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Buck Showalter assesses impact of Mets high-scoring games in Colorado

May 11, 2023;  Cincinnati, Ohio, USA;  New York Mets manager Buck Showalter (11) talks with bench coach Eric Chavez (51) at the beginning of their game with the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.  Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; New York Mets manager Buck Showalter (11) talks with bench coach Eric Chavez (51) at the beginning of their game with the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports / © David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

The impact on offense at Coors Field is a complicated conversation across Major League Baseball based on its impact on pitchers, an uptick in offense and plenty of home runs.

This weekend’s series between the Mets and the Rockies played into the ballpark’s narrative. After the Mets took game one 5-2 on Friday night, the teams combined for 55 hits and 38 runs in the next two games, both won by Colorado. From slugging at altitude to plenty of space in the outfield, the teams roped 26 extra-base hits on Saturday and Sunday.

The Mets posted two separate six-run innings on the weekend while the Rockies scored nine unanswered runs on Sunday.

Buck Showalter addressed his thoughts on the collective improvements needed for the pitching staff and how much the venue should be factored into opposing run totals.

“Everyone wants to seem to weigh in on it,” Showalter said. “The mistake you make is getting down on pitchers after pitching here. It’s tough on everybody. You have to stay positive with the guys who struggled here.”

“It’s a challenging place to pitch,” Showalter added after Saturday’s contest. “It’s the same reason I’m proud of how our guys fought back offensively.”

Brandon Nimmo offered a similar sentiment in his belief in his pitching staff.

“This place is made for hitting,” Nimmo said. “We scored 10 runs and we lost 11-10. Our pitching is going to get better. I have all the faith in the world in those guys.”

The Mets return to their home environment to start a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.