Jason

Vargas

Vargas’ previous victory came in relief. He may have earned himself another start with his performance tonight, but he’s probably not going to get Ismael Valdez’s rotation spot on a permanent basis.

He’s set to go on Wednesday against Arizona. Manager Jack McKeon said he’ll stay with a six-man rotation through Aug. 15, the team’s only off day in August. After that he plans to move Vargas, Ismael Valdez or Brian Moehler to the bullpen. ''We’ll have to see where we’re going,’' McKeon said. ``If Valdez pitches well, it makes it tough. If Moehler pitches well, it makes it tough.’' You’ve got to think that Valdez will keep his spot, but you never know.

Vargas gave up four hits, walked two, and struck out five but still needed 111 pitches to complete five innings. Vargas could lose his rotation spot before his next outing, but it seems more likely that Brian Moehler or Ismael Valdez will get booted. Assuming he makes the start, he’s worth using in NL-only leagues against the Padres next week.

Vargas gave up just four hits and struck out seven, but he walked five and needed 103 pitches to retire 16 batters. He had cruised through the first four innings, but a walk, a double, and a triple scored two runs in the sixth before Vargas departed. A third run scored when reliever Brian Moehler allowed an RBI-single to Mark Sweeney. Given that Ismael Valdez has been sent to the pen, Vargas should retain value in NL-only leagues for the remainder of the season.

He’ll receive a $2 million buyout instead. Vargas posted a 4.51 ERA for the Mets and Phillies this season and will turn 37 in February. It’s possible he’ll have to accept a non-guaranteed deal this winter.

The veteran southpaw struggled with his command in this one, issing five free passes while striking out three. He allowed a single runs in the first and second innings (including a solo homer by Michael Taylor), but it was a three-run uprising in the fifth inning that finally did him in. Vargas finishes the season 7-9 with a 4.51 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 124/63 K/BB ratio over 149 2/3 innings between the Mets and Phillies. It seems unlikely that hte Phillies will exercise his team option for the 2020 season.

It was his first win with the Phillies. Vargas dug a hole for himself early, allowing all four runs through his first two innings, but the Phillies’ bats bailed him out in the middle innings. The veteran southpaw struck out eight, his highest total since his next-to-last start with the Mets on July 23. He’ll bring a 4.40 ERA into his season finale next week against the Nationals.

Vargas made a throwing error in the first inning that led to an unearned run. He teed up a bases-loaded gopherball to Christian Vazquez in the third inning and that grand slam ended up costing his team the ballgame. Vargas allowed only three base hits and one walk but also beaned two batters. He struck out six. The loss drops his record to 6-8 with a 4.48 ERA in 28 games (27 starts) with the Mets and Phillies this year.

Vargas was handed a 4-0 lead after the bottom of the first inning, but he gave it all back in a rough third in which he allowed four hits and two walks. He should have only given up two runs, but J.T. Realmuto dropped a throw from the pitcher at home on what should have been a tailor made home-to-first double play (the error was charged to Vargas for some reason). Vargas gets the Braves again in his next outing.

Vargas had a shutout going until Jose Iglesias homered off him in the sixth. He was pulled immediately afterwards. Vargas has been about as good as the Phillies could have expected when they picked him up a month ago, but he hasn’t gotten much run support. He’s 0-2 in his seven starts for the team, even though he’s allowed exactly two runs in four of those outings.