GUEST
Queen Native ~ Mets Fan
Queen Native ~ Mets Fan
VOICE ACTOR
Steve Cohen ~ Money ~ Farm ~ Billy Eppler
Noah Syndergaard ~ Steven Matz ~ Aaron Loup ~ Jon Matlack
CBA ~ Japanese Baseball ~ Gil Hodges HOF
and so much more!
#LFGM
Showing posts with label Noah Syndergaard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Noah Syndergaard. Show all posts
Monday, November 22, 2021
Our Thanksgiving Metsian Podcast with Queens Native and Voice Actor Matthew Streppone
From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
The Metsian Podcast: Ushering Change in Flushing With The One, The Infamous, Tío Al
From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
GUEST
Met Fan ~ Mister Hot Take
eighty-two minutes
Changes in Flushing are underway. After two seasons of pandemic baseball and front-office dysfunction, Luis Rojas was recently let go as manager, along with long-time bullpen coach Ricky Bones and other members of the coaching staff. But time is fleeting, and the Mets have yet to get their front office in order. We know who won't be taking over as President of Baseball Operations, Theo Epstein. Joining The Metsian Podcast in helping bring 2021 to a close, navigate a new course, and ponder potential front-office and managerial candidates will be Mets fan extraordinaire, mister hot-take on Twitter and YouTube, the Only and Infamous, Tío Al.
#LGM
Monday, October 04, 2021
The Metsian Podcast: Bringing 2021 Season to a Close with MLB Illustrated's Sadie
From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
GUEST
Graphics Designer, Digital Marketer, Baseball Fan
Graphics Designer, Digital Marketer, Baseball Fan
SADIE
METS FAN FROM ALBERTA, CANADA
seventy-one minutes
2021
Regular Season
Finale
Monday, September 27, 2021
The Metsian Podcast: Mourning the Passing of Flushing's 2021 Playoff Aspirations
From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
Look out! That piano falling out of the sky has a New York Mets logo on it. Sunday's series finale against the Brewers was akin to something out of Looney Toons. If only they were as enjoyable to watch. Swept by the Cardinals, two losses against the Phillies, swept at Boston, and again at Milwaukee, the free fall continues. The season's final homestand opens on Tuesday against the always troublesome Miami Marlins, then it's off to Atlanta to close out the schedule against the Braves. Alas, their remaining games retain little matter in the standings. Please join Sam, Rich, and I as The Metsian Podcast regrettably mourns the passing of Flushing's 2021 playoff hopes and aspirations.
ninety-five minutes
What Went Wrong And When...?
Marcus Stroman ~ Michael Conforto ~ Javier Baez
Jeff McNeil ~ Taijuan Walker ~ Edwin Diaz ~ Noah Syndergaard
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim ~ The New York Mets of Queens
Third Base ... I Don't Know
and so much more!
#LGM
Tuesday, August 31, 2021
THE METSIAN PODCAST: Flipping Fans the Thumb with Baseball Reporter/Analyst Ernest Dove
From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
PART ONE:
TWO FANS IN A CAR TALKIN' METS
@THE_SamMaxwell talks one-on-one w/ @BigRedRuckus
⚾
PART TWO:
Baseball Reporter, Analyst,
Covering the St. Lucie Mets,
Can Be Heard at
STUFF
Howie Rose ~ Jerry Koosman ~ Retired Numbers ~ Noah Syndergaard
Jeff Cohen ~ Luis Rojas ~ Sandy Alderson
Francisco Lindor ~ THUMBS DOWN ~ Javier Baez
Yogi Berra ~ Gary Carter ~ Keith Hernandez ~ Tug McGraw
and so much more!
👎
#LGM
Friday, August 27, 2021
Brooklyn Cyclones: Noah Syndergaard Yields One of Four Aberdeen Home Runs in Game Four Loss Against Ironbirds
From the desk: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS
I - BRK 9; ABD 6
II - ABD 2; BRK 1
III - BRK 1; ABD 0
IV - ABD 12; BRK 5
CYCLONES ARE OUTSLUGGED ON SURF AVENUE
Making a rehab appearance, Noah Syndergaard started the first inning for the Brooklyn Cyclones against the Aberdeen Ironbirds at Coney Island. After running the count 0-2 on the leadoff batter, Aberdeen's right fielder Lamar Sparks fouls off pitch three, then deposited Noah Syndergaard's fourth offering over the left field wall for a prompt Ironbird lead.
