MLB

New York Mets: Marlins Execute the Role of Spoiler

by
Amed Rosario, New York Mets

The Mets had won seven straight games against the Marlins, but the Marlins and Jorge Alfaro were ready to put a quick end to the Mets season. Miami came into the game with one of the worst offenses in the National League, but managed to muster plenty of offense to steal a 8-4 victory.

The Mets had a chance to open up the game in the bottom of the first but Todd Frazier but popped up to second base. He also had an opportunity to get the Mets on the board in the third, but also popped up with runners on first and second. This was the theme against Caleb Smith who seemed to have base runners on during every inning he pitched, but the Mets could not capitalize.

Matz Shell Shocked

Steven Matz battled through five innings, with his only blemish being a two run home run from Alfaro. In the sixth, he allowed three ground ball singles to load the bases with nobody out. The inning built up with those three innocent hits, then Alfaro capped it off with his heart breaking grand slam.

Matz was visibly frustrated and had the same feeling as other Mets fans. The look signaled it was the end of the road not only for his start, but the official nail in the coffin on the Mets season. They certainly had a chance for a comeback against the Marlins bullpen, but pulling off a six run comeback against any team is quite a feat.

Rosario Slam

The Mets responded very quickly by loading up the bases once again against Smith. All hope seemed lost once Rajai Davis popped up to make the second out of the inning. Amed Rosario launched a grand slam to inch the Mets closer at 6-4. It was his 15th home run and 70th RBI in a season which has been very impressive for the young shortstop.

The Mets seemed to keep the momentum going to get out of the top of the seventh. Brad Brach induced a ground ball to Pete Alonso and beat Harold Ramirez to the first base bag to end the inning…or at least he thought so. It went to a video review which overturned the call and gifted the Marlins two extra runs. It effectively killed any momentum the Mets had built up from the prior inning.

The Mets now chase five games with six left on their schedule. Any combination of a Brewers win and a Mets loss will officially eliminate the Mets from playoff contention. They got as close as one game from a playoff spot, but could never reach the top of the mountain they were climbing for the last two and a half months.

New York Yankees: We don’t need Stanton back in the lineup… right?

by
New York Yankees, Yankees, Giancarlo Stanton

NEW YORK YANKEES – There’s been a ton of hate on Giancarlo Stanton since the beginning of the season. His absence due to injury all year have cast talks of we don’t need him in the lineup. That belief is absolutely crazy.

Stanton’s last three games back have proven what he can do at the plate. He’s knocked in two runs on three hits, not to mention sending one 420 feet during Saturday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

https://twitter.com/deflategator/status/1175487689845608448

Having Stanton’s bat back in the lineup in monumental. He’s a guy who consistently hits the ball over 100mph which is more useful and productive than most think.

Yankee fans really haven’t seen what Stanton can do when he’s in a groove. This is a guy who won the NL MVP two seasons ago where he hit 59 home runs. Yes, 59 home runs – also knocking in 132 runs that year. His first season in pinstripes, Stanton slugged 38 home runs and knocked in 100 runs and fans still gave him hate. What else does he have to do?

Not only is he a slugger, but Stanton doesn’t get the defensive credit he deserves. He’s a better than average left-fielder and is among the premier defensive outfielders in the major leagues.

Manager Aaron Boone has spoken on how he plans on using Stanton for the remainder of the regular season. “Just building him up, and hopefully getting him at-bats where he can get into a good rhythm,” Boone mentioned that they’ll use Stanton in a DH role as well.

New York Yankees: Who is Michael King?

by
New York Yankees, Michael King

While the Domingo German investigation continues, the New York Yankees have signed Michael King to the major league roster on Thursday. The 24-year-old has been in the minor leagues for four seasons and has had a great career so far.

“Pure joy,” King said about his emotions when being called up. “I had to immediately call my parents, I texted one of my buddies, it was just pure joy.”

King said he found out he was being called up when he was down in Tampa. He was in the weight room when one of his coaches came up to him and said, “You’re gonna get activated tonight for the big league team.”

