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7/31/20

Mets360 - Rick Porcello and facing the same team after a bad outing


by Brian Joura 


RickPorcello takes the mound tonight versus the Braves, squaring off against the same team that took him behind the woodshed in his first start with the Mets. This gives us a chance to test out a theory of mine. My theory is that whenever a player faces a team that he just pitched against recently, that if he had a particularly good or bad outing against them the first time, he’ll do the opposite in the second go round.

 It’s a theory because I’ve never actually looked at the results. So, let’s do that now. First, we’ll have to define some terms. What’s a particularly good or bad start? Let’s use the Bill James Game Score number to determine this, as found on Baseball-Reference. James considers several factors and throws them into equation where an average Game Score is 50. So, let’s consider a particularly good start as one with a Game Score of 60 or higher and a particularly bad Game Score as one with a 40 or worse.

 Porcello had a Game Score of 14 for his outing against Atlanta on July 26.

 What do we consider recently? For our purposes today, let’s use a definition of two starts in three games within a period of two weeks. So, if a guy faced a club and then went on the injured list for several months and then faced the same club again when he was activated, that won’t count. This actually happened with Noah Syndergaard back in 2017.

 Before looking at the data, let me preface this by saying that there weren’t as many of these as expected. Partly this is because you typically only have the opportunities to do this in division games. It’s not like a Mets pitcher frequently faces the Dodgers twice in three starts. And the other is that a lot of starts end up with a Game Score in the 40s or 50s, eliminating them from our consideration. Steven Matz faced the Phillies last year in back-to-back starts late in the season but his first outing against them had a Game Score of 48, so it didn’t make our cut. Here’s our lists, beginning with the particularly good starts:

 Continue reading by clicking here. Don't miss Mets360 Game Chatter during tonight's game.  

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Metstradamus - Vazquez Is Spanish For "Chipper Jones"


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I hesitate to say “thank heaven that we’re done with Christian Vazquez for the season”, because you know the Braves are going to need a catcher and probably trade for him just to torture us.

I mean really, the last thing we need in this completely screwed up year of 2020 is for the Braves to acquire the next Chipper Jones. Or at least the next Pat Burrell, who was great against the Mets and sucked against everyone else. If three home runs in 24 hours against two of the Mets’ better pitchers doesn’t convince you that he could be the 59th coming of Mets opponent demon spawn, then I don’t know what will convince you.
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Mike's Mets - The Epitome of Meh


By  July 30, 2020

Even in a 60-game sprint it's too early to make summary judgements about the Mets, but I can't shake the feeling that I'm watching a very mediocre team right now. Almost everything about them screams yawns "middling" right now. Their 3-3 record, their fielding foibles, and the ongoing failures to capitalize on offensive opportunities all remind me of many previous Mets teams I've witnessed over the years - the baseball equivalent of a weak, tepid cup of restaurant coffee that's been sitting on the warmer a little too long.

Now, don't take any of this to signal that I've hoisted up the white flag on the season. There are the bones of a potentially better team here. If they get a little lucky - stay mostly healthy, avoid COVID infections among key personnel, get Stroman back, get something more resembling a competent major league starter out of Porcello - then they could certainly land somewhere north of break even. Of course, things could also go the other way and they could be a part of the long, fine tradition of underachieving Mets teams. Or coronavirus can shut down the season at any time. The last time I felt this much uncertainty was many years ago when I asked a girl out on a date for the first time.

One thing I am willing to make a fast judgement on. I think these last few years have exhausted my patience for watching a team that can't play fundamentally sound defense. I know a good part of this is the personnel, but I wish we could figure out a way to raise expectations a bit and demand a little more from the current roster. One thing is for sure, however, if I was running this team I would make improving the defense of this team a priority. That goal should inform any personnel decisions going forward. If I could have a dollar for every run the Mets have given up with poor defense over the last few years, I'd be writing this blog from the library of my mansion in the Hamptons.

*************************

The Marlins goal of being the Typhoid Mary of the COVID-19 pandemic keeps moving forward. Now the Phillies won't be playing any games through the weekend. Although there have been no new infections among the players, a coach and a clubhouse attendant have tested positive.

Even if that continues to be the case, the Phillies are going to go a full week between games. Besides the question of making up so many games, missing a full week of play so early in the season - after such a short training camp - is going to be a significant problem for the Phillies. This can only wind up further skewing any semblance of parity in the schedule of different teams. It looks like MLB's only goal is to finish the season at any cost.

The idea now seems to be for "corona protocol compliance officers" to accompany teams on road trips. I guess that could work but, as I remember from the high school field trips of my youth, there are ways of outsmarting the chaperones if you have a mind to.

