A few days ago, exuberant Mets fans felt the Mets could do anything.
Then the Mets lost 5 tough games in a row.
So...reality once reminded that you can't win them all.
So let's reassess: do the Mets have the horses to win the Wild Card?
I don't want to get into the current odds, based on their record vs. other contenders through Wednesday.
I mean, do they have the horses?
I say yes.
Why?
The offense, starting pitching, and bullpen say YES.
OFFENSE
1) Jeff McNeil is back and hitting like Jeff McNeil, Superstar, a huge boost to the offense.
2) Jed Lowrie started at 2B in AAA last night and was 1-3. I'd think another week and he's back, which will (or at least ought to) help. Remember, the guy had a ton of XBHs in 2017 and 2018, and 99 RBIs in Oakland's pitchers' park last year.
3) Brandon Nimmo is even closer - like this weekend - and hot: 5 for 12 and 2 walks in his last 3 games. Makes for a nice platoon with Juan Lagares.
4) Alonso, Rosario, Ramos, Conforto, JD - all strong hitters.
That would give them one of the strongest offenses they've ever had. No need for AAAA guys to take another important bat soon. Or slumping Todd Frazier.
STARTING PITCHING
Jake and Matz great, while Stroman, Thor and Wheeler scuffle a bit - but they are quality arms. Starters still a relative strength compared to most teams.
BULLPEN
Edwin Diaz said he felt his most effective Wednesday night since 2018, great news, as he fanned the side with great sliders and fastballs. That would be a huge upgrade.
Strong cohort: Familia, Wilson, Avilan, Lugo, even Sewald and Brach, join Diaz to form an imposing pen. Steve Nogosek, who has not allowed an earned run in 29 AAA innings, can provide depth.
Strong offense, above average starting, strong pen - that wins game.
They DO have the horses.
Now the horses just have to run like Secretariat.
Ya gotta believe!
What you think about that?
5 comments:
If the Cubs, the current second wild card team, plays five hundred (15-15) over their last 30 games, the Mets will need to go 20 and 10. Can the Cubs only play five hundred? if yes, can the Mets play six sixty?
If they keep consistently leaving 2-3 runners on base inning after inning the answer is obviously no. Right now, lack of consistent clutch hitting has supplanted the bullpen as the biggest problem area. How many times have we seen two on, no one out...strike out, pop out, fly out...or double play and the runner ends up stranded on third? Getting really old. The fifth inning yesterday was the exception, but it doesn't really count since it included two home runs.
No
Yes.
Will they?
I don't know. Four games out, they'll clearly need to play at least 3 really good weeks of ball.
Not ready to say "I believe," but I do believe they have a chance. We shall see.
Last night, very hard to watch Juan Lagares roll up there with the game on the line. Feeble. I just don't think he has Major League bat speed, and all of his problems as a hitter stem from that fact.
Frazier is terrible, too.
Not a big "clutch hitting" guy. Give me better players, a deeper lineup, and the clutch will take care of itself.
Jimmy
I will hold onto hope at least for another few days.
Post a Comment