Mets Lineup
Brandon Nimmo CF
Pete Alonso 1B
Robinson Cano 2B
Michael Conforto RF
Wilson Ramos C
Jeff McNeil LF
Amed Rosario SS
J.D. Davis 3B
Noah Syndergaard RHP
Phillies Lineup
Andrew McCutchen LF
Jean Segura SS
Bryce Harper RF
Rhys Hoskins 1B
J.T. Realmuto C
Odubel Herrera CF
Cesar Hernandez SS
Maikel Franco 3B
Aaron Nola RHP
LGM!
@PetitePhD
16h
It seems Jacob deGrom was not informed that he will be pitching Friday (with Vargas being pushed back) until the beats told him just now. Which, you know, messing with the routine of your ace who is struggling and not informing him is definitely a thing a healthy franchise does.
#LGM
@PetitePhD
16h
It seems Jacob deGrom was not informed that he will be pitching Friday (with Vargas being pushed back) until the beats told him just now. Which, you know, messing with the routine of your ace who is struggling and not informing him is definitely a thing a healthy franchise does.
Jesus these athletes are coddled these days. Is he mentally retarded? Did he not expect this option at all? Is Callaway mentally retarded and not discuss this as an option to him? . I sense a strong dysfunction of some of these pitchers with the coaching staff and management.
Its sad bc the positional players are really playing as a team.
So the Mets arent the only team in baseball whos teams top pitchers have struggled with command in the first half of the year?
Don't worry, Gabe Kapler will take him out after 6 innings and 80 pitches so he doesn't have to face the Mets a third time through the batting order
1) he's walked twice as many guys as normal (7 per/9)
2) he's already given up 2 homers this year when all of last year he gave up 3. He only gave up 2 total homers in '16+'17 combined. So he is almost halfway to his prior 3 year total in 2 weeks.
I wonder if it might help to get him on track by letting him get some save opportunities in games where we want to give Diaz a rest. We have seen it time and time again with closers that they just pitch better in bigger situations vs. blowouts.
Wilson I have minimal confidence in as anything more than a middle reliever. Cross our fingers I guess. Lugo and Gsellman both seem to have gotten some bad luck with babip so far, so I still have some confidence in both of them (more in Lugo) but 1 of them may also need to go back to the rotation.
Nobody else seems like they can even be counted on for a secure spot on the roster going forward - so i'd say they are already extremely thin, with little help at AAA, and that's without any injuries. I don't think Kimbrel is the answer and I doubt they spend on a multi-year deal for Keuchel. Yikes. JD Davis' easiest path to staying in the big leagues might be going back to pitching.
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Tonight instead of whoever pitched the first three games.
Don't worry, Gabe Kapler will take him out after 6 innings and 80 pitches so he doesn't have to face the Mets a third time through the batting order
LOL. Great line!
Little windy there tonight.
Offense he has been fine since he doesnt change the lineup.
Still clueless on the bullpen. 6 different pitchers have tried closing out games. No one knows their role.
Dumbest manager in sports.
I dont know why but it drives me nuts.
Yup. Exactly. Should still be a 3-0 game. And now he he is giving Nola a strikzone the size of Texas against Nimmo. WTF.
Almost every bullpen in the division has been beat to hell. Aces like deGrom, Sale, Nola, etc. have al been bombed at least once.
Maybe its just "April" but something weird seems to be going on too.
Rich MacLeod
@richmacleod
6s7 seconds ago
Noah Syndergaard now has a 6.14 ERA and the Mets pitching (2nd worst ERA in the NL) is somehow getting worse before it gets better.
Almost every bullpen in the division has been beat to hell. Aces like deGrom, Sale, Nola, etc. have al been bombed at least once.
Kluber too
Maybe its just "April" but something weird seems to be going on too.
Verified account @theaceofspaeder
5m5 minutes ago
Batters faced to 600 career strikeouts:
#Mets Noah Syndergaard - 2,206
Chris Sale - 2,237
Clayton Kershaw - 2,394
Max Scherzer - 2,623
Nolan Ryan - 2,656
Randy Johnson - 2,738
Roger Clemens - 2,803
Jayson Stark
Verified account @jaysonst
50s50 seconds ago
He did it 500 hitters faster than Randy Johnson!
Yeah expected the move there
MC playing with fire from here
Pitcher Whisperer my ass.
Yeah Gsellman almost always walks the first batter and seems to get better as he settles in more. He should be in the rotation IMO. Sign Kimbrel.
BUT THE ENTIRE STAFF?
When do we realize its a coaching issue?
And/or if Diaz cant pitch more than an inning, then they def need Kimbrell
Holy hell I havent seen a Mets staff this bad since the Anthony Young/Eric Hillman years
Can jd Davis play OF?
Can jd Davis play OF?
They said today he's started taking fly balls fwiw. Who knows how soon that could happen even if they are committed to it. Tho Lowrie's return if not Frazier's will likely factor
Gsellman with a solid inning there
God Callaway is an idiot. TC was boring and made some dumb mistakes but this guy is even worse.
