THE METSIAN PODFEST: featuring Subway To Shea Podcast & MetsMusings Podcast

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

This week The Metsian Podcast welcomes Anthony Rivera, proprietor of the Subway To Shea Podcast, to the show.  On the docket: a seven-game win streak, injuries, stock up/stock down, RatCoon, The Dark Knight returns, and a Mets 1977 regular season rewind assist from Gary Mac of MetsMusings Podcast.

 

eighty-two minutes

Calling all fans!  Be on the lookout for players involved with elevating the Mets into first place.  Several of the conspirators are known members of the notorious Bench Mob.  The rest of the team is armed with effective pitching and an increasingly dangerous lineup.  They are reported to have come away with series victories against the Diamondbacks and Orioles at Citi Field and are now thought to be in transit towards the Tampa/St. Pete area disguised in surfer shorts, sandals, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

#LGM 

N.Y. Mets: Dream Rotation Gone Wrong

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

THE FIVE HURLERS OF THE METROPOLIS

The Dominant Rotation That Never Was

Matt Harvey ~ Zack Wheeler ~ Jacob deGrom ~ Noah Syndergaard ~ Steven Matz

2012 - Harvey

2013 - Harvey; Wheeler

2014 - Harvey; Wheeler; deGrom

2015 - Harvey; Wheeler; deGrom; Syndergaard; Matz

2016 - Harvey; Wheeler; deGrom; Syndergaard; Matz

2017 - Harvey; Wheeler; deGrom; Syndergaard; Matz

2018 - Harvey; Wheeler; deGrom; Syndergaard; Matz

2019 - Harvey; Wheeler; deGrom; Syndergaard; Matz

2020 - Harvey; Wheeler; deGrom; Syndergaard; Matz

There was a three year window (2015-2017) earmarked for greatness.  Unfortunately it never materialized.  Injuries first and foremost would prevent the Mets from unleashing a full-on assault upon the National League East.  Otherwise there's something to be said for the Mets front office failing to seize the moment.  In fairness, the team won a National League flag in 2015 and qualified for a Wild Card playoff the year after.  Even then, Zack Wheeler missed two full seasons, and Syndergaard one.  In 2017 Syndergaard and Matz would only make 20 starts combined.  Without a reliable number two, Jacob deGrom has essentially been a one man gang.  We fans are left lamenting over what could have been ...

RISE AND FALL OF THE DARK KNIGHT

On July 26, 2012, a 23-year old Matt Harvey makes his major league debut against the Diamondbacks at Arizona.  He throws 5.1 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and three walks, while striking out eleven en route to his first career victory.  Five starts later he strikes out nine Colorado Rockies through six innings at Citi Field.  Three starts later, he strikes out ten Washington Nationals through five innings in front of a now rabid New York fan base.  And just like that, the Dark Knight is born.  The following season Harvey is named the National League's starting pitcher in the 2013 All-Star Game held at Citi Field.  Otherwise he makes 26 regular season starts, posting a 9-5 record with a 2.27 ERA and 0.931 WHiP, while fanning 191 batters over 178.1 innings pitched.  The Dark Knight finishes fourth in the Cy Young voting but not before his sophomore campaign comes to an abrupt end when in late August he is diagnosed with a partial tear of the UCL in his right elbow.  He misses the entire 2014 season rehabilitating from Tommy John surgery.  Then in what appears to be a promising return to form Harvey helps the Mets win a division title and capture the 2015 National League flag.  He posts a 13-8 record and 2.71 ERA with 188 strikeouts through 189.1 innings pitched.  However his superhero powers prove fleeting.  Midway through the 2016 season Harvey is diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome which requires season ending surgery.  In 2017 the clearly ailing Dark Knight is suspended by the Mets for violation of team rules.  Said another way, he is suspected of blowing off work after a supposed night of partying.  But that winds up being the least of his troubles.  By June Harvey is back on the injured list with a stress fracture in his right shoulder bone requiring yet more surgery.  Finally on May 18, 2018, Matt Harvey is traded to the Cincinnati Reds.  And just like that, the Dark Knight era ends in Flushing.

WHEELIN' DOWN I-95

On June 18, 2013, Zack Wheeler joins Matt Harvey in the Mets rotation.  He finishes his rookie season with a 3.42 ERA in 100 innings pitched.  The next season he posts an 11-11 record and 3.54 ERA, with 187 strikeouts in 185.1 innings pitched.  Unfortunately like Harvey health is not Wheeler's ally.  He misses all of 2015 and 2016 while recovering from both Tommy John surgery and a flexor strain.  Although he returns to the mound in 2017 his efforts are still beset with injury.  Wheeler is twice placed on the injured list and finishes his comeback season with a 5.21 ERA through 86.1 innings pitched.  On Sept. 26, 2019, Wheeler throws his last pitch as a member of the New York Mets at Citi Field.  Seven years after his acquisition from the San Francisco Giants the club allows him to simply walk away.  Although Wheeler last March made it very clear to all that he welcomed free agency and that the organization would need to meet his price, I was hoping against hope the Mets would re-sign him.  The Mets let the regular season play out and apparently were dissatisfied with his performance.  Granted, Zack posted a somewhat unsightly 3.96 ERA and 1.259 WHiP through 195.1 innings pitched.  But despite turning 30-years old this coming May, I believe Wheeler's arm is finally sound and that his best days are still ahead.  Over the last two seasons he's made 60 starts with 374 strikeouts through 377.2 innings pitched.  Fangraphs had his 2018 velocity pegged at 95-mph, while last year's velocity remained steady at 96-mph.  Be that as it may the Mets make him no offer.  Wheeler winds up signing with Philadelphia for $118 million over five seasons.  The general manager within me would have been agreeable negotiating a $100 million package.  However I would have tried chewing him down from the other $18 million.  I'm inclined to believe Wheeler and his agent just to stay in New York would have agreed to a five year $105 million dollar deal.  Lastly, Zack Wheeler I feel is better than any available replacement sans Gerrit Cole.  Simply put, the acquisitions of Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha have yet to sway my opinion regarding the starting rotation having been weakened.

TOTAL deGROMINATION

Jacob deGrom joins Zack Wheeler in the starting rotation on May 15, 2014, at Citi Field.  Alas, Matt Harvey is out recovering from Tommy John surgery.  Jacob knows a thing or two about that.  As a minor leaguer back in 2010 he too suffers the seemingly obligatory partial tear of the UCL and misses the entire 2011 season.  Now two months shy of his 32nd birthday, the seventh year Met is a back-to-back Cy Young award winner, par excellence.  Rookie of the Year; an ERA title; a strikeout title; tying the MLB record with 25 straight starts allowing three or fewer runs; we are witnessing modern day elite.  Problem is when Matt Harvey comes back in 2015 the Mets lose Zack Wheeler for two seasons.  Then in 2017 with both Harvey and Wheeler back on the active roster, Noah Syndergaard is effectively lost for the season.

