Mets Have Questions to Answer

The Mets are 9-8 heading into the first game of a three-game set against the Dodgers tonight.

Despite being over .500, it’s obvious that Terry Collins’ squad is hit or miss at this point in the season.

With an ace-in-the-making in Matt Harvey and a solid lefty in John Niese, the Mets have two starting pitchers capable of winning 12-plus games. However, the rest of the rotation has proven it is a major liability.

While Harvey has displayed why he is touted to be an elite pitcher for years to come in the majors, especially during his win against the Nationals last Friday that saw him outduel Stephen Strasburg, the Mets’ other two starters, Dillon Gee and Jeremy Hefner, have left a great deal to be desired.

Gee and Hefner are a combined 1-5 thus far while Harvey and Niese are an impressive 6-1.

It’s unlikely that two productive starting pitchers will be able to carry the Mets through a 162-game season, especially with a lineup that is sporadic in its offensive production.

John Buck may be leading the National League with 22 RBI, but he can’t be expected to carry the offensive load for the Mets, as he’s a lifetime .238 hitter.

The only consistent offensive production the Mets can count on, as of right now, are the bats of David Wright and Daniel Murphy. They are batting .311 and .348, respectively.

With the Braves and Nationals proving early on that they are legitimate pennant contenders coming out of the NL East, the Mets’ rotation will have to prove that it has the depth to make a sincere push towards sustained success over the summer months.