On Friday, Jacob deGrom reminded Mets fans that the best path to victory for this team is one where the bullpen is never involved in the game. DeGrom pitched 8.1 innings against the Pirates and gave up 1 run on 6 hits with 10 Ks. He had an extra day of rest because of that “rainy” game against the Padres, and the Mets let him throw 118 pitches. The offense put up 8 runs on 12 hits, and Neil Walker hit two home runs. Fernando Salas was able to retire two hitters to preserve deGrom’s gem.

I’m sure deGrom’s arm will wind up falling off if the Mets keep having him throw 118+ pitches per start. But it’s really the only way we can get a win these days. The second the Mets bullpen gets involved the game is pretty much over.

Last night’s game proved that point yet again. Zack Wheeler gave the team a quality start going 6 innings and giving up 3 runs on 7 hits. The Mets scored 4 runs on 12 hits which is kind of pathetic. But in the end it was the same old story. Addison Reed blew a 4-3 lead in the 9th inning and new minor league pitching savior Tyler Pill was charged with the winning run and the loss in extras.

Pill was one of the last viable pitching options that we had in Vegas. I just don’t see a light at the end of the Mets’ tunnel right now. Not only did our new minor league call-up get smacked in extras, but we received bad news on all of our injured players. Yoenis Cespedes had a quad setback. He shutting down baseball activities until Tuesday. The Daily News reported today that scouts who have seen Steven Matz pitch during his rehab outings are concerned that he’s still experiencing elbow soreness. They are getting that impression based on his mechanics. Seth Lugo is seemingly the only player progressing nicely during his rehab, and he has a half torn UCL.

I ain’t seeing the light at the end of the tunnel folks. I’m just not seeing it. Pray for a series win tonight. We need Matt Harvey to somehow go the distance, and that seems unlikely considering he can barely deliver quality starts this season.