N.Y. Mets Pitchers Toss Combined No-Hitter in Shutout Victory Over Rival Phillies

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

COMBINED NO-HITTER

Edwin Diaz Finishes What Tylor Megill Started; Mets Pitching, Fielding, and Timely Hitting Rule the Day

Remember Tylor Megill's last-minute season-opening start at Washington?  That was a dandy.  He has been nothing short of stellar ever since.  Friday's game marks the third time in five starts he has yielded three hits or less in at least five innings pitched.  Tylor has now limited the opposition to 18 hits and six walks over his first 28 innings pitched for a 0.857 WHiP, with 27 strikeouts and a fine 1.93 ERA.

The game remained scoreless through the fourth inning.  Afterwhich, the Mets finally provided Megill with some support.  Jeff McNeil drove home two runs in the fifth, and Pete Alonso hit a solo home run in the sixth for a 3-0 Mets lead and the final margin of victory.  

After Drew Smith struck out J.T. Realmuto to start the seventh.  Enter Joely Rodriguez, who promptly walked Kyle Schwarber, who was himself erased when the Mets infield came to Joely's rescue and converted a 6-4-3 double-play.

Otherwise, Drew Smith, Joely Rodriguez, and Seth Lugo kept Philadelphia hitless through the eighth.

Edwin Diaz took his turn in the ninth and struck out the side, all swinging, preserving the shutout and the combined no-hitter - only the second no-hitter in Mets history, both at Citi Field.

That's how you finish!

And what better opponent than the Mets' closest division rival - the Philadelphia Phillies ...

A Metsian Podcast: Inside Steve Cohen's Purchase of the Mets with Journalist Laura S. Goldman

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

With SAM, RICH & MIKE

GUEST

Journalist ~ Consultant

Wharton Grad and Provocateur

LAURA S. GOLDMAN

seventy-four minutes

⚾               ⚾               ⚾

We open the podcast with Laura S. Goldman, who provides a business insider's report about Steve Cohen's recent purchase of the New York Mets.  The bidding process, players and pretenders, outstanding debt, the status of SNY, and property redevelopment rights; are all on the docket.  Afterwhich, A Metsian Podcast lights the Hot Stove.  We debate and discuss off-season priorities, the merits of Seth Lugo as a starter, or reliever, and update the Brooklyn Cyclones future course.  The podcast winds down with a 1967 New York Mets retrospective.   #LGM

Our guest Laura S. Goldman is a graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.  Her financial investment career includes work with Merrill Lynch, Paine Webber, and her own firm which cleared through Bear Stearns.  She's presently a consultant at LSG Capital as well as ABC News where she helped produce the presidential election town halls moderated by George Stephanopoulos.

The Incoming Flight-O-Fish Arriving From Miami on Another Metsian Podcast

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

with SAM, RICH & MIKE

COVID-19 continues altering an already compromised 2020 regular season, and the problematic Miami Marlins/Florida condition remains front and center.  Most recently one New York Mets player and one coach tested positive for coronavirus during the team's most recent visit to Florida.  To be fair, where and when they contracted the virus has yet to be determined.  Nonetheless, a concerned Metsian Podcast extends their collective well wishes to the Mets organization.  Ten teams, one-third of all major league baseball teams have now experienced coronavirus related postponements.  New York City's scheduled weekend subway series is an obvious casualty.  Speaking of which, a Flight-o-Fish out of Miami is due to arrive at LaGuardia Airport this week.  How does that make you feel, Mets fans?  Sam, Rich and I go fishing for answers.  

#LGM

A Metsian Podcast: First Quarter Review

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

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

#LGM

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

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

GUEST

John Strubel 

of METS REWIND

forty-seven minutes

OPENING DAY WEEKEND

"SUNDAY NIGHT BLECH BALL"

Complete breakdown of 

Braves versus Mets

N.Y. Mets: Ongoing Ninth Inning Fire Rages On

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

WILL THE METS REAL FIREMAN PLEASE STEP UP

One strike away from their second straight victory to begin the season, and ...

