Houser Finds Success in New Role For Mets

Managing the bullpen hasn’t been easy for Carlos Mendoza in the month of the May. But one guy who’s been shockingly reliable for the rookie manager is an arm that struggled previously—Adrian Houser.

The right-hander was originally brought to Queens to fill the bottom of the rotation, but was consistently hittable after an impressive Mets’ debut against the Tigers.

Houser pitched 33 2/3 innings as a starter, registering an 8.55 ERA, 1.78 WHIP, and .287/.394/.456/.850 slash line against. Not good enough, not even for a fifth starter.

The struggles, along with other starters returning from either injury or Triple-A, prompted the Mets to put Houser in the bullpen. And to many’s surprise, Houser has made a new home there.

In the ‘pen this season, Houser has pitched to a 1.46 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 12 2/3 innings, providing the Mets with a reliable arm that can eat innings. This new setting has not only led to wins this season, but has provided a stop-gap for the Mets who have lost Edwin Díaz, Drew Smith, and Brooks Raley to injuries.

A more impressive feat for Houser is where he’s doing it. When he originally was put in the ‘pen, Houser was in cleanup duty, pitching in games where the Mets were behind and needed outs. Now, Houser is pitching with a lead and being asked to bridge the gap to the backend.

Monday night was the third consecutive time Mendoza handed Houser the ball with a lead. The righty started his night in the sixth, and pitched two scoreless innings to get the ball to Smith in the eighth with a three-run lead intact.

The sixth wasn’t clean for Houser, as he allowed two walks to Eddie Rosario and Luis García Jr., but a nice play by Brandon Nimmo in foul territory ended the inning and kept the Nats off the board.

The seventh was a breeze for Houser. He set the Nats down in order, getting three outs on balls that were hit hard but catchable for the Mets’ defense. Despite only getting one out in the eighth and allowing two walks, and registered his first hold as a Met after Smith locked down the final two outs of the inning.

Monday night was indicative of who Houser has been his last three outings. His two previous appearances in long relief were fruitful for the Mets, as Houser was the backbone in both games and led the team to one-run victories.

On May 30 against the D-Backs, Houser pitched the sixth and seventh innings, providing scoreless outings to get the ball to Danny Young and Reed Garrett. The Mets won 4-3.

On May 26, Houser pitched four brilliant innings, allowing only one run on two hits, and keeping the Mets in the game for their eventual walk-off theatrics in the ninth.

Houser has looked good in his new role. There’s no denying it. And it comes at a critical point of the Mets season. The club is 25-35 and still has internal goals of making the playoffs. Players need to step up. And recently, it’s been Houser for the bullpen that has shoved for the Mets.

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