THOR'S HAMMER YIELDS TO TOMMY JOHN

Noah Syndergaard is going under the blade.  That's right ... Tommy John surgery.  Who didn't see this coming?  A throw-in pitcher as part of the R.A. Dickey/Travis d'Arnaud trade, Syndergaard joins the Mets rotation on May 12, 2015, at Chicago's Wrigley Field.  He makes 24 starts for the National League champs, posting a 3.24 ERA and 166 strikeouts through 150 innings pitched.  He's since been his own worst enemy.  An unsupervised and ruinous workout regimen following the 2016 regular season ends in utter folly.  A torn lat muscle in his arm limits him in 2017 to just seven starts.  When Noah returns in 2018, Matt Harvey is traded signifying the rotation's first permanent casualty.  Then there's the matter of last season, easily Syndergaard's worst.  I'll say it again, the man lacks craftsmanship.  Now this ...

MATZ IN THE MIDDLE

The Mets enter the 2020 season (as if...) with only Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz in the fold.  They've been a constant in the rotation for five seasons now.  Like Syndergaard, Steven Matz debuts in 2015 but only makes six starts.  He joins the rotation in earnest in 2016 posting a 9-8 record and 3.40 ERA through 22 starts.  But arm ailments compromise his 2017 season to the tune of a 6.08 ERA through just 13 starts.  That being said, he presently stands as the only pitcher discussed here to not yet undergo Tommy John surgery.  As the rotation's lone left-hander, Matz is coming off back-to-back seasons with 30 starts.  I think most would agree when I say his biggest problem has always been between the ears.  Therefore the hope for Matz who turns 29-years old in May and entering his physical prime is that he grows into a more composed, mature, and polished hurler.

N.Y. Mets: Introducing The Mets Hall of Pretty Damn Good

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

THE METS HALL OF PRETTY DAMN GOOD

On Sunday we had on the podcast author Brian Wright who has a new book out: THE NEW YORK METS ALL-TIME ALL-STARS, The Best Players At Each Position For The Amazin's

AMAZIN’ quarantined podcast brought 2 u by @BrianWright86! Breaking down his all time #Mets great is very emotional, but fantastic distraction to this surreality we currently live in. Thank U. @BTB_MikeII @Metfanrich LISTEN TO ARCHIVE NOW! https://t.co/US0E3Wjgwd #Mets #LGM @LFGM

— A Metsian Podcast with Sam, Rich and Mike (@AMetsianPodcast) March 16, 2020

Brian Wright selects 30 starting players and reserves, with 18 additional honorable mentions.  He also selects a manager, two coaches, a general manager, and owner.  It is with little hesitation that I say he nails it.  The book is a smooth read with not a single dead spot.  All his player selections receive their own narrative which took yours truly on a journey through many Metsian memories and joyous moments in time.  A very enjoyable read indeed.

What follows is my roster comprised of players not mentioned in Brian Wright's book.


PITCHERS

• R.A Dickey - Nolan Ryan - Craig Swan - Frank Viola - Al Jackson - Matt Harvey
• Ron Taylor - Skip Lockwood - Billy Wagner - Turk Wendell

CATCHERS

• Starter: Paul LoDuca
• Reserve: Mike Fitzgerald

FIRST BASE

• Starter: Lucas Duda
• Reserve: John Milner
• Reserve: Willie Montanez

SECOND BASE

• Starter: Ken Boswell
• Reserve: Jose Valentin
• Reserve: Doug Flynn

SHORTSTOP

• Starter: Asdrubal Cabrera
• Reserve: Rafael Santana

THIRD BASE

• Starter: Hubie Brooks
• Reserve: Lenny Randle
• Reserve Ray Knight

OUTFIELD

• Starters: Frank Thomas, Lance Johnson, Curtis Granderson
• Reserves: Cliff Floyd, Joel Youngblood, Tommy Davis

STARTING LINE-UP
 1) Lance Johnson
 2) Paul LoDuca
 3) Hubie Brooks
 4) Lucas Duda
 5) Frank Thomas
 6) Curtis Granderson
 7) Asdrubal Cabrera
 8) Ken Boswell
 SP) Matt Harvey


THE MANAGER

• Casey Stengel

COACHES

• First Base: Joe Torre
• Third Base: Willie Randolph
• Bench: Yogi Berra
• Pitching: Rube Walker

FRONT OFFICE

• Johnny Murphy, Joe McDonald, Bing Devine, Omar Minaya

OWNER

• Nelson Doubleday 

N.Y. Mets: Dark Knight Fades to Black

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

BANISHED FROM GOTHAM

Commissioner Alderson Pulls Plug on the Matt Signal;

Dark Knight Is No More

New York Mets: Matt Harvey Designated For Assignment.

Sandy Alderson appeared to me rather perturbed when forced into fielding questions yet again regarding Matt Harvey's extracurricular activities.  I think it's the most annoyed I've ever seen Alderson during his eight years here as general manager.

And why not?

Harvey's on-field performance, personal lifestyle, and general attitude have been in conflict with organizational sensibilities for some time now.

This time the Darkened Knight was spotted partying late into the night at a Los Angeles club opening prior to the Mets series opener at San Diego.  As fate would have it, he was summoned from the bullpen the following night, faced four batters, surrendered a home run and issued a walk.

Then came Harvey's most recent, and inevitably his last appearance as a member of the New York Mets in which he surrendered five earned runs on three hits and three walks in just two innings against the Braves at Citi Field.

After which Matt Harvey refused an assignment to the minor leagues.  The Mets now have a week in which to negotiate a trade.  In the absence of a trade, Matt Harvey will be free to sign with any major league club.

And there's the rub ...

Matt Harvey has no trade value.  He's not very good at the moment, makes too much money, and will be a free agent at the end of the season.  Why would a team give up anything at all for his services via trade when they can just wait out the DFA formalities and sign him for the MLB minimum, and thereby leave the Mets responsible for his owed financial compensation?

Unfortunate as it may be, injuries, poor craftsmanship, a massive ego, further lack of certain intangibles, and perhaps even retaining an intolerable agent, all conspired against Matt Harvey during his years with the Mets.  None of which escapes the other 29 front offices throughout baseball. Despite declining a minor league assignment with the Mets, Harvey may have no choice but to accept a demotion somewhere else if he intends on turning around his career.  Major league roster space is precious - perhaps too precious for affording a "scrub" an opportunity to figure himself out at the MLB level.

In any event, done are the days and nights of mass gathering along Roosevelt Avenue in celebration of Harvey Day.

This is how the marvel comic ... ends.