 ( ( ( (    POOF!  ) ) ) )

... another Edwin Diaz pitch irretrievably disappears over the fence.

Manager Rojas spends the lead-up making timely substitutions and smartly reconfiguring his defense.  In fact, the freshman Rojas sets the stage rather well.  Starter Steven Matz exits on the winning side of a 2-1 contest after six innings and 93 pitches thrown, with 58 (62%) going for strikes.  After which the trio of Jeurys Familia, Dellin Betances, and Justin Wilson, join together for two scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and fanning a pair.

Enter Edwin Diaz; it's the ninth inning.  With two outs and the Mets clinging to a slim 2-1 lead, he gets two strikes on Atlanta designated hitter Marcell Ozuna.  Then comes the fatal pitch, belt high and flat, on the outside portion of the plate, just begging to be hit the other way by a right handed batter.  And Ozuna does just that, sending Diaz' offering high beyond the reach of Michael Conforto, and over the right field fence - game tied.  The Mets eventually lose in the tenth inning, but the damage is already done (MLB's new extra inning rules be damned).

Diaz last year pitches 58 innings and yields fifteen home runs all in the ninth inning, which sets a new MLB record previously established by Francisco Rodriguez.  Now with the 2020 season underway, Edwin appears in each of the Mets first two games.  Therefore, since arriving at Flushing he has now pitched 60 innings, surrendered sixteen home runs, all in the ninth inning.  It bears repeating: eight blown saves; seven losses, sixteen home runs allowed in just 60 innings pitched, with a 5.37 ERA and 1.379 WHiP, over 68 overall appearances as a Met.  Edwin Diaz is 26-years old and a veteran of four full major league seasons, during which he's averaged 67 innings per season.  Therefore, his arm is far from approaching its expiration date.  His 103 strikeouts and 15.4 K/9 average are perhaps his best and only defense.  He strikes out two on Opening Day, and strikes out two more on Saturday before his run in with Ozuna.  But what good is that?

Granted this is only game two of the season, but - and it's a big but - there remains only 58 games left to play.  Therefore, one must question how much longer can the Mets afford to hand over ninth inning responsibilities to a consistently ineffective Edwin Diaz.

FIREMAN WANTED: INQUIRE WITHIN

In this compromised 60-game season, time is of the essence.  The responsibility of rethinking the ninth inning now falls on Luis Rojas.  Hunter Strickland raised some eyebrows during Summer Camp, but on Saturday had fans watching at home turning and looking the other way.  He incurs the loss upon yielding three runs, two earned, in just one-third of an inning pitched.  But the likes of Seth Lugo, Jeurys Familia, Justin Wilson, Dellin Betances, along with Edwin Diaz, should perhaps begin taking on a greater collective role insofar as closing out the ninth inning.

Steven Matz is the overlooked victim in all this.  He allows just one earned run on a mere two hits with one walk, and seven strikeouts, but for all his efforts unfortunately walks away with a no decision.

N.Y. Mets: La Potencia's Return is a Big Hit

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

OPENING DAY 

⇨ IN JULY ⇦

GAME ONE

BRAVES  0

METS       1

At the very least, with everything going on, Friday's game is historic.  Otherwise there's something about the Mets and Opening Day that always gets fans feeling all warm, orange, blue, and fuzzy.  However, it usually doesn't take long after that before we realize it's the hazy, hot, and humid, New York City summer that we're really experiencing.  Otherwise winning is really cool, especially on Opening Day.  It is an event unto itself, where on the one hand 50,000 fans assemble for a common cause, yet a given fan's individual experience is completely subjective.  Of course, you can say that about any games.  But in life they say be first or be the best.  Sometimes Opening Day is both.  Like Friday's opener against the rival Atlanta Braves ...

