NFT: Optimistic Mets Fan Thread: Cards Series = The Season?

To me the turning point in the season was losing 3 of 4 to Washington at home before the break.

The final nail was that awful series against the Cards at home.

What I'm expecting over the next few days is for the Cardinals to utilize their scouting reports better than us, out-manage us, out-hustle us and play better fundamental baseball than us.

I hope I'm wrong.

the Mets are what they are. Cespedes will certainly help but injuries and ineffectiveness has taken its toll already. They just have to be good for at least two weeks to stand any chance. I can see an uptick in offense and a downtick in pitching (matz injury, niese) which negates whatever improvement they had on offense.

game is tomorrow and not tonight right?

It doesn't look good, but hey, it's almost September and it might be the last meaningful baseball we see this year, so LGM!

This team isn't good enough to make a run like they did last year. I will watch the games and hope for the best but I already know how this is going to go. Walker is leaving the team at the absolute worst time, too. If we're throwing Niese and Lugo in two of these games, forget it.

deGrom is starting game 2 of this series. They have an off day today. It'll be:

Niese
deGrom
Bart

my bad - Bart is going Friday. Thursday starter TBD.

Matz's MRI. I think the offense, if it stays healthy from here on out, will be enough to get us into the playoffs. Its not down to the pitching to hold up their end of the bargain. I am not sure they can do it with just Thor, Jake and Colon. Need Matz to be that 3rd consistent option.

...to handle the remaining games. If the Mets 2016 season is going to be one where the playoffs are not happening, I would like to see Syndergaard and Matz shut down for the season.

I just hope Cespedes and Walker return for 2017 with a healthy staff. (Probably not alone there).

If Matz can’t pitch in the series finale against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium, manager Terry Collins indicated he will give the ball to rookie Seth Lugo.

With Monday’s scheduled day off, Collins’ contingency plan could have consisted of Bartolo Colon on normal rest in a big Cardinals matchup, with Lugo pushed to Friday against the Phillies. But the manager was impressed by what he saw Friday, when Lugo allowed three earned runs over 6 ²/₃ innings against the Giants in a spot start.

“One thing about [Lugo], he’s got a good arm,” Collins said before the Mets beat the Giants 2-0 at AT&T Park on Sunday. “When he’s been in the rotation in the minor leagues he’s always tried to save it a little bit. Instead of overthrowing early, he knows he’s got it when he needs it. The other night, even though they hit some balls pretty hard he didn’t shy away from the strike zone and that was impressive.”


Why not Bart? - ( New Window )

to have a baby.

I dont understand how ball players don't plan their childbirths in the OFFSEASON!? You only work 6 months out of a year!

Conceive after March 1 and your baby will pop out in November!

and play like the back of his baseball card.

But he is probably not used to the pressure of playing under the NY sports media.

negative: you never want Jon Niese to start a game 7

positive: it's apparent that Cespedes lives for the big moments.

but without Harvey, possibly Matz, no Wheeler coming up, they are going to be hard pressed to get the excellent innings that they need from the rotation. Syndegaard and de Grom and pray for rain.

they'd be dead without him

if Bruce can get going this lineup has enough talent that a hot streak could overcome the reduced pitching depth. This team hasn't had anything go right all year so it would take a leap of faith to believe anything is going to change now but the talent is there. Cespedes and Bruce are legitimate run producers in the middle of the lineup if Reyes/Granderson can set the table. The 1/2 of JdG and Thor are still as good as any in the game if we can get them into a short series.

It might not "make" it, but losing 2 of 3 (or swept) will "break" them for sure.

And I certainly don't like their chances with Niese and (possibly) Lugo pitching 2 of the games...

I'll watch, but I just don't think they have the horses this year...

This is what makes last season sting even more - when you get there and get that close, you gotta win it; you just don't know when you'll get back

Seems to have its validity. Your pitching can only handle so many lengthy seasons and postseasons

They have a lot of games against sub .500 teams, such as the Twins, Braves, and Phils.

Playoffs are easily in reach. They just need a winning streak to get them back into it.

Expanding rosters on Sept 1 will help the Mets a lot because the bullpen arms are worn out and the Mets have guys like Riveria and Conforto, who are better hitters than the guys on the ML roster.

And play him every day at 2B. We need all the offense we can get. We also should have skipped Niese but I digress.

In comment 13081437 ZGiants98 said:

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And play him every day at 2B. We need all the offense we can get. We also should have skipped Niese but I digress.

Agreed but it won't happen. Wilmer Flores will prob start tonight against the lefty. Kelly Johnson for the following two games.

In comment 13081471 spike said:

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In comment 13081437 ZGiants98 said: Quote: And play him every day at 2B. We need all the offense we can get. We also should have skipped Niese but I digress. Agreed but it won't happen. Wilmer Flores will prob start tonight against the lefty. Kelly Johnson for the following two games.

Id expect Flores at 1B tomorrow against the lefty and hopefully TJ Rivera at 2B

In comment 13081482 ZGiants98 said:

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In comment 13081471 spike said: Quote: In comment 13081437 ZGiants98 said: Quote: And play him every day at 2B. We need all the offense we can get. We also should have skipped Niese but I digress. Agreed but it won't happen. Wilmer Flores will prob start tonight against the lefty. Kelly Johnson for the following two games. Id expect Flores at 1B tomorrow against the lefty and hopefully TJ Rivera at 2B

You are right.. I forget we get an extra roster spot when Mr Walker goes on paternity leave. Hopefully TJ is on the plane back to NYC already.