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Tom Brennan - MEANDERINGS AT THE 10% OF THE SEASON MARK FOR THE METS


It is weird to be writing about the Mets this Thursday AM after 6 games are in the books, realizing the season is 10% over already.  

Two very winnable games that were lost - game 2 and game 6 - have the Mets at 3-3 rather than 5-1.  

That said, they haven't played like 5-1.  They've played like 3-3.

Wednesday's game was frustrating in losing another very winnable game - but a real positive, regardless of the quality of Red Sox pitching, is the Mets getting 15 hits.  

Everyone normalizing their batting averages helps the psyche, and the rust coming off the lumber after just 4 runs in the first 2 games is encouraging.  Team average up to .270.  Keep it there and great things could emerge.

The defense has not been great, as John from Albany prognosticated heading into the season.  I can't complain - the only time I turn two is when I'm cooking pancakes.

The sight on Tuesday of Jeff McNeil dropping a liner at third, recovering to throw, and Alonso dropping his clean throw at first base was comical - yet telling.

The usually trustworthy Justin Wilson wasn't sharp Wednesday night, but who ya gonna call in?  If you bring in Edwin Diaz in the 8th to help him, who pitches the 9th or 10th?

Cespedes seems to be awakening with the bat.  Maybe he is ready to go on a tear.

Alonso shakes of his .100 start over the first 5 games with a 4 for 4 game to boost his average 150 points in a single game.  Do that again Thursday night and we'll have a .400 hitter.

The Mets' hitters are averaging 9 Ks per game, a bad trend.  Hopefully, de-rusted bats will push that rate downward.

Mets' pitchers have fanned 52 in 55 IP, not bad, but Reds' pitchers have fanned a shocking 83 in 54 IP, 14Ks per 9.  Wow.  What, are they not using lights in Cincinnati?   Sonny Gray has had a couple of sensational outings.

Jake hit 101 for the first time.  I am expecting him to reach 105 when he turns 40.  The man is brilliant.  

Rene Rivera seemingly could not catch his pitches, nor hit.  Does he get bumped?

Porcello, despite his pay, should be on a short leash.  Of course, if I had to pick between him and Corey Oswalt...

Scattered thoughts this morning, and hopefully you are reading this after the Mets trounce the Red Sox in their get away game, where the Sox have underwhelming Martin Perez pitching.  Hopefully, I will see that they sat Cano vs. the lefty.  I would like to see Cano hitting against righty starters only, at least until his bat is on a tear.

OK, OK OK....

I decided to add some comments on last night's game, after all, having woken up in time!

Diaz was awful, period.  Time for him to be moved to mop up roles.  Very, very disappointing.  All over the place.

Bats other than McNeil were awful, period. Very, very disappointing. 

Pete swung (overswung?) thru a hanging meatball just before fanning to end game.  Very, very disappointing. 

Brian Dozier gets to play and, of course, does nothing.  Very, very disappointing. 

Poor clutch hitting all season.  Very, very disappointing. 

My brother would simply say, "typical Mets."

A mediocre pitcher they should have beat up on, they did not.  Very, very disappointing.  Yanks of course beat up on lousy Baltimore pitching, as expected, despite Gleyber Torre getting hurt, scoring 6 more runs than the Mets managed to score.

3-4 after 7 games.  Looking like they will be very, very disappointing.    

Which, to me, is very, very disappointing. 
 
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John From Albany – Mets Breakfast Links 7/31/2020


Good Morning.  Red Sox 4 Mets 2 as the Mets leave runners on again. Happy Birthday Rene Rivera, Brooklyn Catcher Jake Ortega, and Kingsport Mets 3B Jaylen Palmer.

Section Links: Mets Links, MLB Links, Asian Baseball Links, and This Day in Mets History.

Mets Links:

Red Sox 4 Mets 2. Steven Matz 5.1 innings, 8 hits (2 HRs to Christian Vasquez), 3 runs, 2 BBs, 3K, 104 pitches – 67 strikes; Drew Smith, 1.2 innings, no runs, no hits, 2 Ks; Jeurys Familia, 1 inning, no runs, no hits, 2 Ks; Edwin Diaz 1/3 inning, 1 hit, 2 BBs, 1 HBP, 1 run, 1 K - 35 pitches – 19 strikes; Jeff McNeil 2 for 4 , 2 RBIs; 4 for 4; Brandon Nimmo 1 for 2, HR, BB, 1 run scored, 1 K;  (Box Score).



SNY.TV: The Mets will begin a four-game set in Atlanta on Friday night at 7:10 PM on SNY. Rick Porcello (0-1, 27.00 ERA) will face Braves lefty Sean Newcomb (0-0, 2.70 ERA).

