Mets Need to Name Seth Lugo as Closer Over Edwin Diaz if They're Serious About the Postseason
By Karl Rasmussen
The Mets traded a lot in order to acquire Edwin Diaz over the offseason, expecting the 25-year-old to step in and be a stable option to close out games.
Diaz has been anything but stable in 2019, logging a 5.44 ERA with 24 saves and 5 blown saves. He's picked up 6 losses on the year, and has shown major regression from his stellar 2018 campaign.
Well, there's another option lurking in the Mets' bullpen who has had a very successful season, picking up a couple of saves of late. Seth Lugo has emerged as a reliable option late in games, and it would do the Mets well to consider promoting him to the full-time closer.
Seth Lugo hasn’t given up a run since June 29, a span of 15 relief appearances.
— Michael Baron (@michaelgbaron) August 6, 2019
He has a 1.94 ERA in his last 40 relief appearances, having been unscored upon in 35 of those 40 relief appearances.
Lights. Out. #mets
Lugo has a 2.68 ERA on the year, striking out 70 across 53.2 innings of work. He's recorded 2 saves on the season, both coming within the past two weeks.
The 29-year-old has been far superior to Diaz this year, and while he is a less renowned name in the sport, he could be the answer to the Mets' relief pitching woes.
Mickey Callaway was a little more forceful today in saying Edwin Diaz is the Mets' closer "and is going to be our closer."
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) August 5, 2019
Diaz pitched in a four-run game in the ninth today, allowing a walk and a hit batsman, but no runs. At one point, Seth Lugo started warming.
The subject has recently been broached with Mickey Callaway, who firmly stated that Diaz will remain the closer, though Lugo was able to log the save on Monday night against the Marlins.
Diaz hasn't had a clean inning of work since July 21, and his last four outings have seen him surrender one or more runs. Lugo, on the other hand, hasn't given up a single run since June 29.
After Edwin Diaz pitched the ninth in Game 1 today, Mickey Callaway avoided him in Game 2.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) August 6, 2019
Seth Lugo ensured that would be the right decision, buzzing through two perfect innings on 23 pitches. Lugo has thrown 15.2 straight scoreless innings. He's been one of baseball's best.
The answer is laid out right in front of them, the Mets just need to bite the bullet on Diaz and demote him to a setup role if they're serious about pursuing the postseason. They've won 11 of their past 12 games, and can't afford their relievers blowing saves during this pivotal playoff push.