After picking up the save during Wednesday night’s win over the Phillies, David Robertson improved his season ERA to 1.48, having converted all 10 of his save opportunities in 2023.
Robertson’s latest save led Pete Hoffman to alert Tiki and Tierney that the veteran closer has actually been better, by several statistics, than Edwin Diaz was at this point last season, and a tense debate ensued.
“That means nothing to me,” BT said. “He’s statistically better, but he’s not even close to being the same type of pitcher in terms of dynamic nature and the guy you trust against great teams. Not even close.”
Hoff countered with the statistical comparison: through 22 appearances, Robertson boasts a 1.48 ERA, a 0.945 WHIP, a 3.08 FIP, and has allowed two home runs. Diaz, through the first 22 appearances of his dominant 2022 campaign, Diaz held a 2.49 ERA with a higher WHIP, a higher opponent batting average, and three home runs allowed.
With that in mind, Hoff said that Diaz was in fact not the difference maker for the season, as the Mets have been able to replace him with someone who, up to this point, has put up even better numbers.
“No, but he is [the difference maker],” BT said. “What you’re missing is, you’re looking at just the literal, surface stat…Allow your brain to expand.”
“Allow yourself to watch the Mets, and watch what David Robertson’s done,” Hoff said. “On statistics and watching the game, David Robertson, right now, has been better than Edwin Diaz.”
BT didn’t care about the numbers. The argument lies in the ripple effect of what Diaz’s absence means for the rest of the Mets bullpen.
“What comes before David Robertson has been a problem,” BT said. “He’s been really good, he’s been great…if Robertson is slated for the eighth inning before Diaz gets hurt, when Robertson is elevated to the ninth when Diaz is out, the eighth and seventh and sixth innings have become a problem.
“I’m providing a layer of depth. That’s all.”
Diaz also went on an unprecedented run of dominance from his 23rd appearance through the rest of the 2022 season, posting a 0.67 ERA in 40.1 innings of work. But even if Robertson maintains his current output, it’s hard to argue that the Mets haven’t gotten a level of production that rivals what they got from Diaz last year.
“I don’t mind debating,” Hoff said. “But these are stats that are factual.”
Follow WFAN's midday team on Twitter: @TikiBarber, @BrandonTierney, and @HoffWFAN
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