LED BY JACOB deGROM, METS WHITEWASH BRAVES

If you like pitching duels, you got treated to one on Opening Day.  Couldn't ask for more.  With the understanding Jacob deGrom recently experienced some back discomfort, I do not begrudge freshman manager Luis Rojas for taking deGrom out when he does.  The Grominator is dominant out of the gate throwing 100-mph fastballs en route to a scoreless one-hit effort through five innings with eight strikeouts.  He throws 72 pitches with 48 (66%) going for strikes.  But alas he is awarded the chronic no decision.  Seth Lugo pitches two scoreless innings of one-hit ball with three strikeouts for the victory.  After which Justin Wilson and Edwin Diaz preserve the shutout.  Edwin Diaz faces four batters in the ninth, throwing thirteen pitches with eight going for strikes.  He walks one and fans two en route to his first save.  The Mets four pitchers join together on a three-hit whitewashing of the Atlanta Braves with fifteen strikeouts and just two walks.

Outside of one errant pitch placed center mass of home plate, Atlanta pitching is no less effective.  Starter Mike Soroka and three relievers limit the Mets to just six hits and no walks with four strikeouts.  One pitch is all it takes.  The comeback kid himself, Yoenis Cespedes, deposits a Soroka offering deep into the empty left field seats.  It's Yo's first home run in over two years, and it makes all the difference in Friday afternoon's opener at Citi Field.

La Potencia is back!

Oh ... and so much for social distancing in the dugout.

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

• Starting Rotation Weaker Without Wheeler 
• Stop Matzing Around With Starting Rotation

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

Arizona Mets Fan Anna Brice Weighs In On Another Metsian Podcast

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

You can take the girl out of the city,

but you can't the city out of the girl.

LISTEN IN

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

GUEST:

Native New Yorker, Jersey Girl, Arizona Resident, 

and Mets Fan Extraordinaire

@AnnaBrice

102 minutes

Coronavirus Panic

Steven Matz ~ Dellin Betances ~ Seth Lugo ~ Michael Wacha

Robinson Cano ~ Yoenis Cespedes

Great Broadcasters in Mets History ~ Mets Who've Worn #46

Steve Cohen ~ Sale of the Mets ~ James Dolan

Arizona Pizza ~ Lee Mazzilli

and so much more!

#LFGM

N.Y. Mets: Can't Save Themselves From The Dog Days of Spring

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

GATES CLOSED

The Regular Season is Now a Matter of Record.  

So What Happened?

The Mets played exactly 23 meaningful games in September.  Ironically a victory over the Miami Marlins is their last, as the competition squeezes them out of post-season contention at the 158 game mark.  They finish the regular season in third place, eleven games back of first, and three games out of the wild card race.  With an 86-76 (.531) record the Mets at least assure themselves of their first winning season in three years.  

While many if not most fans and media point to the Mets 27 blown saves as the main reason why they failed to qualify for the playoffs, there's also something to be said for what is becoming a habitual Spring swoon.  From May 15 through the end of June the Mets post an 18-27 record featuring five and seven game losing streaks respectively.  By July 5 they are ten games under .500 sporting a 40-50 record.  It is during this dreadful two month period that a great majority of this season's blown saves occur.

THE DOG DAYS of SPRING

• May/June 2015:  25-30 (.454); 65-42 (.607) rest of season.
• May/June 2016:  26-30 (.464); 61-45 (.575) rest of season.
• May/June 2017:  27-28 (.491); 43-64 (.402) rest of season.
• May/June 2018:  15-39 (.278); 62-46 (.574) rest of season.
• May/June 2019:  23-33 (.411); 63-43 (.594) rest of season.

