It’s a lot of fun to be a Mets fan right now.
The offense is clicking in a way we haven’t seen since the end of 2015. We have young players who may be turning into superstars right in front of our eyes. We just took the first two games of a series from a division rival on the road. The Mets are in sole position of first place in the NL East.
But then we look at the pitching matchup for tonight’s game and see Jason Vargas‘ name listed.
I’ve been wrong before, and I’ll be wrong again. It’s just hard for me to envision a scenario where this doesn’t end poorly for the Mets tonight.
I am cringing at the thought of this Atlanta Braves lineup teeing off against Vargas tonight. I’m having nightmares about Ronald Acuña Jr. turning on a 84 MPH fastball. Yes, you read that correctly. Jason Vargas has lost 3.3 MPH off his fastball velocity. Only Felix Peña has lost more since last April.
Jacob deGrom pitches tomorrow night in the series finale. After we leave Atlanta, we play Philadelphia, St. Louis, Milwaukee and Philadelphia again.
Wouldn’t it be fun to face these teams on a nice run? Furthermore, wouldn’t it be great to not watch Vargas pitch against these teams?
After Vargas’ first start, Mickey Callaway said the plan was to get five innings from him and then have the bullpen take it home. What kind of plan is that? Before a pitch is even thrown you’re penciling in four innings from the bullpen? That’s ludicrous.
The problem is the lack of internal options available to replace Vargas in the rotation. The Mets could sign Dallas Keuchel (ha) but he would presumably need a few weeks to be ready for game action. Also, we’ve seen pitchers who didn’t have proper spring trainings produce lackluster results lately.
Brandon Nimmo and Robinson Canó seem to be working their way of their slumps. Could you imagine this lineup once they start to get going?
We have a glaring weakness on this team. It’s bizarre that it wasn’t addressed this offseason, but it needs to be addressed now. We cannot send Jason Vargas to the mound against the Phillies, Braves, Nationals, Cardinals, Rockies etc.
Do your thing Brodie.