The team’s number five ranked prospect is credited to a career 2.93 ERA and a 28-19 record, King is known for his below-average groundball rate. This season with triple-A affiliate Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders, King went 3-1 with a 4.18 ERA. He fanned 44 batters over 46 innings pitched and walked none.

The right-hander throws 92-95mph two-seam which is regarded as his best pitch. He also flashes a slider and a changeup which can be quality. King is known to have the best command out of all the New York Yankee pitching prospects.

The Yankees project him to be a back-end starter, but he’ll most likely find himself coming out of the bullpen which is usually the norm for young pitchers entering the show. He’ll be eligible to pitch during the postseason.

King was drafted in the 12th round during the 2016 draft by the Miami Marlins. The Yankees acquired him during 2017 that sent Garrett Cooper and Caleb Smith to Miami.

 

 

New York Yankees: Paxton Acquires his 10th-Straight Victory, Yankees’ Triumph 7-2

by
New York Yankees, Giancarlo Stanton

The definition of domination in two words: James Paxton. Paxton, who acquired his 10th-straight win on Saturday afternoon against the Toronto Blue Jays, performed with excellence. He pitched 6.0 solid innings, allowing 3 hits, 1 run, 0 earned runs and struck out 7 batters on 87 pitches.

Paxton was not responsible for an earned run due to an error committed by Didi Gregorius in the top of the 3rd. Jonathan Davis took advantage of the mistake, driving in an RBI single and giving the Jays their first and only lead of the game.

Giancarlo Stanton and Mike Ford led the offensive force in the bottom of the 4th. Stanton crushed an RBI double to left field and Ford blooped an RBI single into center field, granting the Yanks with a 2-1 lead.

The offense picked back up in the bottom of the 6th, tacking on a 4-run rally. Stanton absolutely demolished a solo shot to left field, traveling 420-feet with an exit velocity of 111.5 MPH. Clint Frazier extended the lead with an RBI double to left field, followed by a 2-run single to right field off the bat of Kyle Higashioka.

Teoscar Hernandez recorded the last run for the Jays in the top of the 7th. Hernandez smoked an RBI double, cutting the deficit to a 4-run ballgame. Ford, who was scorching-hot at the plate, increased the lead back to 5 runs in the bottom of the 7th. With the speedy Cameron Maybin on 2nd base, Ford smashed in an RBI single to right field.

The bullpen, which consisted of Jonathan Loaisiga and Chad Green, closed out the rest of the game. Loaisiga pitched 2.0 innings and gave up 1 earned run and struck out 5 batters on 32 pitches. Green pitched 1.0 inning and struck out 3 batters on 15 pitches, sealing the deal. The New York Yankees now possess a 101-55 (.647) record and are just behind the Houston Astros in terms of acquiring home-field advantage.

New York Mets: Another Day, Another Questionable Mickey Callaway Decision

by
New York Mets, Mets

Mets manager Mickey Callaway making a boneheaded decision is as natural as the sky being blue and grass being green. During Sunday’s 10-7 loss against the Phillies, Callaway once against caused Mets fans to scratch their heads. Callaway should not be expected to be perfect all the time, but he at least has to make decisions with some sense behind it.

Pulling Thor Early

After Noah Syndergaard gave up four runs over the last three innings he pitched, Callaway pulled him from the game. He only had 78 pitches thrown and could have gotten the Mets through the sixth to leave it up to Justin Wilson and Seth Lugo to get the final nine outs. Instead, Callaway turned to Paul Sewald and Luis Avilan who allowed the Phillies to score three times in the sixth to take the lead. Even a fatigued Syndergaard was a much better option than Sewald and Avilan at this point of the season.

Callaway then replaced Justin Wilson with Tyler Bashlor after Wilson had 30 pitches in the seventh. Bashlor allowed a walk then a double to the Mets killer Maikel Franco before Callaway make his biggest head scratching move of the game.

