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.