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Showing posts with label Steven Matz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Steven Matz. 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
Sunday, August 23, 2020
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
Thursday, August 20, 2020
N.Y. Mets: The Monster Matz is a National League Smash
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
This was supposed to be the season Steven Matz finally matures into a more composed left-handed craftsman, just like last year was supposed to be the season Steven Matz finally matures into a more composed left-handed craftsman.
So far that person remains missing in action. This objective observer has yet to detect any advanced development in the now 29-year old southpaw from Long Island. Maybe what they say is true: playing at home in front of family and friends is a bad idea. Maybe a change of scenery will do him good. What else is there left to think?
He has so far failed to exceed six innings through five starts. His first appearance of the season remains the only game to date in which he pitches at least six innings. In that game he allows one run on two hits and one walk with seven strikeouts. A stellar season debut, for sure. But it remains his best and only truly effective outing of the season. Otherwise, he's been pushing the proverbial boulder up Mt. Flushing ever since. The Mets are 0-5 in games Matz starts. He owns a 9.00 ERA, 1.565 WHiP and 7.01 FIP in just 23 innings pitched. He is averaging just 4.2 innings per start, and presently leads all of baseball with four losses.
From his rookie season in 2015 through 2018 Matz utilizes his fastball at a rate of 62.2 percent. Starting last season he's been throwing his fastball at a decreased rate of 51.5 percent - a noteworthy difference exceeding ten percent. Conversely, over his first four seasons he utilizes his change-up at a rate of only 12.7 percent. Last season his frequency increases to 20.1 percent, and this year he is up to 27.1 percent, which is an increase of near 15% since 2018. His curveball (16.8%) remains relatively level. But whereas last season he threw his slider at a rate of 14.4 percent this season (3.6%) it has all but disappeared. Making this somewhat more ponderous is that his fastball is being clocked this season at a career best 94.7mph, while all his other pitches are in line with career averages, all according to Fangraphs.
At 29-years of age and in his sixth season in the bigs one would think he'd be in the midst of his prime. Instead Matz is yielding more hits than ever before. He brings a career 9.1 H/9 average into this season, but is presently 2.6 above that mark with a problematic 11.7 H/9 average. He isn't just hittable, he is smashable, if there exists such a word. Matz brought a career 19.7% line-drive percentage into the 2020 season. The last two seasons have been his best in that regard - a career best 15.4% line-drive average in 2018 and a 19.8% line-drive average in 2019. This season that number has spiked to 28.8%, which is 8.7% above his career average. His HardHit% also stands at a career high 42.7 mark. Never before in his career has he breached the 40 percentile for a full season, also according to Fangraphs.
Did I mention Steven Matz leads the National League in runs allowed, and leads all of baseball in home runs allowed?
Mashable Matz .. he's a league wide smash .. hitters catch on in a flash .. do the Mash.
Perhaps Steven and the Mets rookie pitching coach should rethink this change-up strategy. Otherwise, the rolodex of excuses is near exhausted. On Thursday Matz was tentatively due to make his sixth start and the 107th start of his major league career while featuring a career 4.25 ERA. But to hear Luis Rojas speak, it seems nothing is guaranteed. In fact, Seth Lugo has already been named starter as of Wednesday night. Not so sure that's the right move either. However, with the Mets rotation presently in shambles Rojas is at a point where if nothing ventured, nothing is gained.
Manager's call ... good for him.
Matz is being relegated to the bullpen ... do the Mash.
Matzie .. Matzie
not mamma, not dadda,
Matzie ... Matzie ... Matzie
This was supposed to be the season Steven Matz finally matures into a more composed left-handed craftsman, just like last year was supposed to be the season Steven Matz finally matures into a more composed left-handed craftsman.
So far that person remains missing in action. This objective observer has yet to detect any advanced development in the now 29-year old southpaw from Long Island. Maybe what they say is true: playing at home in front of family and friends is a bad idea. Maybe a change of scenery will do him good. What else is there left to think?
He has so far failed to exceed six innings through five starts. His first appearance of the season remains the only game to date in which he pitches at least six innings. In that game he allows one run on two hits and one walk with seven strikeouts. A stellar season debut, for sure. But it remains his best and only truly effective outing of the season. Otherwise, he's been pushing the proverbial boulder up Mt. Flushing ever since. The Mets are 0-5 in games Matz starts. He owns a 9.00 ERA, 1.565 WHiP and 7.01 FIP in just 23 innings pitched. He is averaging just 4.2 innings per start, and presently leads all of baseball with four losses.
THROWING FLUFF & FITS INSTEAD OF FASTBALLS
From his rookie season in 2015 through 2018 Matz utilizes his fastball at a rate of 62.2 percent. Starting last season he's been throwing his fastball at a decreased rate of 51.5 percent - a noteworthy difference exceeding ten percent. Conversely, over his first four seasons he utilizes his change-up at a rate of only 12.7 percent. Last season his frequency increases to 20.1 percent, and this year he is up to 27.1 percent, which is an increase of near 15% since 2018. His curveball (16.8%) remains relatively level. But whereas last season he threw his slider at a rate of 14.4 percent this season (3.6%) it has all but disappeared. Making this somewhat more ponderous is that his fastball is being clocked this season at a career best 94.7mph, while all his other pitches are in line with career averages, all according to Fangraphs.
DANGEROUS PEOPLE WITH STICKS IN THEIR HANDS
At 29-years of age and in his sixth season in the bigs one would think he'd be in the midst of his prime. Instead Matz is yielding more hits than ever before. He brings a career 9.1 H/9 average into this season, but is presently 2.6 above that mark with a problematic 11.7 H/9 average. He isn't just hittable, he is smashable, if there exists such a word. Matz brought a career 19.7% line-drive percentage into the 2020 season. The last two seasons have been his best in that regard - a career best 15.4% line-drive average in 2018 and a 19.8% line-drive average in 2019. This season that number has spiked to 28.8%, which is 8.7% above his career average. His HardHit% also stands at a career high 42.7 mark. Never before in his career has he breached the 40 percentile for a full season, also according to Fangraphs.
Did I mention Steven Matz leads the National League in runs allowed, and leads all of baseball in home runs allowed?
SOMETIMES A MANAGER HAS TO DO WHAT A MANAGER HAS TO DO
Mashable Matz .. he's a league wide smash .. hitters catch on in a flash .. do the Mash.
