Rain Out Theater with The Media Goon, Keith Blacknick of QBC on Another Metsian Podcast

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

FEATURED GUEST

The Media Goon and Co-Founder Queens Baseball Convention

KIETH BLACKNICK

Mother Nature says no baseball for you.  One of the wackiest starts to a season continues, or not.  Out of fourteen scheduled games, the Mets have played just eight yet find themselves atop the N.L. East standings.  Helping The Metsian Podcast make sense of it all is The Media Goon, Keith Blacknick, of the Queens Baseball Convention.

ninety-five minutes

#LFGM

N.Y. Mets: Opening Night in the Nation's Capital

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Northbound and down, loaded up and trucking, 

the Mets are gonna do what they said can't be done.

They've got a long way to go and a short summer to get there. 

They're northbound. Just watch ol' Mr. Met run!

OPENING NIGHT
NEW YORK METS
vs.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS

FROM

Capitol Hill Grounds

With Defensive Shortcomings and Outstanding Bullpen Issues, The Mets Lineup Must Lead The Way 

Even though the Mets last season batted miserably with runners in scoring position, timely hitting this upcoming season is the least of my concerns.  By all indications, the Mets will be featuring a lengthy and potent lineup with few if any dead spots.  With the resumption of a full 162 game schedule, the law of averages will hopefully play a normalizing role as well.

I think we fans agree that Brandon Nimmo and his career .390 OBP is the logical choice for batting leadoff.  However, this season I want to see from him a more aggressive approach at the plate.  Otherwise, on average, Nimmo has scored runs in 49.8% of his 365 career games played.  I anticipate that percentage climbing as the hitters batting behind him should prove problematic for opposing pitchers.

Batting second in my order is Jeff McNeil.  Bat control factored heavily in my decision.  McNeil's and Francisco Lindor's respective rate of strikeouts are separated by mere percentage points.  Lindor strikes out in 15.7% of his at-bats, whereas McNeil fans 13.3% on average.  This might be a hot take, but I believe McNeil is the more traditional and polished slap-style hitter than Lindor, who swings a tad bit more from his heels.  I seek bat control from the second spot, someone adept at hitting the ball to all fields for the sake of advancing runners and not getting doubled-up.

Deep in my heart, I want Dominic Smith batting third.  The old adage says bat your best hitter third, and I believe Dom to be the Mets' most pure hitter.  However, I just cannot fathom Francisco Lindor hitting any further down the lineup.  Lindor's switch-hitting abilities, low strikeouts, and his .500 plus slugging average in three of the last four seasons make him quite the unique number three-hitter.  Dom Smith is better equipped to hit as far down as sixth with limited protection behind him; Lindor not so much.  But in truth, hitting sixth is never what Mets fans envisioned insofar as Francisco Lindor's proper place in the lineup.

Batting cleanup in my lineup is Michael Conforto.  Few hitters in baseball will be afforded the level of lineup protection the Mets will be providing Lindor and Conforto with Pete Alonso and Dom Smith hitting behind them.  Lindor and Conforto should game in, and game out see the best and more hittable pitches being offered.

 

Pete Alonso put the squeeze on Grapefruit League pitchers.  In 16 games and 50 at-bats, the Polar Bear slashed .340/.421./700/1.121, with six doubles, four home runs, and 16 runs batted in.

While Dom Smith offers exceptional protection for the top half of the lineup, he, in turn, will have to protect him either J.D. Davis or Luis Guillorme and James McCann.

McCann has never played in more than 118 games (72.9%) nor achieved 500 plate appearances in any of his five-plus full seasons in the bigs.  However, the Mets appeared to sign him while in the midst of an offensive uptick.  In 2019 with the White Sox, McCann registered career highs in all batting categories for a season that somewhat resembles JT Realmuto-like production.  Last season, he was arguably on track to surpass those numbers.  Not many other eighth batters in baseball can say that.

See pitch, hit pitch.

Time to play ball!

#LGM

A Metsian Podcast: Just Basking in the Florida Sunshine w/ Guest, Baseball Author Brian Wright

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

w/ SAM, RICH & MIKE

GUEST

Baseball Author

Brian Wright

seventy-seven minutes

#LGM

N.Y. Mets: Third Base Debate Rages On

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

SPRING TRAINING

updated, Saturday, 10:30 pm

Who's on First; What's on Second; I Don't Know is on Third.

