After signing a staggering $86.6 million, two-year contract with the New York Mets during the offseason, Justin Verlander performed his baptism of fire at Citi field last night (Tuesday), he who had made a stay on the injured list earlier this season.
And it didn’t go well. To the point that he was booed by his own supporters.
In five innings, the veteran gave up eight hits and six earned runs. He only retired three Rays players on strikes.
However, the main interested party understands the reaction of Mets fans.
I understand the frustration of the fans. We are frustrated too. Everyone is frustrated. We expect to be better. I expect to be better. I think this whole organization expects to be better. There is only one thing left for us to do and that is to put our heads down, work hard and find a way out of this mess.
There is indeed every reason in the world to be frustrated in the New York camp, and I’m not talking about the fact that the scoreboard displayed a huge Tampa Bay Rays logo and that, to add insult to injury insult, Jose Siri followed up with a long ball immediately after.
No, I’m talking about the fact that the Mets, who have the biggest payroll in MLB, currently have a record of 20 wins against 23 losses, just like the San Diego Padres (who have the third highest payroll). payroll).
It’s the first time the New York squad has fallen three games below .500 in the Buck Showalter era.
It is true that we are still early in the current campaign and that some formations have already had strong passages and then made it to the end like the Philadelphia Phillies last year and the Washington Nationals in 2019, but that does not doesn’t mean the Mets will turn things around. They have rather accustomed us to the reverse in the past.
At the moment, nothing is working in Queens, both the anemic offense and the questionable starting rotation. Adjustments will therefore need to be made quickly before the carrots are cooked.