N.Y. Mets: The Demoted Knight Podcast

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

ICYMI 

The Knight Gets Darker

Sam, Rich, and I convened for our second podcast of the regular season and our ninth since reforming the band.  We jumped right into the Matt Harvey matter with haste.  I may have ranted - that's for you to decide.  But we all seem to be in agreement: The Real Deal is screwing up.

Another METSian Podcast #9: 

Adversity Has Entered The Building

TOPICS, MUSINGS and MENTIONS

April record ~ more Matt Harvey talk ~ Mickey Callaway's managing ~ Dave Eiland ~ Joe Namath 

Brandon Nimmo ~ the bullpen ~ winners vs. losers ~ the disaster at catcher ~ N.L. East competition

Joe Torre ~ trolleys ~ Dom Smith/Peter Alonso ~ Joey Votto ~ Brooklyn's elevated trains 

Bob Ojeda ~ stoppers ~ Washington Park ~ 1909 Brooklyn Superbas ~ Todd Zeile ~ Shea Stadium

The Dark Years vs. Madoff Years ~ Mets players who've worn #9 ~ The Beatles ~ comebacks

Time: 90 minutes

N.Y. Mets: The Knight Getting Even Darker

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Matt Harvey Doesn't Have Terry Collins To Push Around Anymore

New York Mets: With his effectiveness seemingly all but diminished, the Darkening Knight should take care to not make comportment an issue.

Matt Harvey knows adversity well, and has always managed to say the right thing although at times his body language and actions suggest otherwise.

But now he is outwardly upset.

I don't blame him.  I'd be upset with me if I were in his shoes, too.  But is he mad with himself, or the Mets?  The truth probably lies somewhere in between, but he is definitely leaning in one of two directions.

Matt struck New York City like a lightning bolt in July of 2012, and for the first seven months of his career electrified all of major league baseball.  The Dark Knight was born, and every fifth day the Harvey Day signal illuminated over Roosevelt Avenue, Queens.

Then came the blackout.  Matt's brilliant launch short-circuited in August 2013 when he was diagnosed with the dreaded partial tear of his ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.  Harvey would inevitably require Tommy John surgery causing him to miss all of the 2014 season.

He returned for the 2015 season helping the Mets reach the World Series, but not without his agent Scott Boras instigating a brouhaha over innings limits.  But even Boris' best laid plans have come undone as Harvey's career continues suffering outages.  In June 2016 he underwent a second surgery to correct thoratic outlet syndrome.  Exactly one year later to the day on June, 15, 2017 Harvey was placed on the disabled list for a stress fracture of the scapula (shoulder blade) requiring yet more surgery and ten more weeks of unavailability.

Matt Harvey entered spring training expressing both relief and optimism after having experienced a self-described normal off-season, for a change.  But his Grapefruit League performance was pedestrian at best.  He posted a 4.50 ERA and struck out 18 batters over twenty innings pitched, while surrendering 21 hits and walking six for a 1.350 WHiP.

After four regular season starts, the Real Deal has been real bad.  He presently owns an even 6.00 ERA and a 1.429 WHiP after just 21 innings pitched, in which he allowed 26 hits and four walks and fanned 17 batters.

Matt Harvey's career has now not-so-suddenly gone completely awry, and one way or another we are surely witnessing the end days of the Darkening Knight.  Suffering perhaps the most devastating setback of his career to date, the Mets demoted him.  The timing couldn't have been worse.  Matt Harvey is eligible to become a free agent after this season.  His relationship with the Mets was already strained since before this latest development.  If Matt was unsure before regarding his future with the Mets, he is most likely certain of departure now.  And make no mistake ... Scott Boras will execute a plan towards that end.  But only if his client gets his stool samples together first.

What little value Harvey had left, is all but gone at this juncture.  If he is to garner even the slightest interest on the open market Matt must first reestablish credibility in a Mets uniform by earning his way out of the bullpen.  For the moment, the team says Matt Harvey is no longer a member of the Mets starting rotation.

That's too bad ... for him.

If he proves himself worthy, I'm sure this will be a transient situation.  In the meantime, Matt can snivel if he wants to.  That's just Matt being Matt.  And there's nothing wrong with that.  I want someone who demands the ball every fifth day no matter the circumstance.  That's actually quite commendable.  Unfortunately for Harvey the Mets have a new regime calling the shots now whom he can't seem to bully.  On the contrary, the Darkening Knight is being directed to look into the same mirror Zack Wheeler was instructed to confront at Las Vegas earlier this season.

The Mets previously made the mistake of letting Harvey dictate his own terms of employment.  Not necessarily in terms of imposing inning limits or medical issues (although he and Scott Boris did just that in 2015), but through his resistance and occasional open defiance of Terry Collins.  Who can forget Game Five of the 2015 World Series when Collins allowed Harvey to bully him out of making a sound pitching change during ... I don't know ... the most important game in recent Mets history?

Mickey Callaway and Dave Eiland have thus far demonstrated they're entertaining none of that.  Eiland minced no words in his criticisms of Zack Wheeler, and now Mickey Callaway is likewise leaving little doubt in Matt Harvey's mind where it concerns his newly modified expectations.  Matt Harvey may not agree, but I find the organizational conviction refreshing.

If you recall, Harvey was suspended last season.  According to the New York Times Harvey confessed to being out late beyond curfew on a Friday night, then playing golf the following morning.  He says the combination of activities rendered him MIA for a Saturday afternoon game.  Embarrassed, Matt did all the right things with regards to apologizing to the organization and mates.  But in truth the matter only exasperated his reputation for being a local celebrity about town.

Now this ...

Harvey's handling of his unavoidable Q&A with the media was understandable.  He's a man down on his luck, and his future as an effective major league pitcher is coming into serious question.  But his decision to swear and willfully speak in scatological terms on air is curious.  It certainly does not serve his best interest.  If anything, he invites a new conversation focusing on comportment.

I have a saying: once is an event; twice is a coincidence; three times is a trend.

That means one more questionable move by the Darkening Knight completes the hat trick.


UPDATE: 6:03pm Wednesday, April 25, 2018

SNY-TV reports Matt Harvey blows off media, and swears at them again.

N.Y. Mets: Harvey Day Postponed by Snow

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Monday, April 2, 2018

Phillies vs. Mets

SNOWED OUT

New York Mets: Matt Harvey's Snowy Swan Song ...

Sometimes it snows in April ... therefore Monday's series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies was postponed.  Matt Harvey was supposed to have made his much anticipated first start of the season.  Instead he'll climb the bump on Tuesday.

After undergoing two surgeries in four years and missing all of 2014, Matt Harvey is literally trying to salvage what's left of his Mets career.  As a Scott Boris client, Matt will surely test free agency once he becomes eligible at the end of this season.  And it's not likely the Mets will meet his price.

