Mets Subway Series Sweep Should Spur David Stearns to Action

In this year’s Subway Series, the New York Mets won both games against the New York Yankees, winning by a final score of 9-7 on Tuesday night and 12-2 on Wednesday night. This gives the Mets a 39-39 record and they have won 15 of their last 19 games. For the first time since May 7, the Mets are a .500 team.

The Mets’ strong offense is causing problems for opposing pitchers like Gerrit Cole of the Yankees. Cole allowed four home runs in four innings in Tuesday night’s game. Mets’ RHP Dedniel Núñez was awarded the win, Cole the loss.

The Mets, a team with no weaknesses, were strong from start to finish, averaging 8.1 runs in their final nine games. In the two games against the Yankees, the team hit a total of seven home runs.

Every night, different players deliver. On Wednesday night, Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez hit a home run, scored two runs and doubled to add more runs. Right fielder Tyrone Taylor hit a three-run home run and center fielder Harrison Bader capped it off with a solo home run in the seventh inning.

Mets pitcher Sean Manaea managed five scoreless innings despite allowing two hits and five walks before his pitch count and was forced out of the game because of a storm. Three Mets relief pitchers, with Adrian Houser finishing the last three innings, sealed the victory. Manaea took the win and Yankees pitcher Luis Gil lost the last of the two games.

Even though the Mets are in good shape, there are still concerns within their bullpen, as Adrian Houser has not started his Mets career as hoped and Edwin Díaz has begun a 10-day suspension after being ejected from Sunday night’s game for having a foreign substance on his hand – a delicate situation.

Houser, the veteran pitcher who began the season as one of the last starting pitchers, was in a tough spot, struggling with an ERA of 8.16 and a WHIP of 1.85. He managed 16 strikeouts but also had 20 walks in his first six starts.

With top prospect Christian Scott shining in the minors and other relievers recovering from injuries, the team decided to make a change. Rather than part ways with Houser, the front office decided to keep him and move him to the bullpen, a move designed to help him regain his confidence. This move was successful, as Houser showed significant progress in his new role.

The 31-year-old pitcher has lowered his ERA to 1.46 and his WHIP to 1.19 after another impressive performance in Wednesday’s win over the Yankees. He has pitched two or more innings in six of his 10 appearances. Houser made a significant contribution to the Mets’ bullpen, pitching three scoreless innings to earn his first career save.

“He was great,” said Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said in his post-game interview: “Not only did he give us length, but he also threw the ball really well, which we saw again tonight with the two-seam changeup and the breaking ball.”

“He stays on offense and gets us a lot of outs. It was great that he gave us the last three innings. Every time he had the ball he gave us multiple innings and he shows he can take out righties and lefties and keep us in the game. So that’s a good weapon.”

Houser has been exceptional, especially in recent games. During the Mets’ impressive resurgence in June, he allowed just three runs in six appearances, two of them earned. While the success may be unexpected for Flushing fans, those who know the former second-round pick, like David Stearns, know that this has always been his potential.

During his eight seasons with Stearns and the Milwaukee Brewers, Houser excelled in the bullpen, posting a 1.73 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 41 appearances. After joining an offseason trade and overcoming initial challenges, it’s gratifying to see Houser succeed in the Big Apple.