SAVAGE VIEWS – Predictions vs Actual

It’s almost 73 years since I was at the Polo Grounds when Bobby Thomson hit “the shot heard round the world”.  One of the most disappointing days of my young life. Today the improbable happened and the Mets have made the playoffs.

Back on December 13, 2023 I made my way too early predictions on the 2024 season.  I said we would make the playoffs and contend with the Braves for the title. I thought the Braves would suffer significant injuries with underperforming pitching.  I did not see the Phillies running away from the pack.

I predicated that Lindor would have a MVP caliber year and he has. His home run in the first game was one of the most clutch hits I’ve seen in my 62 years of following this team. I claimed that the revamped pitching staff would keep us competitive in most games and the return of Diaz would solidify the bullpen.

I was way off base with Alonso and he did not come close to meeting my expectations although I was close with his BA .242 vs .240 actual. I expected major contributions from the “baby Mets” and that did not happen. Mauricio got hurt and Baty did not perform. And it’s only recently that Alvarez looks like the baby bull that he is.

I suggested that the Mets manager would be a candidate to be named Manager of the Year. Carlos Mendoza probably won’t win the award, but he should be under serious consideration. Nearly everyone thought this would be a transition year and the team would be fortunate to break even. I thought they would win more than 89 wins.

I did not believe the Mets will be able to sign Alonso because of his extravagant demands and should focus instead their attention on bringing either Soto or Guerrero on board for ’25. I saw McNeil returning next year as a super-utility player.  My opinion here has not changed.

I wondered where Acuna would fit on this team next year. Looks as though that question has been answered.

Subsequently, in my March 15^th post, I reiterated that the Mets are playoff bound with the return of Diaz worth at least 6-8 additional wins over 2023. I liked the selection of Mendoza as manager and the stability to the front office with the Stearns hire. 

I thought that the Senga injury would turn out to be a blessing in disguise and Megill would have a chance to shine. No one could have predicted that Senga would miss the entire season.

I did not anticipate that we would sign JD Martinez and demote Vientos to the minors. I always thought the JD signing was short sighted but fortunately Vientos was recalled to have a solid season.

It would be pretty cool if we can move on to the next playoff level.

Ray

October 1, 2024

Remember 1969: Open Thread for October 1

Well, that was fun!   Now what? 

I was asked to provide some words to Mack's for Tuesday morning this week and was torn between whether to write an original piece or to just go with the topics of the moment.   With the delay of the final two games until Monday, I decided Tuesday morning would be a good time to get the first comments of the weekend/season and now, the upcoming post-season.  

So, quite a game 1, huh?   From the ledge, to being pulled back, to crawling back out there, to finally get pulled back to safety.  How nerve-wracking.   But the good guys ended up winning! 

I'll start the comments here, but this post is for your comments about Monday and your predictions about the next few days.

My comments about Monday:   

Why did they bother playing the first 7 innings? 

I did not like the move to see Diaz come into the game in the 8th with one out and two runners on.   I would love to see the stats on this situation, but my gut tells me that he does not pitch well in that type of scenario.   I would much rather have seen Mendoza stick with Maton for at least one more out, or gone with Butto (was he even available today?) or Garrett to clear the 8th and get to the ninth so Diaz could get a clean inning to work.   (yeah, 20/20 hindsight, but that was my real feel at the time) 

Diaz needs to get better at playing defense.  Alonso made a great snag and had a decent shot at retiring Kelenic had Diaz covered first in the timely manner that is taught from little league forward.  

I was rooting for Lindor to steal a base today to make the 30-30 club for the second straight year, joining Bobby Witt, Jr. as the only shortstops to do that.   Unfortunately, he ended with 33 homers and 29 stolen bases.  Oh well.  That 33rd homer made it worthwhile! 

Why did they bother playing Game 2?   Oh yeah, some other team needed to. 

On to Milwaukee   

To be honest, although I don't make a practice of rooting for the Braves and rooting against the Mets, I am not too disappointed in not going to San Diego.  I would rather the Mets be playing Milwaukee than SD, and if they can somehow squeak out that series, they would then play Philly rather than the Dodgers.   Just me, but that is my preference as I say, "Great, let the Braves take the west coast".  

I am not going to predict the Wildcard series, although I think the Mets CAN win.   They need the bats to wake up.     

What do you all think about the way things went down and how things are about to go?   Please comment prolifically below! 

R69 . out for now.