There is an alleged ancient Chinese curse when translated to English reads, “May you live in interesting times.”
Woo-boy. Did they ever nail that one correctly!
What has happened in the past few days? Well, for starters the Mets needed to clear a roster spot to bring back David Peterson from injury recovery. The lucky recipient of the Uber ride to Syracuse was very recent newcomer Josh Walker. He and Dedniel Nunez likely shared that ride back upstate.
Then David Peterson arrived as planned, but the unforeseen coinciding roster transaction was Edwin Diaz heading to the IL for an alleged shoulder issue. The word “alleged” is used because, well, you know...the Mets have an issue with manipulation of false injuries to play games with the roster. Diaz has been horrific and while no one wishes him to have another injury, it does seem somewhat curious that this medical condition did not arise when he was pitching successfully. Putting him on the IL allows the team to test drive some other closer candidates in his absence. You wonder if the Uber driver for Josh Walker made a U-turn or if another driver was summoned for that unexpected and very quick return to Queens.
OK, so mediocre starters Tylor Megill and David Peterson both seem to have overcome health issues and posted some gaudy numbers to push their way into the rotation. Given the fact that Kodai Senga is still ailing and Adrian Houser already got bounced from the rotation, it’s not a bad thing to have capable pitchers available in a pinch. So now if you go through the rotation stacking it would appear to be Luis Severino, Sean Manaea, Jose Quintana, Christian Scott, Tylor Megill and David Peterson. Severino is on a one-year deal, Manaea is on a two year deal with an opt-out (his choice) after year one, Quintana is playing for his next new deal. So that leaves the three younger pitchers as the team’s stalwarts for August 1st and beyond.
OK, OK...so the starting rotation isn’t exactly what it was envisioned to be but the bullpen is rock solid now, right? Oh, just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water, Jorge Lopez proved that you ain’t seen nothing yet.
After the Mets bullpen blew yet another game, Jorge Lopez took exception to a call made by the third base umpire on the Dodgers batter having allegedly checked a swing. Upon reviewing the video it was clearly understandable why Lopez was livid about the call. Still, you are supposed to be a professional and accept the things you cannot change...
Taking the high road apparently went far out the window (or at least further than Lopez hurled his glove into the stands. Some were surprised that he had that kind of arm strength, but the act itself was likely going to draw deep into his $2 million pockets for unsportsmanlike conduct. It’s only money, right? Pay the fine and get on with life.
Or...
When queried about the whole incident. let’s just say that Lopez was pretty much at the realization his behavior and his team’s performance were simultaneously coming to an end. He said that the Mets were the worst f**king team in MLB...this coming from a veteran Oriole who worked on some awful teams as a result of his own ineptitude with a career ERA after 9+ seasons of 5.39 and a career record of 23-42.
Well, he will now get to test out his pitching arm, his discus throw arm and his big mouth for a new team as the Mets have put him on the DFA list for his tirade. That opens up yet another bullpen slot while they figure out how to muddle through the injury to Diaz, the recent meldown by Reed Garrett, the inconsistency of Jake Diekman, the season-ending surgery on Brooks Raley, the most recent losing effort by Adam Ottavino and a host of others (soon to be joined by Drew Smith back from injury).
The phrase rock bottom was used in many stories about where the Mets find themselves. The expression was popularized by Alcoholics Anonymous and has become part of our common language. Hitting rock bottom might mean getting kicked out of the house or fired from a job, losing someone, or experiencing a mental or emotional breakdown. Or it could mean you are a Mets fan.
7 comments:
In the wacky, weird world of baseball, "washed up" Lindor awakens with 4 hits; Alonso shows he is pretty close to invulnerable by not starting the game after his HBP, but contributing a key double; Houser has his second straight very effective relief outing. Danny young, called for the mitt-flipper's role, throws a great inning and gets the win to move to 2-0. And Diaz seems very confident his trip to the IL will end with his return the first day he is eligible.
Megill was ultra dominant against mighty LAD and Peterson was solid against LAD, too.
Baseball is so unpredictable. Anyone can predict that. But the huge hole they've dug for themselves still remains.
Braves got off to a blistering start. Without Acuna and Strider, now just 8 over and struggling to win. The Mets could just catch them if Senga ever can find his way out of the make up room and earn his keep.
Since the Braves jetted out to 18-6, they are just 13-17 in their last 30, most of which were with Acuna. They are wobbly, even if Philly is already out of reach for the Mets. Mets still trail the Braves by 7 games, but come on, get hot. Alvarez seems almost ready, well ahead of schedule. Come on. May the mitt toss be the wake up call. Gil Hodges is no longer around to do that.
Alvarez looked good last night in Binghamton. He showed no effects of the hand injury behind the plate or at the bat. His plate appearances were good. He worked a walk in his first at-bat, laying off several enticing but off-the-plate pitches when down in the count. Great to see he was not anxious. On the next at-bat he got the pitch he was looking for and lined it over the right field wall for a three run homer. Good five inning start. Looking for him to give the team a boost very soon.
Nice win last night.
Excellent pitching. Scott settled down and Houser proving to be an excellent long man
Core hitting from Lindor and JD
Don't be surprised if this current team is given June to turn thisbseason around
Could this team be missing Alvarez?. They were playing a lot better when he was around.
Maybe he can help Diaz with his brain impingement when he comes back.
Haha Viper. If you find a brain impingement specialist, he can get regular work in Queens.
Maybe Houser can even be a good SHORT man. Hey, it worked for Aguilera.
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