ST. LOUIS - As much as taking 2 of 3 from the Cardinals is a positive from the Mets' perspective, what unfolded in the final game of the series far outweighs any of the good vibes from the weekend.
Signs that something wasn't right with Jacob deGrom came to light in the third and were confirmed after Harrison Bader launched a grand slam that eventually powered St. Louis to a 7-5 victory. However, the outcome of the contest was no match when compared to the outcome of a post-game MRI on the golden right arm of deGrom.
The medical staff of the Mets confirmed arm inflammation that will keep the two-time defending Cy Young winner sidelined for the next three weeks, stripping the NL East leader of its ace and testing the depth of the Amazins's staff.
"As much as it could be far worse, hearing we'll be without Jake until sometime in June makes my stomach nauseous," said an anonymous Met. "The guy is virtually a sure thing every time he toes the rubber. It will be up to all of us to step up in his absence, especially our staff."
Call is Sunday, Bloody Sunday. Not only did the setback to the Cards end the Mets' six-game win streak, it zapped their ace from a rotation that has been nothing short of brilliant.
The events of Sunday came on the heels of the Mets rallying Saturday for five runs over the final two innings to pick up a 6-3 win. Jake Marisnick's two-run single in the eighth stamping a frame in which New York scored four times.
A day later, things started well with Pete Alonso unloading his sixth homer of the year, a solo shot in the first. But, Paul Goldschmitt belted a two-run blast as a rebuttal in the bottom half and Bader clubbed his grand slam in the third, part of a five-run outburst, all pinned on the ledger of deGrom, who fell to 6-2 and saw his ERA "skyrocket" to 2.30.
What bears watching is who slides into the rotation. Chances are it will be Michael Wacha, who absorbed four innings of outstanding relief upon deGrom's injury.
