Tom Brennan: When Mets Momentum and Talent Shake Hands

"HEY!! METS‘ MOMENTUM AND TALENT ARE SHAKING HANDS!”

The Mets had major negative momentum earlier this season, losers of 27 of 39 to fall to 24-35. 

To his immense credit, David Stearns didn’t just sit there. He started making moves.

One move was easy. David Peterson came back from injury for his first outing in game # 55. He is now a brilliant 9-1.  I had speculated that when he got his hip surgery last fall, it was an inhibiting factor for a while, and perhaps we’d see the true David Peterson in 2024. Well, I said maybe he would be our Cole Hamels. I think 9-1, 2.75 qualifies.

Other moves were smart, like not worrying about the remaining dollars on Omar Narvaez’s contract, a prior administration’s signing mistake. After being arguably the worst catcher in the majors when released (hitting about .160, couldn’t throw out Vogelbach if he tried to steal on him), Omar is hitting .215 in the PCL since then.

Lots of current Mets players are playing well, especially the superb Francisco Lindor, and this team is jelling and rolling. I love jelly rolls.

Even Ryne Stanek has been excellent since his bad relief debut with the Mets in July. 

51-29 in their last 80 games (.638).  Conclusion:

Momentum and talent are vigorously shaking hands.

IMO, it is as good a team, after that 24-35 start, as the 2022 Mets team that won 101 games. If this team makes the playoffs (it should), and gets Kodai Senga back (it should), it could do real damage in the playoffs.

LGM

MINORS?

Binghamton had an excuse for no hits. They had the night off.

St Lucie was tied 2-2 in the second when the rain-out came.

Syracuse has stopped hitting, with a run on 3 hits. 

- Top hitting prospect Gilbert hitless, error. Just .185 in 44 games.

Paul Blackburn allowed a run on 4 hits in 6.2 IP. He is 1) fine and 2) dandy.

Eric Orze had another excellent outing in relief with 3 Ks. OK, it was on Sunday, when Brandon Sproat was also excellent, but a shout out is always good.

Orze has 74 Ks in 53 innings, and a ERA under 3.00 in his the last 36 outings, after the first 2 (lousy) of his 38 AAA outings this year. Orze IMO will be a “relief factor” in the big leagues in 2025.

Zuber is not pitching well. Acquired at the deadline for strikeout machine (181 in 110 IP) Paul Gervase, I wish that trade had not happened, although I understand it.

Brooklyn?  6-0 win.  

Zach Thornton threw 5.1 shutout innings for the win. Brooklyn scored 1 run in 6 different innings. Kellum Clark and Chris Suero both had 3 hits, 2 RBIs.  Both are hitting in the low .220s for Brooklyn, too.

Meanwhile, the Cyclones’ De Los Santos hitting race is TIGHT. 

- Omar is hitting .189, Jefry is hitting .188. 

Which De Los Santos will have bragging rights, and will either reach the Mendoza Line?

EX-MET PITCHING LIKE IT IS 1962:

Chris Flexen is 2-14, 5.36 for the woeful White Sox, who are now a staggeringly bad 31-109. Could they finish 35-127?  Stay tuned.