Brian Joura Mets360: “For the second straight night, the Mets had their chances with the bases loaded late but were unable to cash in. They fell to the Red Sox, 4-2, and ended up the season series with their AL East foe at 2-2. Given the Red Sox’ pitching woes, this is a disappointing result. The Mets are now 1-4 at Citi Field this year.”

Metstradamus: Vazquez Is Spanish For "Chipper Jones". “I hesitate to say “thank heaven that we’re done with Christian Vazquez for the season”, because you know the Braves are going to need a catcher and probably trade for him just to torture us.”

Mike’s Mets: The Epitome of Meh. “…their fielding foibles, and the ongoing failures to capitalize on offensive opportunities all remind me of many previous Mets teams I've witnessed over the years - the baseball equivalent of a weak, tepid cup of restaurant coffee that's been sitting on the warmer a little too long.”

NY Post: Mets flop in clutch again for second straight loss to Red Sox.

SNY.TV: Mets' Luis Rojas seeing a 'different' Edwin Diaz as reliever has rough outing vs. Red Sox. “Different. Different Diaz than what I saw in first camp,” Rojas said. “Different Diaz than what I saw in camp now, and then what I saw the first two outings. Just arm-side misses, pulling the ball, slider backing up, so not the same Diaz we’ve seen recently. Definitely, we have to have the talks, we have to work and make sure that we’re getting right back on track. And also some emotions on the mound, we’ll also need to be able to control those as well.”


NY Post: Edwin Diaz may have lost Mets’ trust after another meltdown.

MLB Trade Rumors: Mets Select Brian Dozier, Designate Hunter Strickland For Assignment.

SNY.TV: Takeaways from Mets' Brodie Van Wagenen On adding Brian Dozier "Obviously, he's got pedigree. Having been an All-Star, Gold Glove winner, a World Champion last year. This guy has always been able to hit, particularly against left-handed pitching. So when we looked at the balance of our infielders with a lot of left-handed hitters, we felt Brian gave us a real threat from the right side of the plate."


NY Post: Mets’ Marcus Stroman set to face hitters in key rehab test.

NY Post: Mets’ Jed Lowrie suffers another injury setback. “Jed Lowrie’s second opinion won’t change your opinion on whether you think you’ll see him step into the batter’s box anytime soon. The injury-plagued Mets infielder was diagnosed with PCL laxity in his left knee, according to general manager Brodie Van Wagenen, who described the injury as looseness in the joint, causing destabilization.”



MLB Links:

National 6 Blue Jays 4 (Box Score).

Braves 2 Rays 1 (Box Score).

Here is the full MLB Scoreboard from yesterday. 

AP News: MLB will play 7-inning games in doubleheaders.

NY Post: MLB planning shortened doubleheaders to make up for postponed games.

MLB Trade Rumors: Additional Marlins Player Tests Positive For COVID-19. “17 players from the 30-man active roster and/or 3-man taxi squad that are carrying the virus.”

MLB Trade Rumors: One Phillies Coach, One Clubhouse Staffer Test Positive For COVID-19.

MLB Trade Rumors: Phillies-Blue Jays Series Postponed.

MLB Trade Rumors: Mike Foltynewicz Clears Waivers, Sent Outright To Braves’ Alternate Training Site.

MLB Trade Rumors: MLB, MLBPA Agreed To New Sign-Stealing Rules.  “The key here is that the commissioner’s office now has authority to impose suspensions — without pay and service time — against players and personnel. Punishment can be assessed upon a violation of the broad prohibition of utilizing “Electronic Devices or Visual Enhancement Devices during the game to identify, communicate or relay the opposing club’s signs or pitch information.’”

AP News: MLB hitters slow out of the box to start 60-game season.

Asian Baseball:

Yakult Swallows 6 Hanshin Tigers 0 Nori Aoki 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored (Box Score).

Nori Aoki has today’s game off (Box Score).

Here is the Japan Baseball Scoreboard.

Aaron Altherr is back in CF for today’s game (Box Score).

Here is KBO’s Scoreboard.

Today in Mets History Per Ultimatemets.com:

Born on this date:
Transactions:

 Toronto Blue Jays claimed Lee Mazzilli of the New York Mets on waivers on July 31, 1989.

New York Mets traded Rick Aguilera, Dave West, Kevin Tapani, Tim Drummond and Jack Savage to the Minnesota Twins for Frank Viola on July 31, 1989.

New York Mets traded Bret Saberhagen and David Swanson to the Colorado Rockies for Juan Acevedo and Arnold Gooch on July 31, 1995.

