Amazin’s set to make noise versus rival Nats
THE opening homestand went off pretty much without a hitch, now it’s time for new manager Mickey Callaway and the Mets to go to Washington Thursday and make some noise against Bryce Harper & Co.
“We’re facing [Stephen] Strasburg, top dog, it’s their Opening Day so let’s spoil it,’’ Todd Frazier told The Post Wednesday after the Mets dispatched the Phillies, 4-2 at Citi Field to complete an opening 4-1 homestand. “We’ll be excited, ready to rock and roll. I’m pretty excited to see what we have in store with this rivalry.’’ He is not alone. The Mets were 6-13 versus Washington last season and Harper is on a tear. They have their work cut out for them. These aren’t the Phillies. The Mets have gotten out of the gate quickly. Yoenis Cespedes crushed a two-run home run in the first and Amed Rosario, the No. 9 hitter, delivered a two-out, two-run triple in the sixth with Phillies right fielder Nick Williams playing much too shallow with the wind roaring to right to snap a 2-2 tie to lead the Mets’ offense. Under new manager Gabe Kapler, the Phillies do some weird stuff, like playing Williams so shallow. Callaway got a short fourinning effort from Noah Syndergaard, but once again got a huge day from his rebuilt bullpen with Robert Gsellman throwing two terrific innings, much like Seth Lugo did Tuesday night in the Mets’ 2-0 win over the Phillies. So far, Callaway and pitching coach Dave Eiland have proven to be bullpen magicians, even with Anthony Swarzak on the DL.
Gsellman and Lugo, two former starters, have changed the look of the bullpen and Callaway will be counting heavily on his relievers against the Nationals. Jacob deGrom will go against Strasburg. On Saturday it will be Steven Matz versus Gio Gonzalez and on Sunday the reinvigorated Matt Harvey against Tanner Roark.
Callaway said the Nationals series “means a ton. Having said that, it’s just another three [games] of 162 that we have to go out and be prepared to play the best we can. Division rivals mean a ton so there is a different feel for those series. So I can see that excitement when we get there.’’
One big change for the Mets is the way Callaway is smartly using his bullpen. Scouts marveled at the performance of Gsellman and Lugo.
Callaway said the depth of the bullpen is one of the brightest spots and gives him flexibility of matchups because of the fact that former starters Lugo and Gsellman can work multiple innings.
Gsellman pitched the fifth and sixth Wednesday, not allowing a base runner and striking out three to get the win and was followed by Hansel Robles, who has cleaned up his delivery. AJ Ramos followed and then Jeurys Familia, who picked up his third save, this time with no stress.
Syndergaard’s pitch count rose quickly and he needed to be bailed out by the bullpen and was deeply appreciative.
“I want to start off by giving a lot of kudos and thanks to my homies in the bullpen,’’ said Syndergaard, who allowed two runs and four hits over his four innings. After two starts he is sporting a 5.40 ERA over 10 innings, allowing 10 hits and striking out 17 batters. He has not been sharp.
“They limited the damage and the offense put up enough runs to give us the win. It’s very encouraging when you come out of the game to know those guys are going to hold down the fort,’’ Syndergaard said. “It just adds more confidence to us as a team. This was a great team win. Happy win, happy flight down to D.C. to play the Nationals.’’
Syndergaard will not be pitching but he knows the importance of the series.
“It’s crucial,’’ he said. “It sets the stage for the rest of the season with those guys. They are our rivals, they are the front-runners. It’s going to be really crucial for us to go out there and attack them.’’
The stage is set. The Mets, with their new bullpen success, need to spoil the Nationals’ homecoming.