NOAH SYNDERGAARD: one inning, one run, one hit, no walks, one strikeout. He faced five batters, threw 16 pitches, with 12 (75%) going for strikes.
The Cyclones recover in the home half of the first; Jaylen Palmer scores on designated hitter Ronny Mauricio double, tying the game at one.
Brooklyn takes a 3-1 lead in the third on Cody Bohanek's two-run home run. But it's short-lived. Left fielder Cristopher Cespedes' three-run home run against Alec Kisena gives the Ironbirds a 4-3 advantage.
Aberdeen adds a single run in the fourth, and Brooklyn adds one in the fifth. After a scoreless sixth inning, Connor O'Neil takes his turn on the bump in relief of Alec Kisena, and that's when things go awry. Aberdeen strikes for four runs on four hits, including two doubles and the Ironbird's third home run of the game off the bat of third baseman Jean Carmona for a commanding 9-4 lead.
Brooklyn manages just one more run in the home eighth, but Aberdeen strikes for three more runs in the ninth for good measure, highlighted by center fielder Doran Turchin's three-run home run off Hunter Parsons - Aberdeen's fourth four-bagger of the game.
Sunday, April 05, 2020
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.
Monday, March 30, 2020
Another Metsian Podcast Quarantine Special: More Social Distraction with Greg Prince
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
* picture: sticker, Brooklyn street art
SOCIAL DISTRACTION
A METSIAN PODCAST
with SAM, RICH, and MIKE
GUEST
STUFF
Noah Syndergaard ~ Jacob deGrom ~ Glendon Rusch ~ Aaron Heilman
Luis Rojas ~ Brodie Van Wagenen
Robert Manfred
Randy Meyers vs. John Franco
and so much more!
Friday, March 13, 2020
N.Y. Mets: No Baseball For You
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
WE INTERRUPT SPRING TRAINING AND THE
2020 REGULAR SEASON DUE TO THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK
No baseball for you - at least not yet, or the foreseeable future. With coronavirus running wild, Take Me Out to the Ballgame certainly takes on a different tune.
However, the Trolley rolls on ...
I - Starting Pitching
Noah Syndergaard will turn 28-years old this season. It's time for him to step it up. My most serious criticism against Noah through the years has been his lack of craftsmanship. Last season he exceeded 30 starts for the first time in three years, fanning 202 batters and walking only 50 through 197.2 innings pitched. However he surrendered a career high 24 home runs which contributed greatly to his career high 4.28 ERA. That must change. With health presumably back on his side there will be little excuse should he fail to elevate his game. We Mets fans wish and hope for him to become an elite pitcher. But he is not there yet.
Rick Porcello has to date yielded 15 hits and just one walk with eight strikeouts through 10.2 innings pitched. I was in complete agreement with this acquisition. However, the signing of Michael Wacha, not so much. Wacha has surrendered eight hits and four walks in just 7.2 Grapefruit League innings pitched. In 2019, Wacha's first full season back from injury, he yielded 143 hits and 55 walks for a 1.563 WHiP through 126.2 innings.
II - Bullpen
Looks like Dellin Betances will have all the time he'll need for amping up that velocity. He says he's a slow starter. Time is now on his side. Meanwhile a slimmed down Jeurys Familia is performing well, but the troubled Edwin Diaz is not - four hits allowed and just one strikeout in three innings pitched.
As we know the Mets staff is short on left-hand pitching. In fact, Justin Wilson is the only bullpen southpaw whom I would qualify as reliable. That's why I've been rooting for Chasen Shreve to win a seat on the bus back to Flushing. A potential power arm, Shreve to date has yielded five hits (two home runs) and two walks with five strikeouts in six innings pitched. Not exactly what I had in mind.
Seth Lugo wants to start, but his performance betrays him. Compare 2017, his last season as a full time starter, versus his last two seasons as a full time reliever. As a starter he yielded 114 hits in 101.1 innings. As a reliever these last two seasons, he has allowed just 137 hits over 181.1 innings pitched. As a starter he posted a 10.1 H/9, 2.2 W/9, and 7.5 K/9. Last year he posted a career low 6.3 H/9 and 1.8 W/9, and a career high 11.7 K/9. The Mets need to utilize him to the best of his ability. If that means putting their foot down, so be it.
