The Mets were just one strong bullpen arm away from potentially securing a win in Game 2.

Leaving Philadelphia with two victories was a long shot for the New York Mets, yet they almost pulled it off. In a closely fought contest against their NL East rivals, the Phillies eventually came out on top.

Who’s to blame here? Sometimes it’s not about pointing fingers. Carlos Mendoza turned to Edwin Diaz when he thought it was the most critical moment in the game. Although Mark Vientos made a costly error, he redeemed himself with a game-tying two-run home run. And while Tylor Megill struggled in the ninth inning, pitching in an unfamiliar situation, it’s hard to hold him solely responsible.

No, the real issue traces back to a lackluster trade deadline, leaving the Mets without that one big arm in the bullpen, which ended up being crucial in their Game 2 defeat.

The Mets’ bullpen woes were highlighted in their Game 2 loss

After the game, the talk centered around the Mets’ bullpen being short on reliable options. This seemed odd, considering Adam Ottavino and Danny Young hadn’t even been called upon to pitch yet. How can the bullpen be considered depleted when two pitchers remain unused?

This goes back to the trade deadline when the Mets made some conservative, strategic moves. They brought in Huascar Brazoban, who showed promise despite some inconsistent outings. However, he didn’t make the NLDS roster, with the more seasoned but still unused Ottavino taking his spot.

It’s not that the Mets necessarily needed to use Ottavino or Young. Both had struggled at various points during the season. Ottavino finished stronger, while Young’s performance declined. Still, having two pitchers on the postseason roster who aren’t trusted to pitch raises concerns.

Instead, the Mets relied on Megill, who might be more effective in a long-relief role. They also have David Peterson, who filled in on the mound when Kodai Senga needed support on Saturday.

Hindsight makes it easy to question the Mets’ decisions, which is what post-game analysis is all about. The biggest flaw for the Mets this season was their bullpen. While David Stearns did manage to bring in Phil Maton and later Ryne Stanek, their postseason performances varied. Maton, after a strong regular season, struggled in the playoffs, while Stanek stepped up.

The Mets were unwilling to pay the high price for elite relievers like Tanner Scott. Another reliever at the level of Maton or Stanek would have been more useful right now than relying on Ottavino or Young.

The upcoming off-day will provide a much-needed break for the exhausted pitching staff. The Mets’ relievers were crucial in securing the Game 1 win, and with everyone rested, they should be better prepared for the next game. Let’s hope they can avoid another bullpen battle like the one they faced on Sunday.