Rico Brogna's Influence: Did Mendoza Listen?

Evan Roberts passionately breaks down Carlos Mendoza's decision to use Edwin Diaz in the eighth inning, praising the Mets manager for a move he believes is both strategic and long overdue. Roberts argues that a team's best reliever should be used in the highest-leverage situation, regardless of the inning. He specifically points to the three-batter minimum rule, which makes it far riskier to "mess around" with a less reliable pitcher when the opponent's best hitters are due up. By bringing in Diaz early to face the top of the Mariners' order, Mendoza minimized the chance of a rally, a mindset Roberts enthusiastically agrees with. He even speculates that Mendoza may have been listening to his very own podcast, highlighting the move as a sign of a new, more aggressive and logical approach to managing the bullpen.