That's for Luis Rojas to decide ...

Luis Rojas has legitimate fielding issues to deal with, for which Spring Training offers no solution. 

For those of you who missed Saturday's game, the Mets committed three errors at third base.  It's as if we're just biding time until this ongoing condition makes its triumphant return to Flushing, where the onus will again be on Rojas, like previous managers under Sandy Alderson, to manage around it.  

The problem at second base is the easiest fix of all.  There is no problem.  Jeff McNeil is clearly the only answer.  He spent his minor league years playing primarily as an infielder, and comparatively, little time roaming the outfield.  As such, I want him eliminated from any and all talk about playing left field.  The infield is his comfort zone.  But as is their custom, perceived or real, the Mets forced him to play beyond the infield diamond on a more frequent basis.  This must stop.  His frame and build and agility are best suited for second base, even more so than third base.  I beg management to just leave him alone.

That leaves four other positions in question: first base, left field, center field, and third base.

Why mince words ... despite improved glove work, Pete Alonso remains a defensive liability.  In the absence of a universal designated hitter, he remains the incumbent at first base.  That means Dom Smith, the Mets' best fielding first baseman and one of their top batsmen, will be shoehorned into left field.  There really is no escaping this scenario.

Meanwhile, Brandon Nimmo teeters on being a par center fielder; we get it.  But his career OBP/OPS can not be denied.  He is among MLB's elite when it comes to reaching base safely.  Therefore, fans like me are willing to put up with his fielding deficiencies.  If and when a clear-cut upgrade comes along, make a move.  Until then, I'm agreeable with Brandon Nimmo as the starting centerfielder.  Let Luis Rojas implement late-inning replacement if he chooses.  That's his job.

The most conflicting situation facing Luis Rojas involves the hot corner.  If it's an offensive threat you desire, then you lean towards JD Davis.  But if it's a defensive specialist you seek, then Luis Guillorme is your man.  By starting Guillorme over Davis, Manager Rojas reduces the team's four outstanding liabilities by one.  But this does not preclude JD Davis from forcing himself into the line-up.  Sometimes offensive production speaks for itself.  If he's wielding a lethal bat, he starts, no questions asked.  But in more normalized situations, with the expectation Francisco Lindor, Michael Conforto, and Pete Alonso are providing the requisite production, I prefer Luis Guillorme starting at third and having JD Davis pinch hit off the bench.  I'm otherwise completely open to a full platoon at third.  However, like Jeff McNeil, the last place I want to see Davis is in left field.

Jonathan Villar remains an unknown variable; he might yet factor into the equation.  Although, he committed two of the Mets' three errors on Saturday.  The third error of the day was committed by an A-level third baseman who shall remain nameless.  He is not what this is about. 

Guillorme did not play Saturday against the Nats.  But if his 2020 slash of .333/.426/.439/.865 through 29 games and 57 at-bats, and this Spring's five hits through eleven Grapefruit at-bats to date is any indication of things to come, then we'll soon be having a much different conversation.

Grapefruit League Preview, Sky King, and "Ya Gotta Believe" on Another Metsian Podcast

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

with SAM, RICH & MIKE

Opening Day in the Grapefruit League

Mets Roster Projections 

Bullpen - Third Base - Luis Rojas

Pete Alonso > Social Media < Steve Cohen

The 1973 National League Champion New York Mets

and so much more!

ninety-five minutes

#LGM

N.Y. Mets: Like a Nor'Easter Over Flushing Bay

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Pitchers & Catchers report in two more days when finally the Mets can again set about the business of playing baseball.

After one of the most comprehensively altering off-seasons in Mets history, Flushing begins digging out from a winter Nor'Easter marked by hype, controversy, and transformative acquisitions.   

Once his Mets' purchase was finalized by Major League Baseball, Steve Cohen officially arrived on the scene in November.  At long last, the Wilpon Era was over.  Replete with a Twitter account at the ready, Cohen, in an instant single-handed revived the spirits of New York City's increasingly despondent National League fan base.

Already a minority shareholder in the team, Cohen and Sandy Alderson were by no means strangers to one another.  However, I still wonder why Cohen acted so quickly in hiring Alderson to be his President of Baseball Operations.  With Steve Cohen in place, being a Mets executive instantly became one of the most sought after positions in all of baseball.  Why not wait and play the field or see who makes themselves available?  Instead, Cohen wasted little time in recruiting Sandy Alderson back into the Mets fold.  In turn, Alderson wiped out all vestiges of Brodie Van Wagenen's front office, all except "the survivor" John Ricco, that is.

