9/17/24

Tom Brennan: Nailbiters Anonymous


MARTE COMES TO THE RESCUE

I have signed up, anonymously, of course. I’m only telling you. Be discreet.

My nails, you see, are bitten clear down to the nubs.  

Nerves a-poppin’ in yet another game with razor thin margins of victory.

Losing 1-0 going into the 8th with an impotent, Lindor and McNeil-free, line up, they tied the score on an infield single by Iglesias.

Not a 500 foot blast, but the nail biters will take it.

The Mets starter (Manaea) and relievers (Butto, Diaz, and Garrett) allowed just one run against a line up of similar impotence.

In the 10th, though, the automatic runner plus a walk set the stage for a truly professional pinch hitter in Starling Marte, who ripped a bullet to left for the walk off hit.

The Braves got crushed, and so the Mets are back in a one game lead over the Braves for the final WC slot. And Arizona lost, so the Mets trail them by just one skinny little game. San Diego won and leads the Mets by 3.5 games. Even Philly lost, and the Mets have 4 more do-or-die games this weekend after the next 2 games against the Ignatz.  Will Lindor be back, or will his back belie Lindor?

Somewhere, Tug McGraw grinned. He said something that sounded like “In A Gadda da Vida” and slapped his glove against his thigh. I believe he actually said Ya Gotta Believe.


Syracuse was off. Last week of games for the S-Mets is coming up.


Before I go: the Chicago White Sox won their THIRD STRAIGHT. 36-115. Weird year…they just might close out the season with 14 straight wins.

31 comments:

Tom Brennan said...

The chiseled Marte has just one HR since May 25, a head scratcher. Still good.

Mack Ade said...

Morning

I'll take the win

Tom is right... I count only two batters putting this team on their back...

Lindor and Inglesias

Can't say enough good things about the starters

Still feel they will fall short though

Tom Brennan said...

Lot of it comes down to 1) when will Lindor return and 2) what % of his normal self will he return at. Senga supposedly moving up to live batters. Do a few outings this week in AAA, against real competition. On any bunts or grounders to first,DON’T cover the bag or try to run to field anything. Just pitch.

Tom Brennan said...

Syracuse final week. Will they promote Jett, to give him another 6 games? I would, regardless of how he fares. Then Fall ball. All combined, he’d still be effectively under a half a season of play.

TexasGusCC said...

Jett was already promoted Sunday.

Tom Brennan said...

Gus, that’s great. Thanks.

Tom Brennan said...

Gus, any thoughts on why Morabito wasn’t promoted?

TexasGusCC said...

This lineup is showing me how important it will be to keep McNeil. Bye JDM and Pete, I’ve never seen softer power hitters in years.

TexasGusCC said...

From Brooklyn to where? He wasn’t promoted to Binghamton so Williams can play CF and lead off. I don’t know what they will do next year. Williams should start in Binghamton.

TexasGusCC said...

I would send Reimer, Williams, Lorusso to AFL.

Gary Seagren said...

Speaking of soft Senga fits the bill and because all I ever heard about Japanese players were how in shape they were and he pitches 5 innings then has a leg issue hmmmm. I just love it when guys "show up" when we need it most... yeah right. We need to clone Lindor but it worries me that he's not playing meaning its worse than he's letting on. Why not Acuna instead of Alvarez? LA is solid in the field can run and has at least a chance of getting a hit.

Rds 900. said...

Was at the game last night. Seats in back of first base, four rows from field. What a great pitching duel. A win is a win.

Mack Ade said...

For me, next season is still a transition year

Bats:

1B. Vientos
2B Acuna/McNeil/Mauricio
SS Lindor
3B Mauricio/Iglesias
LF. McNeil/Nimmo
CF Nimmo/Gilbert
RF. Marte/Clifford
C Alvarez

TexasGusCC said...

Mack, I believe next year is more of a transition year than this year was. But I have to ask:
1. You think Clifford is ready for the majors with his strikeout record?
2. Where is Baty in your plan? If you trade him, youlll get nothing anyway.
3. If Acuna is such a quality glove in CF, why not him be the rotator along with McNeil?
4. Do you start Gilbert in Queens?
5. Not entertaining the thought of Vientos at 3B? He will improve with reps and that is more valuable to your team.

Tom Brennan said...

Gus, you assume Reimer and Lorusso will be healthy by next month. I’ve heard nothing on either.

Tom Brennan said...

Ray was on the scene.

Tom Brennan said...

Mack, you lost me at Clifford. He seems like Acuna this year…he will need a full year in AAA. I’d rather sneak Morabito out there, but he’s not ready either.

Tom Brennan said...

How about Alvarez to the Fall League, as he has hit like a AA player since the ASB.

Tom Brennan said...

He, Alonso and JD Martinez are going to open a Mr Softee franchise this off season.

Tom Brennan said...

You got to see next year’s DH, Marte, drive in the game winner.

Tom Brennan said...

You remember when the Mets started Wyatt Young in Brooklyn for his first full year, and about 3 games later, needed him in Syracuse, where he had a .450 OBP over 20 games? I’d not mind Morabito getting 6 AAA games in. That said, it won’t happen.

Tom Brennan said...

No reason Mauricio couldn’t play first base. Play it in winter ball. He’s no stranger to the infield and should pick it up quickly.

Mack Ade said...

1. Will be come all-star break

2. Traded

3. True. Add him in at CF

4. After all-star break

5. No

TexasGusCC said...

The reason I leave Mauricio in the middle is he has range. Him, Lindor and Acuna can play a great middle. Inglesias can help at 3B too, but I’d rather have Baty as the backup at four corner spots (play lots of LF/RF in the spring) and keep Vientos where he feels good and can improve. McNeil can be traded for an arm and use Marte in outfield with Winker, Nimmo, Taylor, and Acuna until Gilbert is ready. I sign a first baseman to a pillow contract. That’s my team.

Rds 900. said...

You can have either Acuna or Iglesias, not both.

TexasGusCC said...

Why not Ray? At least initially, if there isn’t a McNeil, Acuna and Baty can help in the outfield as well. Also, I want Inglesias to teach Mauricio, Vientos and Acuna how to be more focused and consistent.

TexasGusCC said...

Thirteen hitters: Alvarez, Torrens, Pillow Firstman, Mauricio, Lindor, Vientos, Inglesias, Baty, Nimmo, Taylor, Marte, Acuna, Winker.

Rds 900. said...

You need a McNeil as a super utility guy.

Tom Brennan said...

Ray, and practically speaking, he still is owed a lot, moving him this off season will only bring some modest salary relief. I would keep him until trade deadline 2025.

Tom Brennan said...

I saw LA Acuna standing next to his interpreter, as surprisingly, he seems to have not yet learned English. The interpreter was practically a full head higher than Acuna. I just wonder if Acuna is listed at 5’8” but it’s really 5 foot five. And Jett is 5’6” - those were viable heights back in the 1920s in baseball.

Remember1969 said...

I am truly worried about the lack of offense on this squad. If they do not score until the 8th inning against the better clubs, they are not going to get to October.