Jeff McNeil is My Favorite Batting Champ Squirrel
The Mets almost reached that Division title. Why didn't they get there?
1) Strider and Harris - drafted in the 5th and 3rd rounds, they performed like first overall picks for Atlanta. While some may say the Braves were astute to draft them, consider they also waited to drafted these first overall guys 4 and 2 rounds, respectively, after the first round. Lucky there were still around.
2) The trade deadline moves did not work out. Everyone on the planet is scratching their heads over the Mets giving up 3 prospects - and JD Davis - for Darin Ruf. Brutal. Keep JDD, win the Division. Also, Tyler Naquin gave them a nice early-on jolt, going 11 for 30 right after the trade, with 3 HRs, 7 RBIs. But he took the rest of the season off, going 18 for 97 with a HR and 6 RBIs over the last 8 weeks. Naquin had it Ruf.
3) McCann has hit dreadfully. Game 162 proved, however, that he is an offensive juggernaut. At least on October 5.
4) deGrom plotzed in September. 1-3, 4.50 in a September of mediocrity (yeah, he fans a lot of guys, that and a nickel…).
5) Losing far too many games to lousy teams in September, in part because...
6) Marte, who hit over .300 after April, suffered a broken finger in early Sept, causing the Mets' offense to sputter far too much. Hopefully, the finger suddenly comes around - hopefully, he will heal in time to be a vital cog in a deep playoff run.
Still, they broke that 100 win barrier, so much went right. Alonso NL RBI title (131), Lindor's Mets-record-smashing 107 Shortstop RBI total, McNeil's amazing late season surge to a rare NY Mets batting title (.326, best in baseball, edging out Freddy Frickin'), Nimmo scoring over 100 runs (re-sign him), and Escobar's late surge. And Canha was a true pro.
Edwin Diaz is a supreme closer, and Ottavino was superb too.
Bassitt, Walker, and Carrasco combined to win a lot more games than they lost, too, as did Mad Max.
Moving on:
Philly Phlopped, 4-6 in last 10, so they won't play the Mets in the Wild Card, but San Diego will. More on SD below.
* Manny Machado, 70 XBHs, 102 RBIs, always dangerous.
* Juan Soto, just 6 HRs & 16 RBIs in 51 SD games but cobras can strike.
* CF Trish Grisham hit .183 in 151 games! Ugh! Love my Nimmo!
* All in all a mediocre SDP offense after Machado and Soto.
* Starters Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, and Blake Snell are, however, an imposing trio. Snell was lousy early, but much better of late.
* Hader stunk all year, except at the end - last 7 outings, no earned runs, 8 Ks in 6.1 IP. Which Hader shows up, the Blazer, or the Bum?
Me? The Mets win this series and move on towards the crown. You see...
Jake is pissed, so is Max, so is Bassitt. Pissed = dominance. Edwin is always 101% pissed. Ottavino is simply an assassin at 60 feet, 6 inches.
HEAD TO HEAD - WE WIN.
It's time. 1986 is too long ago.
7. One Cub loss
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid their bats will be quiet.
ReplyDeleteRay, pitching for SD will not = Nats pitching.Mets will be challenged mightily.
ReplyDeleteMack, getting swept by the Little Bears was almost inexcusable.
8. “Then came Buck Showalter's decision to remove his top RBI bat from the middle of the order and batting him number two. (Note that when he was returned to cleanup in the third game he produced with his bat once again).”
ReplyDeleteThat was from Reese’s column yesterday and very telling. I wrote earlier in the year that while Bobby Valentine was always trying to outsmart himself, Showalter has succeeded. Showalter seems to want to high five himself sometimes. There was no reason to mix it up before the Braves series. That was head scratching for sure.
Mack, there were those THREE Cub loses…. By the way, the Cubs have finished very strong, but getting swept at home is unforgivable.
I know
DeleteJust stating all the Mets needed was one win in those three games
Let's hope we get past the first round. If we don't, the season will really feel like a failure, despite all the good that happened. You blew it against the Cubs and Braves, don't blow it against SD
ReplyDeleteSan Diego is similar to us, in that they have a roster that was built for shorter playoff series, as much as anything.
ReplyDeleteThey have three very good starters and some good bullpen arms, along with a couple "stars" who can win a game close game for you with timely home run, etc.
I see three very close, low scoring games..........it would be nice to see the lineup return to "working the pitchers" again, along with doing the little things to scratch out an extra run or two along the way (like they were in April, May and June).
Home field advantage should give the Mets an edge, if they play to win THIS series and stop trying to be clever and set up your rotation for the next series that isn't guaranteed yet.