Last season with the Mariners Edwin Diaz posts a 1.96 ERA through 73.1 innings pitched.  He converts a major league best 57 of 61 save opportunities for a 93% success rate with four blown saves. In his first season with the Mets he converts 26 of 33 save opportunities for a 79% success rate with seven blown saves.  He yields a career high 15 home runs skyrocketing his ERA upwards of 5.59 in 58.0 innings pitched.  Since Diaz led the Mets in blown saves, he naturally bears the brunt of criticism.  But make no mistake, New York's bullpen inefficiencies were a collective effort.  Edwin Diaz accounts for 26% of all Mets blown saves - seven for Diaz and 20 blown saves for everyone else.  That begs the question: who is responsible for blowing the other 74% of save opportunities?

THE CULPRITS

• Edwin Diaz: (26/33) 79% conversions; 7 blown saves.
• Drew Gagnon/Wilmer Font/Brad Brach/Tyler Bashlor: (0/6) 0% conversions; 6 blown saves.
• Seth Lugo: (6/11) 54% conversions; 5 blown saves.
• Robert Gsellman: (1/5) 20% conversions; 4 blown saves.
• Jeurys Familia: (0/4) 0% conversions; 4 blown saves.
• Justin Wilson: (4/5) 80% conversions; 1 blown save.
• Paul Sewald: (1/1) 100% conversions; 0 blown saves.

There are still another 13 relief pitchers so far unmentioned here whom this past season appeared out of the Mets bullpen.  Outside of Luis Avilan, very few if any are worth mentioning.  However, none were put into save situations.

And what of the competition?  How are they trending?

San Diego's 32-year old Kirby Yates comes out of nowhere to post a National League leading 44 saves, with a 93% conversion rate, and only three blown saves.  Alas the Padres are not in the playoffs.  Also home watching TV are Cincinnati's Raisel Iglesias who posts 34 saves, with an 85% conversion rate and six blown saves, and San Francisco's Will Smith who likewise posts 34 saves with an 89% conversion rate and only four blown saves.  Rounding out the National League's top five closers, Milwaukee's Josh Harder finishes second with 37 saves, off an 84% conversion rate with seven blown saves.  L.A.'s Kenley Jansen saves 33 games with an 80% conversion rate and eight blown saves.

National League Playoff Qualifiers

• Atlanta Braves: 66% conversions; 23 blown saves.
• St. Louis Cardinals: 71% conversions; 21 blown saves.
• Los Angeles Dodgers: 60% conversions; 29 blown saves.
• Washington Nationals: 58% conversions; 29 blown saves.
• Milwaukee Brewers: 64% conversions; 28 blown saves.

• National League Averaage: 61.4% conversions; 25 blown saves.
• NEW YORK METS: (38/65) 58% CONVERSIONS; 27 BLOWN SAVES.

American League Playoff Qualifiers

• N.Y. Yankees: 63% conversions; 28 blown saves.
• Houston Astros: 70% conversions; 20 blown saves.
• Minnesota Twins: 69% conversions; 22 blown saves.
• Oakland A's: 59% conversions; 31 blown saves.
• Tampa Bay Rays: 63% conversions; 27 blown saves.

Every team blows saves.  But in the National League only the Mets, Nationals, Cubs, Pirates, Rockies, and Marlins, fail to convert at least 60% of their opportunities.  Washington survives the wild card game.  In the American League, Oakland does not.  

Make of it what you will.

Dissecting the Mets with Tim Healey of NEWSDAY on Another Metsian Podcast

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

WILL THE METS MAKE THE PLAYOFFS?

We Answer That ... Rich Plays Host

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

SPECIAL GUEST

Tim Healey of NEWSDAY

69:00 minutes

STUFF

Who are the 2019 Mets and Will They Make the Playoffs?

