There’s the usual panic over a struggling closer, as Frank Francisco has now allowed runs in his last four appearances. His ERA this season is now 8.53, which is, you know, high.
But a closer look at his numbers should provide reassurance. As should, of course, the tiny sample that is a closer’s workload through 14 games.
Francisco, for the season, has eight strikeouts and three walks in 6 1/3 innings. He’s sporting a BABIP allowance of .429, but his line drives are right in line with his career norms, suggesting that the BABIP is a function of luck. And he’s yet to allow a home run, so he isn’t having a problem with the long ball, either.
The reality is that Francisco is likely to be an adequate closer, not a great one. But the Mets don’t have a closer problem. And by the way, if Jon Rauch is the next in line, patience makes even more sense. It isn’t like Rauch is part of the future, in all likelihood, and his peripherals make Francisco look like Mariano Rivera.
So don’t throw your chairs just yet, Mets fans.
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50% of former Mets followers never even heard of Frank Francisco, and couldn’t care less. Sorry state for a once great franchise.