The New York Mets are Mets’ing.
Prior to the trade deadline (July 29), the Mets had a 75.1% chance of making the playoffs. As of Saturday, they currently sit at 34.6 percent. Poor hitting has been a major reason for the dip, but the loss of Jacob deGrom (and numerous other pitchers) cannot be discounted.
It's an issue the Mets have depended on deGrom to carry the team every fifth day, but what else could we expect? DeGrom was the odds-on favorite to win the NL Cy Young and more than made his case for league MVP as well.
There is no timeline for deGrom’s return, which means there’s no timeline that guarantees the Mets make the playoffs after fighting injuries all season.
Waiver Wire Adds/Streamers
Austin Gomber — Colorado Rockies
Yahoo: 46%, ESPN: 50%
Gomber needs to be rostered in no less than 80% of leagues. He has wins in three of his last four starts, including 11 quality outings out of 19 this season. The Rockies have a strong starting pitching nucleus, plus they hit well enough to roster a few of their starters.
Jon Gray — Colorado Rockies
Yahoo: 50%, ESPN: 51%
Gray lines up for two starts, but has difficult matchups against Houston and San Francisco. I usually love adding Gray, but also understand letting him marinate on waivers. Gray has a 4.21 road ERA and .454 slugging percentage against away from Coors Field.
Joe Ross — Washington Nationals
Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 27%
Not only does Ross have an acceptable 4.02 ERA (4.19 xERA), he has a career-best 9.35 strikeouts per 9 innings. He has been a welcomed surprise for Washington’s decimated rotation.
Johnny Cueto — San Francisco Giants
Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 45%
Cueto gets to rebound from a road start at Milwaukee, with a home start against Colorado. Cueto has his lowest walk rate since joining the Giants.
Tyler Anderson — Seattle Mariners
Yahoo: 14%, ESPN: 16%
Anderson has started his Mariners career with two tough-luck no decisions, but is in line to log a win against the Rangers this week. Texas is bottom 10 in road wRC+ and has the second-lowest walk rate against lefties.
Injuries
Huascar Ynoa threw 68 pitches in a rehab start August 6. He is expected to throw 80-plus pitches in his next rehab outing.
Jack Flaherty said he's pitching in St. Louis’ upcoming series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Chase Anderson was placed on the 10-day IL with right triceps tendinitis.
The Brewers lost another starter to COVID-19 protocol, as Adrian Houser was placed on the COVID-19 list August 6.
Clayton Kershaw remains without a set timeline, but is aiming for September.
Chris Archer will throw a bullpen session Monday after leaving his previous rehab start with hip soreness. He could throw another rehab start later this week.
Justus Sheffield is expected pitch in a rehab start Sunday.
Two-Start Pitchers
This is a projected list. Starts are subject to change and not all starters are named:
Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray (CIN) — at CLE, at PHI
Joe Musgrove (SD) — vs MIA, at ARI
Jose Suarez (LAA) — vs TOR, vs HOU
Aaron Nola (PHI) — vs LAD, vs CIN
Carlos Carrasco (NYM) — vs WSH, vs LAD