In order to establish that price Harvey must first pitch effectively, but moreover prove he can endure the grind of a full season.  After all he's been through physically, it's hard discerning what we can reasonably expect from him.

Last season, he posted a 5-7 record with unsightly 6.70 ERA and 1.694 WHiP.  He allowed 110 hits, walked 47 batters, and fanned 67 through 92.2 innings pitched.  He only averaged 6.5 strikeouts per nine innings, and allowed 10.7 hits per nine innings pitched - not a good combination.

Harvey did say, though, he enjoyed his first normal off-season in while.  That may be so, but his spring training statistics were only slightly improved over last year's performance.  In five Grapefruit League starts, Matt posted a 4.50 ERA and a 1.35 WHiP, while the opposition batted .280 against him.  He allowed 21 hits, walked six, and fanned 18 batters through 20 innings pitched.

A victory against the Phillies on Tuesday would get him back to .500, with a 35-35 career record.  It's hard believing that's all there is considering he was a rookie back in 2012.  Now 29-years old, he has a long way to go before restoring the Dark Knight's good name.

For now, a healthy pitcher with recovered velocity will do.

N.Y. Mets: First Pitch

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

OPENING DAY

ALL-TIME 

OPENING DAY RECORD

36-20 (.642)

Let The Games Begin..!

Sandy Alderson's off-season can be summed up in two words: comprehensive change.  Perhaps his organizational reforms came a year or two later than we fans may have preferred.  But change has come to Citi Field nonetheless.  And with Thursday's call to Play Ball, so begins the process of validating his every move.

The Mets have had a devil of a time keeping numerous key players on the field in recent years, but none more so than their starting pitchers.  The extent of injuries and seemingly endless surgeries have been such that Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, Steven Matz, and Zack Wheeler have yet to complete a full season together as a unit.  Meanwhile, Syndergaard's misguided decision to bulk up last off-season and his resulting season ending injury exemplified just some of the folly that took place previously in the absence of proper supervision.

As per Alderson's design, the unquestioned strength of the New York Mets is indeed their starting pitching, and if healthy their collective efforts will undoubtedly determine whether or not the Mets emerge as playoff contenders come late September.  Therefore, completely overhauling physical conditioning and oversight were part and parcel to Alderson's sweeping changes.  To that end, Sandy Alderson says the organization will be adopting more modern and advanced training, conditioning, and recovery sciences and applications, while also reformulating their operational procedures and philosophies.

On a more conventional level, Alderson also incorporated redundancy into his corrective measures by hiring former Cleveland Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway to replace Terry Collins as manager, along with hiring Dave Eiland (highly experienced and very well respected throughout baseball) to replace Dan Warthen as new pitching coach.  Because pitch selection and execution oft times proved problematic, as well.  Dan Warthen used to be responsible for calling pitches from the dugout.  But with these new changes, I'm anticipating a completely different approach with a focus on craftsmanship, and particular emphasis on reclaiming the inside portion of the plate.

The time for putting Sandy Alderson's redesign into effect has come.  Opening Day is upon us.  Before a single game is played, though, I'll credit Alderson for pinpointing these two particular hires and thereby creating more conducive conditions through which this rotation can achieve elevated success.

*          *          *          *

Unfortunately, the long anticipated debut of the Five Hurlers of the Metropolis has been postponed yet again.  After surrendering nine earned runs on 22 hits though ten innings of Grapefruit League action, the Mets optioned Zack Wheeler to the Las Vegas 51s.  That comes on the heels of Wheeler's somewhat defensive reaction earlier in Spring Training when media questioned him over the club's acquisition of Jason Vargas.  Pitching coach Dave Eiland characteristically offered no quarter, providing little more than biting words of encouragement for Zack to ponder during his trip back to the desert - essentially telling him potential is all fine and well, but there comes a time when that must translate into major league results.  In other words, the time for babying these guys, is over.

*          *          *          *

Off-season acquisition Jason Vargas, recovering from surgery to his non-pitching hand, will open the season on the disabled list.  That leaves the Mets with one left-handed starting pitcher, and just one left-handed reliever.  His role upon return remains to be determined.

*          *          *          *

Another METSian Podcast #5

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

ICYMI

First Word: Year Sixteen After Doubleday 

Five Hurlers of the Metropolis 

On the Jason Vargas Acquisition 

Ninth Inning Closer Need Not Apply 

Catching Hell

*     *     *     *     *

A METSian PODCAST 

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

SPRING TRAINING, TAKE TWO!

Rich and I taped what we thought was our regularly scheduled podcast last week, 

only to find out the show didn't record.  Hence, take two.

 

TOPICS of DISCUSSION

Injuries ~ number five starter ~ lead-off hitter

Wilmer Flores ~ firemen ~ my Travis d'Arnaud rant 

Mickey Callaway ~ Noah Syndergaard ~ Matt Harvey ~ Dan Warthen

Tom Seaver ~ Jerry Grote ~ Gary Carter

old school ~ Yoenis Cespedes ~ generation lost

and much more.

Show Time: 80 Minutes

Show Archives 1-4

#LGM

N.Y. Mets: The Five Hurlers of the Metropolis

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Will the Real 

Five Hurlers of the Metropolis 

Please Stand Up.

Spring Training: First Word

Year Sixteen After Doubleday

NEW YORK METS: Is this the season Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey, Steven Matz, Zack Wheeler, and Jacob deGrom, all finally endure the grind of a full season together?

Many fans including myself thought this group would already be dominating the National League by now, and not still attempting to get this thing off the surgery table drawing board.  

Obviously that's not the way things worked out over the last few years.  As such, this still theoretical Fearsome Five of Flushing have yet to fulfill their collective promise - much less share the same Citi Field mound together for any worthwhile period of time.  

Injuries - some precipitated by a lack of organizational oversight - are largely to blame for that.

A deteriorating situation came to a head last year.  Sandy Alderson occasionally found himself short for words when hounded by media questioning the sometimes ponderous and inexplicable health issues afflicting his club, particularly the starting pitching.  Despite good intention, even preliminary information would often times devolve into misinformation and thus further exasperate matters.

Alderson finally acknowledged at season's end that everything ranging from medical diagnosis, to preparation, conditioning and recuperation, to field management and communication, to player/coaching supervision, right down to pitch selection and execution, had effectively gone awry.  

He therefore spent the off-season implementing a wide range of alternative reform aimed at realizing maximum player potential through the incorporation of advanced medical sciences and training; staff turnover; updating operational philosophies; and modifying interpersonal relationships.  

Part of this comprehensive overhaul specifically involved hiring Dave Eiland to replace Dan Warthen as pitching coach.  Alderson also opted for the unconventional by replacing former field manager Terry Collins with yet another pitching coach - Mickey Callaway - hired away from the Cleveland Indians.  Ideally speaking, the Mets primary strength is after all their starting pitching.  That's the way Alderson designed his club, and therefore I understand and even respect his attempts at surrounding this pitching staff with redundancy.