#washyourhands
Tuesday, March 03, 2020
N.Y. Mets: Rotation Weaker Without Zack Wheeler
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
Although Zack Wheeler last March made it very clear to all that he welcomed free agency and that the club would need to meet his price, I was hoping against hope the Mets would re-sign him.
In turn 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. However, despite turning 30-years old this coming May, I believe health is finally on Wheeler's side 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 made him no offer, qualifying or otherwise, electing instead to let him walk.
Wheeler signed with Philadelphia for $118 million over five seasons. The general manager within me would have been agreeable negotiating a one hundred 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.
Moreover, Zack Wheeler at the time I feel was better than any available replacement sans Gerrit Cole. Simply put, the acquisitions of Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha have yet to sway my opinion, which is the starting rotation has been weakened.
Starting Depth: Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman, Rick Porcello, Steven Matz, Michael Wacha.
vs.
Impacting the N.L. East: Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, Steven Matz, Marcus Stroman, and adding Rick Porcello.
Of course, I could be wrong.
But I doubt it.
Although Zack Wheeler last March made it very clear to all that he welcomed free agency and that the club would need to meet his price, I was hoping against hope the Mets would re-sign him.
In turn 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. However, despite turning 30-years old this coming May, I believe health is finally on Wheeler's side 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 made him no offer, qualifying or otherwise, electing instead to let him walk.
Wheeler signed with Philadelphia for $118 million over five seasons. The general manager within me would have been agreeable negotiating a one hundred 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.
Moreover, Zack Wheeler at the time I feel was better than any available replacement sans Gerrit Cole. Simply put, the acquisitions of Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha have yet to sway my opinion, which is the starting rotation has been weakened.
Starting Depth: Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman, Rick Porcello, Steven Matz, Michael Wacha.
vs.
Impacting the N.L. East: Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, Steven Matz, Marcus Stroman, and adding Rick Porcello.
Of course, I could be wrong.
But I doubt it.
Monday, September 30, 2019
N.Y. Mets: An Amazin' Finish
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
Sunday, September 29, 2019
GAME #162
Braves 6
Mets 7
FINAL
NOAH SYNDERGAARD
Takes His Warm-Ups
#20-POLAR BEAR
Steps to the Plate
JOE PANIK EIGHTH INNING
HOME RUN PUTS METS AHEAD
DOM SMITH ROUNDING SECOND BASE AFTER HITTING
GAME WINNING THREE RUN HOME RUN in 11TH INNING
ROUNDING THIRD ...
HOME
SCRAPBOOK
#LGM
Monday, September 23, 2019
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...!
Sunday, August 11, 2019
N.Y. Mets: Season Suddenly Becoming a Serious Matter of Contention
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
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.
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 ...
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.
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.— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) August 11, 2019
Your welcome.
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.
Thursday, August 01, 2019
N.Y. Mets: Better Safe Than Sorry
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
It's no great secret the Mets have more problems than a math book. Among them was a coherent plan for the trade deadline. Now that the four o'clock hour has come and gone, we know this to be true. If their goal all along was to compete for a playoff spot, then they needed to address the bullpen and center field. Instead they transact for Marcus Stroman as a theoretical replacement for Noah Syndergaard whom they were actively shopping as part of some wacky ploy to address all their other needs and still contend at the same time. That being said I'm the first to advocate nothing ventured, noting gained. But that does not mean going about one's business with reckless abandon. As luck would have it someone in the front office exercises common sense and thinks better of the Mets present condition. By standing pat they may very well have saved themselves from themselves. Dare I say they did well by keeping things simple. And thank goodness because in my estimation their intended plan would have resulted in complete folly.
In the meantime the Mets head into the final two months of the season with arguably the best rotation (one through five) in the National League. How far they carry the Mets remains to be seen. As presently constituted the Mets will not be catching the Braves anytime soon, if at all. Of that we're all quite sure. However they're only five games behind the second wild card position. Securing it would entail leapfrogging Arizona, San Francisco, Milwaukee, Washington, Philadelphia, and Chicago.
They enter Wednesday night's action four games under .500 with 57 games left to play. In order to remain viable they'll need to win at least 60% of their games. Although unlikely, it's completely plausible. This team is not in dire need of a miracle. If they tighten up their act on defense and get length from their starters ... who knows what can happen. That's the beauty of baseball.
But heaven forbid I end on a pleasant note. Because the way I think, if you're not equipped to challenge the Dodgers, Braves, Cardinals, Cubs, much less the Yankees, Astros, Twins, Indians, Red Sox, et al, then you're just wasting my time.