Second Half ~ Competition ~ Roster ~ Possibilities

Pete Alonso Breaks National League Rookie Home Run Record

Aaron Altherr ~ Billy Hamilton ~ Rajai Davis ~ DFA's

Amed in the Outfield ~ J.D. Davis/Jeff McNeil Injuries

Edwin Diaz ~ Jeurys Familia ~ Seth Lugo ~ Marcus Stroman

Ruben Tejada ~ Dilson Herrera ~ Danny Espinosa

What Miracles Are Made Of ~ A Box of Crayons

What do Cleon Jones; Noah Syndergaard; Ed Lynch;

Junior Ortiz; Nolan Ryan; All Have In Common?

Syracuse Mets ~ and much more with Newsday's Tim Healey.

N.Y. Mets: The Bullpen Strikes Back

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

The Bullpen's Back and You're Gonna Be In Trouble

It's no coincidence that since the return of relievers Luis Avilan and Justin Wilson, it's not just Seth Lugo whom appears back in top form.  The bullpen and pitching staff as a whole are excelling and the Mets are surging as a result.

Avilan was sporting a 9.28 ERA when on May 3 he succumbed to injury.  He misses the rest of May and all of June.  Justin Wilson's ERA stood at 4.82 when on May 6 he too is felled by injury.  Like Avilan, Justin Wilson misses the rest of May and all of June.  By the time both relievers go missing the Mets own a 16-19 record.  Without them the Mets go on to win 12 of their remaining 22 games in May, but lose 18 of 28 games in June dropping their record to 26-37 for the season.

On May 7, Seth Lugo owns a 3.13 ERA.  In the absence of Avilan and Wilson his ERA balloons to a 3.60 mark.  In June Lugo yields seven earned runs on 15 hits with a 4.84 ERA and three blown saves over ten appearances and 13 innings pitched.

Justin Wilson returns on July 2 and has since lowered his ERA to a 2.86 mark.  Luis Avilan returns on July 5 and has since lowered his ERA to a 5.12 mark.  In turn Seth Lugo has lowered his ERA from 3.51 at the start of July down to 2.73 by month's end.  As of Sunday he owns a 2.65 ERA through 45 appearances.

Since July 3 even Jeurys Familia has lowered his ERA by more than a full point.

The bullpen owns a 3.20 ERA since the all-star break, and the pitching staff as a whole owns a 2.70 ERA while in the midst of this Amazin' 15-1 run.

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

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Mets Lead Nationals 2-0

I - NYM 7; WAS 6

II - NYM 4; WAS 3

III - SUNDAY

GAME THREE

Washington Nationals

vs.

New York Mets

FROM

41 Seaver Way at Roosevelt Avenue

Flushing, Queens

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

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

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

Your welcome.

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

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

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

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

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

PANDEMONIUM AND MAYHEM APPEARING NIGHTLY

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

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


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

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


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

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

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

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

Uh, no ..

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

Not out of the question ...

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

This is now a matter of seizing the moment.

Feeding Wild Card Fever on Another Metsian Podcast with Greg Prince

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Starve a Cold; Feed a Fever

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

WITH GUEST

author, Mets fan extraordinaire 

Greg Prince 

proprietor of 

Faith and Fear in Flushing

102 minutes

STUFF

WILD CARD FEVER

Marcus Stroman ~ Jason Vargas ~ Jacob deGrom

Luis Avilan ~ Justin Wilson ~ Edwin Diaz ~ Seth Lugo

Brodie Van Wagenen ~ Mickey Callaway

Tom Hausman ~ Jon Matlack ~ Dick Tidrow ~ Paul Wilson

JD Davis ~ Amed Rosario ~ Michael Conforto

Pete Alonso ~ Jeff McNeil

Strat-O-Matic Baseball

 and so much more!

#LFGM

N.Y. Mets: Giving Blown Saves a Name

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

MY KINGDOM FOR A SAVE

We know the Mets are blowing half their save opportunities.  Flushing is up in arms about it.  But simply blaming "the bullpen" is no longer good enough.  It's time to name names.