Did Sandy Alderson arguably wait too long before undertaking corrective measures?  

Maybe.  

I was never a big Terry Collins supporter, but was at least agreeable in so far as him being suited for piloting a rebuilding club.  Heading into 2015, however, Mets fans were already clamoring for change.  The thinking was in order to achieve higher ground, a new manager was needed to lead the way.  But a funny thing happened that season.  The Mets clinched the National League pennant, essentially earning Collins an obligatory two-year extension.

But it turns out there may have been a more disturbing issue at play involving front office autonomy.  Marc Carig of Newsday wrote back in September how Fred Wilpon shielded Terry Collins from Sandy Alderson and COO Jeff Wilpon whom sought TC's dismissal at various points during his tenure.

So much for Alderson implementing change ...

Even under the most promising conditions, it's hard enough keeping a starting rotation intact from April through September as it is - much less through October.  That goes for all teams.  That's why they say it takes a 40-man roster to win championships.

And that's what makes Mickey Callaway's challenge so daunting.  Jacob deGrom was the only one of the aforementioned five starting pitchers last season to make thirty starts.  The other four totaled a combined 56 starts.  Robert Gsellman was otherwise second on the team with 21 starts, which  certainly wasn't the plan.

Games Started: 2017

• Jacob deGrom - 30 starts.
• Matt Harvey - 19 starts.
• Zack Wheeler - 17 starts.
• Steven Matz - 13 starts.
• Noah Syndergaard - 7 starts!

But there's yet hope for the potential Fearsome Five of Flushing.  Zack Wheeler's return last year finally marked the first time all five ever started games together in the same season.  Obviously nothing went according to plan, but it was a "first" nonetheless.

We've seen a little from each of these pitchers - some more than others.  Now we need a lot more from all of them.  But because we're familiar with their histories, it's fair to say we should expect the occasional setback or two.  At some point, the services of Robert Gsellman, Seth Lugo, and Rafael Montero will be called into action.  And of course the acquisition of Jason Vargas imposes sudden competition for the fourth and fifth spots in the rotation.  

But if we're still pursuing this dream rotation, then Matt Harvey, Steven Matz, and Zack Wheeler, must each contribute at least 22 to 25 starts apiece.  It's reasonable to expect deGrom and Syndergaard fulfilling their complement of thirty starts.  And if the Mets get all that, they should be in great shape by the end of September.

However, time is suddenly also of the essence.  This could very well be Matt Harvey's last go with the Mets.  Therefore if the mythical Five Hurlers of the Metropolis are indeed destined to elevate the Mets to their first World Series championship since 1986, then 2018 needs to be the year.  Because if Harvey isn't traded first, stupor agent Scott Boras will surely seek employment for his client elsewhere once the season is through.

Noah Syndergaard

• I called it last season while writing for website Rising Apple.  I knew it then, feeling absolutely sure Syndergaard would get hurt.  I wrote at the time that his off-season conditioning program was complete folly.  What the hell was he thinking?  And that circles back to when I eluded about players getting hurt due to lack of organizational oversight. 

Matt Harvey

• Mickey Callaway is right.  We do not need a return of the Dark Knight; we just need a healthy Matt Harvey.  The most promising thing I've heard came from Harvey himself.  He said it was nice going through a regular off-season for the first time in a while.  I do not believe he's capable of recapturing his elite form of five seasons ago - not after all he's gone through.  But that does not preclude him from reestablishing himself as an effective pitcher.  In fact, he should be a very motivated pitcher considering his future is very much up in the air.  He needs an above average season as badly as any pitcher in major league baseball at this point.

Steven Matz

• He finally went ahead and underwent surgery to re-position that nerve meandering around his  elbow.  With that out of the way, Matz and the Mets might finally tap into his potential.  When he's on, the youngster has demonstrated he can pitch well.  In 2016, he posted a 3.40 ERA through 22 starts.  But during last year's compromised effort, he posted an unsightly 6.08 ERA in just 66.2 innings pitched, and his strikeouts were very noticeably down.

Zack Wheeler

• He missed all of 2015 and 2016, then returned to make 17 starts last season.  Zack is also taking injections in his stomach in order to improve bone strength.  I find that a bit weird, but as I stated Alderson overhauled organizational oversight, particularly on the medical and training side of operations.  So I do believe the Mets were aware of Wheeler's unconventional treatment at all times, and even signed off on it, which may be right in step with the Mets incorporating modern medicines and sciences?  Actually, all Wheeler needs to work on is cutting down on base on balls, and he should be okay.

Jacob deGrom

• He's the one pitcher with no real issues to speak of.  Last season was the first in which he reached 200 innings.  Although his K/9 increased by two full points to a 10.7 mark, his ERA spiked to 3.53, up from 3.04 the previous year.

N.Y. Mets: The Future Starting Rotation is Now

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

The Truck o' Stuff has Arrived

Pitchers and Catchers are in the building.

The rest of the position players report Feb. 18

THE FOUR FIVE HURLERS of the METROPOLIS

Thor    deGrominator    Dark Knight    Super Matz    and Zack Wheeler?

Entering Spring Training, manager Terry Collins let it be known there will be an open competition for the fifth rotation spot between Zack Wheeler, Seth Lugo, and Robert Gsellman.

Both Gsellman, 23, and Lugo, 27, made their major league debut last season, and in the pressures of a pennant race performed very well.

Gsellman made eight appearances and seven starts, in which he went 4-2 with a 2.42 ERA, and a 1.276 WHiP with 42 strikeouts through 44.2 innings pitched.  Lugo made 18 appearances and eight starts, in which he posted a 5-2 record with a 2.67 ERA and 1.094 WHiP through 64 innings pitched, with 45 strikeouts.

It's been a long road back for Zack Wheeler, who will turn 28-years old in May.  He is arguably the incumbent heading into Spring Training to win the fifth spot.  But he last threw a major league pitch on Sept. 25, 2014 at Washington in a losing effort against the Nationals.  He has missed all of the last two seasons, save for facing four batters last year while rehabbing with Port St. Lucie.  He'll surely be on a pitch count this season, and will likely be shifting into the bullpen at some point anyway (despite preliminary protestations).

That in turn will leave the door wide open for either Gsellman and/or Lugo to step in.  Overall, this is a good problem for Terry Collins to have.

The same can't be said of TC's number four starter.  There is no doubting Steven Matz' physical ability, but questions abound where it concerns his durability.  Matz has yet to prove he can stay healthy.  Otherwise, Steven is a dynamite kid who has proven he belongs in the bigs.  The upcoming 2017 season will serve as a test, then, to see whether he can withstand the rigors of a long major league season.  Until then, Matz likewise provides Gsellman and Lugo yet another reason to stay sharp and prepare for duty on a moment's notice.

