Several things are on my mind today as the Mets prepare to wrap up the series with the Washington Nationals this afternoon.
- In my last post, I talked about the biggest controllable risk facing the team this season - overworking the bullpen. It looks like David Peterson read my post, because he went out and threw, in Gelbs' words, "a masterful performance". A complete game does wonders for the bullpen, giving them a mid-homestand break one day after they had to use five relievers. The fact that it was also a shutout was a tribute to the teamwork between Peterson and Luis Torrens. There were only a few baseballs thrown by Peterson that were hit with any authority.
- Next up is Kodai Senga, the Mets' ace. There, I said it. At one point this season I questioned whether the Mets had a true ace, but Senga proved it to me and the rest of Mets fans with performance. 12 games started, 68 innings, 15 runs scored for a 1.59 ERA. When he pitches, fans flock to the ballpark to see what he will do.
- Speaking of the ballpark, Citi Field has been absolutely rocking this year. The attendance this year is already well over a million fans, with the gate averaging 37,710 paid customers for the first 32 games. The seats are filled with loud, excited fans giving each game an atmosphere to remember. If you are a Mets fan, find a way to get to the park - it is a remarkable experience. Last night's ninth inning felt like October - the fans stood for the entire inning, chanting Peterson's name and roaring with every strike.
- As you are probably aware, the all-star balloting has opened. There are several Mets' players worthy of votes this year, and here are the ones I am definitely voting for:
- Pete Alonso leads MLB in RBI, has an OPS of .991, and if there were a stat for clutch hits he would lead the league there too. Pete will be on the team without a doubt, but he is going to have a battle for the starting position with old nemesis Freddy Freeman who happens to have an OPS of .996 so far this year. New York fans have got to overcome the Californians in the vote.
- Francisco Lindor seems to get screwed every year in the all-star voting. Sure, there are a lot of good shortstops in the league. But OUR shortstop is a leader, a great fielder, and a clutch hitter. He leads all NL shortstops in slugging percentage and OPS, is second in batting average, and third in RBI (from the leadoff position).
- Kodai Senga and Edwin Diaz should represent as pitchers for the Mets, although that is not a fans' choice. Those two have excelled in their craft with Senga leading the NL in ERA and Diaz recording 14 saves in 15 opportunities this year. His ninth inning on Tuesday night looked like the dominant closer he was in 2022.
- No outfielders get the nod from the Mets this year. Yes, we have one of the most talented baseball players in the league in right field, but he has not (yet) produced the numbers to mount a serious all-star bid. By the end of the year, expect him to be playing like an all-star.
12 comments:
Gotta vote for Soto. His #s by the ASB will be terrific.
I have my own ace…9:00 AM.
GREAT about the crowds. As I said this spring, Soto was historically expensive. But revenues would erupt, and so profits (and wins) are way, way up. Last year, without Soto, they started out 24-39.
Kodai Senga is the SP1 for this team. He will not reach enough IP this season to opt out so get used to him being around... Sean Manaea is a bonifide rotation piece and that doesn't change because he was injured... Clay Holmes is going nowhere... and DAVID PETERSON should have removed any doubt in his wrose critic that he isn't a legitimate major league pitcher.
THat's four out of five slots and you have to give the fifth to the most exciting pitcher in the chain, Nolan McLean.
THat's leaves a lot of good talent under contract on the floor.
Attendence - Steve Cohen is proving every day that spending money does make money.
Mack, good take on the rotation. Both Blackburn and Canning will be gone next year. They should try like hell to trade Montas (even if they have to eat half his salary). This would open the door for McClean and hopefully some others.
As for Peterson, if anyone still is down on him then they haven't been watching the past year+.
And what the heck happens to Christian Scott?
That's why I said to trade Montas, even if we have to swallow some salary.
Well, JoeP, by the time Montas pitches in a major league game, he will have been paid for half a season with no innings. If traded, it would only be for 1.5 years now, right? Less to eat in a trade…many teams need pitching.
The Mets still need an offensive orientated CFer that can roam and catch until a prospect pans out
They have enough excess in quality starters to get a trade done here
Would love to take on a project...
Montas for Michael Harris
I would drive him to the airport
Scott is going to be a good one. I am looking forward to his return.
Montas for Michael Harris!Wow your getting ridiculous!
PCA would look good in CF
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