Let the Met Playoff Rotation Auditions Begin…

All in With John Jastremski

After Monday’s loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, I think it’s fair to admit that the NL East Race is over barring a miracle of all miracles.

The Mets after Monday’s loss to the Phillies are now 8 games back in the division and considering the fact that there are only 3 weeks remaining in the 2025 regular season, let’s just say the odds are stacked against them making up that ground.

Here’s the good news.

The Mets would be a playoff team if the season ended today. They hold the final National League Wild Card spot and have a 3 game lead over the San Francisco Giants.

Considering my lack of confidence in both the Giants and Reds as teams, I expect the Mets to be back in the postseason.

They have a major riddle that needs to be solved between now and that first Tuesday at the end of the regular season.

How exactly do you shake out a 3 man rotation for the Wild Card series and a potential 4 man rotation for the Division Series?

The Mets pitching has been a sore subject over the past few months and the performance of the staff has resulted in David Stearns counting on a bunch of youngsters from the Minor Leagues to answer the bell.

One youngster who clearly has been up to the challenge is Nolan McLean.

In five starts, McLean has pitched to a 1.42 era including a dominant 8 inning shutout performance against the first place Phillies back in late August.

There is no question to me that McLean is a part of any postseason rotation you put together.

Now, in regards to the other two youngsters Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat, I am far more in a wait and see mode.

Sproat’s first start against the Reds was electric. He put together 5 no hit innings until tiring in the 6th inning.

Tong’s first two starts have indicated a sense of poise and confidence that he is ready to thrive at the big league level.

The Mets should feel super encouraged by their youth considering how much both Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga have let down the staff in the 2nd half.

However, I am not ready to count out Manaea yet. He was the ultimate gamer and bulldog for the 2024 Mets and simply has worn down in starts.

I still believe he can be a big piece of the staff and what the team may do moving forward.

So how do you shake out a rotation between now and the Wild Card series?

It’s pretty simple. Try-outs baby!

I would argue Nolan McLean and All Star David Pederson have done enough to be two guys that warrant a spot come October.

For Sean Manaea, Clay Holmes, Brandon Sproat and Jonah Tong, the task is simple.

Show the team between now and the end of the regular season that you are worthy of an October start.

Who doesn’t love a little competition!

We’ll see if this competition leads to a successful October for the Mets…

You can listen to my podcast New York, New York on the Ringer Podcast Network on Spotify/Apple Podcasts every Sunday & Thursday nights. You can watch me nightly on Honda Sports Nite following Mets postgame on SNY.