All-Star Break

So we made it to the break!  Let's take a look at where the Mets are.  The stats are simple.  The record is 45-50.  We're in 3rd place in the East 7 games back.  You might think that if you look up "mediocre" in the dictionary, you would find the Mets logo.  I don't think so.

Facing facts, I feel comfortable saying that General Manager Sandy Alderson's pre-season goal of 90 wins is not going to happen.  That would require a 45-22 record the rest of the way, winning at a .672 clip.  Personally, I said at the start that a .500 record would be respectable.  Considering the fact that they have played the past month 16-13, I think they could even end up above the water line.

Following the Mets has been a lot like watching a YoYo.  However, there is recent reason for optimism.  I posted about the good win against the Braves on Monday.  It was a good sign that after losing a lead they held into the eighth inning, they came back to tie it up an eventually win in bonus time.  They had a similar win on Saturday against the Marlins.  In this case, they had not been able to touch the Marlins pitcher, Tom Koehler, for the first 4 innings dropping behind 2-0.  After tying the score in the bottom of the 5th, they immediately gave 2 runs back in the top of the 6th.

When they came back to win that game, it was like the scene in "The Matrix" where "Neo" takes on "Agent Smith" on the subway platform.  His crewmates are watching the fight and wondering what he is doing.  "Morpheus" replies, "He's starting to believe."  It really looks like that is what is happening to the Mets right now.  They are learning how to win.  They are starting to believe.  And what could be more appropriate for this organization?

A Good Win

10 games out, 10 games south of the border, the Mets needed a win last night against the 1st place Braves.  If they lose this series it may be time to break out the golf clubs.

Daisuke Matsuzaka worked out of jams in nearly all 7 of his scoreless innings.  Offensively, to put it kindly, the Mets were efficient.  Through 7 innings we had 2 runs on 2 hits- and RBI double by Travis d'Arnaud and a solo shot by David Wright had the Mets up 2-0.  Then the eighth inning came and the bullpen came and 3 pitchers later it was Atalanta 3 New York 2.  Despite the presence of Wilpon's signature on the checks, the Braves own the Mets.

But in the bottom of the inning, Curtis Granderson sent a shot deep to right to tie it up.  That homer gave the team hope, and with a little help from the umpires, they almost won in regulation.  Since this game is baseball and not horeshoes, almost doesn't count.  So the fans were treated to a little bonus baseball- no extra charge.  Two innings later, Juan Lagares legged out a one out double.  He took third on a deep fly by d'Arnaud which had followed an intentional walk to Lucas Duda.

Ruben Tejada, who had the game winning hit the last time the Mets had a walk-off win came to the plate and replicated the feat.  This team is going to drive me to drink.

A Good Week

So the team drops in for two games against the Oakland A's before heading out on the road again in what has got to be the strangest homestand.  We had a good week on the road going 4-3 against the Cardinals and division rival Marlins.  I almost had to bring out the save some runs for tomorrow chant on Sunday, when the team had a 7-0 lead, and then when it got to 11-3, but an 11 run output is hardly excessive when you give up 5.

Here's where we stand.  It is late June, and we are 6 games under .500, 5 1/2 games out of first.  These numbers are not insurmountable.  This could be one of those "Does anybody want to win" type seasons.  Bill Maher was on The Daily Show last night, and Jon Stewart, a fan, asked Maher, a minority owner, if he would bring a "jar of tears" to an owners meeting- good stuff!

Tonight's mathup pits Bartolo Colon, late of the A's against Scott Kazmir, who apparently holds a grudge against us for shipping him to Tampa Bay.  We also get the return of catcher Travis d'Arnaud who found his swing in Las Vegas.  Let us hope that that is not one of the things that stays in Vegas.

Gem

Zack Wheeler just raised the expectations on his career.  In tonight's 3 hit shutout over the Marlins, he faced 1 more batter than the minimum for a 9 inning game.  In his 1 year and 1 day major league career, he had never gone farther than 7 innings.  Not only did he pitch so well, he did it under pressure.  The Mets offense, and notice, there is no "O" in M-E-T-S, gave him only the one run required to take a lead.  I have occasionally criticized the Mets for scoring more runs than necessary, but this is hardly what I meant.

I have been defending this Mets team as being better than their record, although it has been getting harder to do.  At some point, as Bill Parcells says, you ARE your record.  We're not quite there yet.  Talk to me at the All-Star Break.

No further comment tonight- just let the memory of Wheeler's performance linger.

Moral Victories

The Mets just finished a tough series against the Brewers losing 2 of 3 to the Central Division leaders.  The record may not show it, but this team is getting better.  Late in the game, they got a bunch of baserunners, they just couldn't get them home.  Eventually the Mets are going to break through.  Though, it is important not to use too many runs in a given game.

I know that moral victories don't count in the standings, but they're all I've got at this point, so I'll take it.

The Sky is Falling!

Okay, so the Mets have dropped the last two to the Cubs.  They left a ton of men on base.  I mentioned the problem in my last post.  The 11 runs they scored against the Phillies on Monday was excessive.  5 would have been plenty.  They use the extra 6 runs the last two nights and they win those games.

As I said in 2012, check back in 3 years.  Sandy Alderson has the team going in the right direction.  However, the road is under construction and we're going to hit a lot of potholes along the way.

What a Difference a Week Makes!

Last Monday was Memorial Day, and the Mets had found yet another way to blow a game.  Jose Valverde was not even allowed to return to the clubhouse- he would leave through the fan gates, the Mets forwarding his luggage, and the hitting coach, Dave Hudgens, getting fired.  Most fans felt that Valverde had overstayed his welcome long ago (which is tough to do in May).  As for Hudgens, my problem with him was his comments about booing.

At the time, I was bothered by the New York Times essentially writing the team off.  They were only 6 games under .500, and one good stretch could easily cure that.  Well, one week later, having gone 6 of 7, suddenly they are 1 game under, and 4 out of 1st place.  They are scoring runs.  I thought they scored a few too many (11) last night.  They may need those runs later in the week.

They have good starting pitching Colon, Wheeler, Niese, de Grom.  Matsuzaka has pitched well in every role.  The bullpen seems to be filled with Garanimals- just mix and match.  I seem to recall the Mets originally projected Mejia as a future closer, and he's off to a good start in that role.

Keep your eyes crossed!  Um, er, better make that your fingers.  You're going to want to watch this summer!