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After a tough 1-0 loss to the Washington Nationals, New York Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner pointed out that a change in strategy has helped starting pitcher Jose Quintana turn things around this season.
“We simplified things a bit,” Hefner explained, as reported by Mike Puma of the New York Post. “We were maybe overanalyzing the data and movements, so we went back to basics and focused on execution.”
Before a game against the San Diego Padres on June 15, Quintana had a 5.29 ERA for the season. However, in his last four starts, including a dominant performance against the Nationals, the 35-year-old has lowered his overall ERA to 4.22.
Despite a strong outing from Quintana, the Mets were unable to score any runs before or after Jesse Winker’s pinch-hit home run in the eighth inning against Adrian Houser, leading to a loss that put the Mets at 42-43 for the season.
“I’ve been focusing on my strengths and studying the hitters more,” Quintana mentioned, attributing a recent mechanical adjustment to his improved performance.
Quintana is set to become a free agent in the fall and has expressed a desire to remain with the Mets for the entire year, despite trade rumors swirling around him. Following Thursday’s game, he reiterated his commitment to the team.
“We’re in a close race right now, so our focus should be on the game,” Quintana said. “I’ve been through trade talks before, but my main goal is to compete every five days and let everything else unfold.”
The Mets are currently trailing by two and a half games in the hunt for the National League’s final wild-card playoff spot. If they continue to struggle, especially against the Pittsburgh Pirates, they may need to consider their options as the trade deadline approaches on July 30.
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