have become commonplace. Add in Jeff McNeil playing hero once again, how can you not feel good about this team?