New York Mets traded Bernard Gilkey and Nelson Figueroa to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Jorge Fabregas and Willie Blair on July 31, 1998.

New York Mets traded Bill Pulsipher to the Milwaukee Brewers for Mike Kinkade on July 31, 1998.

New York Mets traded Leo Estrella to the Toronto Blue Jays for Tony Phillips on July 31, 1998.

New York Mets traded Craig Paquette to the St. Louis Cardinals for Shawon Dunston on July 31, 1999.

New York Mets traded Brian McRae, Rigo Beltran and Tom Johnson to the Colorado Rockies for Darryl Hamilton and Chuck McElroy on July 31, 1999.

New York Mets traded Jason Isringhausen and Greg McMichael to the Oakland Athletics for Billy Taylor on July 31, 1999.

New York Mets traded Bobby Jones, Jason Bay and Josh Reynolds to the San Diego Padres for Jason Middlebrook and Steve Reed on July 31, 2002.

New York Mets traded Jay Payton, Mark Corey and Robert Stratton to the Colorado Rockies for John Thomson and Mark Little on July 31, 2002.

New York Mets traded Scott Erickson to the Texas Rangers for Josh Hoffpauir on July 31, 2004.

New York Mets traded Xavier Nady to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Oliver Perez and Roberto Hernandez on July 31, 2006.

New York Mets traded Luis Cessa and Michael Fulmer to the Detroit Tigers for Yoenis Cespedes on July 31, 2015.
New York Mets traded Addison Reed to the Boston Red Sox for Jamie Callahan, Gerson Bautista and Stephen Nogosek on July 31, 2017.

National Pastime.com: 

1989
On the same day the Blue Jays pick Lee Mazzilli off waivers from the Mets, they trade reliever Jeff Musselman and minor-league pitching prospect Mike Brady in exchange for Mookie Wilson, made expendable when New York obtained Juan Samuel from Philadelphia. After a slow start, Toronto's new outfielder will play a vital role in the team's return to the postseason for the first time since 1985, batting .298 in 54 games.
1989
The Mets obtain Frank Viola, last season's American League Cy Young Award winner, from the Twins for Rick Aguilera, Tim Drummond, Kevin Tapani, Jack Savage, and David West. 'Sweet Music' hits a sour note in New York, posting a 38-32 record in 82 starts with a team which fails to make the playoffs during his 2 1/2 year tenure in the Big Apple.

1995
The Mets trade former two-time Cy Young Award winner right-handed pitcher Bret Saberhagen and left-handed pitcher farmhand Dave Swanson (the player to be named later) to the Rockies for righties Juan Acevedo and Arnold Gooch.
2006
Carlos Beltran hits his third grand slam within a calendar month, becoming the ninth player to accomplish the feat. The New York center fielder's bases-filled homer is the Mets' sixth, tying the 1996 Expos and 1999 Indians for most by a team in a calendar month.

2016
Wilmer Flores is honored by the Brooklyn Cyclones with a bobblehead, commemorating his emotional roller coaster at the end of July last season. The 23-year-old Venezuelan infielder, falsely believing the Brewers had traded for him, cried on the field, but three days later, hit a walk-off homer to lift the team in a jubilant victory over the division-leading Nationals, beginning a sweep that will put the Mets in first place for the rest of the season.

Baseball Reference:

1983: In the nitecap of a doubleheader, Pirates rookie Jose DeLeon holds the Mets hitless for 8 1/3 innings before Hubie Brooks singles, but Mets starter Mike Torrez pitches 11 shutout innings himself and New York goes on to win, 1 - 0, in 12 innings. In his previous start, DeLeon had held the Padres hitless for 6 1/3 innings. Mets reliever Jesse Orosco wins both games with four innings of relief in the 11-inning opener, and an inning in the nitecap.

2018: The Nationals set a franchise record for runs by crushing the Mets, 25 - 4. It is also the largest margin of defeat in Mets history. The Nats score 7 runs in the 1st, chasing Steven Matz, then add 3 runs in each of the next four innings and have a 26 - 1 lead in the 9th, when New York scores 3 to make the final tally slightly less humiliating. Daniel Murphy homers twice and drives in 6, Anthony Rendon drives in 4, and Trea Turner has 4 hits, while Tanner Roark, who hits a three-run double himself, is the beneficiary of the offensive largesse.

Centerfield Maz: Billy Wagner: 2006 NL Eastern Champion Mets Closer (2006-2009).

Centerfield Maz: Remembering Mets History: (1973) Yogi Tells the Press " It Ain't Over Till It's Over".

Want more?  Check out https://sportspyder.com/mlb/new-york-mets/news. 

Want something else tracked here each day?  Please leave a comment below.
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