Before hiring a general manager, Sandy Alderson's skeleton crew moved quickly in signing free-agents Brian McCann and Trevor May and executing the mega-deal for Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco.  Not till a week after the big trade was Jared Porter hired as general manager.  All of this taking place in December.  

Flushing goes on to revel in one of the happiest New Year's holidays of recent history, pandemic withstanding.  But then a major controversy came crashing the party.  Roughly one year after hiring Carlos Beltran as manager then immediately having to let him go when it was discovered he participated in the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal, the Mets, after less than forty days on the job are forced to fire Jared Porter post-haste after it was revealed he texted numerous unsolicited lewd pictures to a female reporter.

Kicking off the month of February, news comes down of similar behavior involving former manager Mickey Callaway.  In what is being called the "worst kept secret in sports," several female members of the media claim Callaway's harassing behavior spanned five years, covering his time in Cleveland, New York, and Anaheim.  

As one who hired both, these incidents put Sandy Alderson's hiring practices squarely under the spotlight.  When a reporter questioned if he ever consulted with a woman at any point during his vetting of Porter, Sandy Alderson said no.  Therefore, it's now up to him to decipher whether his practices are fundamentally flawed, self-serving, or otherwise.

Then came the GameStop and supposed stock manipulation uproar that caused Steve Cohen's professional life as an investor to bleed over into his endeavors as Mets owner.  He suspended his Twitter account at once, and you might say the honeymoon period ended with it.

Meanwhile, free agency was not as cooperative as Mets fans anticipated.  However, for the first time in a long time, spending power was not a primary issue.  It certainly appears as if George Springer and Trevor Bauer never once contemplated playing in New York.  Instead, each used the Mets to facilitate an agreeable contract elsewhere, for it takes two to set a market ... just ask Baurer's agent.  I am actually very agreeable to missing out on both.  Just because they were the best available doesn't necessarily make them worthy of premium dollars.

This month's second wave of transactions saw the trading away of Steven Matz to Toronto for three prospects, one of which the Mets parlayed into Kansas City's eighth-ranked prospect, outfielder Khalil Lee.  Alderson and interim general manager Zack Scott also traded for pitchers Joey Lucchesi and Jordan Yamamoto.  From the free-agent market, they signed outfielder Albert Amora Jr, pitcher Aaron Loup, and infielder Jonathan Villar.

And that was only in the first one hundred days of the Cohen Era.

The Mets still have several outstanding issues entering Spring Training.

Major League Baseball will not be implementing a universal DH this season.  As rules go, I'm happy about it, but it's problematic for the Mets.  The likely alignment when the Mets are not playing American League teams is Dom Smith playing left and Pete Alonso at first.  Otherwise, Dom Smith will DH and make the occasional start at first - not an optimal situation.

Albert Almora Jr. brings a potential platoon into the center field equation.  This is, of course, the backup plan after having missed out on George Springer.  Brandon Nimmo looks to be the starter heading into the season.  In fact, I welcome Nimmo and his career .838 OPS.  At the very least, Albert Almora Jr. should become the customary late-inning replacement.

The situation at third base remains fluid.  The job belongs to JD Davis until notified otherwise.  No one is questioning his bat.  However, his glovework leaves much to be desired.  Thus the Mets seem more than interested in making another move.

Meanwhile, Francisco Lindor and Michael Conforto have pressing contract concerns that require the Mets address.

Lastly, on the premise simmering in pockets of Metsville, that because the Mets have a billionaire owner, their inability to secure JT Realmuto, Brad Hand, George Springer, Trevor Baurer, James Paxton, D.J. LeMahieu, Cory Kluber, Nolan Arenado, et al, constitutes a failed off-season.

To all of it, I say, nonsense.

A Metsian Podcast: First Quarter Review

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

We are one-quarter of the way through the New York Mets 2020 regular season.  There is good news making some fans think they're taking a turn for the better, but there's also bad news making other fans think they're taking a turn for the worse.  So, which is it?  Join Sam, Rich, and I, as we attempt to get a fix on the Mets direction.  Pitching; fielding; timely hitting; and this sudden love affair with Andres Gimenez; A Metsian Podcast will cover it all; including a look back at the Amazin' 1962 Mets.