Perhaps Steven and the Mets rookie pitching coach should rethink this change-up strategy. Otherwise, the rolodex of excuses is near exhausted. On Thursday Matz was tentatively due to make his sixth start and the 107th start of his major league career while featuring a career 4.25 ERA. But to hear Luis Rojas speak, it seems nothing is guaranteed. In fact, Seth Lugo has already been named starter as of Wednesday night. Not so sure that's the right move either. However, with the Mets rotation presently in shambles Rojas is at a point where if nothing ventured, nothing is gained.
Manager's call ... good for him.
Matz is being relegated to the bullpen ... do the Mash.
Sunday, August 16, 2020
Four Angry Mets Fans on Another Metsian Podcast
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
The season is 38% done. Last time Mets were above .500 was July 28. It's now mid August and they own a 9-14 record. Steven Matz is 0-4 with a 9.00 ERA, and the Polar Bear is wilting in the dog days of summer.
With SAM, RICH and MIKE
GUEST
The season is 38% done. Last time Mets were above .500 was July 28. It's now mid August and they own a 9-14 record. Steven Matz is 0-4 with a 9.00 ERA, and the Polar Bear is wilting in the dog days of summer.
We rant.
#LGM
Monday, August 03, 2020
A Mushroom Cloud Rises Over Flushing on Another Metsian Podcast
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
NEW YORK METS
with SAM, RICH, and MIKE
!! GIMMIE SHELTER !!
DEALING WITH THE FALLOUT
Joined by
NEW YORK METS
- First Ten Games: 3-7 (.300)
- Five Game Losing Streak
- 19 for 94 (.202) with runners in scoring position
- Team ERA: 5.52
- YOENIS CESPEDES EXITS STAGE LEFT
And the rant begins...!
Give a Listen
#LGM
Thursday, July 30, 2020
N.Y. Mets: One of These Starters is Not Like the Others
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
With Jacob deGrom's second start of the season underway against the Red Sox at Boston, the Mets starting rotation officially begins its next go-around.
First Time Around:
All told the rotation's first five starters allow fourteen earned runs, on twenty-two hits and nine walks, with 23 strikeouts, through twenty innings pitched. That equates to a 3.87 ERA, and 1.551 WHIP, and an average of four innings per start.
But we well realizes these stats are skewed because of what occurred on Sunday. In truth there is no escaping that out of the aforementioned five starters, one respective performances didn't turn out like the others - one of those five starts just isn't the same (.. if that reference doesn't trigger a childhood memory, then too bad for you). But the point remains: after a disappointing first start with the Mets, Rick Porcello will soon feel the heat of having all eyes beaming upon him.
One of these performances just wasn't the same...
With Jacob deGrom's second start of the season underway against the Red Sox at Boston, the Mets starting rotation officially begins its next go-around.
First Time Around:
- Game One vs. ATL: Jacob degrom throws 72 pitch gem through five scoreless innings of one-hit ball, with eight strikeouts.
- Game Two vs. ATL: Steven Matz throws 93 pitches through six innings, while limiting the Braves to one run on just two hits, with one walk and seven strikeouts.
- Game Three vs. ATL: Rick Porcello does not make it out of the third. He yields seven runs (six earned) on seven hits, with three walks, before manager Luis Rojas summons relief.
- Game Four vs. BOS: Michael Wacha faces twenty batters, allows one run on just five hits and one walk, with five strikeouts. Unlike deGrom and Matz whom exit to no-decisions, Wacha earns his first victory of the season.
- Game Five vs. BOS: With injuries to Noah Syndergaard and Marcus Stroman, Dave Peterson is a victim of baptismal by fire. The Mets 24-year old first round (20th overall) draft pick makes his major league debut on Tuesday. He responds with two earned runs allowed on seven hits and just two walks, with three strikeouts over 5.2 innings pitched, to earn first major league victory.
All told the rotation's first five starters allow fourteen earned runs, on twenty-two hits and nine walks, with 23 strikeouts, through twenty innings pitched. That equates to a 3.87 ERA, and 1.551 WHIP, and an average of four innings per start.
But we well realizes these stats are skewed because of what occurred on Sunday. In truth there is no escaping that out of the aforementioned five starters, one respective performances didn't turn out like the others - one of those five starts just isn't the same (.. if that reference doesn't trigger a childhood memory, then too bad for you). But the point remains: after a disappointing first start with the Mets, Rick Porcello will soon feel the heat of having all eyes beaming upon him.
Monday, July 27, 2020
N.Y. Mets: Sunday Night Blech Ball
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
I - STARTING PITCHING
Jacob deGrom opens the 2020 season with a gem. Alas, his first start of the season only lasts five innings. Luis Rojas sends in the relief corps after just 72 pitches. However, I do not begrudge the freshman manager (better safe than sorry) as deGrom had in recent days experienced a small measure of back discomfort. Otherwise, deGrom throws five scoreless innings of one-hit ball, with one walk and eight strikeouts.
On Saturday Steven Mats looks every bit like the mature 29-year old craftsman Mets fans have been hoping for. The rotation, the team, needs him more than ever. If the Mets are to achieve post-season contention, much less success, then Steven Matz - not Marcus Stroman - must step up alongside Jacob deGrom to form a formidable one-two punch. Matz throws 98 pitches with 58 (62%) going for strikes. He allows just one run on a mere two hits with one walk and seven strikeouts over six innings pitched. But like deGrom, he exits to a no decision.
Atlanta takes out all their frustrations against Rick Porcello on Sunday. The Mets off-season acquisition fails to make it out of the third inning, allowing seven runs (six earned), on seven hits and three walks in only two innings pitched.
I wrote this three days ago:
II - THE BULLPEN
With regards to Edwin Diaz, I already made my opinion quite clear.
At some point Luis Rojas (although we all know BVW won't have it..) needs to rethink the ninth inning. Diaz has proven wholly ineffective given ninth inning responsibilities. His resume since becoming a Met speaks for itself. Rojas must open the ninth inning to other members of his bullpen, or continue being victimized by Edwin's 5.37 ERA and 1.379 WHiP in just 60 innings since his arrival in Flushing.
Through three games, the bullpen can be separated into two lists: the Good & the Bad.
In three games against the Braves, the bullpen yields ten runs on sixteen hits and three walks, with sixteen strikeouts through twelve innings pitched. With a 7.50 ERA, strikeouts mean nothing to me -not after witnessing so many hurlers through the years pitch to contact all the way to Cooperstown and the baseball Hall of Fame.