Make of it what you will ...
Three Cheers for Common Sense
It's no great secret the Mets have more problems than a math book. Among them was a coherent plan for the trade deadline. Now that the four o'clock hour has come and gone, we know this to be true. If their goal all along was to compete for a playoff spot, then they needed to address the bullpen and center field. Instead they transact for Marcus Stroman as a theoretical replacement for Noah Syndergaard whom they were actively shopping as part of some wacky ploy to address all their other needs and still contend at the same time. That being said I'm the first to advocate nothing ventured, noting gained. But that does not mean going about one's business with reckless abandon. As luck would have it someone in the front office exercises common sense and thinks better of the Mets present condition. By standing pat they may very well have saved themselves from themselves. Dare I say they did well by keeping things simple. And thank goodness because in my estimation their intended plan would have resulted in complete folly.
In the meantime the Mets head into the final two months of the season with arguably the best rotation (one through five) in the National League. How far they carry the Mets remains to be seen. As presently constituted the Mets will not be catching the Braves anytime soon, if at all. Of that we're all quite sure. However they're only five games behind the second wild card position. Securing it would entail leapfrogging Arizona, San Francisco, Milwaukee, Washington, Philadelphia, and Chicago.
They enter Wednesday night's action four games under .500 with 57 games left to play. In order to remain viable they'll need to win at least 60% of their games. Although unlikely, it's completely plausible. This team is not in dire need of a miracle. If they tighten up their act on defense and get length from their starters ... who knows what can happen. That's the beauty of baseball.
But heaven forbid I end on a pleasant note. Because the way I think, if you're not equipped to challenge the Dodgers, Braves, Cardinals, Cubs, much less the Yankees, Astros, Twins, Indians, Red Sox, et al, then you're just wasting my time.
Make of it what you will ...
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
N.Y. Mets: Unrepentant Jason Vargas Traded for Double-A Catcher
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
Apology accepted ... See you tomorrow, Jason?
I had no particular use for Vargas. He had no fan in me. So no harm done on this end as far as I'm concerned. At least the beat reporters are safe now. In fact I'm surprised the Mets got back a warm body in exchange - a catcher no less.
Truth be told he should fit in well with the Phillies; wink. So just what exactly are the Mets getting in catcher Austin Bossart?
Don't hold your breath ...
At 26-years old Austin is a minor league career .261 hitter with a .695 OPS. With (AA)-Reading this season Bossart is slashing a mere .195/.303/.335, with just 14 extra-base hits, and 28 RBI through 63 games and an even 200 at-bats. His forte is apparently behind the plate. He owns a career .990 fielding average through 246 minor league games and over 2,000 innings played. Through five seasons he's thrown out would-be base thieves with a 41% rate of success. This season with Reading he is down to a 35% rate of success - a representative number nonetheless.
I've stated my opinions regarding the catching situation very clearly. I'm not happy about it. To review, Wilson Ramos is beyond demonstrating his liabilities behind the plate. Rather he confirms them on a nightly basis. I'd be remiss if I didn't congratulate the man for tying his career high of ten passed balls in 48 fewer starts (122 starts in 2016). While the league averages a 27% rate of caught stealing, Ramos still lags far behind with a rate of 15% caught stealing. A career high 64 base thefts have occurred on his watch. Tomas Nido, poor guy, owns a 9% rate of caught stealing. A whopping 84 stolen bases have occurred under both their watch.
I want first and foremost a supreme defender behind the plate; an agile fellow who fields his position well; and whom features a strong and accurate arm. I want a superior receiver, someone practiced in the art of forming symbiotic relationships between pitcher and catcher; someone pitchers can trust with pitches out of the zone. I want an on-field coach behind the mask, and a bully, and a friend, and brother, sometimes all at once. Offensive capabilities interest me not. Let other positions carry the load. I need a Jerry Grote type and the Mets need a more conductive battery.
In the meantime the Mets have a very transient situation on their hands. Marcus Stroman is in, and Jason Vargas is out. Stroman is clearly an improvement over Vargas. If only that were the end of this conversation. Be that as it may Stroman's place in the rotation hierarchy is not yet determinable as the Mets seem obsessed with trading Noah Syndergaard.
To be continued ...
I had no particular use for Vargas. He had no fan in me. So no harm done on this end as far as I'm concerned. At least the beat reporters are safe now. In fact I'm surprised the Mets got back a warm body in exchange - a catcher no less.
