Bullpen Blunders: The Crash of The Pen (Part 2)

Happiest of Sundays to you all! If you're a Mets fan like me, you're probably recovering from a wicked Hangover after watching the Bullpen Blow more games, Right?

Speaking of Bullpens, Today's Sunday Reading will be on that....The Mets Bullpen (Again)!

There is so much to talk about. I'm not going to get into advanced stats or anything of the sort, Just going to cover the Bullpen's Woes.

Continuing from the Last entry "Bullpen Blunders: The Crash of the Pen", We continue to see slight Improvements in the Mets Bullpen, but more struggles and from the best of Mets Relievers.

A Prime example is Seth Lugo, The Mets supposed best Reliever who has been terrible his last 3 outings! Lugo was having a terrific year for the Mets until recently. He was a Shutdown reliever, had a very low ERA and now it's skyrocketed to a 3.60 ERA. In a Post game interview, Lugo didn't mention an Injury or anything. He said he feels good and that he made bad Pitches.

The issue is, He makes these "Bad pitches" too often. They Result in Game Tying and Go-Ahead Home runs for the opposition! 

The same can be said of one Robert Gsellman! His stuff hasn't been good at all in this terrible stretch in June. A sinker ball pitcher and his sinker has turned into a Stinker. Bad Pun I know, but it's true! He owns a 5.60 ERA. He was supposed to be a Solid Reliever for this squad, especially since he proved to be ineffective as a Starter, but more effective as a Reliever!

His Time in the Bullpen this season though has been questionable, especially in the Month of June.

Turning to Edwin Diaz, the Young Stud Closer who Save 57 games for The Mariners last year. In the Beginning Diaz was indeed effective, showing signs of that Season he had last year. But in the month of June, Sadly he's regressed. Now, He has had some success where he's held it down for the Mets and has been effective. Unfortunately for him though, He's suffered along with the other two main relievers in the Bullpen, Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman.

Diaz, who only recorded 4 blown saves all of last season, has blown 4 saves already this season. It's not looking good on his stat card this season especially with the Glaring 4.94 ERA he owns. Something needs to give, There is no way that the Mets best relievers are really this terrible!

Lugo, Gsellman and Diaz are what I like to call "Primary guys". Guys who are your go to relievers that you have the Most Trust in. 

The "Secondary Guys" are Pitchers that are guys you have less trust in, are there in case your Primary Guys are unavailable or have little to no trust in. 

The incredibly weird thing is, That the Mets Secondary Relievers in Wilmer Font, Chris Flexen, Brooks Pounders and Stephen Nogosek have all stepped up for the Mets.

Flexen, a Failed starter turned Reliever has looked more Comfortable in the Relief role and Lowering his ERA from 11.82 down to 5.68. He's been a sparkling piece of hope, not only for the Bullpen, but for himself! The old saying is that a A Bullpen Pitcher is a Failed Starter. 

Brooks Pounders who was a failed Reliever in the Majors with Cleveland is getting a chance with the Mets. Even though he had an 8.47 ERA coming in New York, he proved himself effective. Despite throwing a Clunker in Philadelphia which overly inflated his ERA to 9.00, he has pitched well and lowered it down to 6.14.

Wilmer Font, who was acquired around the Time Vargas was put on the Disabled List, Now injured list because misinterpretation can be a royal pain, was at first the Starter in Vargas' place and didn't do so well. He was moved to the Bullpen to be a Long Relief pitcher which he has excelled at! Coming in, Font had a 5.79 ERA. After an outing against San Diego, it dropped to 5.50, Against Washington, his ERA Shot up to 7.70. Not a Good look, but until the game against Philadelphia, he was able to drop his ERA down to 4.58. He threw that Clunker against Philly, but has since been effective but at the cost of a 5.12 ERA.

The Rookie Stephen Nogosek I can't really get into, he's Just a Rookie with only 5 appearances. Nowhere near enough to make a legitimate determination. I'll need to see a lot more out of Nogosek to make a proper determination based on him and his 7.71 ERA. But this Issue with Nogosek is that in his first ever outing, he allowed 2 runs against Atlanta in his debut, but in his last 4 appearances, he's only allowed 2 runs. So again, it's hard to make a proper determination on Nogosek.

I know I'm missing a few names like Familia, Wilson, Avilan and even Mazza, but Mazza had one good outing Yesterday and as much as I liked him and as effective as he was in Long Relief after an hour long rain delay, a Pitcher can not be judged based off of One outing whether good or bad. As for Familia, Avilan and Mazza, they're on the Injured list and won't be covering them in this entry. Strictly for the Current Bullpen arms that are on the Active Roster.

In Conclusion, The Mets bullpen has been the worst in June with an over inflated 7 ERA and the worst in the league in June. It has been the destruction on what could've been a very competitive season. Blowing a league leading 21 saves is absolutely astonishing, especially with the amount of talent this team has! No Matter what button manager Mickey Callaway press in the Bullpen, it always blows up in his face! 

I hope this satisfies the Masses and at least gives you some comfort and a sense of relief (No Pun intended).

Until the Next one My Friends,

LETS GO METS!!!