The New York Mets are having a rough season. Several key players, including star pitchers Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, sit on the injured list.
Even with these setbacks, new Mets manager Carlos Mendoza still believes in his team. In a recent interview, Mendoza said the remaining pitchers have the talent and drive to keep the Mets in the hunt.
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Challenges Facing the Mets’ Rotation
The Mets just can’t catch a break when it comes to their starting rotation. Losing Verlander and Scherzer, two of the league’s top pitchers, hurts—there’s no way around it.
Now, the Mets have to lean on less experienced arms to get through games. Mendoza, though, thinks these guys are ready for the challenge.
Key Injuries
The team feels the absence of Verlander and Scherzer every game. Verlander, with his multiple Cy Young Awards, was supposed to anchor the rotation.
Scherzer, another Cy Young winner, brought grit and leadership. With both out, the Mets face a huge gap to fill if they want to stay relevant in the NL East.
Stepping Up: The Next Men Up
Mendoza doesn’t waver when it comes to his faith in the team’s depth. He points to several pitchers who could step up in the rotation.
David Peterson
David Peterson has shown flashes of real promise early in his career. The lefty mixes his pitches well and has proven he can get outs at this level.
Mendoza thinks Peterson is ready to take on a bigger role as a reliable starter.
Tylor Megill
Tylor Megill is another arm the Mets need right now. He debuted last season and impressed with his poise and command.
With more experience, Mendoza sees Megill becoming a key contributor for the club.
Joey Lucchesi
Joey Lucchesi is coming back from injury and looks hungry to prove himself. His unusual pitching style keeps hitters guessing.
If he can stay healthy, Lucchesi could be a real asset for the Mets’ rotation.
The Importance of Depth
Depth really matters over a long season. The Mets need their whole pitching staff to perform if they want to stay competitive.
Mendoza stresses how important it is to have several pitchers ready to step up when needed.
Relief Pitchers
The bullpen will play a big role, too. Relievers like Edwin Diaz and Seth Lugo need to finish games and protect leads.
Their ability to lock things down late could be the difference in tight matchups.
Spot Starters
The Mets might have to turn to spot starters as the season drags on. Guys like Trevor Williams and Sean Reid-Foley could get called up for a few starts here and there.
How well they handle those innings will help manage the starters’ workloads.
Carlos Mendoza’s Leadership
As a first-year manager, Carlos Mendoza faces a tough test. He needs to keep the team focused and motivated through all the injuries.
Building a Winning Culture
Mendoza wants to build a winning culture in the organization. He’s convinced that a positive, competitive vibe helps the team handle adversity.
He puts a lot of emphasis on accountability, hard work, and putting the team first.
Communication and Trust
Good communication is at the heart of Mendoza’s style. He knows building trust with his players matters.
By keeping the lines open, he hopes to create a tight, unified group that can face whatever comes their way this season.
Looking Ahead
The Mets have a lot to prove right now. Their depth and resilience will really get tested in the coming weeks.
Verlander and Scherzer are both out, which is no small thing. Still, the roster has enough talent that staying competitive isn’t out of reach.
Mendoza’s leadership matters here, and honestly, some new faces are starting to step up. Maybe it’s not the smoothest road, but the Mets aren’t out of the playoff hunt yet.
If you want to dive deeper into how Carlos Mendoza is handling all this—and why he’s still confident in the rotation—check out the full interview here.
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