UGLY WEEK

BY MIKE RIFKIN

Thursday marked one week since the Mets lost ace Kodai Senga to a hamstring injury. Since the injury, it feels like a dark cloud has hovered over the Mets. Last Thursday was also the last time the Mets won a game. After back to back sweeps against the Rays and arch rival Braves, the Mets find themselves in a tie for first place in the NL East against the team they will play three against this weekend, the Philadelphia Phillies. But, without Senga who can the Mets trust in this rotation? 

The Mets rotation has carried them the bulk of the season thus far. But the last few turns in the rotation have not been pretty. Griffin Canning was awesome his first nine starts (5-1 2.47 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), but over his last four starts he’s come down to earth (1-1 5.29 ERA, 1.53 WHIP). Tylor Megill, who was just put on the IL has struggled over hist last few starts. Clay Holmes, who is being converted into a starter has already thrown the most innings in his career. Frankie Montas and Sean Manea have not thrown a pitch yet this season due to injuries. Manager Carlos Mendoza said he expects Montas to join the rotation next week, Montas got roughed up during his rehab assignment, he had an ERA of 13 in his Triple A starts. Manea is still probably a few weeks away from a return. So, right now the only guy in the Mets rotation that has trust is David Peterson. Over the last year and a half, Peterson has turned into the guy the Mets hoped when they drafted him in the first round in 2017 out of Oregon. 

With guys either hitting a wall, or just having to make adjustments all eyes for the Mets are on one person. That person is David Stearns, Stearns pieced together this rotation and let’s be honest it’s worked for the most part. But eventually some of these guys were going to come down to earth. We are still about a month away from the trade deadline, but Stearns may want to think about addressing the rotation early. Even if he doesn’t want to do something now, this ugly week has to show Stearns that he has to add to this rotation, especially if he doesn’t want to rush one of his young starters in Triple A.