Let's go baby Walker!

that could prove to be a big deal (with potential implications for next year)

In comment 13081506 bhill410 said:

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that could prove to be a big deal (with potential implications for next year)

lucky for them, their lead is pretty insurmountable

has a mild/moderate issue. I'd be surprised if he makes his next start and maybe a DL stint would be best.

In comment 13081526 spike said:

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In comment 13081506 bhill410 said: Quote: that could prove to be a big deal (with potential implications for next year) lucky for them, their lead is pretty insurmountable

The Nats aren't taking any chances with him, besides he was roughed up very badly his last time out.

Two weeks ago, he was the only guy hitting, so it would have been a huge loss.

Not so much now.

As somebody said above, Matz is the key. Shoulder injuries end careers. Nothing to fuck around with. But if he is ok, that is a big plus.

From a posting earlier today within the Jerry Blevins forearm stuff:

"I'm not going to say why exactly there's seemingly been a lot of confusion on Terry's bench this season, but it's certainly an issue. And, this is something that must be considered and reviewed by Sandy Alderson when reviewing his staff for next season."

Is he saying he isnt going to speculate or is he saying that he is aware of issues with the coaching staff and isnt going to report on it because its sensitive.

In comment 13081193 spike said:

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and play like the back of his baseball card.

His baseball card this year, not every other year.

187 in August (less than 22 days). That's Babe Ruth-ish. He most certainly is one of our hottest hitters right now.

has been scratched from his scheduled start with Triple-A Las Vegas

In comment 13081792 sphinx said:

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has been scratched from his scheduled start with Triple-A Las Vegas

I hope it has nothing to do with Matz today

In comment 13081796 spike said:

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In comment 13081792 sphinx said: Quote: has been scratched from his scheduled start with Triple-A Las Vegas I hope it has nothing to do with Matz today

"An examination of Steven Matz’s left shoulder Monday revealed no structural damage, according to an industry source, but there was no immediate indication of whether the Mets lefty will avoid the disabled list.

Today’s Knuckleball reported Matz has a “mild” left shoulder strain and rotator cuff irritation."
So so news? - ( New Window )

is going to miss another start putting him on the DL retroactive to when he last pitched makes sense.

In comment 13081804 sphinx said:

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is going to miss another start putting him on the DL retroactive to when he last pitched makes sense.

He last pitched on Aug 14

In comment 13081807 sphinx said:

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In comment 13081804 sphinx said: Quote: is going to miss another start putting him on the DL retroactive to when he last pitched makes sense. He last pitched on Aug 14

so he might be able to pitch at home in the Marlins series

Matz is placed on DL, retro to Aug 15., per Heyman

have bone spurs.

are we seeing Gsellman start on Thursday or Tuesday?

How about we move Colon up?

In comment 13081826 Ten Ton Hammer said:

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have bone spurs.

Other than the pain I don't believe bone spurs can cause damage.

we start DeGrom Tuesday, Gsellman/Lugo on Wednesday, and Colon thursday

Just glue Niese to the bench.

Source: #Mets promoting Gsellman. Will pitch out of bullpen, at least initially. Did not pitch in relief in minors. - per Ken Rosenthal

Claims he's not from there.

with Lugo and Gsellman. They're needed. Put up or shut up time.

In comment 13081870 sphinx said:

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Source: #Mets promoting Gsellman. Will pitch out of bullpen, at least initially. Did not pitch in relief in minors. - per Ken Rosenthal

Robert Gsellman hasn't made a true relief appearance since 2011, his first year in pro ball when they were keeping his innings down. - Michael Mayer

Insurance for a quick exiting Niese?

In comment 13081870 sphinx said:

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Source: #Mets promoting Gsellman. Will pitch out of bullpen, at least initially. Did not pitch in relief in minors. - per Ken Rosenthal

Why don't they start Gsellman instead of Lugo, who can pitch in relief? Or better yet, start both and bench Niese, whos been horrible and deserving of a DFA

Michael Mayer
In case you were wondering, Jon Niese has faced the Cardinals three times this year and they are hitting .348/.384/.551 off him.

have certainly been stacked against them this season.

But really all a fan can really ask is that his team is playing meaningful games late in the season.

Last year they did that in spades and this year they will at least be playing them late into the regular season. Hard to complain given the cards they were dealt this year.

Guardado
Before tomorrow's game, Neil Walker is expected to be placed on paternity leave. T.J. Rivera will be recalled to take his spot on the roster

When I was seven, they jacked the Mets out of a playoff sport. 1985 Mets won 98 games and would have destroyed the Royals. That team was loaded.

In 1987, Mets were again screwed out of a playoff spot and possible championship by the Cards. Gooden, Bobby O, Darling--everybody was injured that year. Mets got healthy at the end and could very well won another WS.

In 2006, fuck you Aaron Heilman, Mota and most of all Willie the Fucking Yankee Randolph. Mets were again the best team and got jobbed by the Cards.

We owe this team a good beat down.

Would have been a Reyes type gift if the As cut him :(