Heck willlie Randolph would be better
Hence why a guy like Dallas Keuchel May be good this year. Or Brett Sabrahagen comes out of retirement. He had some mad first pitch strike skills
Yeah I think a giveaway too is how hard the ball has been bouncing off the turf. Twice it just completely bounced over the 1B's head. That never happens and it happened to us twice in a week. Those balls are wound tight as hell.
How stacked it is? I like our offense. I think I said top 5 in the NL. I don't know about stacked. Maybe when Lowrie and Cespedes come back it will be.
So I can't make an observation that the ball seems to be flying around more this year? Just about every ace in baseball has been hit hard. Our entire division's bullpens have been shredded. And yes offensively, we are on a record pace. Did I say this would the best offense of all time? Because thats what we are on pace to be.
Just think it might be contributing to some of this.
Callaways staggering idiocy was on display last year as well. I mean he was so bad you could've made a strong case for him not even lasting his first year. He is not capable of thinking ahead or understanding baseball
I think BVW sees this. I pray he is given the green light from the Wilpons to can this shit
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Why is Avilan constantly brought in to face righties? If you don't want a LOOGY on your team than don't have one!
Callaways staggering idiocy was on display last year as well. I mean he was so bad you could've made a strong case for him not even lasting his first year. He is not capable of thinking ahead or understanding baseball
I think BVW sees this. I pray he is given the green light from the Wilpons to can this shit
Oh I agree. Mickey sucks ass.
What I see is pitchers that cant throw strikes, walk the ballpark, constantly behind in the count and giving players fat pitches to hit. Its pretty basic.
Now, sure, I guess the balls could be juiced. But thats not the reason (I see) for our pitching woes. Its the inability to throw strikes.
What I see is pitchers that cant throw strikes, walk the ballpark, constantly behind in the count and giving players fat pitches to hit. Its pretty basic.
Now, sure, I guess the balls could be juiced. But thats not the reason (I see) for our pitching woes. Its the inability to throw strikes.
Im not disagreeing with any of that.
back to back PERFECT pitches to bunt
What a wasted career. Yea not all of it was his fault...but he's pretty brittle. Injury after injury. As soon as he gets anything going at the plate during any year you just know a 60 day DL stint with setbacks is right around the corner.
1st and 2nd 0 outs and the Mets go hyper gutless
Of course Kaplers pet has to play 2nd every game instead of Kingery whos a better player.
Fuck Kapler.
Of course Kaplers pet has to play 2nd every game instead of Kingery whos a better player.
Fuck Kapler.
Callaway for Kapler straight up, who says no?
the guy has had three sac bunts in 7 years. It's a low percentage play to begin with, then you waste your bench bat asking a guy to do something he doesn't usually do? it's on Mickey as much as on TDA
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Gotta get a bunt down. Gee whiz.
the guy has had three sac bunts in 7 years. It's a low percentage play to begin with, then you waste your bench bat asking a guy to do something he doesn't usually do? it's on Mickey as much as on TDA
yes. Mickey is the worst. Seriously just bring Collins back. He's still in the org isn't he?
Come on Diaz
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Look like Keith Hernandez at first.
Of course Kaplers pet has to play 2nd every game instead of Kingery whos a better player.
Fuck Kapler.
Callaway for Kapler straight up, who says no?
Mets
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In comment 14388036 nygfaninorlando said:
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Gotta get a bunt down. Gee whiz.
the guy has had three sac bunts in 7 years. It's a low percentage play to begin with, then you waste your bench bat asking a guy to do something he doesn't usually do? it's on Mickey as much as on TDA
yes. Mickey is the worst. Seriously just bring Collins back. He's still in the org isn't he?
funny thing about Mickey is I could have sworn in the Mets manager search threads people loved the guy and were dead set the Mets wouldn't select him for the job b/c they were going to go with an old retread.
now, everyone hates him.
And I'm not saying people shouldn't hate him, just one of those be careful what you wish for things.
Maybe it was just based on the other names floated, but at least that's how it seemed to me.
funny thing about Mickey is I could have sworn in the Mets manager search threads people loved the guy and were dead set the Mets wouldn't select him for the job b/c they were going to go with an old retread.
now, everyone hates him.
And I'm not saying people shouldn't hate him, just one of those be careful what you wish for things.
Maybe it was just based on the other names floated, but at least that's how it seemed to me.
That's 100% correct - myself included. He was the young/hot name vs. whoever the other guys were with previous experience. But sometimes those guys end up just totally in over their heads and he seems to fit into that category.
Mickey Callaway: hold my bee..*drops beer during transition*
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They will never be a threat. By far and away the worst manager in sports. Its not even close.
Mickey Callaway: hold my bee..*drops beer during transition*
Its not even close. Ill throw in our top prospect if it meant you took Kapler.