Then there's Matt Harvey ... the Darkened Knight.  His 2016 season literally fizzled out like a bottle rocket on the 4th of July.  And of course, he missed all of 2014 recovering from Tommy John surgery. It is reasonable to believe this man will be fueled by frustration.  Whatever his motivation, this much is certain: Matt Harvey still has much to prove, and his super agent Scott Boras knows it.  He is indeed a supreme talent, but the Dark Knight is now the measure of himself.  That being said, I hope Terry Collins learned his lesson as far as sticking to his guns when it comes to dealing with Harvey.

Jacob deGrom, who turns 29-years old in June, pitched 43 less innings in 2016 than during the 2015 season.  His ERA, WHiP, and rate of strikeouts were all down, while his rate of hits allowed and walks were up from the previous season.  Sure enough, deGrom succumbed to forearm and elbow discomfort in September and would undergo surgery to re-position the ulnar nerve.  Earlier this month, he said his elbow was pain free.

Noah Syndergaard's off-season weight-gain regimen seems all the rage.  The Mets Nordic ace gained roughly fifteen pounds in an effort to get stronger and increase his late season durability.  Thor claims he accomplished this while applying equal attention to a pitcher's need for flexibility.  Already in possession of a 100 mph fastball, he stated his desire to throw even harder.

From Marc Simon, ESPN

• The Mets have never had five pitchers make thirty starts in the same season.  They've had four pitchers make thirty starts on six occasions: 1976, 1986, 1989, 1990, 2000, 2003.

N.Y. Mets: MetsMusings Podcast

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Talkin' Mets Baseball

with Gary Mack on 

MetsMusings.com

(episode #270)

STUFF..

The lukewarm Hot Stove

Mets outfield situation

A poor free agent pool?

The bullpen and re-signing Jerry Blevins

THIRD BASE and DAVID WRIGHT

Travis d'Arnaud/Kevin Plawecki/Rene Rivera

First Base

TJ Rivera and Brandon Nimmo

Starting Pitching and The Dark Knight

The N.L. East

N.Y. Mets: Weight of Metropolis Beginning to Fall on Jacob deGrom

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

APOCALYPSE NOW

FOUR HORSEMEN of the METROPOLIS

*    *    *    *

DARK KNIGHT  ~  THOR  ~  SUPER MATZ  ~  deGROMINATOR

NEW YORK METS: Legion of Gloom and Doom Tightening Grip on Gotham; Flushing's Super Heroes Reeling...

Friday it was decided Matt Harvey will undergo season ending surgery to address thoratic outlet syndrome in his pitching shoulder.  In other words, he is suffering from compression of nerves and tendons causing him discomfort.

The graffiti was already sprayed throughout the locker room walls.  In 17 starts, the Darkened Knight posted a 4-10 record with a career high 4.86 ERA, 1.468 WHiP, 10.8 H/9 average, and a career low 7.4 K/9 average ... all this as a result of losing one mile per hour throughout his pitching repertoire. 

Apparently, it was enough to end Matt Harvey's season yet again, just as his right arm did on August 24 2013, his last MLB start prior to undergoing Tommy John surgery.

It can be said the Mets remained in N.L. East contention through the first half of the season largely despite Harvey's efforts.  The same can not be said of Noah Syndergaard, who in demeanor and performance is the clear ace of the Mets staff this season - but not without conflicting levels of concern over his health among the fans, management, the media, and even Thor himself.

Noah Syndergaard is pitching with bone spurs in his right elbow, and was lifted from Friday's game against the Washington Nationals due to what Terry Collins interpreted as arm fatigue, and unrelated to his elbow.  With the Mets history of paranoid diagnoses, I'd categorize the latter statement as typical post-game damage control.  In other words, stay tuned for the real truth.

Steven Matz is similarly pitching with bone spurs in the back of his left elbow and is presently taking an anti-inflammatory for the condition.  Matz' condition appears a bit more worrisome - his spur/spurs are larger.  Both he and Thor will continue pitching though their discomfort that will likely require off-season surgery involving a three month recovery period.

Then there's Jacob deGrom, who perhaps more than anything else is disgruntled with himself.  After attending to family matters earlier this season, Jacob deGrom has sufficiently regained the velocity on his fastball.  However, he continues battling high pitch counts.  Jacob failed to complete seven innings in ten of his 15 starts so far this season, but appears to be turning that around as well.  He lasted eight innings for the first time on June 25, and went seven full innings in his last start.  It would appear then, he's just starting to peculate - just in time too.

As fate would have it, the weight of Metropolis is starting to fall on him.

Mets Continue July Surge Against Washington

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Mets win series opener 9-7 over Washington Nationals;

close to within three games of first place.

NEW YORK METS: Amazin' bats back in the swing of things, providing more leads, which means more Jeurys Familia, in turn producing more wins.

The 2016 regular season continues its near mirror imaging of last year, statistically speaking that is.

Only major difference being Terry's Kids lacked major league quality bats last year (prior to the trade deadline), meanwhile entered this season with quality major league personnel, but remain helpless against ever mounting and ruinous injuries affecting their key personnel.

Yet, to borrow a descriptive from last season, the Mets have remained resilient throughout.

The Amazin's entered Thursday's game against the first place Nationals with a 46-38 record, four games behind in the standings.  At face value, not a bad place to be.  Then Jose Reyes and Wilmer Flores both homered to help push the Mets by Washington in their series opener at Citi Field.

Rewind just a few games, and the Mets owned a 44-37 record through 81 games, compared to last year's 43-41 record by the midway point.

For a second straight season, pitching is the Mets forte.  Similarly, look no further than the offense for what has gone both right and wrong for the Mets.

National League

• April - #7 runs scored, #7 team average (.255)
• May - #13 runs scored, #15 team average (.211)
• June - #15 runs scored, #13 team average (.235)
• July - #1 runs scored, #1 team average

Month by Month Record

• April - 2015 (15-8); 2016 (15-7)
• May - 2015 (13-15); 2016 (14-15)
• June - 2015 (12-15); 2016 (12-15)
• July - 2015 (13-12); 2016 (6-1) and counting...

The Phantom Mets Menace

It's clear as the line-up goes, so go the Mets.  But the underlying reality suggests their very strength is fast becoming a major issue.  

Matt Harvey's addition to the disabled list is merely the latest injury seemingly conspiring against the Mets' defense of their National League pennant.  Only now he's facing season ending surgery, again, meanwhile, everyone continues crossing their fingers with every anxiety riddled Steven Matz start that goes by.

They could conceivably be in need of not just one, or two, but three starting pitchers in the months to come, unless Sandy Alderson acts prior to the deadline.