Lack of Understanding From Callaway

Andrew Knapp was due up with runners on second and third while the score was 9-6. The pitchers spot was on deck and Bryce Harper was around the bat rack in the Phillies dugout. Callaway decided to walk Knapp to get to Harper who ended up being walked to bring in a run. Whether Harper was available or not, there was no reason to walk a guy who is hitting under .200 over the last two seasons.

Callaway tried to come up with an excuse for why he decided to walk Knapp, but there simply is not one. He assumed Harper was not available and did not have the confidence to get out a .190 hitter. When he could have made the same move to walk Billy Hamilton to get to an actual pitcher during their extra inning loss against the Braves, he pitched to Hamilton who won the game for the Braves.

His days as a manager are hopefully coming to an end along with his chances to make hypocritical decisions day in and day out. If Callaway was consistent in his decision making, he would survive in New York, but he is too unaware as a manager to keep his job with the Mets.

 

New York Mets: Stop Giving Edwin Diaz Special Treatment

by
New York Mets, Edwin Diaz

In Friday’s win against the Phillies, Edwin Diaz blew another big save for the Mets and was luckily bailed out by the just as rubbish Phillies bullpen. He was lucky enough to get a win when the Mets won on a walk off walk in the bottom to of the ninth. It was the seventh blown save and the 14th home run Diaz has allowed in his disappointing first season in New York. With Diaz pitching so poorly, the Mets have to stop putting him back in big spots until they can fully trust him again.

Diaz has been battling himself and struggling all year. He has shown glimmers of promise, followed by hitting new lows. Through 59 games he has a 5.88 ERA in 52 innings, but has a 15.2 K/9. This is the same exact K/9 he had during his stellar 2018 season with the Mariners. His strikeout ability is why Mickey Callaway keeps giving him chances in big moments.

Diaz Has to Fall Down the Depth Chart

If you handed anyone Diaz stats without his name attached to it, no one would tell you he deserves to close games. So why is he still doing so for Mickey Callaway? This is on Callaway as much as on Edwin Diaz. The Mets were off Thursday and despite Seth Lugo throwing two innings on Wednesday, he is a better option to turn to. If Lugo’s elbow is a concern, then Justin Wilson is just as good of an option as well.

Diaz has to show he can consistently pitch well in low leverage situations before he can go back to meaningful situations. It is already way too late in the season to continue having the closer role continue to be a major liability. Yes, his stuff looks electric, but it is not consistent. The Kurt Suzuki home run was a 100 mph fastball down the middle and J.T. Reamuto’s was a slider right down the middle. No matter how good someone’s stuff is, they will not get away with those mistakes.

https://twitter.com/ESM_Mets/status/1170155771822321665

If the postseason started today, it is hard to see Edwin Diaz making the roster. It would have to be a coin flip between him and Jeurys Familia for a fringe spot. There is a small window for Diaz to figure himself out, but his time is quickly running out. For Diaz and the Mets, they would be better off getting the idea of closing games, out of each other’s head starting Saturday night.

New York Mets: Do Not Count Them Out Just Yet

by
yankees, New York Mets, Marcus Stroman

In their series against the Nationals, the Mets were the best team for 26 1/2 out of the 27 innings played. The half inning where the Nats were better ended in a heartbreaking loss and cost the Mets a three game sweep.

There is Still Life

Despite all of the heartbreak and agony, somehow the opportunity is still there for a comeback. On Friday, they start a three game series with the Phillies at Citi Field while the Cubs head to Milwaukee to take on the Brewers in a four game series on Thursday. If the Brewers can take care of business, it give the Mets an opportunity to move closer.

This upcoming 10-game homestand is perfectly timed with the Cubs start an eight game road trip. The Cubs have been bad on the road this year, but the Mets need to take advantage of the small window they have. They play seven game against the Phillies and Diamondbacks before the mighty Dodgers come into town.

How Can They Get Themselves Back?

For the Mets to make their playoff run realistic, they have to be within 2 games of the second Wild Card by next Friday. This goal gives them a week full of games to either make up two or three games, depending on how the Cubs/Brewers game plays out Thursday.

