WASHINGTON — Jeff McNeil could be the Mets’ hottest hitter, however that doesn’t imply a big bump within the batting order is critical for him.
The surging second baseman batted seventh on Wednesday towards Nationals right-hander Aaron Sanchez, an evening after he hit eighth towards lefty Patrick Corbin.
“You are able to do about something with [McNeil],” supervisor Buck Showalter mentioned earlier than the Mets’ 8-3 loss. “It’s sort of, you have a look at the batting order, and I'm attempting to guard some issues.”
With out divulging too many specifics, Showalter indicated Dominic Smith’s presence within the lineup — he batted fifth — affected the place McNeil was slotted.
After going 1-for-4 Wednesday night time, McNeil is 20-for-53 (.377) in his final 16 video games.
“It’s simply good to have such a flexible piece,” Showalter mentioned. “You want a leadoff hitter or three-hole hitter, he can go about wherever. It’s actually an asset for us.”
Showalter was nonetheless undecided earlier than the sport whether or not Max Scherzer or Chris Bassitt would obtain the additional day of relaxation this flip by means of the rotation. Each began Sunday in a doubleheader, and one can be wanted to pitch Friday towards the Mariners at Citi Subject. Taijuan Walker is the scheduled starter for the collection finale Thursday towards the Nationals.
Edwin Diaz’s ninth-inning dominance has been a big a part of the Mets’ early success, however Showalter mentioned there can be occasions this season when the right-hander can be thrust right into a high-leverage function within the eighth.
Diaz entered Wednesday having allowed three hits and one run, with 17 strikeouts, over his final 10 innings.
“It’s one factor to have an excellent eight innings after which impulsively, from a psychological standpoint you by no means, you don’t need your crew saying, ‘How a lot is sufficient tonight?’ ” Showalter mentioned. “I feel once we do sure issues Edwin has bought an opportunity to make it maintain up and matter. It’s a tough job.”
Sean Reid-Foley underwent Tommy John surgical procedure in Texas and can return to Florida for rehab. The fitting-hander probably can be out till after the All-Star break subsequent season.
Drew Smith is one among two MLB gamers this season to pitch no less than 13 innings and never give up an earned run. The franchise report is 21 scoreless innings to start a season, final completed by Duaner Sanchez in 2006.
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