As we hit the All-Star Break, let's look at where we are. The Mets are in 4th place in the East, 9 games under .500. However, there are a lot of positives to look at. There win percentage is currently .451, and earlier this year it was under .400. Their opening day starter, on the DL for about a month, is going to return. Matt Harvey has established himself as a legitimate Ace. Jeremy Hefner, Dillon Gee, and Zach Wheeler round out a solid young 5 man rotation.
Offensively speaking, they have been scoring runs, averaging more than 3 runs per game for the last month. We were the first road team to win a series in Atlanta, we swept the Giants. Losing 2 of 3 on the road in Pittsburgh is nothing to be ashamed of.
When we return from break, continue making positive steps. Third place should be the immediate goal followed by .500. Unless somebody really wants Marlon Byrd, I don't anticipate any moves before the trade deadline.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Monday, May 27, 2013
The State of the Mets
As the Mets prepare to play the Yankees in the 2013 edition of the Subway Series, I thought I would examine where they are this season. I have said that the slogan for the 2012 season was, "Mets 2012: Check back in 3 years!" As of this date last season, we were 6 games over .500. This year we are 11 games underwater. So, are we headed in the wrong direction?
I don't believe so. The Mets were over performing early in the season. They had few players that could charitably be considered starters at their positions. It's now official, Daniel Murphy can hit, and at 2nd base he is not a defensive liability. Ruben Tejada showed last year that he is ready for prime time. David Wright continues to be David Wright.
I asked the question at the beginning of the season whether anyone in the Mets lineup instills fear in anyone other than manager Terry Collins. Lucas Duda and Ike Davis have the potential, but in order to hit for power you must first hit. I do see signs of life in both of their bats lately.
The starting pitching makes me wonder about the chicken and the egg. Are they pitching tightly because the offense is in soccer territory, or is the offense anemic because they are pressing to score more? I'm inclined to blame the offense. A quality start is defined as going 6 innings and giving up 3 runs or fewer. The Mets rarely score 3 runs in 9 innings, which means the game is lost before a pitch is thrown. When Matt Harvey is on the mound, they score more runs, indicating that they believe that they're more likely to win.
The Mets are a team of puppies. The offensive leader, David Wright, has really only just now hit his prime. John Niese is the de facto leader of the pitching staff until Matt Harvey puts more innings under his belt, and that's not a bad thing. Gee and Hefner are nice pitchers and Wheeler is on the way.
I don't believe so. The Mets were over performing early in the season. They had few players that could charitably be considered starters at their positions. It's now official, Daniel Murphy can hit, and at 2nd base he is not a defensive liability. Ruben Tejada showed last year that he is ready for prime time. David Wright continues to be David Wright.
I asked the question at the beginning of the season whether anyone in the Mets lineup instills fear in anyone other than manager Terry Collins. Lucas Duda and Ike Davis have the potential, but in order to hit for power you must first hit. I do see signs of life in both of their bats lately.
The starting pitching makes me wonder about the chicken and the egg. Are they pitching tightly because the offense is in soccer territory, or is the offense anemic because they are pressing to score more? I'm inclined to blame the offense. A quality start is defined as going 6 innings and giving up 3 runs or fewer. The Mets rarely score 3 runs in 9 innings, which means the game is lost before a pitch is thrown. When Matt Harvey is on the mound, they score more runs, indicating that they believe that they're more likely to win.
The Mets are a team of puppies. The offensive leader, David Wright, has really only just now hit his prime. John Niese is the de facto leader of the pitching staff until Matt Harvey puts more innings under his belt, and that's not a bad thing. Gee and Hefner are nice pitchers and Wheeler is on the way.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
I said this would happen
So the Mets win game 1 11-2 and game 2 8-4. Truth be told, a 4 run win is not an outrageous wasted of runs. But as I said after opening day, they were going to need some of those 11 runs. Having lost game 3 2-1.
Some observations:
You have to feel good that the starting pitching has been good.
Home runs have been hit at home.
It's too soon to get on Ike Davis' case.
3 games in and we're still above .500
Some observations:
You have to feel good that the starting pitching has been good.
Home runs have been hit at home.
It's too soon to get on Ike Davis' case.
3 games in and we're still above .500
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Save some runs for tomorrow
Watching opening day, I was very pleased to see Jon Niese and the boys cruise into first place with an 11-2 victory. But really, 11 runs??? Did they really need to score 11? Why couldn't they stop at say 7 and save those other 4 runs for times when the offense is struggling or the pitching has a hiccough? I know it doesn't actually work that way, but I can hope.
