Scuffling Edwin Diaz still the Mets best option

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Carlos Mendozas very modern strategy not to automatically utilize his best reliever in the ninth inning makes perfect Mets sense. Calling upon his best when the Phillies have their best hitters due up late  whether that be in the seventh, eighth or ninth inning  surely is the correct way to go. We dont need an Ivy League analytics degree to realize that.  The only unanswerable question here is this: Does Edwin Diaz remain their best reliever?  Its probably folly to try to gue s correctly who among Mendozas other imperfect options could po sibly outpitch Diaz now. So expect no real talk of a Diaz demotion. Diaz has more ability, a better rsum and a bigger contract than any other option (and actually has a bigger contract than any reliever ever).  Mendoza frequently mentions that Diaz is my guy, and beyond that being an attempt to bolster Diaz, who once , its very likely the truth.  Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz (39) pitches in the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during Game 2.  USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con  Diaz is his guy. But is he the guy who can get it done now? At least a couple recent outings raise that unexpected question.  One rival scout wondered aloud if Diaz will be better in the comfort of home as the Division Series moves to Queens after a crazy, seemingly endle s journey to Atlanta, then Milwaukee, then back to Atlanta, then back to Milwaukee, then Philly.  I do think the Citi Field adrenaline will a sist, the scout said. Let the trumpets sound!  More From  Jon Heyman  Other scouts noticed a variety of po sible i sues after he surrendered three runs and the lead in , eventually won on a walk-off hit by Nick Castellanos against Trevor Megill in the ninth inning, to even the series.  Here are a few po sibilities (with thoughts from scouts):  1. Diazs fastball.  Cant throw his fastball for a strike. Hes clearly fighting himself, especially on his fastball. Too many sliders. (Seventeen of Clayton Richard Jersey  25 pitches were sliders.)  Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz #39, celebrates his playoff-spot clinching final out against the Braves.  Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post  2. Diazs slider.  His slider was just not good at all [in Game 2,] which may indicate fatigue.  3. Diazs command.  His command is just bad. It was like that earlier in the year, too. He has to somehow figure out how to command his fastball again. Otherwise he will never get back to what he was.  4. Diazs confidence.  I just think his confidence comes and goes.  5. Diazs workload.  He threw 130 pitches over eight days, The Athletic pointed out. While he did have two days off heading into Game 2, thats a lot.  Delivering insights on all things Amazins  Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+  Thank you  By clicking above you agree to the and .  Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter!  Mendozas call to summon Diaz to face the top of the Phillies lineup was expected, anyway. And its fair to ask: What choice does he have?  The Mets bullpen, seemingly in a constant state of flux, has several candidates for late, high-leverage spots but no obvious alternative to Diaz, who rescued the Mets and pitched them into October after .  I feel 100 percent confident, Diaz said after Game 2. Its part of the game. We were playing a really good team.  Other, better options arent obvious, anyway.  Follow The Posts coverage of the Mets playoff run:  Ryne Stanek blew away the Brewers for one inning and he throws 99 mph, but hes given up eight homers this year.  Phil Maton generally is solid. But he throws only 91-92 tops and got rocked one game in Milwaukee, allowing two homers.  Jose Butto was brilliant in two scorele s innings in Brew City, then gave up back-to-back home runs there a couple days later.  Maton and Stanek were nice July pickups, but with the Mets merely on the cusp of the race, team higher-ups understandably didnt want to trade big prospects for back-end bullpen pieces. Two other teams in this National League derby with le s need did acquire established closers.  Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz #39, throwing on the field.  Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post  These very Phillies got Carlos Estevez, who pitched a clean eighth inning in Game 2. The Padres hit the jackpot, acquiring a trio of excellent relievers  Bryan Hoeing, Jason Adam and proven closer Tanner Scott.  The Mets didnt seem very involved with any of them, no surprise since they trailed in the standings and the asks were steep.  Attrition cost them, too. Brooks Raley, Drew Smith and Sean Reid-Foley all went down with injuries. Jorge Lopez was dispatched after a bad quote. (We still arent sure whether he meant the Mets are the worst team, but if he did, he wasnt close to correct.)  So Diaz understandably remains Mendozas guy. Very likely, he still gives them the best chance.  Things actually started great , as Diaz whiffed Phillies leadoff hitter Kyle Schwarber (0-for-9 with seven Ks vs. Diaz) to end the seventh, then Trea Turner to begin the eighth. Diaz was looking dominant. But suddenly, it all fell apart.  He pitched carefully to annual October dynamo Bryce Harper, a little too carefully. After walking Harper and failing to retire Castellanos, who singled, Diaz tried a 3-2 slider on Bryson Stott. As Mendoza noted, It didnt do too much.  Stott lined a triple down the right-field line, giving the Phillies the lead and inspiring more theories about Diazs po sible i sues. They wont stop until Diaz starts pitching like himself.  Toronto Blue Jays Blank Jersey