Mickey Callaway Actually Said Steven Matz Could Be Mets' Closer and We're All Confused
By Brian Cass
The New York Mets season has been spiraling down the tubes for weeks now, and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight.
After closer Edwin Diaz had anther rough outing on Friday night, allowing 3 hits and a walk in a span of five hitters, the Mets are reportedly ready to move Diaz out of the closer role. They don't currently have anyone else who seems like a fit there if they move Diaz, but Mets manager Mickey Callaway stated that Steven Matz could be used there depending on the situation.
Callaway said Matz would be an option as closer, depending on who is coming up. #mets
— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) July 6, 2019
Starter-turned-reliever Steven Matz, the Mets' closer? Callaway already got enough criticism for using Matz out of the bullpen, so it's odd that the manager believes he'd be a solid back-end guy for this team.
It's unclear if the team will use Matz as the closer past the All-Star break, but in his last seven outings, Matz has a 7.28 ERA in 29.2 innings pitched. Those numbers don't sound like they would translate to a successful closer's run, but who knows what Callaway is thinking anymore?
Nobody. Nobody does.
Everyone knows how good Steven Matz is in the first inning of his outings, he’ll be a great closer!!! pic.twitter.com/dKvetCJyLQ
— Anders Lee (C) (@robweird) July 6, 2019
It's been a roller coaster of a season for the Metropolitans in 2019, and moving Matz to closer wouldn't legitimately help at this point. It could end up making this pitching situation even worse, in fact.
The All-Star break can't come soon enough for Mickey Callaway and his Mets, they'll need that time to recoup and try to turn their season around in some form or fashion.