III - AT THE PLATE
The Braves out-hit the Mets by a 28-20 margin; they outscore the Mets by a troublesome 19-5 margin. As a team the Mets are 21 for 98 for a .214 batting average. They make Atlanta's triumvirate of Mike Soroka, Max Fried, and Sean Newcombe, look like the 1970 Baltimore Orioles rotation. Twice they are limited to a single run.
Everything is fine on Friday. Come Saturday in the ninth inning the continental plates beneath Queens shake and quake. By Sunday a Flushing Bay tsunami inundates Citi Field.
Time to get on a bus and head to Boston.
THREE GAMES DOWN ~ FIFTY-SEVEN TO GO
WEEKEND OPENING SERIES REVIEW
Jacob deGrom opens the 2020 season with a gem. Alas, his first start of the season only lasts five innings. Luis Rojas sends in the relief corps after just 72 pitches. However, I do not begrudge the freshman manager (better safe than sorry) as deGrom had in recent days experienced a small measure of back discomfort. Otherwise, deGrom throws five scoreless innings of one-hit ball, with one walk and eight strikeouts.
On Saturday Steven Mats looks every bit like the mature 29-year old craftsman Mets fans have been hoping for. The rotation, the team, needs him more than ever. If the Mets are to achieve post-season contention, much less success, then Steven Matz - not Marcus Stroman - must step up alongside Jacob deGrom to form a formidable one-two punch. Matz throws 98 pitches with 58 (62%) going for strikes. He allows just one run on a mere two hits with one walk and seven strikeouts over six innings pitched. But like deGrom, he exits to a no decision.
Atlanta takes out all their frustrations against Rick Porcello on Sunday. The Mets off-season acquisition fails to make it out of the third inning, allowing seven runs (six earned), on seven hits and three walks in only two innings pitched.
I wrote this three days ago:
I'm hopeful Rick Porcello will pitch effectively but I'm only somewhat confident he will. I like Rick Porcello, I really do. I'm (also) a Red Sox fan since the mid 1970's. Back then outside of the World Series inter-league play is nonexistent. Having a favorite American League team is a non-issue. And the answer to your next question .. NO .. I was in no way conflicted in 1986, for I am an orange/blue bleeding Mets fan. Back to the matter at hand: I have a lot of respect for Rick's body of work with Boston. The man exuded cool, calm, and clutch. I'm just not sure that success follows him to Flushing. His best seasons are 2014 when he posts a 3.43 ERA and 1.231 WHiP, and his Cy Young award winning 2016 campaign when posts a league best 22-4 record, with a 3.15 ERA, and fine 1.001 WHiP. But that's six and four years ago respectively. Outside of a 3.96 ERA during his rookie season, at no other time during his eleven year career does his season ERA dip below four. He also has yielded more hits than innings pitched in two of his last three seasons. Essentially what Mets fans need most from Rick Porcello is a classic baseball comeback season. To his credit he is a mature, poised, intelligent 30-year old craftsman. If anyone can bounce back, he can. However, anything resembling his last three seasons with Boston simply will not do.
II - THE BULLPEN
With regards to Edwin Diaz, I already made my opinion quite clear.
At some point Luis Rojas (although we all know BVW won't have it..) needs to rethink the ninth inning. Diaz has proven wholly ineffective given ninth inning responsibilities. His resume since becoming a Met speaks for itself. Rojas must open the ninth inning to other members of his bullpen, or continue being victimized by Edwin's 5.37 ERA and 1.379 WHiP in just 60 innings since his arrival in Flushing.
Through three games, the bullpen can be separated into two lists: the Good & the Bad.
- GOOD: Seth Lugo; Jeurys Familia; Justin Wilson;Dellin betances; Drew Smith.
- BAD: Edwin Diaz; Hunter Strickland; Corey Oswalt; Paul Sewald.
In three games against the Braves, the bullpen yields ten runs on sixteen hits and three walks, with sixteen strikeouts through twelve innings pitched. With a 7.50 ERA, strikeouts mean nothing to me -not after witnessing so many hurlers through the years pitch to contact all the way to Cooperstown and the baseball Hall of Fame.
III - AT THE PLATE
The Braves out-hit the Mets by a 28-20 margin; they outscore the Mets by a troublesome 19-5 margin. As a team the Mets are 21 for 98 for a .214 batting average. They make Atlanta's triumvirate of Mike Soroka, Max Fried, and Sean Newcombe, look like the 1970 Baltimore Orioles rotation. Twice they are limited to a single run.
* * *
Everything is fine on Friday. Come Saturday in the ninth inning the continental plates beneath Queens shake and quake. By Sunday a Flushing Bay tsunami inundates Citi Field.
Time to get on a bus and head to Boston.
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
forty-seven minutes
OPENING DAY WEEKEND
"SUNDAY NIGHT BLECH BALL"
Complete breakdown of
Braves versus Mets
Sunday, July 26, 2020
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 ...
... 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.
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.
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
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.
Friday, July 24, 2020
N.Y. Mets: Welcome to Flushing's First Socially Distanced Opening Day in July
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
deGROM AND MATZ, THEN PRAY FOR RAIN
Sadly, I do not foresee the Mets being top contenders in the absence of strong performances first and foremost from Steven Matz, and Marcus Stroman second.
Welcome to the 2020 season? Or should I say welcome to the new, and still transient normal?
In any event, here's something you'll find quite familiar: The Mets have problems.
The much anticipated "Five Hurlers of the Metropolis" were never able to join forces and become the super heroes we thought they'd be. Injury and overall front office negligence are largely to blame. The dream rotation of Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz, and Jacob deGrom, unfortunately fail to synchronize their talents for any substantial length of time. Thus the opposition never fully experiences what fans imagine to be the rotation's full wrath. Instead, the rotation frustratingly is a perpetual revolving door of those returning from surgery with those requiring surgery, and other like physical issues. Jacob deGrom aside, you might loosely file what transpires since 2015 as a Generation-K type Redux. But at least we get a National League pennant out of these guys - most of them - so there's that.
I enter this COVIDIAN compromised 2020 regular season with only a small fraction of the confidence I once harbored regarding this team's rotational strength. Of course Jacob deGrom is the great one, winner of back-to-back Cy Young awards. He takes the ball on Friday for Game One of sixty. But who and/or what follows deGrom is very troublesome for me.
