The Metsian Podcast "Rat in the Grass" Episode

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

@THE_SamMaxwell     @MetFanRich     @BTB_MikeII

@THEMetsianPod

 

It's been said before but bears repeating.  The first-place Mets lead the National League in wins and still have yet to lose a series this season.  They're getting it done with solid pitching, fielding, and timely hitting.  However, we've seen this before.  The season is about a fifth of the way through.  So, let us pause and ask what differentiates this team from last year's Mets, who, on Aug. 14, 2021, dropped in the standings behind the Phillies and Braves and never recovered.  Please join Sam, Rich, and I, as we recap the week and chase down the "rat in the grass" on another getaway day edition of The Metsian Podcast.

seventy-three minutes

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 ...

The Metsian Podcast: Opening Series and Countdown to Opening Day with Anna Brice

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

GUEST

Native New Yorker/Arizona Transplant

ANNA BRICE

Play Ball!!  After a long off-season of collective bargaining and abbreviated Spring Training, the game of baseball - pitching, defense, and timely hitting - is finally topical again.  The New York Mets are now four games into their season, but fans already appear in mid-season form.  After commanding the first three games against the Nationals, the Metsville Nine suffered a late-inning collapse on Sunday, thus preventing them from achieving a season-opening sweep at Washington.  The next stop is Philadelphia.  Afterwhich, it's home sweet home next Friday against the Diamondbacks at Citi Field.  Arizona resident and Mets loyalist Anna Brice joins Sam, Rich, and me, for an opening series recap and everything Blue and Orange.

#LGM

Brooklyn Cyclones: Epic Fall at Troy

From the desk of:  THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

A Long and Quiet Bus Ride Home

Brooklyn Cyclones: Coney Island Nine Still Control Their Own Destiny.

Brooklyn's three-run first inning goes for nought as Cyclones starter Joshua Walker is knocked out of the box at Troy after just 1.2 innings pitched.  A throwing error by shortstop Manny Rodriguez in the first paves the way for a pair of unearned runs.  Walker winds up allowing five runs (three earned) on four hits, including a second inning home run from Tri City Valley Cats second baseman Enmanual Valdez.

Tylor Megill answers the early call to the bullpen, pitching 3.1 scoreless innings through the fifth in relief of Walker.  The Cyclones tie the game at five in the top of the sixth.  However, Megill surrenders two runs on three hits (two for extra bases) in the bottom half of the frame.  Brooklyn rallies in the eighth, but come up a run short.  The Valley Cats prevail by a 7-6 margin, and thus sweep visiting Brooklyn at Joe Bruno Stadium.

The Cyclones are back at Coney Island this evening where they'll host the Connecticut Tigers, whom most recently were swept by the Hudson Valley Renegades.  Brooklyn thus enters Thursday's series opener three full games behind the first place Renegades, with only twelve games remaining in the regular season. 

Brooklyn and Hudson Valley square off next week in the penultimate series of the season.  Till then, the Cyclones must overcome the Tigers and Vermont Lake Monsters, and hope that Troy and the Staten Island Yankees trip up the Renegades at Hudson Valley.

Both the Cyclones and Staten Island Pizza Rats are tied in the Wild Card standings, one-half game behind the Auburn Doubledays.  The outer borough rivals close out the regular season this coming Labor Day weekend at the Ballpark at St. George.

Despite suffering a sweep at Troy, opportunity is still on Brooklyn's side.  But if they are to clinch the McNamara Division or draw the Wild Card, it's up to them to seize the day.