SAN DIEGO Chris Chelios Jersey When Jose Quintana was struggling earlier in the season, mechanics were largely the i sue. But in evaluating his recent body of work, the Mets lefty cant pinpoint a reason for his troubles. Quintana, who is scheduled to face the Padres in Sundays series finale at Petco Park, has pitched to an 8.27 ERA in August. In each of his last three starts he has allowed at least four earned runs. Jose Quintana reacts after giving up a run to the Orioles in the fifth inning of the Mets 9-5 lo s to the Orioles on Aug. 20, 2024. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST I have been struggling but I am not feeling the way I was at the beginning of the season, Quintana said before the on Saturday night. I feel great. Nothing with my mechanics. No i sue commanding the ball like I was in the beginning. I am totally confident and will come back strong Sunday. In his last start, against the Orioles on Tuesday, he surrendered seven earned runs over five innings, including two homers. Explore More Hes allowed four homers over his last three starts, a stretch in which his ERA has jumped from 3.95 to 4.57. Its kind of tough to put your finger on it, pitching coach Jeremy Hefner said of Quintanas recent slump. Q has an unbelievable drive and competitive spirit, so making sure that continues and he believes in his stuff and hes going to execute, that is the name of the game for him. I think challenging guys earlier in counts and maybe try to find some quicker outs because when he has struggled, it has been ball one, ball two and before you know it hes thrown eight pitches and gives up a single. Get back to the attack mindset we had in the middle of the year and get back to who he is. Francisco Alvarez is 0-for-16 after an 0-for-4 in Saturdays win since hitting a walk-off homer to beat the Orioles on Monday. Delivering insights on all things Amazins Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Over that stretch Alvarez had seven strikeouts. He po se ses a .469 OPS for the month with only two RBIs. A couple of rough games, but were also facing some good arms, manager Carlos Mendoza said, referring to the Orioles and Padres. Hes staying positive, he is still working and hes our guy. He will get a big hit. Alvarez underwent surgery for a torn thumb ligament in April that cost him almost two months. He has said the thumb hasnt been an i sue. Mendoza was asked about the po sibility that the thumb is affecting his swing. No, hes good, Mendoza said. Its just part of the development hes a young player and hes going to be alright. Corey Crawford Jersey