Mets Player Performance Meter, Week 18: Pitchers

If you're looking for a reason to tune in to Mets games these days, you needn't look any further than the starting rotation. With the team very much out of contention for the postseason, it's obviously time to look ahead to 2013 and beyond. For now, at least, it looks like the Mets could begin next season with a surplus of young, cost-controlled starting pitchers. It's a luxury that few teams have, and it would allow the Mets to trade from an area of depth.

As for this year, the way the rotation is pitching right now, there's bound to be a complete game or two left in the last six weeks of the season. Let's just hope the Mets manage to score one run in the same game.

Player	Last Week	This Week	Comment
Manny Acosta, RHP			Nothing spectacular, but there was no Acostalypse, either. 3.1 scoreless innings.
Robert Carson, LHP			Recalled when Jeremy Hefner went on paternity leave, Carson surrendered a run on two hits in two appearances totaling 2/3 of an inning.
R.A. Dickey, RHP			He's on a roll again, folks.
Josh Edgin, LHP			Although he allowed only one unearned run in four appearances, that one unearned run had a whole lot to do with his own error.
Frank Francisco, RHP			Gatorade coolers beware: Frank Frank had another really bad week. He's up to a 6.42 ERA for the season.
Dillon Gee, RHP			We'll say farewell to Gee in the 2012 player meter series. See you in the Opening Day rotation in 2013, Dillon!
Matt Harvey, RHP			13.2 IP, 17 K, 3 BB, 1.32 ERA. An anonymous scout says Harvey likes dogs more than cats.
Jeremy Hefner, RHP			While he's been effective at times, his most recents start was not one of them. Hefner fell victim to the long ball.
Collin McHugh, RHP			McHugh's debut was nearly as good as Harvey's: 7 IP, 9 K, 1 BB, 0 R. Plus he writes a blog. Hooray for young starting pitchers, you guys!
Jon Niese, LHP			With another excellent seven-inning start, Niese has a 3.49 ERA for the year and has a great chance to dismiss any concerns about his August-September performance down the stretch.
Bobby Parnell, RHP			Parnell's strikeout rate dipped below 9.0 K/9 with 3.2 innings and just 1 K.
Ramon Ramirez, RHP			The chances of Ramirez and Francisco having worst-case scenario seasons were slim. Unfortunately, they are.
Jon Rauch, RHP			Mostly good results despite low strikeout totals. He's flown under the radar a bit this year.
Johan Santana, LHP			And so the comeback season comes to an end. Please come back like first-half 2012 Johan in 2013, Johan.
Chris Young, RHP			Probably Young's best start with the Mets: 7 IP, 9 K, 1 BB, 2 ER.

This week's player meter covers games from August 16 through 23.