The raw emotions have calmed down a bit now. We saw apologies from Lindor and Baez (at
least one of the two was sincere), a four game winning streak (though one is in
the books for April 11th), and another rainout which gives time to
cool off the remaining boo-birds. Here are
my thoughts on what comes next and what should happen for the remaining 31
games this season.
First, expect a good run.
The next 10 games are against the Marlins and Nationals, two teams going
nowhere. Then they play three against
the resurgent Yankees and three against the mediocre Cardinals. Although there will be plenty of
opportunities to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, I believe that the
players will come out of their Sandy Alderson scolding with the motivation to
either put up some numbers or list their house for sale in the offseason. So an 11-5 streak will gain just enough
ground on the Braves and Phillies to get our expectations back up. Those expectations will be crushed like a
grape when the opponents are the Brewers, Phillies, and Braves unless there are
some fundamental changes in approach. So
if I was the Mets’ coaching staff, here’s what I would do:
1) 1) Set a less volatile lineup so the hitters know
their role. Lead with high OBP (Nimmo),
follow with guys that make contact and can hit to all fields to move runners (McNeil,
Lindor), then bring the power (Alonzo, Baez).
Don’t re-order every time someone gets a day off.
2) 2) Play more small ball. There is some good speed in NY but it’s not
being put to good use. Lindor, Baez, and
Villar want to run; Nimmo, Conforto, Pillar, and even the squirrel can
run. If you can’t produce hits with
RISP, then challenge the other team to throw you out taking an extra base or
scoring from first on a ball in the gap.
In the worst case you still end up at the bottom in runs/game but at
least it will be the most exciting brand of baseball on the market. Tell DiSarcina to “SEND ‘EM”!
3) 3) Ride the starters just a little longer. There’s nothing more demoralizing than
heading into the stretch with a chance and an exhausted bullpen. Luis Rojas has been way too conservative,
pulling starters in middle innings with pitch counts in the 70s and 80s which
requires several bullpen arms each day.
Ask Taijuan Walker about it.
4) 4) Resist the urge to substitute for effect. Luis
Rojas seems compelled to make late game substitutions to create the impression
he is actively managing. With a lefty on
the mound, Rojas brought in a left-handed hitting catcher batting .203 to
replace a left-handed hitting catcher batting .200. Really?
The comment above also applies to a recent game in San Francisco – he pulled
Walker after 74 pitches with 2 hits and no runs to create a left vs left
matchup. The result was a 2-run double
on the first pitch, and the Mets burn two additional relievers in a 3-2 loss to
the Giants.
9 comments:
Paul - I like the small ball idea but can it be implemented this late in the year? I hope so.
Interesting that they added two outfielders to the roster in Almora and Lee. Almora a very good defensive outfielder - I think you will see him late in the game just for defense. Lee can bring the element of speed by pinch running and stealing a base.
I think you play out Sept not implementing anything new. Too confusing.
As for me, I am on to football starting with the Ohio state game tonight.
But Mack…just 5 games out.
Yeah but my New York Football Giants are tied for first
(not gonna suck me back)
Go Big Blue.
Paul, i could not have said it better.
And the Jets have not had any injuries today.
I don't see anything here that makes any sense. Most of the "ideas" -- in quotes -- are just vague complaints about minor decisions made by the manager. The set lineup so guys "know their roles"? Come on, seriously? Are they so confused they can't it? Is this a stand-pat offense?
The baserunning stuff is just goofy.
>> Nimmo, Conforto, Pillar, and even the squirrel can run. <<
Cumulatively, they have 9 SBs and 5 CS. That's a bad ratio, a losing ratio. Remove Jeff's 2 successes and 0 CS, you've got three guys who have swiped 7 bases and been caught 5 times. You want more of that? For SBs to be effective, the rate needs to be a minimum of 75% success. Otherwise you are just creating outs AND removing baserunners.
If you want a better baserunning team, hire faster guys.
Or just whine about the manager.
Jimmy
Jimmy,
Thanks for your thoughts - always like to see a different perspective.
I think that the "minor" decisions made by the manager have a huge impact on the game. It's not just talent vs talent or the Mets would beat the Marlins 17 times in a season.
Roles in the batting order are important - top of the order guys have to get on base and move the runners. Middle of the order guys need to drive the ball. That takes a little swing adjustment and you can't just dial that up differently every game.
Right now what I am observing is a bunch of guys up there with none on or a man on first trying to swing with a big launch angle to hit a big HR. They look like they are guessing on pitches, getting behind on the count, and striking out on pitchers' pitches.
As for the running game, no time to hire faster guys, but if we use the speed that exists, it will create more opportunities to score runs on a bloop rather than needing a blast.
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