While I'm not a big fan of WAR, I'm not necessarily averse to it.  That said, Edwin Diaz' -0.4 WAR is terrible.  His overall numbers are quite unsightly for a closer but there's a weak argument to be made he is still doing his job.  Diaz is 1-6 with a 5.50 ERA and a 1.46 WHiP.  He has so far yielded 39 hits, including seven home runs, and issued eleven walks though 34.1 innings pitched.  Compared to last season his rate of line drives and fly balls are up and his rate of ground balls is down.  He is throwing his fastball slightly more than last season and in turn is throwing his slider less.  Yet his velocity appears unchanged (all) according to Fangraphs.  Diaz naturally leads the Mets with 23 save opportunities and to date has converted 19 (83%) of them.  His four blown saves account for 19% of all Mets blown saves this season.

Mickey Callaway to date has summoned 22 other pitchers from the bullpen including starters Steven Matz and Jason Vargas.  But only six of them are ever put into save situations.  Justin Wilson, recovering from injury, converts his lone save opportunity of the season.  Drew Gagnon accounts for one blown save.  However the trio of Seth Lugo, Tyler Bashlor, and Jeurys Famila, are 0 for 11 in save opportunities which accounts for 52% of all Mets blown saves.

At least Gsellman has converted one save through five opportunities.  But if we lump together Seth Lugo, Robert Gsellman, Tyler Bashlor, and Jeurys Familia, they've combined on 17 save opportunities but just two save conversions.  That's a rate of 88% blown saves or a 12% conversion rate - pick your poison.

• Seth Lugo - 3.35 ERA; 4 BS
• Robert Gsellman - 5.09 ERA; 4 BS
• Tyler Bashlor - 5.40 ERA; 3 BS
• Jeurys Familia - 7.59 ERA; 4 BS
• Edwin Diaz - 5.50 ERA; 4 BS

But what of the competition?

San Diego leads the National League with 51 save opportunities and a league high 35 (68%) save conversions.  The Mets are second with 42 save opportunities, but lead the league with 21 (50%) blown saves.  The league average is 65% conversion rate.  San Francisco has had the least amount of save opportunities, yet lead the National League with an 84% conversion rate; Cincinnati is second with a 73% conversion rate; Milwaukee is third in the National League with a 72% success rate.  Even Miami is converting saves at a rate of 71% but have created the second least opportunities for themselves.  Among the Mets other division competitors Atlanta is converting 61% of save opportunities, Washington is converting at a 56% rate, and the Phillies are one of five National League teams converting at least 70% of their opportunities.

The Mets are not one of them.

In the meantime, Brodie says there's enough talent in place, and 72 games left in the season for the bullpen to prove their mettle.

That is all ...

• NYM Baseball Reference

Mets vs. Yankees: 2019 Subway Series II

From the desks of: 

HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET  and  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Mets/Yankees Split Series 2-2

I - Rain Out

II - NYY 12; NYM 5

III - NYM 10; NYY 4

IV - NYM 4; NYY 2

V- NYY 5; NYM 1

SUBWAY SERIES

New York Yankees

vs.

New York Mets

FROM

41 SEAVER WAY

QUEENS

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

Mets All-Stars:

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

Yankees All-Stars:

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

AMAZIN'

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

HOLY COW!

• ICYMI: LONDON SERIES Recap and Pics.

GAME ONE

Yankees  2

Mets       4

FINAL

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

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

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

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

GAME TWO

Yankees  5

Mets       1

FINAL

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

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

The Mickey Mess Show Metsian Podcast w/ Greg Prince

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

METS HAVE A WTF MOMENT AT WRIGLEY

So what else is new?

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

With Guest 

Greg Prince

of

FaithAndFearInFlushing.com

Settle in for 132 minutes of intensely packed Mets discussion.

STUFF

The Cubs Series ~ Sunday's Meltdown

Upcoming Phillies Series ~ Mets Rivalries Through the Years

Pete Alonso Rookie Home Run Record

The Bullpen Woes ~ Terrible Fielding

Reflecting on the 1969 Season ~ Mets Players to Wear #29

Mickey Callaway's Press Conference Outburst

Jason Vargas ~ Brodie Van Wagene's Next Move

and so much more.

