The New York Mets had a plan going into the 2017 season, and it included getting good pitching from their talent-laden rotation. Because of injuries and ineffectiveness, that hasn’t happened. But manager Terry Collins obviously isn’t ready to give up on the season in early June.
Collins said Friday before last night’s game against Pittsburgh that the Mets pitching is starting to look better than it had been. Considering that the Mets pitching staff was the strength of the team coming into the season, it would be considered an understatement.
The Mets had compiled only 22 quality starts through 52 games entering last night, one huge reason why they came into play at 23-29, 10 games behind National League East-leading Washington.
Collins also said his team is a veteran club and there’s no reason to panic. There are still a lot of games to play and one hot streak can get the Mets right back on track. The Mets must understand to set their minds to it and go out every night and play.
The beleaguered starting staff received yet another shaky outing from Matt Harvey last night. Help is on the way, however. Lefty Steven Matz is making a rehab start for Class AAA Las Vegas today. Righty Seth Lugo is making one for Class AA Binghamton. Neither has pitched in the majors this year because of elbow inflammation. If all goes well, both could be with the Mets by next week.
Collins also said Friday that Robert Gsellman is scheduled to start Saturday against the Pirates. Gsellman will make at least one more start even if both Matz and Lugo are activated. The Mets have a doubleheader at Atlanta next Saturday.
The other starter who would come out of the rotation is righty Tyler Pill. Pill made his first MLB start Tuesday against Milwaukee and will pitch against the Pirates on Sunday.