SHADES OF 1986!!!
OK, OK, I am getting carried away. I am a fan first, writer second.
But this team has given us 4 games of "Super Exciting" so far. Admit it. Don't worry....be elated.
Battleship Pete unloaded a barrage with a single swing, hauling the Mets to a big win. A 444 footer, and they are still picking up shrapnel from his cannon shot as we speak.
Jeff McNeil, after Steve Matz hung some BP for Starling Castro to hit a huge 2 run BP shot in the first, clawed the Mets back to 2-1 with a double. His next time up, the worried Marlins starter (who admittedly looked tough) tried to do too much against Mighty McNeil and wild pitched the tying run home.
Jeff walked, keeping his OBP above .500. Why anyone would want to sit McNeil in the middle of a scorching hitting steak that started weeks ago is beyond me. (And I hear Pete is sitting today - ugh).
Matzie shook off the first inning blast and pitched well, showing a needed veteran approach...which sort of approach could lead to an Bobby Ojeda circa 1986 experience for Metz in 2019. You know, the year Bobby O went 18-5, 2.57.
Two other oft-maligned players are showing that a new year is a new opportunity. Juan Lagares went deep, with a home run at an important moment, tying the game in the 7th, his second big hit in this early season, and made at least one very nice catch, on a ball hit to the wall in center.
Dominic Smith had a key pinch hit, and Amed Rosario had a go-ahead single before...
The Alonso Moon Launch which, being his first and having traveled so far should be dubbed the "Maiden Voyage."
And Smith reports a terrific clubhouse camaraderie and a very high level of early team optimism. Dom, the fans have it, too.
We used to see lots of great late-in-game rallies in 1986. I think we'll see our share in 2019.
So...25 runs in 4 games, against some very good pitchers...after this team's 13 hitters hit .315 in spring training. Very encouraging.
After a strong 8th by winning pitcher Jeurys Familia, Edwin Diaz may have given up 2 hits and a walk to start the 9th, but he delightfully fanned the next 3. Glad to have him. Very glad.
And...3-1 on the early season...nice.
MC is giving us TC flashbacks. Hopefully it will be the 2015 version where they won despite the manager
ReplyDeleteYes, it IS nice, Tom, and it looks like a fun season ahead. Yet even with our team being thisclose to being undefeated to date, the nitpickers are out in full force, focusing only on the negatives.
ReplyDeleteEvery decision by Mickey that they disagree with results in cries of "the moron in the dugout" and worse. If we started off as the Red Sox have, I could understand the frustration, though I would consider it premature.
As to McNeil sitting in Game 3, and Pete tonight, I call this the "DOD", or "Downside of Depth". When you have 25 players who are talented enough to deserve playing time, they can't all get that time simultaneously. Dom has earned a start, and can't get it anywhere but 1B. As Frazier and Lowrie inch their way to Queens, tough decisions must be made re:who will move upstate and elsewhere. That means giving those on the fence a chance to play themselves off the 25. We no longer have the Campbells and denDekkers who are obvious cuts. I expect Guillorme to get a start at some point, at which time Cano or someone else we like will sit.
Keep the seat belts buckled folks, it will be a wild ride.
Isn't it interesting (and not exclusive to our new closer) that most closers are not as effective when pitch in "non-save" situations? Must be some sort of mindset issue.....slightly more relaxed, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteBoy, Pete CRUSHED that pitch! I can't recall that type of power on a Mets' team in quite a while. Piazza, maybe? Strawberry?
So far, so good......nice rally last night.
Just keep winning series and the rest will take care of itself.
Mike...Piazza...Strawberry...Kingman - Pete has that kind of power.
ReplyDeleteBill, I understand the need to get guys in the line up - but when you play the Nats, when a win means to games in the standings as compared to a loss, there is NO WAY I sit McNeil and Ramos in the 4th day and 3rd game of the season. Ramos is unbelievably hot since spring training started - Nido is not half the hitter Ramos is - why make it easier for the arch-rival Nats to beat you?
Did the Phillies sit Harper to give someone else a change to play? I did not check, but I know the answer.
Would the Yankees sit one of their star starting players against the Red Sox? Of course not. The Mets stunningly sat TWO of them against the Nats.
You want to start Smith and give Alonso off (other than to pinch hit) against a weaker Marlins team? I stil don't like it, but I can understand it.
But playing the Nats is war - fight them with your warriors.
Yes, he sat the elder statesmen like McNeil and now Alonso while the kids like Cano keep chugging along. Terry II is firing on all cylinders.
ReplyDeleteThanks for proving my point, Reese.
ReplyDeleteMike---they weren't here very long, but have you already forgotten Ike and Duda? They hit monstrous shots when they connected.
ReplyDeleteIke and Duda yes, Bill, but Alonso has extra yardage on both.
ReplyDeleteThey both have reached the Shea Bridge, so they're up there in the power that Mike hasn't seen since Piazza.
ReplyDeleteUnderstood, Bill.....Pete seems to have an "extra gear", but you are right. There have been others in the past that can crank one pretty far.
ReplyDeleteI am hopeful that Pete turns out better then Ike and Lucas.