5 Things to Watch as the Mets Host the Diamondbacks for 4 Games at Citi Field

Here are five things to watch when the Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks play a four-game series at Citi Field…

A beleaguered bullpen

The most immediate question for the Mets is how Carlos Mendoza and his team assemble the bullpen for the four-game series. The bullpen was already shorthanded Edwin Says landing on the IL with a shoulder impact and then Jorge Lopes threw his glove into the stands and made some derogatory comments after the game, reportedly leading to him being DFA’d.

As has been the case for most of the season, the Mets will have to mix and match in the bullpen, calling up relievers from Triple-A who can give them needed outs. Left-handed Danny Young is being called up to replace Lopez, and other players like Josh Walker (already with the team)Dedniel Nuñez, It is Grant Hartwig could play a role. The Mets will also need veterans like Adam Ottavino It is Jake Diekman to advance into high leverage positions.

Know the Mets?

After the Dodgers finished their three-game sweep on Thursday, the Mets held a closed-door team meeting before the media entered the clubhouse. Brandon Nimmo said the meeting was Francisco Lindor starting the meeting, but many players spoke out.

It’s hard to know how much of a human effect these meetings might have, but it’s clear the Mets need to do something to change the situation. After losing 14 of their last 18 games, the Mets are now 11 games under .500 and desperately need something to turn the tide.

Maybe this meeting will start something.

No polar power?

At the time of publishing this article, we still do not know what the prospects are Pedro Alonsowho was hit by a pitch in the right hand by James Paxton and had to leave Wednesday’s game.

Initial x-rays came back clear, but CT scan results are expected on Thursday, which will provide more clarity on whether or not Alonso has any broken bones in his hand.

The Mets lineup has struggled to produce runs this season, so not having Alonso in the center of the order would be a huge blow. The other question is who would take over the full-time starting first base job if Alonso were to miss extended time. The obvious answer is Marcos Vientos, which could mean that Brett Baty remains in the majors perhaps longer than initially anticipated. The team could also call up a veteran like Ji Man Choi or Mike Brosseauwho are both at Triple-A Syracuse.

Chance for starting pitchers to shine

Coming off a Cinderella run to the World Series, the Diamondbacks have struggled this season, going 25-30 and ranking fourth in the NL West.

Among the D-backs’ skilled hitters Christian Walker leads the team with a .266 batting average and there isn’t much firepower in the lineup. In the club’s last five games, they have scored a total of seven runs, so this could be a good chance for the Mets’ starting pitching to shine, and they have a good portion of the rotation lined up.

Christian Scott, who has been impressive as he begins his young MLB career goes on Thursday, followed by Luis Severino (3.22 ERA) and Sean Manaea (3.16 WAS). Sunday’s starter has not yet been officially defined, but Scott, Severino and Manaea have the chance to set the tone.

On the other hand, however, the Mets will have to face two of Arizona’s top arms in the first two games, with Zac Gallen going Thursday and Jordan Montgomery releasing Friday.

Containing Corbin Carroll

Carroll took the league by storm in 2023, recording 161 hits, 116 runs scored and 54 stolen bases to win NL Rookie of the Year. He even finished fifth in MVP voting as he led the D-backs on an unlikely run to the postseason.

But things haven’t gone well for Carroll early this season, as he enters the series slashing just .194/.276/.291 with two home runs and 18 RBI. He was also caught stealing four times in 13 attempts, after being caught just five times last season.

Carroll is the engine that makes the D-backs’ offense tick and has shown some signs of recovery in his last 10 games, recording nine hits, including four triples. He also had three hits in Wednesday’s loss to Texas.

The Mets will need to keep Carroll quiet if they want to get back on track in this series.