Truth be told he should fit in well with the Phillies; wink. So just what exactly are the Mets getting in catcher Austin Bossart?
Don't hold your breath ...
At 26-years old Austin is a minor league career .261 hitter with a .695 OPS. With (AA)-Reading this season Bossart is slashing a mere .195/.303/.335, with just 14 extra-base hits, and 28 RBI through 63 games and an even 200 at-bats. His forte is apparently behind the plate. He owns a career .990 fielding average through 246 minor league games and over 2,000 innings played. Through five seasons he's thrown out would-be base thieves with a 41% rate of success. This season with Reading he is down to a 35% rate of success - a representative number nonetheless.
I've stated my opinions regarding the catching situation very clearly. I'm not happy about it. To review, Wilson Ramos is beyond demonstrating his liabilities behind the plate. Rather he confirms them on a nightly basis. I'd be remiss if I didn't congratulate the man for tying his career high of ten passed balls in 48 fewer starts (122 starts in 2016). While the league averages a 27% rate of caught stealing, Ramos still lags far behind with a rate of 15% caught stealing. A career high 64 base thefts have occurred on his watch. Tomas Nido, poor guy, owns a 9% rate of caught stealing. A whopping 84 stolen bases have occurred under both their watch.
I want first and foremost a supreme defender behind the plate; an agile fellow who fields his position well; and whom features a strong and accurate arm. I want a superior receiver, someone practiced in the art of forming symbiotic relationships between pitcher and catcher; someone pitchers can trust with pitches out of the zone. I want an on-field coach behind the mask, and a bully, and a friend, and brother, sometimes all at once. Offensive capabilities interest me not. Let other positions carry the load. I need a Jerry Grote type and the Mets need a more conductive battery.
In the meantime the Mets have a very transient situation on their hands. Marcus Stroman is in, and Jason Vargas is out. Stroman is clearly an improvement over Vargas. If only that were the end of this conversation. Be that as it may Stroman's place in the rotation hierarchy is not yet determinable as the Mets seem obsessed with trading Noah Syndergaard.
To be continued ...
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
N.Y. Mets: Meet The Magicians
From the desk of: HEAD BUTTING MR. MET
The New York Mets acquire pitcher Marcus Stroman (and cash) from the Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto receives from the Mets pitching prospects Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods Richardson.
Stroman is 28-years old and comes with one more season of organizational control. He owns a career 3.76 ERA and 1.278 WHiP, with a 9.0 H/9 and 7.2 K/9 average through 789 career innings pitched. This season he is 6-11 with a fine 2.96 ERA through 21 games. He throws a full repertoire of pitches: fastball; slider; cutter; curveball; and change-up. This season he is throwing his cutter and curveball at the expense of his fastball far more often than in his four previous seasons according to Fangraphs. Is the strategy working? This season he is inducing ground balls at a rate of 56% to date. Over his last four seasons he averaged a 62.1% rate of ground balls.
Make of it what you will, because I don't care.
In lieu of acquiring a legit positional slugger, I'd be perfectly content with this acquisition if it winds up being their only transaction. Stroman is a fine addition; key word being addition. And there's the rub. I fear acquiring Stroman is merely a prelude to disaster. I'm not averse to trading Noah Syndergaard, Edwin Diaz, or anyone else for that matter. I personally love blowing teams up and starting from scratch. But that requires a competent front office and a well thought out plan. Brodie Van Wagenen is not yet a full year on the job, we're only four months into the season, and the organization is in a complete panic. His incoming bravado; dynamic off-season transactions; the bold new narrative; all of it; a complete fail.
The Wilpons say fans won't support a rebuild (meanwhile New York City teams are rebuilding all around them). They're also verified unwise and broke. Although, I'll play along and agree that a full rebuild is not necessary at the present time. That being said there's only so much Brodie can do in the absence of hard cold cash. But this is the condition he agreed to when he took the job. What's a new general manager tasked with quickly resuscitating a losing organization to do? He essentially wipes out the minor league system in an ill conceived attempt at immediate contention. That didn't work. Thus here we are two days shy of the trade deadline with the Mets scrambling to implement another hastily contrived plan. Hence this latest death defying high wire plan of emptying the farm's last vestiges of talent in order to acquire Syndergaard's replacement, whom they are reportedly hoping to trade for sake of replenishing said farm system and(!?) adding major league solutions to their myriad of positional problems while still striving towards post-season contention in time for 2020 ... all at the same time ... is complete folly! In this latest scenario we find ourselves tripping back over the old narrative. Like father, like son, the overwhelming problem is Fred and Jeff are too blind to see the err of their ways.