#LGM

The Good, Bad, and Ugly, of Opening Day Weekend on Another Metsian Podcast

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

GUEST

John Strubel 

of METS REWIND

forty-seven minutes

OPENING DAY WEEKEND

"SUNDAY NIGHT BLECH BALL"

Complete breakdown of 

Braves versus Mets

Squeezing Grapefruit League Baseball with Marc of MetsFansUnited on Another Metsian Podcast

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

For love of Bob Myrick!

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

WITH GUEST

Marc AKA @NoMoreWilpons 

and @MetsFansUnited1

77 minutes

STUFF

Grapefruit League Opening Weekend

Left-Handed Pitching Dilemma

Starters ~ Bullpen 

Three Headed Catcher

JD Davis ~ Dom Smith ~ Brandon Nimmo

Steve Cohen ~ The SNY Cash Cow ~ James Dolan

Jason Bay ~ Lastings Milledge ~ Izzy ~ Jeff Reardon

Dave Cone for Mets HOF?

Happy Birthday Ron Hunt, and so much more!

BONUS OFF-TOPIC TANGENT: 

Yoenis Cespedes vs. Bo Jackson?

Yeah, we went there.

#LGM

Another Meaningful Metsian Podcast in September

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

My turn to host ...

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

Show Date: 9/22/2019

eighty-one minutes

ORANGE & BLUE STUFF

The Week Ahead ~ The Wild Card

Success ~ What Went Right ~ THE SEASON ~ What Went Wrong ~ Failure

!The Bullpen! ~ Annual May/June Swoon ~ Offensive Blackouts ~ !The Bullpen!

On Mickey Callaway's Employment ~ Grading Brodie's Rookie Season

Brodie's People vs. Sandy's People

Revisionist History ~ ROBINSON CANO/EDWIN DIAZ TRADE ~ Hindsight

Jay Bruce ~ Anthony Swarzak ~ Prospects

Free Agent Zack Wheeler ~ Trading Noah Syndergaard

JD Davis ~ Amed Rosario ~ Brandon Nimmo ~ Wilson Ramos

BABE RUTH ~ 50 HOME RUN CLUB ~ PETE ALONSO

Casey Stengel ~ Mets Logo ~ Grading the Season

and so much more...!

N.Y. Mets: Season Suddenly Becoming a Serious Matter of Contention

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Mets Lead Nationals 2-0

I - NYM 7; WAS 6

II - NYM 4; WAS 3

III - SUNDAY

GAME THREE

Washington Nationals

vs.

New York Mets

FROM

41 Seaver Way at Roosevelt Avenue

Flushing, Queens

That's one wild step for the Mets, and one giant leap for Metskind.

We pick up this story on July 12 as the Mets return from the all-star break with a loss against the  dreadful Miami Marlins.  They drop to 40-51 for the season (eleven games under .500) and a distant 14.5 games out of first place.  After which they go on to win 12 of their next 16 games, and finish out July with a 14-8 record.

#LGM are 12-1 since @greg_prince @Metfanrich and me attended Citi Field together Jul 27 vs. PITT.

Your welcome.

— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) August 11, 2019

The Mets pick up in August where they leave off in July by winning their seventh game in a row.  However on Aug 2 that streak is snapped by the Pirates at Pittsburgh.  One sunrise later they embark on yet another extended win streak bringing us into this weekend's showdown against the second place Nationals at Citi Field.  I listened to Friday's game on radio and Howie Rose says that night was the most raucous Citi Field has ever been since its opening (...or at least since the 2015 playoffs).  And that due to the configuration of Citi Field versus Shea Stadium the roar of the crowd smacks him from different angles and directions.

Prior to this weekend's series against the Nationals, the Mets were busy posting a 19-6 (.760) record; the best second-half mark in all of baseball.  There were two legitimate wins over the Minnesota Twins, which they follow up disappointingly by losing three of four against the San Francisco Giants.  Otherwise the Mets compile 16 of 19 said victories against second division teams: Marlins, Padres, White Sox, and Pirates.  While on the one hand you can only play teams on your schedule, on the other hand the four aforementioned teams combine for a .429 winning percentage.  Moreover twelve of those victories are against bottom feeders of their respective divisions, with six against the Marlins, and another six against the Pirates.  And so the real test lay ahead with these upcoming games against the Nationals, followed by a pair of series against the Braves, et al.

