Paul Articulates – It comes down to this day

An entire regular season has gone by, and although there are 28 MLB teams resting today, the Mets and Braves are still playing on.  We all thought it would be done by now – but as I wrote last week, the baseball gods were frowning on the Mets, forcing them to jet back and forth across the country on an extended season-ending road trip that defines their season.

One could easily say that the Mets were dealt the worst luck of any team – having two games cancelled before heading to Milwaukee.  But one could also argue that the Mets were in a mini-swoon and would have lost all three in Atlanta if they had played those games.  It certainly seemed that way when they put in some sub-par performances to begin the Brewers series.  With yesterday’s convincing rebound performance maybe the Mets restored some of their mojo just in time to play this “win and you’re in” doubleheader.

There are so many things to take away from this weekend, and so many more things to find out about this team today.  Let’s walk through a few things that stood out to me:

• Lindor is going to lead this team with every ounce of energy he possesses.  We know his back is bothering him when he gingerly tries to stand back up after a slide or a dive.  We know that he will not let pain interfere, just by the fact that he IS sliding and diving.  His bat was still there after the layoff – he went four for twelve (.333) with a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored.  His leadoff single and subsequent steal set the tone for the Mets Sunday, and it seemed to pick them up from the funk they were in after being shut out the day before.

• Mark Vientos and Jose Iglesias are two players that we can count on right now along with Lindor.  Both just find ways to get bat on ball and make things happen out there.  I just wish I could put Pete Alonso in this category, because the team desperately needs him to go on a power streak but it has just not been happening.

• Thank goodness JD Martinez finally snapped that long oh-fer streak.  It was frustrating to him as much as it was for us – but we started to see some very loud outs recently so we knew he was close.  It finally broke with a freak bounce off the third base bag, but that wasn’t just luck – JD also singled and had a deep fly ball to the wall in center field in another at-bat.  My prediction - he will do something special in Atlanta today. 

• The one thing I liked about JD not being in the lineup for a few days is that Tyrone Taylor got to play more.  He has been consistently good in the outfield wherever they play him and has come through with some big at-bats as well.  Sorry Harrison, but this guy has to play.

• The starting pitching is still OK.  Yes Sean Manaea had a bad day on Friday when we really needed a good day.  But he will be back.  Quintana pitched very well on Saturday and did not deserve to lose.  It is such a relief to see him pitching well after a mid-season meltdown.  Peterson was brilliant Sunday in a game the Mets absolutely needed to win.   I am confident that Severino will pitch well today.  I am hopeful that Megill can muster a great start too.

• The bullpen is still pretty shaky.  I am very nervous whenever guys like Reed Garrett or Adam Ottavino step to the mound.  I put my hands over my eyes when Danny Young gets the ball.  Phil Maton has been good, but they have worked him way too hard lately.  Butto is still good, but they have worked him way too little lately.  Diaz oscillates between fantastic and frightening.

This season has been a real test for Carlos Mendoza.  He has been faced with so many difficult decisions, but to his credit he is making them and living with any consequences.  On the surface he seems unfazed, but this season would drive anyone to the bottle (of Rolaids, of course).  

He made a decision on Sunday to throw Diaz in the 9th inning. Some thought he should be saved in case he is needed in both games Monday.  Others thought he should close out the must-win game so the team lives to play another day.  

Carlos made the call, and Diaz struggled through the half inning but did the job.  Maybe this was the right thing so he is properly tuned up – I would hate to think of what would have happened in Atlanta if he was this erratic.  On the other hand, he threw 30 pitches and now has to bounce back right away.

The next really tough decision is how to play out the doubleheader.  Both the Mets and the Braves need one win to get in, so the pressure is on to win game 1.  If you throw everything you have – Severino, Diaz, Lindor with a weak back, Alvarez with a weak back, JD Martinez on a bet that he’s hitting again – then you have to win or the second game will be even tougher to win.  

Atlanta has already decided to hold back Chris Sale for game 2 if needed so they are betting that the rookie Spencer Schellenbach can dominate the Mets for a third consecutive time this year.  Set up the chess board - it's Carlos Mendoza versus Brian Snitker.

Finally, enjoy the drama today.  This is the kind of baseball we hoped for.  Now our team has to rise to the occasion so we can play October baseball.  Let’s go Mets!