I'm not at all pleased Zack Wheeler is a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. Wheeler in March 2019 made it very clear he welcomed free agency and that the Mets would need to meet his price. I was hoping against hope they would re-sign him. Instead the front office let the regular season play out and apparently were dissatisfied with Wheeler's performance. That's the soft core version of the story. The harder, colder truth, as we well know, ownership is flat broke. After all, Zack posted a fair 3.96 ERA and 1.259 WHiP through 195.1 innings pitched. Now 30-years old, 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 inner general manager within me would have been agreeable to a $100 million offer, and chewing him down from the other $18 million. But I certainly would not have let that stop me. I also have a hunch Wheeler and his agent, just for sake of staying in NYC, would have been amenable to a small compromise. Lastly, Zack Wheeler I feel is/was better than any of the available replacements, namely Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha. For these reasons alone I believe the Mets enter 2020 with a weakened rotation - period, exclamation point.
Noah Syndergaard ((( 😔 ))) as we know is out due to Tommy John surgery/recovery. Who didn't see that coming..?
But here's something whereon Brodie Van Wagenen needs to keep his eyes fixed. Marcus Stroman, who talks a real good game, is presently out with a calf injury which is an ailment BVW must consider within the context of a 60-game season. True calf injuries do not heal well; they're habitually time consuming; and without extensive rest they tend to nag for entire seasons.
I'm hopeful Rick Porcello will pitch effectively but I'm only somewhat confident he will. I like Rick Porcello, I really do. I'm (also) a Red Sox fan since the mid 1970's. Back then outside of the World Series inter-league play is nonexistent. Having a favorite American League team is a non-issue. And the answer to your next question .. NO .. I was in no way conflicted in 1986, for I am an orange/blue bleeding Mets fan. Back to the matter at hand: I have a lot of respect for Rick's body of work with Boston. The man exuded cool, calm, and clutch. I'm just not sure that success follows him to Flushing. His best seasons are 2014 when he posts a 3.43 ERA and 1.231 WHiP, and his Cy Young award winning 2016 campaign when posts a league best 22-4 record, with a 3.15 ERA, and fine 1.001 WHiP. But that's six and four years ago respectively. Outside of a 3.96 ERA during his rookie season, at no other time during his eleven year career does his season ERA dip below four. He also has yielded more hits than innings pitched in two of his last three seasons. Essentially what Mets fans need most from Rick Porcello is a classic baseball comeback season. To his credit he is a mature, poised, intelligent 30-year old craftsman. If anyone can bounce back, he can. However, anything resembling his last three seasons with Boston simply will not do.
I have much less, or little to no confidence in Michael Wacha as a starter. He and Porcello during the off-season are originally signed to be complimentary depth pitchers, and now intense pressure is suddenly being pumped into both their respective right arms. Cross your fingers in the hope all their gaskets are sealed tight. Otherwise, this rotation is gonna leak hits, runs, deficits, and losses, all over the place.
THREE ALARM FIRE STILL RAGES
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 shelf life is far from approaching its expiration date. But 15 home runs in 58 innings pitched? Not to mention all 15 home runs are surrendered in the ninth inning thus setting a new major league record. His 99 strikeouts and 15.4 K/9 average are outstanding. No arguing that. But a 2-7 record, seven blown saves, a 5.59 ERA, 4.51 FIP, and 1.379 WHiP, are indefensible. His fastball and change-up are not necessarily the issue. His slider, however, often resembled a cement mixer, and it cost the Mets a huge price in the standings.
FLUSHING's CORE FOUR?
Pete Alonso; Michael Conforto; Amed Rosario; Jeff McNeil: is this a core four capable of elevating the Mets to higher ground? Last season was certainly a good start. Unfortunately, the upcoming 2020 season in and of itself still leaves us with too small a sample size. And so the question remains to be answered; collective next level performance remains to be seen. For now the best we can do is monitor the competition and paint a game by game picture until a clearer vision materializes.
ICYMI
PLAY COVID BALL !!
Late Sunday afternoon; September 29, 2019; the Mets trail the Atlanta Braves 6-5 in the last game of the regular season; with two runners on base and two outs in the eleventh inning Dominic Smith deposits a Grant Dayton offering deep beyond the right field fence giving the Mets a dramatic walk-off 7-6 victory. After which the off-season starts like any other. However, with the onset of winter arrises news of a globe-trekking virus heading our way. By the end of February and early March, the tristate area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, becomes America's epicenter of coronavirus. By mid-March major league baseball shuts down all activities as state after state begins implementing COVID protocols. Near 300 days have passed since Dominic Smith's season ending at-bat. Today, after much haggling and public harangue, MLB is finally set to resume play, albeit operating under conditions and circumstances never before experienced by sports, barring the Spanish Flu of a century ago. I am on record (Metsian Podcast) saying baseball should have cancelled the season outright, and I stand by it. Nevertheless, here we are, time to play ball. I bid health, safety, peace, and a measure of luck, to every player, coach, manager ... every single person involved with the execution of this upcoming season, and likewise to respective families.
deGROM AND MATZ, THEN PRAY FOR RAIN
Sadly, I do not foresee the Mets being top contenders in the absence of strong performances first and foremost from Steven Matz, and Marcus Stroman second.
Welcome to the 2020 season? Or should I say welcome to the new, and still transient normal?
In any event, here's something you'll find quite familiar: The Mets have problems.
The much anticipated "Five Hurlers of the Metropolis" were never able to join forces and become the super heroes we thought they'd be. Injury and overall front office negligence are largely to blame. The dream rotation of Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz, and Jacob deGrom, unfortunately fail to synchronize their talents for any substantial length of time. Thus the opposition never fully experiences what fans imagine to be the rotation's full wrath. Instead, the rotation frustratingly is a perpetual revolving door of those returning from surgery with those requiring surgery, and other like physical issues. Jacob deGrom aside, you might loosely file what transpires since 2015 as a Generation-K type Redux. But at least we get a National League pennant out of these guys - most of them - so there's that.
"FIVE HURLERS OF THE METROPOLIS"
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 - x-Harvey; Wheeler; deGrom; Syndergaard; Matz
2019 - x-Harvey; Wheeler; deGrom; Syndergaard; Matz; Stroman
2020 - x-Harvey; x-Wheeler; deGrom; Syndergaard; Matz; Stroman; Porcello; Wacha
I enter this COVIDIAN compromised 2020 regular season with only a small fraction of the confidence I once harbored regarding this team's rotational strength. Of course Jacob deGrom is the great one, winner of back-to-back Cy Young awards. He takes the ball on Friday for Game One of sixty. But who and/or what follows deGrom is very troublesome for me.