I was wondering why Ruben Tejada was batting in the 8 hole, but apparently he's there to set the table for Niese, who helped his own cause as they say going 2 for 2. The magic number to clinch is now 161. Let's go Mets!
I was wondering why Ruben Tejada was batting in the 8 hole, but apparently he's there to set the table for Niese, who helped his own cause as they say going 2 for 2. The magic number to clinch is now 161. Let's go Mets!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Starting Gate
I used to go to the race track with my dad. Before each race, I liked to watch the horses being led into the starting gate. Once they were all in, the track announcer would say that all the horses were in and ready. That is the beautiful thing about opening day. All the teams are at the same place. Everyone has an equal shot when the gate opens.
At this time tomorrow, if the Mets win, they will be in first place. I don't expect it to happen. If it does, I don't expect it to last. The point is that as of this moment, the Amazins are tied with the other teams in the division. The Braves, Phillies, and Nationals may look better on paper, but they don't play on paper. Some friends ask me whether I follow this reality show or that one. I reply that the only reality tv I watch is sports, and the new season is upon us. Break out the popcorn.
At this time tomorrow, if the Mets win, they will be in first place. I don't expect it to happen. If it does, I don't expect it to last. The point is that as of this moment, the Amazins are tied with the other teams in the division. The Braves, Phillies, and Nationals may look better on paper, but they don't play on paper. Some friends ask me whether I follow this reality show or that one. I reply that the only reality tv I watch is sports, and the new season is upon us. Break out the popcorn.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Harvey
I get e-mails on a near daily basis from my beloved Mets. Today, they were touting the strong start Rookie Pitcher Matt Harvey had during yesterdays spring training game. I was reminded of the movie "Harvey" with Jimmie Sewart. That Harvey was a 6' tall invisible rabbit. I only hope Matt Harvey proves to be more real. However, it must be noted that his impressive outing was against the Marlins.
The 2013 Marlins have a whopping 33 non-roster invitees in their camp this spring. The Mets' announcers were going on at length about how only 3 out of 8 starting positions seem to be set, and referred to the team as a bunch of kids. Matt Harvey is a puppy whose career has gotten off to an impressive start. His stats from 2012 compare favorably to the Nationals Stephen Strasbourg's first season. Harvey is a pooka whose stats cannot be scientifically measured.
When the Mets succeed, it is because they have pitching. The 1969 Amazin's had Seaver, Gentry and McGraw. The 86 team was anchored by Doc and Darling and El Sid. Even in the best of all possible worlds, Matt will be shut down in early September due to an innings cap. Zack Wheeler may make it to the end of August for the same reason.
BTW the good news is that even though Harvey was invisible in the movie, he, and his abilities were quite real.
The 2013 Marlins have a whopping 33 non-roster invitees in their camp this spring. The Mets' announcers were going on at length about how only 3 out of 8 starting positions seem to be set, and referred to the team as a bunch of kids. Matt Harvey is a puppy whose career has gotten off to an impressive start. His stats from 2012 compare favorably to the Nationals Stephen Strasbourg's first season. Harvey is a pooka whose stats cannot be scientifically measured.
When the Mets succeed, it is because they have pitching. The 1969 Amazin's had Seaver, Gentry and McGraw. The 86 team was anchored by Doc and Darling and El Sid. Even in the best of all possible worlds, Matt will be shut down in early September due to an innings cap. Zack Wheeler may make it to the end of August for the same reason.
BTW the good news is that even though Harvey was invisible in the movie, he, and his abilities were quite real.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Opening Day Projections
Even though the entire spring roster is not required to arrive before Saturday, it is not too early to speculate on the Opening day line-up. It is probably too difficult to specify the batting order, but the following players seem to have their fielding spots locked up:
1B: Who
2B: What
SS: I Don't Care
3B: I Don't Know
LF: Why
CF: Because
RF: Duda
C: Today
P: Tomorrow
Clearly, with this line-up, Terry Collins is going to have to rely on speed to create runs. Sandy Alderson is still trying to sign Yesterday to a free agent deal, but talks are stalled.
1B: Who
2B: What
SS: I Don't Care
3B: I Don't Know
LF: Why
CF: Because
RF: Duda
C: Today
P: Tomorrow
Clearly, with this line-up, Terry Collins is going to have to rely on speed to create runs. Sandy Alderson is still trying to sign Yesterday to a free agent deal, but talks are stalled.
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