The question which begs to be asked:  Are the Mets a paper tiger?

To that end they say actions speak louder than words ...

PANDEMONIUM AND MAYHEM APPEARING NIGHTLY

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: Michael Conforto Drives in First Ever Game Winning RBI.

With the Mets trailing 0-3 after three and a half innings, Jeff McNeil works out a base on balls leading off the bottom of the fourth.  Two outs later Pete Alonso launches a home run (38!) to deep left off Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg.  Next in JD Davis makes it back-to-back home runs and a tie game at three.  Mickey Callaway sends starter Marcus Stroman out for the seventh, whom walks lead-off batter Trea Turner.  Callaway then summons Justin Wilson from the pen.  After fanning Adam Eaton Wilson surrenders a two run home run to third baseman Anthony Rendon.  Washington tacks on an insurance run in the top of the ninth when Trea Turner scores from third base on a Luis Avilan wild pitch.  Washington dispatches reliever Sean Doolittle to the mound for the ninth.  JD Davis greets Doolittle with a double to left, and Wilson Ramos follows with a single up the middle.  Todd Frazier then hooks a home run just inside the left field foul tying the game at six.  Nationals manager Dave Martinez sticks with Doolittle and the Mets continue inflicting damage.  Newest arrival Joe Panik joins the fray singling to center.  I guess you can say Juan Lagares blows the sacrifice by essentially bunting himself into a fielder's choice as Panik is erased at second.  After Jeff McNeil flies harmlessly to right, Amed Rosario singles.  In steps Michael Conforto who strikes a line drive over right fielder Adam Eaton's head one hop off the wall.  Juan Lagares scores from second base and the Mets win.  It's their seventh straight victory.


SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER: You Can't Stop JD Davis, You Can Only Hope To Contain Him.

Noah Syndergaard toes the rubber in game two and is opposed by Patrick Corbin.  Washington promptly jumps out to a 2-0 first inning lead on Juan Soto's two run home run.  The Mets finally strike back in the fourth with back-to-back home runs from Wilson Ramos and JD Davis.  Patrick Corbin lasts six innings while Syndergaard goes seven.  Each walk off to a no decision.  Noah is charged with two earned runs on seven hits and two walks with five strikeouts.  He winds up throwing 97 pitches with 66 going for strikes.  Enter Seth Lugo.  With two outs in the top of the eighth Lugo surrenders Juan Soto's second home run of the game.  Up by a run manager Martinez calls upon the well traveled 42-year old Fernando Rodney to handle the bottom half of the frame.  Pinch-hitting, Luis Guilllorme leads off with a game tying home run to left - it's hit first ever career home run.  Next in Joe Panik reaches safely on an E-6, then advances on Jeff McNeil's hit to center.  Amed Rosario advances the runners up one base.  With two runners in scoring position the Nationals elect to intentionally walk Pete Alonso.  JD Davis then lifts a sac-fly to left scoring Panik from third for a 4-3 Mets lead.  Mickey Callaway sticks with Seth Lugo who does not disappoint, retiring Asdrubal Cabrera on a fly to right, then fanning the final two batters of the game.  Lugo is credited with his fifth victory of the season against two losses with a 2.65 ERA.  It's the Mets season high eighth straight victory, making them 15-1 (.937) in their last 16 games.


AMAZIN: When you pick up Sunday's papers the top four wild card contenders will read Nationals, Brewers, Cardinals, and Flushing's own New York Mets.

August 10, 2019, the Mets close business with an overall 61-56 record drawing them to within one-half game of a wild card with 45 games remaining in the regular season.  By no means are they lucky.
Make no mistake about that.  They've legitimately placed themselves into this position of contention, and these last two games in particular suddenly transform the rest of the season into a very serious matter.

Mets fans dating back to 1969 and 1973 understand full well about miracles and what the will to believe can achieve.  Although the 1986 Mets dominated the regular season, even they required a few miracles along the way.  And of course who can forget the run of 2015, one of the more endearing seasons in Mets history.  If these 2019 Mets continue playing meaningful games in August they'll no doubt engage meaningful games in September.

Can they continue winning games with a 93% or a even a 76% rate of success?

Uh, no ..

Is it within their abilities down the stretch to win at least 64% of their games?

Not out of the question ...