Each time that the Mets have seemed dead this season, they sit up from their casket like the Undertaker. At 4.5 back they have a huge hole to climb out and Wednesday’s win was a great response to their worst loss of the season. Taking care of business against the Phillies will go a huge way to making this homestand mean something.

New York Mets: Shell Shocked in 10-7 Loss

by
New York Mets, Noah Syndergaard

Wednesday night’s game against the Chicago Cubs had the makings the Mets ending their four game losing streak…until the game actually started. They had one of their aces on the mound against Kyle Hendricks, who has been notoriously bad on the road this season. The game even started with a Noah Syndergaard strikeout, but after that it all went down hill for Thor and the Mets.

Syndergaard’s Demise

After the strikeout, things started to break in the Cubs direction. Nicholas Castellanos was drilled in the hand and Kris Bryant followed with a single. Javy Baez weakly hit a broken bat ground ball to Amed Rosario and he tried to make a quick throw to Joe Panik at second, but threw the ball into right field to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead. Instead of simply trying to get the force at second Rosario tried to rush a double play, which would not have been completed due to the speed of Baez.

From there the flood gates opened for the Cubs as they put up a six spot against Syndergaard in the first inning. It ended his streak of eight straight quality starts. The Mets answered back with a run in the bottom of the first, but they seemed lifeless through first three innings of the game. Two-run home runs from Kyle Schwarber in the second and Castellanos in the third gave the Cubs a commanding 10-1 lead.

The Bullpen/Bats Attempt at a Comeback

Paul Seward and Brad Brach gave the Mets four shutout innings out of the bullpen to keep the Mets small hopes of coming back alive. The Mets put up five in the fifth to knock out Hendricks and make it a 10-6 game. After Brach pitched a one, two, three top of the sixth inning it felt like the Mets were going to complete their comeback in the bottom half.

Todd Frazier and Jeff McNeil both hit singles to start the bottom of the sixth and put the tying run on deck for J.D. Davis. Davis had a favorable matchup against a lefty and homered earlier in the game. He grounded into a double play which seemed to suck all the energy out of the building. Davis smoked the ball but Baez did not have to move to complete the double play. Michael Conforto had a chance to boost the energy with two outs but grounded out to strand Frazier at third base.

The Mets narrowed the deficit to 10-7 heading into the ninth and set the stage for a comeback against Craig Kimbrel. Wilson Ramos ambushed Kimbrel with a leadoff single and Rajai Davis brought the tying run to the plate with a walk. Rosario was due up, but for some reason it felt like the comeback was not really going to happen throughout. Almost as if it was fake energy resonating from the fans and the players who were drained from even getting this close to tying the game. Kimbrel settled down to retired Rosario, Lagares and Frazier in order to push the Mets four games out of the second wild card spot.

Where are the Positives?

First, the Mets bullpen did a terrific job of giving their offense a fighting chance. The threw six shutout innings and Edwin Diaz looked like the closer who had 57 games last year. He struck out the side in the eighth inning and showed there were no ill effects to his trap injury. Everything with Diaz needs to be taken with a grain of salt, but the outing was thee best he looked since April.

In almost any other situation the headline would read, “Cubs put the nail in the Met coffin,” but there is only one reason to think they Mets still have a chance to comeback. This reason goes by the name of Jacob deGrom. He has been their steady ace for the last two season and they will depend on him to stop their losing streak. Should the Mets lose you can close the chapter on the unfinished comeback this year. If they win, they will be three games out with 29 games out of the second wild card spot, which is very capable of coming back from. The Mets have shown their ability to dig out of holes the entire second half and need one last push to get themselves back on track.

New York Mets: Are the New York Mets Out of Gas?

by

The Mets have lost four straight games at home for the first time all season and their magic from a couple of weeks ago seems to be coming to an end. The Cubs easily handled the Mets in their 5-1 victory to push the Mets three games out of the NL wild card race.

