In a postseason filled with high-stakes decisions, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza faced a daunting task of managing a pitching staff plagued by inconsistency and a lineup lacking depth. While he made some savvy moves, his bullpen usage and lineup decisions were at times perplexing, leading to a mixed bag of results as the Mets fell short of their World Series aspirations.

Guiding the Mets Through a Challenging Playoff Run

Hitting: Riding the Starters as Far as Possible

Mendoza's approach to his lineup was largely straightforward, with the Mets' limited bench options dictating a "plug-and-play" strategy. He stuck with his regular starters for the most part, making only minor adjustments as the playoffs progressed. In the Wild Card round and NLDS, Mendoza's decisions were largely sound, with the only questionable move being his temporary demotion of José Iglesias in the lineup.The real test came in the NLCS, where Mendoza made a puzzling decision to bench the hot-hitting Jesse Winker in favor of the veteran J.D. Martinez for two straight games against right-handed starters. This move, which Mendoza was unable to justify with any clear statistical or strategic rationale, was a rare misstep in an otherwise well-managed offensive approach.

Pitching: Navigating a Shaky Bullpen

Mendoza's handling of the Mets' pitching staff was a mixed bag, as he grappled with a bullpen that lacked consistent reliability. His early-playoff decisions, such as giving Luis Severino extended leash despite his struggles and using his top relievers in high-leverage situations, were generally sound.However, Mendoza's bullpen management became increasingly erratic as the playoffs progressed. His usage of Phil Maton in a crucial seventh-inning situation against the Brewers, instead of turning to closer Edwin Díaz, was a questionable decision that ultimately backfired. Mendoza also struggled to establish a clear hierarchy within his bullpen, with relievers like Ryne Stanek and Drew Smith seemingly falling in and out of favor.The Mets' series against the Dodgers further exposed the limitations of Mendoza's bullpen management. His reluctance to use Díaz in high-leverage spots, even with the Mets holding leads, was puzzling, and his reliance on lesser relievers like Tylor Megill and Danny Young in crucial moments proved costly.

Integrating the Injured Ace

One of Mendoza's key challenges was navigating the return of injured ace Kodai Senga. The manager's decision to use Senga in a piggyback role with David Peterson in the NLDS was a reasonable approach, allowing the Japanese right-hander to ease back into action. However, Mendoza's subsequent deployment of Senga in the NLCS, where he was hit hard by the Dodgers' potent lineup, raised questions about the timing and strategy behind the move.

Adapting to Adversity

Throughout the Mets' playoff run, Mendoza demonstrated a willingness to adapt and make adjustments, even if some of his decisions were questionable. His decision to turn to Díaz in a high-leverage seventh-inning situation against the Brewers, for example, was a bold and ultimately successful move.However, Mendoza's inability to establish a clear and consistent bullpen hierarchy, coupled with his occasional questionable lineup decisions, ultimately proved to be the Mets' undoing. As the team faced the juggernaut that was the Dodgers, Mendoza's tactical missteps were magnified, and the Mets' season came to a premature end.While Mendoza's overall management of the Mets' roster and in-game decisions were not without their flaws, he deserves credit for guiding the team to the NLCS and navigating a challenging playoff landscape. As the Mets look to build on this season's success, Mendoza will undoubtedly need to refine his bullpen management and decision-making to position the team for a deeper postseason run in the future.