I'm not at all pleased Zack Wheeler is a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. Wheeler in March 2019 made it very clear he welcomed free agency and that the Mets would need to meet his price. I was hoping against hope they would re-sign him. Instead the front office let the regular season play out and apparently were dissatisfied with Wheeler's performance. That's the soft core version of the story. The harder, colder truth, as we well know, ownership is flat broke. After all, Zack posted a fair 3.96 ERA and 1.259 WHiP through 195.1 innings pitched. Now 30-years old, 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 inner general manager within me would have been agreeable to a $100 million offer, and chewing him down from the other $18 million. But I certainly would not have let that stop me. I also have a hunch Wheeler and his agent, just for sake of staying in NYC, would have been amenable to a small compromise. Lastly, Zack Wheeler I feel is/was better than any of the available replacements, namely Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha. For these reasons alone I believe the Mets enter 2020 with a weakened rotation - period, exclamation point.
Noah Syndergaard ((( 😔 ))) as we know is out due to Tommy John surgery/recovery. Who didn't see that coming..?
But here's something whereon Brodie Van Wagenen needs to keep his eyes fixed. Marcus Stroman, who talks a real good game, is presently out with a calf injury which is an ailment BVW must consider within the context of a 60-game season. True calf injuries do not heal well; they're habitually time consuming; and without extensive rest they tend to nag for entire seasons.
I'm hopeful Rick Porcello will pitch effectively but I'm only somewhat confident he will. I like Rick Porcello, I really do. I'm (also) a Red Sox fan since the mid 1970's. Back then outside of the World Series inter-league play is nonexistent. Having a favorite American League team is a non-issue. And the answer to your next question .. NO .. I was in no way conflicted in 1986, for I am an orange/blue bleeding Mets fan. Back to the matter at hand: I have a lot of respect for Rick's body of work with Boston. The man exuded cool, calm, and clutch. I'm just not sure that success follows him to Flushing. His best seasons are 2014 when he posts a 3.43 ERA and 1.231 WHiP, and his Cy Young award winning 2016 campaign when posts a league best 22-4 record, with a 3.15 ERA, and fine 1.001 WHiP. But that's six and four years ago respectively. Outside of a 3.96 ERA during his rookie season, at no other time during his eleven year career does his season ERA dip below four. He also has yielded more hits than innings pitched in two of his last three seasons. Essentially what Mets fans need most from Rick Porcello is a classic baseball comeback season. To his credit he is a mature, poised, intelligent 30-year old craftsman. If anyone can bounce back, he can. However, anything resembling his last three seasons with Boston simply will not do.
I have much less, or little to no confidence in Michael Wacha as a starter. He and Porcello during the off-season are originally signed to be complimentary depth pitchers, and now intense pressure is suddenly being pumped into both their respective right arms. Cross your fingers in the hope all their gaskets are sealed tight. Otherwise, this rotation is gonna leak hits, runs, deficits, and losses, all over the place.
Alas Steven Matz is the Mets X factor. The day has come .. the hour is near .. this must be the season when Steven Matz seizes the role of Number Two behind Jacob deGrom. The Mets situation necessitates it. If they are to compete in a 60-game season against modified opponents such as the Yankees and Rays, along with fellow N.L. East members, they'll need an effective and reliable one-two punch. The recently turned 29-year old Matz is due for a breakout season, or not. A veteran of four full seasons in the majors, he owns a career 4.05 ERA through 103 appearances and 101 career starts. He is coming off back to back seasons of at least thirty starts, while 2019 is the first time he achieves double digit wins. However, since 2016 when he posts a 3.40 ERA in 132.1 innings pitched, his ERA has since failed to dip below four. He additionally has yet to pitch 200 innings in a single season. Therefore I say he needs to make this season his line of demarcation. Will he mature and elevate as a pitcher and craftsman, or not?
THREE ALARM FIRE STILL RAGES
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 shelf life is far from approaching its expiration date. But 15 home runs in 58 innings pitched? Not to mention all 15 home runs are surrendered in the ninth inning thus setting a new major league record. His 99 strikeouts and 15.4 K/9 average are outstanding. No arguing that. But a 2-7 record, seven blown saves, a 5.59 ERA, 4.51 FIP, and 1.379 WHiP, are indefensible. His fastball and change-up are not necessarily the issue. His slider, however, often resembled a cement mixer, and it cost the Mets a huge price in the standings.
FLUSHING's CORE FOUR?
Pete Alonso; Michael Conforto; Amed Rosario; Jeff McNeil: is this a core four capable of elevating the Mets to higher ground? Last season was certainly a good start. Unfortunately, the upcoming 2020 season in and of itself still leaves us with too small a sample size. And so the question remains to be answered; collective next level performance remains to be seen. For now the best we can do is monitor the competition and paint a game by game picture until a clearer vision materializes.
LET'S GO METS
ICYMI
Wednesday, July 21, 2020
GUEST
!!!!! WEAR A FREAKIN MASK !!!!!
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 09, 2020
N.Y. Mets: Stop Matzing Around With the Starting Rotation
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
No one is untouchable. But all this trade scuttlebutt involving Steven Matz potentially going to the Yankees as far as I'm concerned is pure media clickbait. I do not believe any of it.
However, I strongly believe the Mets would be foolish to utilize Matz out of the bullpen. While there exists a dearth of left-handed pitching throughout the pitching staff, taking him out of the rotation is a non-starter. As the lone southpaw in the rotation the Mets would be better served having Matz break up the train of right-handers. Now the latest rumor has the Mets assigning a fifth starter based on that particular day's opposition. Because turning Matz and Wacha into spot starters makes sense.? That's called out-thinking themselves. While seemingly clever on paper, practical application usually proves ruinous.
Pure folly ...
After three appearances Michael Wacha has to date yielded just one Grapefruit League run through 7.2 innings pitched for a deceptive 1.71 ERA. I am not impressed as Wacha has also surrendered eight hits and walked four for a 1.57 WHIP.
In his three Grapefruit League appearances, Matz has yielded just one earned run on two hits and no walks with five strikeouts through 6.0 innings pitched.
He is coming off back-to-back 30 start seasons, and turns 29-years old in May. Most would agree when I say Steven Matz' biggest problem has always been between the ears. Therefore the hope for Matz as he enters his physical prime is that he is growing into a more composed, mature, and polished hurler.
Michael Wacha is nothing more than the back up plan.
Steven Matz gets first dibs.
Stupid is as Stupid Does
No one is untouchable. But all this trade scuttlebutt involving Steven Matz potentially going to the Yankees as far as I'm concerned is pure media clickbait. I do not believe any of it.
