New York Mets need right-handers to tackle lefty pitchers in their Division - MLB Update
Wednesday’s failure against the Philadelphia Phillies revealed a largely unnoticed weakness suffered by the New York Mets. As they failed to stand up against the starting pitcher Cliff Lee, it has come out that paucity of righties in their line-up was the
reason.
According to one of the team-mates, since the National League East Division hosts quality left-handed pitchers, to improve the offence’s performance against them, they will need right-handed batters.
In this context, trade deadline of July 31 can be important. As per experts, by making trades, issues with offence can be streamlined.
They say still one complete half of the season is left. Whatever performance they have put up so far can be used to propel the club into the play-offs if loopholes in the line-up can be worked out in time, they maintain.
However, for the management, bullpen is a bigger concern. In many occasions, relief pitchers cost them certain victories. Therefore, by inducting quality relievers, they aim to strengthen their pitching department for the next half of the season.
The fact by-and-large New York lack quality hurlers while their batters are relatively better can convince General Manager Sandy Alderson of going after new relievers for their bullpen.
Regardless of what actual weaknesses of the Mets are, dilemma between having right-handed hitters and relief pitchers will not be easy to handle.
Third-baseman David Wright has also expressed the need for righties in their offence.
On Wednesday, Wright, along with Scott Hairston, was the only hitter who was comfortable against Lee. Runs which came off in the game were scored by the righties. Wright commented later in the match that the lop-sided version of the line-up was their weak-link.
He maintained that pitchers in their Division impose a huge threat to right-handed batters. Therefore, the sooner they can get rid of issues with their offence the better it will be for their chances in the season.
“In this division, we’re not just facing your average Joe lefty. You’ve got Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Gio Gonzalez, Mark Buehrle. You’ve got some dominant, dominant lefties,” Wright said.
With trade deadline approaching fast, important decisions will be taken by New York in the next few weeks. Therefore, one can expect news relating to trades and exchange of prospects.
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