PHILADELPHIA — This is Zack Wheeler’s world, and the Mets are just living in it.
A couple of years ago, that sentiment would have implied good news for the Amazin’s. But ever since Wheeler took his filthy arsenal to South Philly, the right-hander has been dealing for a division foe that now has a tight grasp on first place.
The Mets were swept by the Phillies this weekend at Citizens Bank Park after losing the series finale 3-0 on Sunday. Wheeler was brilliant, throwing a two-hit shutout, allowing just two Mets players to reach base all afternoon, retiring 22 consecutive batters in between, and striking out 11 on the day.
The Mets (56-55) fell to third place in the NL East on Sunday after the Braves beat the Nationals and leapfrogged to second. The Amazin’s have lost nine of their last 11 games—including four in a row for the first time this season—and dropped to 2.5 games behind the Phillies (59-53) and their eight-game winning streak.
Pete Alonso went 0-for-4 with two whiffs against Wheeler and 2-for-24 on the road trip with one home run. Still, the first baseman maintained that the Mets are “on the right path, just not getting tangible results.” So, Alonso offered a message to the fan base:
“Mets fans, believe in us. And don’t just believe. Know. Because there’s tough times not just in baseball, but in life in general. Know that this is just a speed bump and a challenge. And also smile. You get to watch baseball. I mean, it’s a game. I know we have the most passionate fan base in baseball. I know that. And I understand it’s frustrating. It’s frustrating for us. But we’re all in this together and we got this. Just smile and know that we got this.”
Mets billionaire owner Steve Cohen was in the house to watch his investment get swept. The Mets went 1-6 against the Marlins and Phillies during their road trip. It wasn’t enough for Cohen to meet with his team in Philly during a rough stretch, but he also had to advertise it. Less than an hour before first pitch on Sunday, Cohen tweeted: “I just visited the players in the clubhouse. They are ready and in a good frame of mind for this game.”
“He was extremely positive, and he said he was extremely proud of how we played and the heart we show every day,” said Alonso on Cohen’s message to the players. “And not just how we handle ourselves individually, but how we handle ourselves as a team.”
Sure. But no one was in a better frame of mind than Wheeler for Sunday’s series finale.
Wheeler received the not-so-secret memo that the Mets have been struggling to hit fastballs. And 55 of his 108 pitches on Sunday were heaters. The Mets swung and missed at them 21 times. Wheeler dialed it up to 100.3 mph against old teammate Pete Alonso in the fourth inning, and it was fair to wonder whether he was particularly amped to face his former club. After the trash talk that ex-Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen dished Wheeler’s way, who could blame him?
“I think I’ll always have that little chip on my shoulder,” Wheeler said Sunday of facing the Mets.
Shortly after the Mets did not re-sign Wheeler in free agency after the 2019 season, Van Wagenen went out of his way to inform reporters: “Our health and performance department, our coaches, all contributed and helped him parlay two good half-seasons over the last five years into $118 million.”
Wheeler has responded to Van Wagenen’s odd jab by compiling two terrific sub-3.00 ERA seasons with the Phillies. He is also a strong candidate for the NL Cy Young award this season, leading the league with 156 innings pitched and sitting atop the NL with 181 strikeouts.
“Zack carved us up today, no doubt,” Alonso said. “He had his A+ stuff today. Guy is an All-Star for a reason.”
Taijuan Walker’s trouble with the long ball trickled into his 21st start of the year. Walker gave the Phillies an early start after giving up solo home runs to Jean Segura and J.T. Realmuto in the first inning for a two-run lead. Then Bryce Harper took Walker deep in the sixth inning to complete the trio of dingers he allowed in the afternoon.
Even though Walker looked better on Sunday through his six innings than his previous outings, the numbers overall have not been trending in his favor. Walker has given up 10 home runs in his last four starts since the All-Star break. He’s allowed 23 home runs in his last 21 innings.
“I know they had the three solo home runs, but two of those were to the opposite field so I’m not mad about those. Obviously, I wanted to get the win, but I gave the team a chance to win today.”
