Will Max Scherzer’s Injury Absence Slam the NY Mets Out of MLB Playoff Contention?

New York Mets have probably been the unluckiest side of Major League Baseball in 2022. First, Jacob deGrom, and now they have lost veteran ace, Max Scherzer, for at least 6-8 weeks because of a major injury.

This will be a huge setback for the Buck Showalter-led team. Though the Mets have played some good baseball in the 2022 season, they have lost three of their six starters to injuries. After Jacob deGrom and Tylor Megill, Max Scherzer is the newest to sit out of the games because of a serious injury.

When the regular season started, the Mets had one of the best attacks as well as a defense in MLB. But now, they will play at least six weeks without their starting pitchers. The Mets’ manager Buck Showalter has a hell of a job to manage a few weeks without his top-3 aces. Now the key question is, will this affect the playoff contention of the New York Mets?

Max Scherzer puts the Mets’ playoff contention in danger

The New York Mets are in a real problem right now. Although they are at the top of the NL East, things might change for them in the coming weeks. Because deGrom is unlikely to make his comeback until July, the same goes for Scherzer after his latest injury.

As of now, the Mets are in the safe zone in their division. But to qualify for the playoffs, the Mets must have to remain at the top for the rest of the season. The only good thing for the Mets is that their division rivals, the Atlanta Braves, and the Philadelphia Phillies, are struggling for a win.

Given their main starters will not play until July, the Mets have a tough couple of months ahead. And if they survive these injuries only, then they will qualify for the MLB playoffs.

Is Chris Bassitt good enough for replacement?

Now Chris Bassitt remains the only experienced pitcher in the Mets’ squad. Though he has similar numbers to Scherzer in the 2022 season, the No. 3 starter has an enormous responsibility to his soldiers.

Read more: ‘Felt a Zing on My Left Side’- Max Scherzer Reacts After Astonishingly Pulling Himself Out of Game Due to Injury

If one compares the numbers of Bassitt and Scherzer in 2022, they are almost identical. Scherzer has an ERA of 2.54 and 59 strikeouts in 49.2 innings, while Bassitt’s record is slightly lower than Scherzer’s. In 48.2 innings, Bassitt has an ERA of 2.77 and 49 strikeouts.

So, given the data, Bassitt will be a suitable replacement for Scherzer. But now, Showalter does not have many options for rotation in the squad.

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What do you think? Will Max Scherzer’s absence affect the Mets’ chances for the playoffs?