This, unfortunately, is also an untimely consequence of trading pitching prospects, which, in the Mets particular instance helped build them into a contender.  That said, they do not have anything near the likes of Michael Fulmer pitching at Las Vegas ready to step in.  I mean no disrespect, but, Seth Lugo, Rafael Montero, and/or Gabriel Ynoa, simply do not satisfy the Mets potential needs as defending N.L. champs.

Worth noting, this year's non waiver trade deadline has been pushed up to Monday, Aug. 1, to avoid the more familiar July 31 cutoff from falling on a Sunday.  After a fine off-season, the Mets front office stayed reactive as injuries mounted with the acquisitions of James Loney, Kelly Johnson, and Jose Reyes.  The big question, then, over the next three weeks will be ... what more can (or will) they do?

At the same time, it's worth pondering how much the potential returns of Zack Wheeler and Josh Edgin might help the Mets in the months to come.  They could effectively become two much needed acquisitions, in a manner of speaking.  Edgin is performing well during his assignment with Las Vegas, and is closer to returning than Wheeler, whom suffered a slight setback during his rehab, and had his potential return date pushed back to at least August.

METS 2016 ALL-STARS

• Noah Syndergaard (23 years old) is the Mets ace.  That is no longer open for debate.  Thor presently sports a 9-3 record with a 2.41 ERA, 1.06 WHiP, and 1.89 FIP.  In 101 innings pitched to date, Noah has fanned 123 batters for an 11.0 K/9 average, complemented by a low 1.3 W/9 average.

• Despite needing a cool nickname, Jeurys Familia (26 years old) appears fully immersed in the role of Closer now in his second full season serving the role.  Thursday against the Nationals, Jeurys saved his franchise record extending 31st save without blowing a single opportunity all season.  That gives him 74 saves in just the last 1 1/2 seasons.

• Yoenis Cespedes (30 years old) has been worthy of ever dollar spent on the muscle.   Representing the Mets in the batting order, he'll be the National League's starting left fielder in this year's All-Star game.  Yo is presently slashing .303/.373/.585, with 21 home runs and 52 RBI, ranking him second in the circuit in slugging and fourth in home runs.

• Congratulations Terry Collins, manager of this year's National League All-Star squad.

We Are Familia..

I heard Jim Duquette a few nights ago on SNY-TV say Noah Syndergaard was the Mets first half MVP.  That's hard to debate, but I will nevertheless side with closer Jeurys Familia as the Mets first half MVP.

After splitting four games against the Braves, then getting swept by the Nationals, Familia essentially ignited this most recent string of eight victories over their last nine games, when, he closed out the Chicago Cubs during their series opener with what can be argued as the team's biggest save of the 2016 season - Familia's 27th.

The Mets went on to sweep four games from the Cubs, take two of three from the Marlins, and win Thursday's rematch opener against the Nationals, in which Familia notched his aforementioned 31st save of the season.

N.Y. Mets: RA's Memorial Day Podcast

Here's our latest podcast at 

RisingApple.com

Episode #133 The Rising Apple Report: 

Memorial Day Weekend Edition

I hosted, and was joined by fellow RA writer Rich Sparago.

Our guests were Gary Mac of MetsMusings.com
 and John Pielli of the Passed Ball Show

A National League round-up,
lots of Matt Harvey stuff, and Steven Matz,
what to do at first base, praise for the bullpen,
a live report from Sam while at a tavern in Cooperstown,
all starters pitchers not firing on all cylinders
while injuries mounting to positional players,
recollections of the 1986 New York Mets championship season.
and loads more stuff...!

Mike

senior staff writer/Rising Apple

N.Y. Mets: The Good, the Bad, and the Harvey

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

METROPOLITANS BASEBALL CLUB

First Quarter Performance Report

NEW YORK METS: Injuries and Inconsistencies Holding the Amazin's Back From Achieving Greater Gains.

Entering their 43rd game of the season on Sunday, the Mets have veered left and are well into the first corner turn of the 2016 campaign, but, already are experiencing problems to many of their key horses.

After closing to within a nose of the N.L. East leaders, the Mets recently lost 2 of 3 against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field, in turn pushing them back into the pack with Philadelphia and Miami.

Thanks to a pair of victories over the visiting Milwaukee Brewers, the Mets improved to 9-11 in May, with nine games remaining in the month.  Sunday, the Mets will attempt a sweep of the Brewers, while entering the game 1 1/2 games out of first place.

The Outfield is Yielding a Mixed Crop

Yoenis Cespedes is admittedly surprised he's hit this many home runs this soon, noting he's been a notoriously better second half performer throughout his career.  That's a good thing I suppose..

After hitting an opposite field home run on Friday, then doubling in Saturday's victory over the Brewers, Michael Conforto seems to be snapping out of his first prolonged slump as a Met.

While Curtis Granderson has earned the benefit of the doubt, and has found his home run stroke of late, he is nonetheless batting below the Mendoza Line, and hitting just .134 in May.  His .292 OBP is no less problematic as the lead-off hitter.  Perhaps, drawing a pair of walks and going 1 for 3 Saturday against the Brewers is a sign of better things to come.

This Diamond is Getting Rough

Travis d'Arnaud's latest injury (apparently one with no resolution is sight), his short term future, as well as his long term future with the Mets are no more or less clear today, than they were upon his arrival from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Ideally, one player's injury is another player's opportunity.  But in the case of Kevin Plawecki, he's thus far failed to show the polish the Mets anticipated from their once highly regarded college amateur draft selection.  He's been the primary catcher for the Mets since April 24th, and in 20 starts since, he's slashing .206/.341, with four doubles and one home run.

Lucas Duda is hurt with one of those injuries that makes us all shake our heads at the Mets medical staff.  I mean, sometimes you just never know with these guys.  For the record, Lucas Duda is presently experiencing a lower back ailment.  It was reported Saturday his MRI came back clean.   Otherwise, little else explains his rather inconsequential 130 at-bats this season.  He's so far slashing just .231/.297/.431, with seven home runs and 19 RBI.  But, above all, his streaky nature continues boggling the minds of Mets fans.

With regards to second base and shortstop, Neil Walker and Asdrubal Cabrera have allowed Mets fans to repress their former situation.  By no means, though, have they achieved nirvana.
Walker's and Cabrera's play this month have cooled ... and that's putting it mildly.  After slashing .307/.337/.625 in April, Walker is presently slashing just .170/.267/.245 in May with only one double, and one home run.

To date, there's a case to be made Asdrubal Cabrera has been the most consistent Mets player this season.  While his performance dip from April into May has been less precipitous than Walker's, it has been no less noticeable.  After slashing .300/.364/.400 in April, he's presently operating at a .257/.307/.357 rate of productivity in May.  Cabrera's play at times this month even offered very brief, fleeting glimpses that somewhat confirmed less than complimentary off-season scouting reports.