However, I strongly believe the Mets would be foolish to utilize Matz out of the bullpen. While there exists a dearth of left-handed pitching throughout the pitching staff, taking him out of the rotation is a non-starter. As the lone southpaw in the rotation the Mets would be better served having Matz break up the train of right-handers. Now the latest rumor has the Mets assigning a fifth starter based on that particular day's opposition. Because turning Matz and Wacha into spot starters makes sense.? That's called out-thinking themselves. While seemingly clever on paper, practical application usually proves ruinous.
Pure folly ...
After three appearances Michael Wacha has to date yielded just one Grapefruit League run through 7.2 innings pitched for a deceptive 1.71 ERA. I am not impressed as Wacha has also surrendered eight hits and walked four for a 1.57 WHIP.
In his three Grapefruit League appearances, Matz has yielded just one earned run on two hits and no walks with five strikeouts through 6.0 innings pitched.
He is coming off back-to-back 30 start seasons, and turns 29-years old in May. Most would agree when I say Steven Matz' biggest problem has always been between the ears. Therefore the hope for Matz as he enters his physical prime is that he is growing into a more composed, mature, and polished hurler.
Michael Wacha is nothing more than the back up plan.
Steven Matz gets first dibs.
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
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
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.
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Squeezing Grapefruit League Baseball with Marc of MetsFansUnited on Another Metsian Podcast
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
For love of Bob Myrick!
A METSIAN PODCAST
with SAM, RICH, and MIKE
WITH GUEST
and @MetsFansUnited1
77 minutes
STUFF
Grapefruit League Opening Weekend
Left-Handed Pitching Dilemma
Starters ~ Bullpen
Three Headed Catcher
JD Davis ~ Dom Smith ~ Brandon Nimmo
Steve Cohen ~ The SNY Cash Cow ~ James Dolan
Jason Bay ~ Lastings Milledge ~ Izzy ~ Jeff Reardon
Dave Cone for Mets HOF?
Happy Birthday Ron Hunt, and so much more!
BONUS OFF-TOPIC TANGENT:
Yoenis Cespedes vs. Bo Jackson?
Yeah, we went there.
#LGM
Friday, September 13, 2019
N.Y. Mets: Flushing Four Offer Diamondbacks No Quarter
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
Sure, life can be a box of chocolates. But everything still comes with a grain of salt.
Flip back the calendar to Tuesday, Aug. 20, when the Mets schedule takes a sharp turn down the boulevard of playoff contenders. They've posted a 12-10 record over their last 22 games, and are presently in the midst of a four game winning streak via a sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks (an Arizona team I feel worth mentioning no longer featuring Zack Greinke nor Paul Goldschmidt).
By close of business Thursday, the Cubs and Brewers are tied for the second wild card, while the Mets and Phillies are likewise tied two games back with only 16 games left in the season.
Being this close this late leaves us no choice but to believe. The Mets are proving themselves to be the most wild of variables in this race because of their starting pitching. Through four games they limit a formerly surging Arizona team to just four total runs:
HURLERS OF THE METROPOLIS
TURN AWAY DIAMONDBACKS
Sure, life can be a box of chocolates. But everything still comes with a grain of salt.
Flip back the calendar to Tuesday, Aug. 20, when the Mets schedule takes a sharp turn down the boulevard of playoff contenders. They've posted a 12-10 record over their last 22 games, and are presently in the midst of a four game winning streak via a sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks (an Arizona team I feel worth mentioning no longer featuring Zack Greinke nor Paul Goldschmidt).
By close of business Thursday, the Cubs and Brewers are tied for the second wild card, while the Mets and Phillies are likewise tied two games back with only 16 games left in the season.
Being this close this late leaves us no choice but to believe. The Mets are proving themselves to be the most wild of variables in this race because of their starting pitching. Through four games they limit a formerly surging Arizona team to just four total runs:
- GM1 - Jacob deGrom: one earned run on just three hits and one walk with eleven strikeouts through seven innings.
- GM2 - Zack Wheeler: one earned run on seven hits and two walks with seven strikeouts through seven innings.
- GM3 - Steven Matz: no runs on four hits and three walks with seven strikeouts through six innings pitched.
- GM4 - Marcus Stroman: one run on four hits and four walks with six strikeouts through 6.1 innings pitched.
- TOTAL: three earned runs on 17 hits through 26.1 innings for a 1.03 ERA, with ten walks and 19 strikeouts.
- BULLPEN: one earned run on six hits through 11.2 innings for a 0.98 ERA, with three walks and eight strikeouts.
Sweeping the Arizona Diamondbacks at this juncture in their season is commendable. But there's an old saying: If you wanna be the best, you gotta beat the best. That being said here come the west leading Los Angeles Dodgers whom own a National League best 95-53 record. They are the first MLB club this season to clinch their division. The occasion also marks their seventh consecutive N.L. West flag.
That's one division title more than the Mets have won in their entire history.
That's one division title more than the Mets have won in their entire history.
Thursday, September 05, 2019
N.Y. Mets: Twelve Games of Resilient Dreck
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
If the last 12 games didn't kill them, perhaps the next stretch of ten will. The Mets are coming home to Flushing where they'll host a return series against the Phillies. After which they play a red hot Diamondbacks team that is 3.5 games back of the second wild card and 8-2 over their last ten. The Mets home-stand concludes with three games against the west leading Dodgers.
To be fair, I'll trend back one month. The Mets are 15-12 since Monday, Aug. 5, when they regain .500 with a victory over the Miami Marlins. But the real odyssey begins promptly after sweeping the Cleveland Indians. Even after Wednesday afternoon's YouTube victory over the Nationals, the Mets are just 4-8 over their last four series against Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington. These were twelve head to head wild card impacting confrontations I thought would surely define the Mets season. Throughout this stretch we witness their full repertoire of good, bad, and repulsive play. Yet they're 4-2 over their last six and still loitering 4.5 games back of the second wild card spot with 23 games left in the season.
Then there's the matter of Tuesday's meltdown. The Mets are on top of the free world upon arresting a 10-6 lead with five runs in the top of the ninth at Washington. But Paul Sewald, Luis Avilan, and Edwin Diaz, ponderously give it all back surrendering seven runs in the bottom half of the frame en route to a gut wrenching 11-10 loss.