The Mets have the advantage of 28 more home games and just 18 remaining on the road.  They are 27-36 (.429) on the road and 33-20 (.630) at home - a stark difference to say the least.  However, since July 2 the Mets are 10-5 (.667) on the road.

This is now a matter of seizing the moment.

Feeding Wild Card Fever on Another Metsian Podcast with Greg Prince

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Starve a Cold; Feed a Fever

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

WITH GUEST

author, Mets fan extraordinaire 

Greg Prince 

proprietor of 

Faith and Fear in Flushing

102 minutes

STUFF

WILD CARD FEVER

Marcus Stroman ~ Jason Vargas ~ Jacob deGrom

Luis Avilan ~ Justin Wilson ~ Edwin Diaz ~ Seth Lugo

Brodie Van Wagenen ~ Mickey Callaway

Tom Hausman ~ Jon Matlack ~ Dick Tidrow ~ Paul Wilson

JD Davis ~ Amed Rosario ~ Michael Conforto

Pete Alonso ~ Jeff McNeil

Strat-O-Matic Baseball

 and so much more!

#LFGM

Another Metsian Podcast: Deadline Aftermath w/ John Pielli of The Passed Ball Show

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Trade Deadline Aftermath

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

FEATURED GUEST

John Pielli of The Passed Ball Show

seventy-five minutes

STUFF

Post-Trade Deadline Reaction

Marcus Stroman ~ Jason Vargas ~ New Starting Five

Anthony Kay ~ Simeon Woods Richardson ~ Austin Bossart

Brodie Van Wagenen ~ Mickey Callaway

Todd Frazier ~ JD Davis ~ Luis Avilan ~ Justin Wilson

Robinson Cano ~ Pete Alonso ~ Dom Smith

the season ahead, and so much more..!

Three Guys Walk Into Citi Field and a Whitewash Breaks Out

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

SATURDAY

Pirates   0

Mets      3

FINAL

My esteemed Metsian Podcast partner, Rich, Greg Prince of FaithAndFearInFlushing.com and I joined forces Saturday evening in rooting on our beloved New York Mets.  Among our many topics of discussion is Mets game starter Steven Matz.  I said I do not trust what is inside the man's mind nor the things rattling inside his elbow.  So what happens ...

Making his 90th start as a New York Met Steven Matz pitches an absolute gem.  Velocity, off-speed effectiveness, accuracy, pace, low pitch economy, he nails it.  Matz yields no runs on just five hits and two walks with seven strikeouts through nine full innings.  He averages 11 pitches per inning while overall throws an efficient 99 pitches with 67 (68%) going for strikes.  The marks Steven Matz' first ever career complete game shutout.

On trading Noah Syndergaard: the Mets insistence on starting Todd Frazier over JD Davis to me says the Mets are desperate to win now.  But if they trade Syndergaard will they not be considered in rebuild mode?  Therefore which is it?  Somehow we'll all be shaking our heads come the trade deadline.  Of that I'm sure.  If nothing else the Mets are demonstrating they have no plan.  Four months into the season and they're in a panic.  Perhaps the best thing for them to do is nothing at all.

How's that?

There's too much talent on this team for it to remain this bad this long.  More likely than not, the law of averages will begin favoring the Mets, perhaps with six weeks left in the season.  They'll catch fire and finish strong.  It's a worst case scenario for many and obvious reasons.  Because if you're gonna trade Syndergaard, then you might as well blow the entire thing up (with two or three obvious exceptions).

Mets win, complete game shutout, fantastic time w/ @Metfanrich and @greg_prince EPIC..!! #LGM

— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) July 28, 2019

Missed ya buddy.

— Greg Prince (@greg_prince) July 28, 2019

Thank you to @BTB_MikeII @Metfanrich and @Smatz88 for a memorable Saturday night. #LGM

— Greg Prince (@greg_prince) July 28, 2019

Wonderful time with these guys! Special thanks to @BTB_MikeII for the primo location. https://t.co/UxPCLOSKb3

— Mets killin'me (@Metfanrich) July 28, 2019

Read more about Steven Matz' performance, the game, and the night in general,

Mr. Matz on the Moon - by Greg Prince

Pete Alonso

Mets vs. Yankees: 2019 Subway Series II

From the desks of: 

HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET  and  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Mets/Yankees Split Series 2-2

I - Rain Out

II - NYY 12; NYM 5

III - NYM 10; NYY 4

IV - NYM 4; NYY 2

V- NYY 5; NYM 1

SUBWAY SERIES

New York Yankees

vs.

