8/21/20

Tom Brennan - HITTING WHEN IT COUNTS

"Clutch" in baseball is where it is at



(Since I wrote this article, the Mets figured out a way to not leave runners in scoring position: cancelled games.  Hopefully, games will restart soon, so we can once again moan over runners left in scoring position).

Every rabid Mets fan knows that while the Mets are hitting well overall, there have been deficiencies.  One most notably pointed out is their low BA w' RISP.  If that acronym confuses you, read on anyway.


Other important indicators of successful hitting and a successful team offense are how guys hit:


1) Against teams under .500 vs. teams that are at or over .500


2) When their team is trailing


Some guys in baseball beat up on weak teams, but get exposed vs. the toughies, and some guys hit great when their team is trailing, while some don't.


Of course, thru Wednesday, the Mets had played just 25 games to date, and I'd usually not do a peek under the hood at those attributes this early - but with just 35 games to go, it is also getting mighty late in this truncated season.  

So how are they doing?  I will go from best to worst:




You know, the guy the Mets got in the Jay Bruce/Anthony Swarzak trade, with some throw ins:


Teams at or over .500: .386/.404/.727 


Teams below .500: .417/.500/.500 (just 12 plate appearances) 


When the Mets are trailing: .375/.385/.417


Cano is getting it done, period.





Teams at or over .500: .316/.426/.684 

Teams below .500: .304/.346/.826 (the latter # is rather Ruthian)


When the Mets are trailing: .360/.414/.800


And some people think he should be traded?  They traded Ruth once - how did that work out?  Subversive elements are everywhere.  Dom's a keeper, so shows the numbers.





Teams at or over .500: .333/.469/471


Teams below .500: .289/.386/.474


When the Mets are trailing: .306/.405/.528


Conforto is doing great overall when it counts.





Teams at or over .500: .289/.389/.533 


Teams below .500: .281/.439/.374


When the Mets are trailing: .367/.457/.533


Very solid, professional numbers from J Double D.





Teams at or over .500: .224/.206/.388 


Teams below .500: .294/.467/.618


When the Mets are trailing: .267/.476/.633


Love that Nimmo .476 OBP when the Mets are behind.  Guys getting on base is obviously a key to catching up in games the Mets are trailing in.  Nothing better than a team that can fight back.





Teams at or over .500: .184/.261/.237 


Teams below .500: .379/.438/.448


When the Mets are trailing: .240/.345/.240


Those numbers are below his career norm, most likely due to playing while less than 100%.  He is a career .281 hitter while trailing, and .297 against teams .500 or above, solid numbers, but like a truly skilled hitter, feasts in his career on weaker teams.





Teams at or over .500: .173/.317/.365


Teams below .500: .342/.444/.553


When the Mets are trailing: .188/.333/.219


No secret that Pete has been struggling, but career-wise, he is 18 points better against teams that are at over .500, so we should expect Pete to veer upwards towards his norm.





Teams at or over .500: .184/.262/.188


Teams below .500: .233/.303/.300


When the Mets are trailing: .107/.242/.143


Where is the real Wilson Ramos and what have you done with him?  Hopefully, his bat is ready to explode.





Teams at or over .500: .250/.250/.429


Teams below .500: .150/.150/.150


When the Mets are trailing: .107/.242/.143


Amed has been truly disappointing in 2020...with some signs of life this week.  Back up IF Luis Guillorme has done far better so far when given the opportunity.


Amed, career-wise, has hit as well when the team trails as when it leads, and equally well against stronger and weaker teams, so there is hope historically.




We will see how it goes from here, but those who are doing well in the above categories should continue to thrive, and hopefully, those sputtering will approach their own career norms.  If so, this team should score like mad over the last 5 weeks of this mini-season.





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