Packed with Stuff!

N.Y. Mets: Mickey Singing The Bullpen Blues

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

OPENING DAY SERIES

Nats def. Mets; 2-1

I - WAS 4; NYM 0

II - NYM 6; WAS 5

III- WAS12; NYM 9

New York Mets: Will the trustworthy relief pitchers please stand up and identify themselves.

The Mets have nine games in the books.  All but two of their relief pitchers already have five appearances each.  Of the 81 total innings played to date, the bullpen has accounted for 43% or 35.1 innings pitched. That's a reasonable load considering this early stage of the season.  Their actual performance, not so much.  They've surrendered 20 earned runs for a collective 5.12 ERA; allowed 35 hits and issued 16 walks for an unsightly 1.459 WHiP; and amassed 35 strikeouts for an 8.9 K/9 average.

At least Edwin Diaz is performing up to expectations.  He has thus far allowed two hits and a walk, with five strikeouts and four saves through 3.2 scoreless innings of work.

Unfortunately the same can't be said for Jeurys Familia, Seth Lugo, and Robert Gsellman.  Each is presently performing worse than the next.  Familia has surrendered three earned runs on four hits (two home runs) and three walks for a 5.40 ERA through five innings pitched.  Lugo has allowed five earned runs on eight hits and three walks for a 9.64 ERA through 4.2 innings.  And Gsellman has allowed nine hits and three earned runs in five innings pitched.  Together, the three boast a problematic 6.97 ERA.

And those are the guys I trust ...

Tim Peterson is leading a conga line with six walks and four hits through four innings.  Meanwhile Luis Avilan's ineffectiveness is only worsening matters.  As such, Mickey Callaway has called upon Avilan the fewest times for a reason.  The 29-year old import has allowed six earned runs on five hits and two walks in just 2.1 innings pitched.  In turn, he himself becomes a burden on the bullpen.  I suspect BVW will revisit Avilan's status in the very near future.

After a bad first impression import Justin Wilson thankfully is performing well, allowing just one earned run on three hits and a walk, for a 1.59 ERA and 0.71 WHiP, with five strikeouts over a bullpen leading 5.2 innings pitched.

This bullpen will ultimately make Mickey Callaway appear smart, or get him fired.  Good thing for him, it's early.  But we shall see.  The starting pitching plays a part in this too.

• Mets.com/stats

Another Opening Day Metsian Podcast Extravaganza

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

PLAY BALL !!!!

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and Mike

Special Guest

Greg Prince of 

FaithAndFearInFlushing

134 Minutes

OPENING DAY

Opening Day Memories ~ Opening Day Recap

Robinson Cano ~ Pete Alonso

Jacob deGrom ~ The Bullpen

Brodie Van Wagenen ~ Mickey Callaway

and so much more..!

N.Y. Mets: The Autumnal Equinox Metsian Podcast

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Sam, Rich, and I present you 

Episode #21 of a Metsian Podcast with special guest, 

author Greg Prince of Faith and Fear in Flushing.com

Two Hours

Lots-O-Stuff

Second-half and September play ~ Last home stand of season ~ Finishing strong

The Raging Denton True Young Debate

Jacob deGrom/Sustainability vs. Max Scherzer/Fading Fast

The Best of David Wright Round Table

Subway Series ~ World Series ~ Triple Crown threat

Captain America ~ Toast of the Town

Wilmer's knees ~ When Nature calls ~ The Ghost of Kevin Bass

Amed Rosario ~ Jeff McNeil ~ Michael Conforto

Cleon Jones ~ Lucas Duda ~ NYC in 1921 ~ Carlos Delgado

Mickey Callaway's progress ~ Sandy Alderson's fingerprints

and so much more ...