Just Mets

In the eighth inning of Friday night’s 3-2 loss to the Cardinals, the Mets asked Sean Gilmartin to face left-handers Kolten Wong and Matt Carpenter to lead off the inning.

Gilmartin proceeded to allow a single to Wong, although he did retire Carpenter in the next sequence

But then, the Mets brought Hansel Robles into the game and allowed a double to right-hander Peter Bourjos which plated Wong, the Mets inserted Alex Torres into the game to face left-hander Jason Heyward, and he proceeded to walk Heyward.

The Mets ultimately allowed just the one run to score in the eighth inning.

But here’s the problem.

Left-handed hitters have combined to hit .263 with three home runs against Gilmartin and Torres. Right-handed hitters have hit just .162 with 16 walks against both pitchers.

In addition, right-handed hitters have hit .231 with a home run and eight walks against Robles, left-handed hitters just .206 with just one walk.

In other words, the Mets keep using their relief pitchers in unfavorable conditions which they clearly struggle to overcome. With what should seem like good match-ups on paper just aren’t simply because these relievers in particular haven’t shown a proficiency to perform as specialists.

That’s not any of their faults, and to their credit all three have been very good in reverse.

Jerry Blevins is the one true left-handed specialist on the club, but he has not pitched since April 19 after breaking his wrist taking a come-backer against the Marlins. Blevins recently received a second opinion on his arm from doctors in Boston, during which they concluded the bone still had not healed to a point where he can start a throwing program.

So, the Mets may be using these relievers in unfavorable situations down the stretch of the pennant race they want to be in, unless they acquire a left-handed reliever who is capable of getting left-handed hitters out.

Even if Blevins were healthy, they probably should consider doing this anyway so they have to guys to play the  late in games.

But until that happens, the Mets may need to get creative and potentially use the reverse splits to their advantage in these match-ups, at least until Blevins can get back.