Tom Brennan - MATZ UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

Tom Brennan - MATZ UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

NEWS FLASH!!!!

DID YOU KNOW STEVE MATZ LOST ON EASTER? 

"OH, NO!"  (Cue in the sobbing of highly distraught fans everywhere, including the wringing of hands, and sleepless nights with buckets of tears).

STEP RIGHT UP, TIME FOR ALL THE BLOGGER EXPERTS TO OVER-ANALYZE HIM - HAVE AT IT, BOYS.

(Just to be clear, none of our fine Macks Mets writer "experts" are included in the "Matz-bashing bloggers" in the line of fire of this article.  We know better!)

And not just them blog anti-Matz creatures - what about "legitimate, expert" news rags like...well the Daily News, that ran this headline?

What can the Mets truly expect out of Steven Matz following disappointing start against Cardinals?

Take a deep breath.  Exhale.  Repeat.  (No, inhale again BEFORE you exhale again, do I have to tell you everything?)

Let's reflect on the fine lefty Steve Matz for just a second:

In his first start, Matz gave up 3 earned runs.

In Noah Syndergaard's great start on opening day, he gave up 4 runs.  My math skills are strong - that is one more than surrendered by Thor.

So what's the real difference?  Easy.

The Mets scored 9 on opening day, giving Thor an easy victory. 

The Mets, however, scored just one in Matz's outing, so let's all scrutinize the daylights out of Steve, since the lefty LOST.

HE LOST - ANYONE HAVE AN EXTRA SCARLET LETTER FOR MR. MATZ?

Would he have gotten the same scrutiny if they scored 9 runs Sunday, too?   Doubt it.

"Yeah, but, yeah, but, Mister, Mister, don't you realize Matz threw 89 pitches through JUST 4 innings? What about that?" 

Let go of the cuff of my pants, you whimpering fool: here's "what about that", pal:

The Cardinals (I have to break it to you) have a very fine, patient professional hitting team - so not only did Matz throw 89 pitches (some of which the ump clearly squeezed him on, which lengthens on'e pitch count), but the next 4 Mets' pitchers threw 119 pitches in 5 innings, so why the heck don't you break out your electron microscope and scrutinize the ever-loving daylights out of THEM, too!

My advice to lefty Steve: relax, you'll be fine. I'm relaxed.

Last time I looked, the great lefty Warren Spahn ended his career with 245 losses - good thing they didn't have electron microscopes when He was a young pitcher.  245?  MAN!!!

And lefty Hall of Famer Steve Carlton?   Well, heck, he lost 244.  What a screw up he was, hah?   LOOO-SER!

My take?  Matz is healthy.  He won't lose 244 or 245 games either.

A healthy "Steve the Matz-nificent" won 11 of his first 12 career decisions.  Did it once, can do it again.

So I ain't worried. 

He shouldn't be either.  Nor should you.

Pitch the way you can, and win a lot of games, Steve.  

And avoid electron microscopes, if at all possible.


P.S.  Harvey was special in his 5 IP...I am excited.