Could Edwin Diaz Be The Spark As Mets Look To Get Back On Track By Rich Coutinho/TheNYExtra.com

The Mets had a great June to get back in the playoff race but in this first week of July the Mets need a spark after losing 3 straight falling to three and half games back of that final wild card playoff spot.

Last night, they were crushed by the Pirates 14-2 giving up 7 homers as the Met bullpen continues to look tired and overworked. Today, the Mets get the return of Edwin Diaz who missed 11 games (including the game he was ejected from in Chicago) and the team went 6-5 in those 11 games mainly because the offense was cooking with gas.

In the last 3 games after the Mets blew a 5-0 lead in DC on Wednesday, that offense could only muster 2 runs in 22 innings losing that Wednesday game followed by a 1-0 loss in DC on Thursday and yesterday’s destruction here in Pittsburgh. Diaz should put a jolt in the clubhouse upon his return but the hurlers leading up to Diaz continue to be an issue. The Mets are 2-3 on this current trip against other NL wild card contenders and really need to right the ship quickly because they have fallen 2 games under 500 after rallying in June to get back to that 500 mark.

Here is the math before the break–they have 9 games till the break–and really need to go at least 6-3 so they can sit over 500 at the All Star break–which means 2 of the next three here in Pittsburgh and 4-2 versus the Nats and Rockies on last games before the break. The team needs to become that aggressive hitting club that was getting big hits, drawing walks and hitting the long ball.

And the bullpen needs to find that bridge to Diaz from a combination of Reed Garret, Adam Ottavino, and Dedniel Nunez until possible additions could occur by the July 31st trading deadline. I am reasonably certain the Mets will not be sellers but if this losing streak gets worse—who knows?

This team worked so hard to get back in the race and I am certainly not in favor of pulling the plug now but time is of the essence here and Edwin Diaz could be the spark that this team needs. That spark will be in the ballpark tonight.