The Mets have many concerns when it comes down to pitching. Last season the Mets had many injuries that took out many of their pitchers. Right now they have a rotation that has many question marks and a bullpen that should be better. This season will come down to if the Mets can pitch. So right now the list below will show last season numbers along with a prediction of this season’s stats.
Johan Santana: It has been a year since Santana last pitched in a Major League game and this season he will make his return on opening day. In 2010 Santana went 11-9 and had a 2.98 ERA. His spring training was very good from the standpoint that he was able to pitch without any pain or discomfort. This season expect Santana to win between 10 to 15 games. The question for Santana will be if he can stay healthy for the entire season. If he can the Mets will have more success with him on the mound.
R.A. Dickey: Last season was one that Dickey could have pitched better. In most cases Dickey pitched well, but the offense was unable to give him any run support. In 2011 Dickey went 8-13 with a 3.28 ERA. The important thing for Dickey is to have a knuckleball that is consistent and can get groundball outs. In 2012 Dickey will be a 12 to 15 win pitcher. The Mets need Dickey to be impactful with his pitching and try to keep the Mets in position to win games.
Jon Niese: In 2011 Niese went 11-11 with a 4.40 ERA. Last season Niese struggled to limit hits as he gave up 178 hits last season. This season Niese will need to stay true to all of his pitches and use all of them. Last season Niese over used his cutter and that resulted in more hits. In 2012 the Mets can count on a breakout season from Niese as he will win 15 games. Niese has shown that he can be a very effective pitcher. Look for more strikeouts and less hit this season from this up and coming pitcher.
Bobby Parnell: Last season Parnell was used in every situation for the Mets. But this season Parnell will be used as possibly the 7th inning man. Last season Parnell was made closer for a brief period and struggled with the job. He did have 6 saves, but the team knows that he is not ready for the job just yet. This season look for Parnell to finally have a season to build upon.
Frank Francisco: One of the newest members to the Mets bullpen will be the teams closer this season. His 17 saves with the Blue Jays last season will make him a better fit for the closer role than anyone else on the team. This season Francisco will get close to 35 saves for the team with about 5 blown saves. With him healthy he can be very key for the Mets in closing out games.
Jon Rauch: Like Francisco, Rauch pitched for the Blue Jays last season. He filled in for Francisco in moments of last season as the Blue Jays closer. He had 11 saves last season as the closer, but this season he is expected to be the eighth inning guy. Look for Rauch to have an average season with an very low ERA.
Ramon Ramirez: Possibly the most important piece to the Mets bullpen this season. In 66 games with the Giants last season Ramirez went 3-3 with 4 saves. He is a very underrated pitcher and this season look for Ramirez to have about the same season he had with the Giants last year.
Manny Acosta: His second half of the season, last year, was one that Acosta could build from. His 4-1 record and 3.45 ERA didn’t show how well he pitched last season. Look for Acosta to be very good this season as he tries to make an impact for this team.
This concludes the Mets season preview. Let’s hope the Mets can win more this season and somehow have a very good season. Let’s go Mets!
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