Tom Brennan - The Resplendent Edwin Diaz

It is not often that current immortals, wearing Mets uniforms, walk in our midst.

Edwin Diaz is one of them.

What a supreme season he is having.

Let me first remind readers that close 9th inning games get pro hitters particularly focused - the game is on the line, and they are geared up to try to swing the game back to their team.

Edwin Diaz thankfully stands in the way.

He started the season in April very nicely, but allowed 2 HRs in 10 innings, spanning 4 outings.  He only allowed 2 other hits.  

In one of those HRs allowed games, he picked up the win.  He finished the month 1-0, 1.80, 4 of 5 in saves, and 17 Ks.

He was striking out guys, but not in true Edwin fashion, as he had only 14 in his first 9 outings before fanning the side in his last April game against overmatched Philly hitters.

From April 30 thru this past Thursday, he fanned 59 in 27.1 innings. That is, over that span, 72% of his outs were via strikeout.  SEVENTY TWO PERCENT.  

By comparison, frequently used Mets reliever Ron Taylor in 1970 recorded just 28 of his 199 outs (14%) via strikeout.

Ten times, Edwin has recorded all 3 outs by strikeout.  And in one game vs. the best hitting team in baseball, LAD, he recorded all FIVE outs by strikeout.   

He throws 101 with explosive movement, a velocity Nolan Ryan would admire, and throws a veering, dipping hard slider that would make Tom Seaver smile.

He's only missed 3 of 23 save opportunities. A 1.69 ERA.

Against the two principal pursuing teams, the Braves and Phillies, he has had 7 outings, nailed every save opportunity, gave up one run, and fanned 15.  

Horatio at the Bridge, repelling the rabid, snarling infidels.

He only had one bad outing, vs. SFG, where in 2/3 of an inning, he fanned none while allowing 5 baserunners and 2 runs. 

But after that game? 

19 outings, 1 run, and that run resulted from soft contact.  

He fanned 41 in 18.2 innings over that stretch.  

Obviously, after the SFG game, he got...well, he got pissed, OK? 

And has come out firing ever since.

With all due respect to Pete Alonso's historic RBI pace, Edwin is my MVP so far.  Pete has approached immortality this season.  Edwin has pitched as one who is immortal.

Without him, with just a mere mortal closer instead, the Mets would likely be 3 or 4 games out of first place at this point.

He is a free agent at year's end.  (shudder)

I hope for 3 things:

1) He stays supremely great from now thru the end of the playoffs.

2) He stays with the Mets.

3) He gets every penny he deserves.

His Majesty - the Resplendent Edwin Diaz, King of Queens.

THINGS WOULD BE BETTER FOR THE METS IN "CENTRAL AMERICA":

As the Mets get doggedly pursued by the Braves, the AL Central and NL Central teams are 29 games and 48 games below .500.  

Man, in either of the two Central Divisions, the Mets would be cake-walking it to a Division title and probably on pace to win 105-110 games, playing (and destroying) crappy teams repeatedly.  

It would be nice to cruise into the playoffs. Nail biting would be unnecessary. I like my nails. I don’t want to bite them.

I’m petitioning for the Mets to be moved to Central America.

Now…the main part of the draft is over, the All Star game is tonight….let’s make some trades. 

Edwin stays. Just saying.