Third baseman David Wright stroked a 9th inning, game winning RBI Saturday against the Brewers.   Unfortunately, there's no hiding the fact his spinal stenosis condition has compromised his game, both offensively and in the field, and particularly on throws to first.

Pen Full-o-Bulls

The strength of the 2016 New York Mets has easily been their bullpen: Hansel Robles, Addison Reed, Jerry Blevins, Jim Henderson, and Antonio Bastardo have combined to throw 83 innings, in which they've posted a combined 2.38 ERA, 1.074 WHiP, with an 11.2 K/9 average.

The closer?  Very simply, Jeurys Familia has turned himself around.  In April, he allowed 14 hits with nine strikeouts in just 12 innings pitched.  This month, he allowed just three hits and fanned seven in just 7.1 innings pitched.

The Four Hurlers of the Metropolis

With the exception of Thor, the rest of the Mets Marvels are presently performing like mere mortals at best.

Super Matz is still battling his body and lack of mound experience, while the deGrominator is still searching for his mojo.  Meanwhile, the Dark Knight continues to fall further into the abyss.

Noah Syndergaard, 23, has been nothing short of brilliant.  Still fresh from out-dueling Max Scherzer, Thor is 4-2 with a 2.19 ERA and 0.994 WHiP this season, with 65 strikeouts in 53.1 innings pitched.

He has now pitched the equivalent of a full season in his brief career.  In 32 combined starts, Noah owns a career 13-9 record, with a 2.97 ERA and 1.033 WHiP, and 231 strikeouts over 203.1 innings pitched.

The 800 lbs. gorilla in the locker room is no doubt Matt Harvey.   Said another way, the Real Deal is in real trouble.  After nine starts, he owns a 3-6 record, with a bloated 5.77 ERA and unsightly 1.655 WHiP.  His 8.0 K/9 average is at a career low, and he's issuing a full walk more per nine innings over last season.  Most alarming, Harvey owns a 12.1 H/9 average this season.

His last start against the Washington Nationals was particularly disturbing, not because he allowed nine runs (six earned) in only 2.2 innings pitched, but because I watched a pitcher simply going through the motions.

I've watched more strenuous efforts from coaches delivering batting practice.

Winning Cures All

Matt Harvey wants the ball again when the Mets vs. Nationals resumes again this Monday in Washington.  There's ongoing speculation the Mets might withhold him for a start, but that seems unlikely at this point.

After losing 2 of 3 against the Nationals at Citi Field, a proper response is in order.  Nothing short of a series win will satisfy.

This is not last season.  This team has expectations to fulfill.

N.Y. Mets: First Place or Bust Time in May

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

ROOSEVELT AVENUE RUMBLE

Washington Nationals

vs.

New York Mets

FROM

CITI FIELD

Queens, N.Y.

NEW YORK METS: Washington Nationals Upsetting Balance of the Universe!

Despite what you've been reading in the internet tabloids, the previous 37 games were just practice.

Sure, the Nationals jumped out to a 9-1 start, while the Mets initially stumbled out of the block with a 2-5 record.  But what happened in April, stayed in April.

It's now mid-May, and it's all good - the New York Mets are presently in fine position ... and so defense of their National League pennant starts in earnest Tuesday night at Citi Field, when the home plate umpire makes the call to Play Ball against first place Washington.

Nationals    23-15

Mets            21-16

The Nats fell short of a N.L. East flag last season, largely due to their own failings.  That's not to undermine what the Mets accomplished - not at all.  Washington made the mistake of leaving the door open, and the Mets obligingly barged on through.

That's baseball...

This season, the Nationals have so far wrought nothing less of destruction - in the establishment, in the financial market, in the record books, and then to a lesser degree, in the standings,

Bryce Harper is the main headliner for effectively telling Goose Gossage and the rest of MLB, that he's essentially had it up to his threaded eyebrows with Old School nonsense.  It's not the first time he's criticized the establishment, having previously accused MLB many times of killing itself by alienating yet another generation of youngsters with their antiquated code of unwritten rules and protocol.

I do not necessarily disagree with his latter point.  Baseball is indeed in jeopardy of losing a second consecutive generation of potentially passionate fans.  Despite increasing WiFi capabilities at ballparks, they have done little to address an increasing disconnect between players, the game, and the average fan.  Harper believes restricting players' self expression only worsens the matter.

Meanwhile, the new Dusty Baker still utilizes starting pitchers like the old Dusty Baker.

That may or may not be a good thing in terms of the Mets future, considering Scott Boars and Nationals' ownership financially polluted the market for pitchers yet again with Stephen Strasburg's new contract.  Some believe Strasburg's next injury is always just a pitch away.

On that note, Max Scherzer is still throwing no hitters, and very recently tied the MLB record by recording 20 strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers.  He is tentatively slated to start Tuesday's series opener against Noah Syndergaard.

Daniel Murphy Returns to Citi Field

And of course, there's former Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy, who is proving last year's post-season offensive heroics were no fluke.  With 140 at-bats in the books to date, Daniel is slashing .400/.433/.629, with 5 home runs and 23 RBI.  You read that right - Oh Murph! is still batting .400 for the season.

Mets fans knew all along Murph could hit.  He was a doubles machine.  But they also knew his OBP would never lay too far ahead of his batting average, and this season is no different.  As for his present rate of slugging versus that during his time with the Mets ... he was a lead player during troublesome rebuilding years.  He was always a solid contributor, but his production could never be enough for those Mets.  Then throw money into the equation, and what you have now is an ex-Mets player who was once widely loved by the fan base.

There's no doubt in my mind Daniel Murphy will receive a very warm, heartfelt, and extended, standing ovation from Mets fans upon his first trip to the plate, only this time as a member of the Washington Nationals.

After which, it's game on!

New Mets second baseman Neil Walker has done much to help fans at least move on from their attachment to Daniel Murphy.  In fact, Walker and Asdrubal Cabrera have done much to make Mets fans forget how defensively inept they were up the middle.  For the most part, the two have been smooth as silk.  Cabrera, specifically, has so far proved all the scouts wrong whom counted him out last year.

The Mets new problems reside at the hot corners.  David Wright is defective and Lucas Duda has been ineffective.  Watching Wright's throws to first base are becoming distressful, if not problematic. Meanwhile, the Big Lebowski's bat has been inconsequential as ever.  His hot streaks are as unpredictable as a mid-western twister.

Then, there's the Mets battery problems.  Catcher Travis d'Arnaud's propensity for injury is just as dismaying today, as it has ever been previously.  On the mound, the Dark Knight is still yet to find his mojo, while Steven Matz is apparently breaking down ... again (although no ligament damage has been found in his elbow).

Oh, and the Mets went 4-7 on their road trip, and are presently losers of 4 in a row.

In other words, just another day in the Citi.

Let the games begin!