New York Mets

FROM

41 SEAVER WAY

QUEENS

Welcome back to the second installment of Subway Series featuring the American League's best team taking on the National League's third worst team.  The Bombers are coming off a weekend wherein they score 29 runs on 32 hits through two games against the Red Sox at London Series.  On Sunday, the Mets won their first game in a week and are 3-7 over their last ten games.  With any luck the moribund Metropolitans face a flight fatigued jet lagged sleep deprived strung out Yankees squad when both teams meet Tuesday evening at Citi Field.  Better yet, maybe the entire Bombers line-up all pull their hamstrings considering they're just one day removed from another seven hour return flight back home.  The Mets need all the help they can get considering they're blowing more than half of their save opportunities.

Mets All-Stars:

• Jacob deGrom; selected.
• Jeff McNeil; selected.
• Pete Alonso; selected.

Yankees All-Stars:

• DJ LeMahieu; voted
• Gary Sanchez; voted
• Aroldis Chapman; selected.

AMAZIN'

• During an otherwise stellar ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1969 New York Mets Saturday at Citi Field, the organization incorrectly included two members of the '69 roster into their video tribute to those no longer with us whom are still very much alive.  The Mets front office apologized.  How does this happen?

HOLY COW!

• ICYMI: LONDON SERIES Recap and Pics.

GAME ONE

Yankees  2

Mets       4

FINAL

I do not buy into the notion Zack Wheeler was auditioning for the Yankees Tuesday evening at Citi Field.  The teams still strike me as very unlikely trade partners.  That said, Wheeler toes the rubber in game one of Subway Series II.  He throws 116 pitches with 75 (65%) going for strikes, yielding two earned runs on five hits and just one walk with eight strikeouts.  He leaves the game after 6.1 innings with the Mets trailing 2-1 through seven.  The Mets finally break through for three runs in the eighth on a two RBI double from Michael Conforto, and JD Davis's double scoring Pete Alonso to give the Mets a 4-2 lead.  Just as the rains begin falling down upon Citi Field, Edwin Diaz pitches a scoreless ninth and strikes out Brett Gardner to end the game.  Seth Lugo - the latest hard luck pitcher of note - earns his fourth victory.  Edwin Diaz records his 18th save of the season.  Mets pitching issues two walks all game.

Playing left field, JD Davis is 2 for 4 with a double and his ninth home run in the sixth.  Robinson Cano, finally moved out of the three spot and hitting fifth, goes 2 for 3 with a walk and run scored.  Jeff McNeil and Amed Rosario also register multi-hit games.

Aaron Hicks strokes the Yankees lone extra base hit of the game.  Starter James Paxton yields just one run on eight hits and two walks with three strikeouts through six innings pitched.  Adam Ottavino earns his third loss for his work in the eighth.

The Yankees record setting streak of hitting at least one home run in 31 consecutive games ends at Queens.

GAME TWO

Yankees  5

Mets       1

FINAL

Domingo German out-pitches Jason Vargas.  There's your game.

The Yankees starter yields one run on five hits and no walks with six strikeouts through six innings.  He improves his record to 10-2 with a 3.67 ERA.  Jason Vargas surrenders three runs on seven hits and two walks wit six strikeouts through 5.1 innings.  Steven Matz makes a relief appearance in the seventh.  The Yankees get home runs from Didi Gregorious and Gio Urshela.  Jeff McNeil's home run accounts for the Mets only run.

Another Metsian Podcast: Bringing in the New Year with Metstradamus

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

A METSIAN PODCAST

with Sam, Rich, and Mike

Season Two; Episode One

Feature guest: John Coppinger, aka

Metstradamus of the Sports Daily

76-Minutes

Happy New Year Stuff

The Continuing Adventures of Brodie Van Wagenen

Parting with prospects; is BVW draining the system?

Trades ~ Waivers ~ Free Agent Signings ~ Minor League Deals

Keon Broxton ~ Walker Lockett ~ JD Davis

Kevin Plawecki ~ Edwin Diaz' elbow ~ Ross Adolph

Mets money; bad contracts; the predictable economy; no Bryce Harper

Jorday Valdespin, "I'm the man right now!"

Lance Johnson ~ Amed Rosario ~ Juan Lagares

Collin Cowgill ~ Michael Cuddyer

and so much more.