The Mets were shutdown by the resurgent Yu Davish as they could only muster a Pete Alonso solo home run in eight innings. They have scored two or less runs in four of the last five games. Their offense has gone cold after it was full of life in the series against the Royals and Indians.

Disappointing Stro-Show

Marcus Stroman did not have his best stuff and that his been the theme during his time with the Mets. He allowed four runs in six innings. Stroman pitched very well through the first four innings, but allowed two runs home runs in the fifth and sixth inning. He has yet to record a quality start over his first five with the Mets.

Citi Field was waiting to explode again after Alonso gave the Mets a one nothing lead, but were kept silent after. There is still plenty left in the Mets to make one last run, but it needs to start on Wednesday. They look to have reinforcements on their way back from the Injured List which could provide some much needed offense.

Luckily, the Mets still have two more games to win the series with their two aces on the mound. If the Mets lose both games with Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom on the mound, it might as well be the nail in the coffin on their season.

New York Mets: Six Games Over .500 for the First Time All Season

by
New York Mets, J.D. Davis

The Mets pulled off their late-inning magic once again in their 4-3 win over the Cleveland Indians in 10 innings. Wednesday night’s game was one filled with disappointment, happiness, and hope. The win put the Mets at 66-60, their best record all season.

Stroman Injury

Marcus Stroman left his start after four innings due to hamstring tightness. He suffered the injury covering first base and felt it tighten up. The Mets were forced to get six innings out of their bullpen due to Stroman’s exit. The Mets are not too concerned about the tightness and Stroman should be expected to make his next start.

The Mets bullpen did a terrific job of keeping the Mets in the game and giving them a chance to win. Seth Lugo pitched two brilliant innings along with Jeurys Familia, Brad Brach, Justin Wilson and Luis Avilan providing one inning help as well. Mickey Callaway decided not to bring in Edwin Diaz in the 10th inning and went with Avilan who allowed a solo home run to Carlos Santana to give the Indians a 3-2 lead. Callaway could have brought in Diaz, but it was not a bad move to keep Avilan in the game after he retired the first two batters.

Doing What Winning Teams Do

The Mets played the type of baseball is needed to win in October. The bottom of the order supplied the first two runs of the game. Juan Lagares perfectly executed a hit and run which led to the first Mets run. Since Lagares has received consistent playing time starting on August 3rd, he is hitting .326/.408/.422 along with a huge improvement in his defense. A month ago it seemed like his time as a Met would end after the season, but he has shown why the Mets had hope in him.

The second Mets run came from Luis Guillorme, who has proved to be a key asset off the bench. His pinch-double gave the Mets a 2-1 lead. Guillorme is only hitting .209 on the season but is a .263 hitter off the bench to go along with his slick fielding.

The 10th inning

If you asked 1986 how to create a perfect comeback, this is how they would describe it. The Mets were down one against Brad Hand, who has already blown three saves in the second half. Combine that with the Mets never say die attitude and you have a recipe for success. Amed Rosario started things off with a double, which set the table for a perfectly executed bunt by Joe Panik.

The bunt is an overlooked play because it forced the hand of Indians Manager Terry Francona. He had the choice of either pitching to Pete Alonso or intentional walking him to get the favorable lefty on lefty matchup against Michael Conforto. Francona decided to put Alonso, the winning run, on first base. The move almost worked out for the Indians, but instead of trying to throw out Rosario at home, they tried to turn two on Conforto’s weak ground ball. No one was able to cover first and the Mets tied the game.

This was all followed by Wilson Ramos rumbling down the first baseline on his swinging bunt to get his hitting streak to 15-games. J.D. Davis put together a terrific at-bat to get the count from 0-2 to 3-2 and lined a double to left field to pull off another miracle in Flushing. The win is the fourth straight for the Mets and their second straight against a strong team.

The Mets attempt the sweep Thursday with Noah Syndergaard on the mound before they start a key three game series with the Atlanta Braves. The win also put the Mets 1.5 games behind the Cardinals in the NL wild card race.