The New York Mets pitching staff has been better than advertised this season, especially considering they are currently without their ace in Kodai Senga.
The Mets as a whole have a 3.56 ERA, good enough for eighth in MLB and second in the National League.
That includes starters and relievers, as both units have been solid.
In this specific case, the relievers have had to pick some of the slack as the rotation, while effective, hasn’t really pitched too deep into games.
In fact, according to Mets insider Anthony DiComo, Sunday marked the first time in the season (almost a month into it) in which a Mets starter threw a pitch in the seventh frame.
In the 27th game of the season, Jose Quintana is about to become the first Mets starter to throw a pitch in the seventh inning.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) April 28, 2024
It’s somewhat shocking that the Mets didn’t have a starter pitch into the seventh for 26 games.
It looks like an organizational approach or strategy: having a quick hook on starters has allowed them to be competitive despite injuries and other obstacles.
After Sunday’s game, which resulted in a 4-2 win for New York, Quintana lowered his ERA to a fine 3.48 after tossing eight innings of just one run allowed.
He conceded just three hits and a walk, and struck out three batters.
Evidently, it will take some really special and particular circumstances for the Mets to give their starter more than six innings.
On Sunday, Quintana was so dominant that he forced his team to stick with him for eight full innings.