Meet the Magicians ...
On the bright side Brodie Van Wagenen has somehow cornered the market on available starting pitchers (Stroman, Syndergaard, and Zack Wheeler). But the likelihood he recoups talent representative of what he's given away are at best speculatively low. Here's to hoping Brodie has another trick up his sleeve. It just better not be handkerchiefs or a pigeon.
Oh, and I see they just traded Jason Vargas.
To be continued ...
The New York Mets acquire pitcher Marcus Stroman (and cash) from the Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto receives from the Mets pitching prospects Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods Richardson.
Stroman is 28-years old and comes with one more season of organizational control. He owns a career 3.76 ERA and 1.278 WHiP, with a 9.0 H/9 and 7.2 K/9 average through 789 career innings pitched. This season he is 6-11 with a fine 2.96 ERA through 21 games. He throws a full repertoire of pitches: fastball; slider; cutter; curveball; and change-up. This season he is throwing his cutter and curveball at the expense of his fastball far more often than in his four previous seasons according to Fangraphs. Is the strategy working? This season he is inducing ground balls at a rate of 56% to date. Over his last four seasons he averaged a 62.1% rate of ground balls.
Make of it what you will, because I don't care.
In lieu of acquiring a legit positional slugger, I'd be perfectly content with this acquisition if it winds up being their only transaction. Stroman is a fine addition; key word being addition. And there's the rub. I fear acquiring Stroman is merely a prelude to disaster. I'm not averse to trading Noah Syndergaard, Edwin Diaz, or anyone else for that matter. I personally love blowing teams up and starting from scratch. But that requires a competent front office and a well thought out plan. Brodie Van Wagenen is not yet a full year on the job, we're only four months into the season, and the organization is in a complete panic. His incoming bravado; dynamic off-season transactions; the bold new narrative; all of it; a complete fail.
The Wilpons say fans won't support a rebuild (meanwhile New York City teams are rebuilding all around them). They're also verified unwise and broke. Although, I'll play along and agree that a full rebuild is not necessary at the present time. That being said there's only so much Brodie can do in the absence of hard cold cash. But this is the condition he agreed to when he took the job. What's a new general manager tasked with quickly resuscitating a losing organization to do? He essentially wipes out the minor league system in an ill conceived attempt at immediate contention. That didn't work. Thus here we are two days shy of the trade deadline with the Mets scrambling to implement another hastily contrived plan. Hence this latest death defying high wire plan of emptying the farm's last vestiges of talent in order to acquire Syndergaard's replacement, whom they are reportedly hoping to trade for sake of replenishing said farm system and(!?) adding major league solutions to their myriad of positional problems while still striving towards post-season contention in time for 2020 ... all at the same time ... is complete folly! In this latest scenario we find ourselves tripping back over the old narrative. Like father, like son, the overwhelming problem is Fred and Jeff are too blind to see the err of their ways.
Meet the Magicians ...
On the bright side Brodie Van Wagenen has somehow cornered the market on available starting pitchers (Stroman, Syndergaard, and Zack Wheeler). But the likelihood he recoups talent representative of what he's given away are at best speculatively low. Here's to hoping Brodie has another trick up his sleeve. It just better not be handkerchiefs or a pigeon.
Oh, and I see they just traded Jason Vargas.
To be continued ...
Monday, July 29, 2019
Talking Trade Deadline with Mediagoon, Keith Blacknick of QBC, on Another Metsian Podcast
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
SATURDAY AT THE GAME
A METSIAN PODCAST
with SAM, RICH, and MIKE
With Featured Guest
Keith Blacknick of QBC, aka
sixty-six minutes
STUFF
Marcus Stroman ~ Steven Matz
Noah Syndergaard ~ Trade Deadline ~ Edwin Diaz
Anthony Kay ~ Simeon Woods Richardson
Todd Frazier ~ JD Davis ~ Jeff McNeil
Queens Baseball Convention
Sunday, July 28, 2019
Three Guys Walk Into Citi Field and a Whitewash Breaks Out
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
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).
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).
— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) July 28, 2019
Missed ya buddy.— Greg Prince (@greg_prince) July 28, 2019
— 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
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