Carlos Mendoza immediately put an end to this speculation.
“Albie will play tomorrow,” the Mets manager said Wednesday after an 8-0 loss to the Dodgers in Game 3 at Citi Field.
However, there is reason for speculation about Francisco Alvarez's playing time. The young catcher, who is generally good enough, is currently giving the Mets trouble.
Alvarez struck out in all three at-bats, including a huge hit in the second inning, but went 5-for-35 (batting average .143) without an extra-base hit, with 13 strikeouts and no strikeouts. There was only one. Walk through the postseason.
Defensively, Alvarez pitched poorly and probably made poor decisions, leading to the Dodgers' first two runs (both unearned) in the second inning.
Mendoza continues to protect Alvarez, who has started every postseason, and Alvarez “may be a little too much at times,” the manager said Tuesday.
It seems like they tried too hard by leaving Max Muncy on first base with no outs in the second inning.
Teoscar Hernandez dribbled in front of the plate, and Alvarez jumped to try to get the first runner on.
If the ball had reached his glove, it would have been a close battle at second base.
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Alvarez's throw hit a sliding Muncy, each runner safe, and the Dodgers continued their rally.
“Bang-bang play at second base,” Mendoza said after giving the Dodgers the lead with two infield hits and a sacrifice fly. “I don't know if, but [Jose] If Iglesias had caught the ball, he would have been out. Maybe I went a little too far there. ”
Alvarez had a chance to atone for his mistake, but couldn't capitalize, and that became the story of his postseason.
He had multiple chances to take the lead in Game 2 on Monday, but was unable to do so, leaving him on seventh base.
On Wednesday, he left three more on base, and once again it seemed like a big spot had found him at bat, only to find it empty again.
In the bottom of the second inning, the Mets had Alvarez with one out and the bases loaded. Alvarez appeared to overdo it with the first pitch, but he swung the pitch hard and sent his bat into the net behind the plate.
Four pitches later, Alvarez hunkered down on a fastball called a strike three. During the first of three punchouts, the bat did not leave his shoulder.
The Mets later declined to use Alvarez, saying he would speak to reporters before Game 4 on Thursday.
“Offensively, I think he’s somewhere in between,” Mendoza said. “I think he's slow to get going and that's why he's not making good swing decisions. That's why you sometimes see him snatching fastballs or chasing fastballs behind. is.
“So you can see that we have players who are behind in preparation.”
The Mets' problem isn't just Alvarez, who is struggling, but a lack of reliable options behind him.
After a great start to his career at the club, Luis Torrence has lost his temper. He did not appear at bat in October and finished the regular season with a 0-for-16 record.
Whether it's because they trust their current players or not their backup players, the Mets aren't planning on making any changes behind the plate.
“He's a good hitter. He's a good player,” Mendoza said of Alvarez. “We're facing an elite pitching staff. He's going to come in for us.”