If we learned anything over these last twelve games is that when the offense is clicking they win convincingly, and when they're not they lose miserably. Problem is they lay in a coma for six straight games until reanimating at Philadelphia.
vs. ATLANTA / CHICAGO
During their six game losing streak against Atlanta and Chicago the Mets hit .224 (49 for 219); with 14 walks; 49 strikeouts; 44 LOB; and .146 (7 for 48) w/RiSP. They hit seven home runs in six games; only two come with runners on base for ten generated runs. The Mets average just 2.83 runs per game against the Braves and Cubs.
vs. PHILADELPHIA
Mets win two of three against Philadelphia Phillies hit .293 (29 for 99); with ten walks; 20 strikeouts; 22 LOB; and .333 (20 for 60) w/RiSP. They hit four home runs; three come with men on base for a net eight generated runs. The Mets average 6.3 runs per game against the Phillies.
vs. WASHINGTON
Mets win two of three against Washington Nationals hitting .318 (35 for 110); with 14 walks; 21 strikeouts; 19 LOB; and .375 (12 for 32) w/RiSP. They hit eight home runs; four come with runners on base for a net 13 generated runs. The Mets average 8.3 runs per game against the Nationals.
The Mets single season home run king continues resetting his own bar. On Aug. 24 against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field Pete Alonso breaks the Mets franchise record of 41 home runs formerly shared by Todd Hundley and Carlos Beltran. By close of business Wednesday he is up to 45 home runs and counting. Alonso has played in all but two of the Mets 139 games to date, and is presently slashing .268/.368/.591/.959, with 27 doubles, 45 home runs, and 105 runs batted in (or net 60 RBI minus home runs). He likewise has smashed any and all Mets and MLB rookie related home run milestones in record setting time. In fact, exactly a month ago is when he hit the first of four home runs in as many games against the Marlins and Nationals. More than half of his 136 hits have been for extra-bases and 60% of those have gone for home runs.
Wilson Ramos' 26-game hitting streak comes to an end Wednesday afternoon at Washington. The streak begins on Aug. 3 at Pittsburgh where Ramos goes 4 for 5 with a double, home run, and six runs batted in. He twice extends his streak as a pinch-hitter. During the streak he bats .430 (43 for 100) with seven doubles, three home runs, and 18 runs batted in. For the season Wilson Ramos is slashing .295/.357/.424/.781, with 28 extra-base hits and 67 runs batted in (or net 54 RBI minus home runs which is only six less than Alonso in 92 less at-bats).
Steven Matz is 3-1 with a no decision in his last five starts with a 2.10 ERA and 1.26 WHiP, allowing just seven walks and fanning 31 through 30 innings pitched. He has averaged 24 batters faced over six innings per start, and lowered his ERA 0.54 points over that time down to a more respectable 4.04 mark.
Michael Conforto hit his career tying 28th home run of the season on Aug. 30 at Philadelphia. Over these crucial last 12 games he batted .276 (13 for 47), with three doubles, one home run, and four runs batted in. In eight of those game and batted .182 (2 for 11) with RiSP.
Through the course of 55 games Jeurys Familia's ERA (5.96) has yet to dip below five all season. He has so far yielded 49 hits and 41 walks through 49 innings pitched. After a legitimately effective month of August, Familia in his two most recent appearances has yielded five earned runs on four hits and four walks in just 1.2 innings pitched. On Wednesday the Mets were able to survive Familia, but Tuesday not so much.
LAST GASP AT THE FLUSHING CORRAL
PHILADELPHIA ~ ARIZONA ~ LOS ANGELES
To be fair, I'll trend back one month. The Mets are 15-12 since Monday, Aug. 5, when they regain .500 with a victory over the Miami Marlins. But the real odyssey begins promptly after sweeping the Cleveland Indians. Even after Wednesday afternoon's YouTube victory over the Nationals, the Mets are just 4-8 over their last four series against Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington. These were twelve head to head wild card impacting confrontations I thought would surely define the Mets season. Throughout this stretch we witness their full repertoire of good, bad, and repulsive play. Yet they're 4-2 over their last six and still loitering 4.5 games back of the second wild card spot with 23 games left in the season.
Then there's the matter of Tuesday's meltdown. The Mets are on top of the free world upon arresting a 10-6 lead with five runs in the top of the ninth at Washington. But Paul Sewald, Luis Avilan, and Edwin Diaz, ponderously give it all back surrendering seven runs in the bottom half of the frame en route to a gut wrenching 11-10 loss.
If we learned anything over these last twelve games is that when the offense is clicking they win convincingly, and when they're not they lose miserably. Problem is they lay in a coma for six straight games until reanimating at Philadelphia.
THE DIRTY DOZEN
LAST TWELVE GAMES
4-8 (.333)
vs. ATLANTA / CHICAGO
During their six game losing streak against Atlanta and Chicago the Mets hit .224 (49 for 219); with 14 walks; 49 strikeouts; 44 LOB; and .146 (7 for 48) w/RiSP. They hit seven home runs in six games; only two come with runners on base for ten generated runs. The Mets average just 2.83 runs per game against the Braves and Cubs.
vs. PHILADELPHIA
Mets win two of three against Philadelphia Phillies hit .293 (29 for 99); with ten walks; 20 strikeouts; 22 LOB; and .333 (20 for 60) w/RiSP. They hit four home runs; three come with men on base for a net eight generated runs. The Mets average 6.3 runs per game against the Phillies.
vs. WASHINGTON
Mets win two of three against Washington Nationals hitting .318 (35 for 110); with 14 walks; 21 strikeouts; 19 LOB; and .375 (12 for 32) w/RiSP. They hit eight home runs; four come with runners on base for a net 13 generated runs. The Mets average 8.3 runs per game against the Nationals.
- In four wins they hit .426 (49 for 115); with 18 walks; 29 strikeouts; 35 LOB; and .333 (18 for 54) w/RiSP.
- In eight loses they hit .226 (64 for 283); with 20 walks; 61 strikeouts; 50 LOB; and .244 (21 for 86) w/RiSP.
- GRAND TOTAL 12 Games: .264 (113-428); with 38 walks; 90 strikeouts; 85 LOB; and .278 (39 for 140) w/RiSP.
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND UGLY ...
Wilson Ramos' 26-game hitting streak comes to an end Wednesday afternoon at Washington. The streak begins on Aug. 3 at Pittsburgh where Ramos goes 4 for 5 with a double, home run, and six runs batted in. He twice extends his streak as a pinch-hitter. During the streak he bats .430 (43 for 100) with seven doubles, three home runs, and 18 runs batted in. For the season Wilson Ramos is slashing .295/.357/.424/.781, with 28 extra-base hits and 67 runs batted in (or net 54 RBI minus home runs which is only six less than Alonso in 92 less at-bats).
Steven Matz is 3-1 with a no decision in his last five starts with a 2.10 ERA and 1.26 WHiP, allowing just seven walks and fanning 31 through 30 innings pitched. He has averaged 24 batters faced over six innings per start, and lowered his ERA 0.54 points over that time down to a more respectable 4.04 mark.
Michael Conforto hit his career tying 28th home run of the season on Aug. 30 at Philadelphia. Over these crucial last 12 games he batted .276 (13 for 47), with three doubles, one home run, and four runs batted in. In eight of those game and batted .182 (2 for 11) with RiSP.
Through the course of 55 games Jeurys Familia's ERA (5.96) has yet to dip below five all season. He has so far yielded 49 hits and 41 walks through 49 innings pitched. After a legitimately effective month of August, Familia in his two most recent appearances has yielded five earned runs on four hits and four walks in just 1.2 innings pitched. On Wednesday the Mets were able to survive Familia, but Tuesday not so much.
Monday, August 26, 2019
N.Y. Mets: On the Difference Between Sweeping and Being Swept
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
The Metropolitans are in the midst of the 18 most pivotal games of their season. Having completed their series with Cleveland and Atlanta, they next play the Chicago Cubs, followed by Philadelphia, Washington, then Philadelphia again.
So far the first six games have garnered mixed results.
vs. Cleveland
They sweep a good Cleveland Indians team, outscoring them by a 15-5 margin for a plus-ten run differential. Starters Steven Matz, Marcus Stroman, and Noah Syndergaard, join forces in allowing just two earned runs on twelve hits and three walks with 13 strikeouts over 16.1 total innings pitched.
vs. Atlanta
The Mets are outscored 13-7 for a minus-six run differential - a far cry from the Cleveland series. Mets batters go 24 for 115 (.209) against Braves pitching - barely above the Mendoza Line. They draw a mere seven walks through three games and strikeout 29 times. Moreover, the Mets go 4 for 25 (.160) with runners in scoring position. Todd Frazier, Juan Lagares, and Michael Conforto, just to name a few, combine on 0 for 8 with RiSP. Then ponder how in game one the Mets play 14 innings and their lone run of the game comes on a home run off the bat of Jacob deGrom. How and why should that be? Once again the Mets get effective pitching from the ranks. In fact the bullpen matches deGrom pitch for pitch.
Yet, the Mets go 0 for 7 with RiSP and leave nine men on base. The line-up is a mere 6 for 47 (.128) for the game with just four walks and 14 strikeouts through 14 innings.
On Sunday Steven Matz limits the Braves to one run on just two hits and one walk with six strikeouts through six innings pitched. But third baseman Josh Donaldson connects off Paul Sewald in the seventh giving the Braves a 2-0 lead. The Mets muster one run in the ninth when Todd Frazier legs out a fielder's choice, but nothing more.
Mets Offense vs. Braves
Mets Pitching Last Six Games:
The next twelve games represent the Mets best opportunity for controlling their destiny and will likely define their entire season. They host the Cubs starting Tuesday, then play at Philadelphia and Washington before returning home to host the Phillies. They have no games scheduled against Milwaukee nor St, Louis. But the path to the postseason is nevertheless laid out before them. All they need do is seize the moment.
Braves Sweep Series 3-0
I - ATL 2; NYM 1
II - ATL 9; NYM 5
III ATL 2; NYM 1
The Metropolitans are in the midst of the 18 most pivotal games of their season. Having completed their series with Cleveland and Atlanta, they next play the Chicago Cubs, followed by Philadelphia, Washington, then Philadelphia again.
So far the first six games have garnered mixed results.
vs. Cleveland
- Game #1: Mets 9; Indians 2
- Game #2: Mets 4; Indians 3
- Game #3: Mets 2; Indians 0
They sweep a good Cleveland Indians team, outscoring them by a 15-5 margin for a plus-ten run differential. Starters Steven Matz, Marcus Stroman, and Noah Syndergaard, join forces in allowing just two earned runs on twelve hits and three walks with 13 strikeouts over 16.1 total innings pitched.
vs. Atlanta
- Game #1: Braves 2; Mets 1 *14 innings
- Game #2: Braves 9; Mets 5
- Game #3: Braves 2; Mets 1
The Mets are outscored 13-7 for a minus-six run differential - a far cry from the Cleveland series. Mets batters go 24 for 115 (.209) against Braves pitching - barely above the Mendoza Line. They draw a mere seven walks through three games and strikeout 29 times. Moreover, the Mets go 4 for 25 (.160) with runners in scoring position. Todd Frazier, Juan Lagares, and Michael Conforto, just to name a few, combine on 0 for 8 with RiSP. Then ponder how in game one the Mets play 14 innings and their lone run of the game comes on a home run off the bat of Jacob deGrom. How and why should that be? Once again the Mets get effective pitching from the ranks. In fact the bullpen matches deGrom pitch for pitch.
- deGrom: seven innings; four hits; one earned run; one walk; 13 strikeouts.
- Bullpen: seven innings; four hits; one earned run; four walks; 13 strikeouts.
On Sunday Steven Matz limits the Braves to one run on just two hits and one walk with six strikeouts through six innings pitched. But third baseman Josh Donaldson connects off Paul Sewald in the seventh giving the Braves a 2-0 lead. The Mets muster one run in the ninth when Todd Frazier legs out a fielder's choice, but nothing more.
Mets Offense vs. Braves
- Game #1 - 6 for 47 (.128); 4 walks; 14 K; 9 LOB; 0 for 7 w/risp.
- Game #2 - 11 for 37 (.297); no walks; 8 K; 5 LOB; 3 for 10 w/risp.
- Game #3 - 7 for 31 (.226); 3 walks; 7 K; 7 LOB; 1 for 8 w/risp.
Mets Pitching Last Six Games:
- Starters: 35.1 innings; 23 hits; 8 ER; 9 BB; 35 K; 2.31 ERA; 0.912 WHiP.
- Bullpen: 23.2 innings; 15 hits; 8 ER; 9 BB; 35 K; 3.49 ERA; 1.034 WHiP.
- TOTAL: 59.0 innings; 38 hits; 16 ER; 18 BB; 70 K; 2.44 ERA; 0.949 WHiP.
The next twelve games represent the Mets best opportunity for controlling their destiny and will likely define their entire season. They host the Cubs starting Tuesday, then play at Philadelphia and Washington before returning home to host the Phillies. They have no games scheduled against Milwaukee nor St, Louis. But the path to the postseason is nevertheless laid out before them. All they need do is seize the moment.
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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