Im cracking up
He seems past his prime. Hopefully he can reinvent himself like so many good relievers do. Its such a an up and down position year to year.
Isnt Swartzyk doing ok in Seattle this year?
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In comment 14388057 dep026 said:
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They will never be a threat. By far and away the worst manager in sports. Its not even close.
Mickey Callaway: hold my bee..*drops beer during transition*
Its not even close. Ill throw in our top prospect if it meant you took Kapler.
Both teams weak link is their manager. Scary times.
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ASAP.
He seems past his prime. Hopefully he can reinvent himself like so many good relievers do. Its such a an up and down position year to year.
Isnt Swartzyk doing ok in Seattle this year?
I thought Swarzak was hurt. Familia is still throwing 97s up there. The stuff is there. He just has not control of his pitches. We've seen this from him before for stretches but it's really really really bad right now. He can't locate shit.
Given that, it's my further question about Kimbrel, as I've read he's used the same. If so is he an option esp at a high $? That's if he's open to a non-closer role, as they'd be walking back some conversations they had w/ Diaz to this point you'd think...
Given that, it's my further question about Kimbrel, as I've read he's used the same. If so is he an option esp at a high $? That's if he's open to a non-closer role, as they'd be walking back some conversations they had w/ Diaz to this point you'd think...
Yeah that's the biggest question for me. Is Kimbrel coming here to be a SU guy? Not sure he would even go for that.
it is human nature to aim projectiles at things. travis has strong hunting instincts.
I wonder if this was on Diaz or his agent's insistence (if not part of his contract?). Last year especially, Mickey talked about versatility and the ability for pitchers to go multiple innings. But now w/ Diaz that's not even an option
Still I would consider bringing Diaz in the 8th case by case, vs the heart of the lineup for example then trotting out Familia or another RP in the 9th even w/ ED limited to 3 outs. If they aren't bringing in reinforcements, the only short term option is more efficient usage with what's available. Not sure this would have helped yet this season, but hopefully MC has it in his arsenal
Mickey says a lot of things and then does the opposite.
He also makes claims he later contradicts.
So, I would not put much stock in anything he says. Maybe he'll use Avilan for a four out save.
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He said Diaz won't ever pitch more than three outs according to DiComo.
Mickey says a lot of things and then does the opposite.
He also makes claims he later contradicts.
So, I would not put much stock in anything he says. Maybe he'll use Avilan for a four out save.
So true about Callaway
- JDG has been battling sickness for about a week
- JD Davis will begin taking fly balls in LF
Article 2: Game Review
- Diaz says he's ready for whatever they need even if 3+ outs. MC, Eiland & BVW all parrot the idea this is what he did b4 so they will keep to it for now. Fwiw MC says if it were the playoffs it'd be different...
Thats a tough one to figure out.
Seems like a lot of people were fooled by the appeal of Callaway.
Well they did say that if it were the playoffs, it would be different. I have to think that if we were close to making the playoffs and there was a 4 out save situation, they'd revisit that decision. What you do in mid April isn't necessarily what you do in late August or September.
Seems like a lot of people were fooled by the appeal of Callaway.
Callaway the manager has turned out to be completely different than the guy I thought we were hiring. It seems like half of his quotes annoy the fuck out of me.
Didn't get to watch much of last night's game, but looks like they pulled out a gritty and important early season road win to take over first place. It seems like MLB hitters are adjusting to velocity better than ever, so Thor, DeGrom and Wheeler are all going to have to locate their secondary stuff to have success.
Familia is concerning, but some analytics seem to suggest that Gsellmen's stuff might've rebounded a bit closer to his 2016 form.
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dislike this announcement Diaz will never appear in 4 out save situations. Seidler makes a great point... what happens if "God forbid" you make the playoffs or need 1 game to make the playoffs? put him in a situation where he hasn't done it all year (aka pitch, cool off and then pitch again)? Dumb
Well they did say that if it were the playoffs, it would be different. I have to think that if we were close to making the playoffs and there was a 4 out save situation, they'd revisit that decision. What you do in mid April isn't necessarily what you do in late August or September.
Ira,
That's my point.. you want him in a situation he hasn't been in all year God forbid we need 1 win in September vs. The Nationals? Every win matters and why let teams know hes unavailable?
Kapler would have doubled steamed with two slow guys.
Jon Heyman
@JonHeyman
I dont blame the Mets for protecting Diaz. In fact I credit them for that. But if they are going to be so careful with Diaz, they should sign Kimbrel.
@metspolice
2h
What happened to Mickeys New Culture (2018) where guys dont have set roles? That wasnt a stupid thing a rookie manager said that the media lapped up is it?
What's more perplexing is that deGrom was not available out of the bullpen and because he is a former shortstop you could butcher boy and other things with him. Would have been better to use him in that role and saved TdA for a more important position.
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has had 3 successful bunts in his professional career (including minors). Things like that are why Mickey is a very poor manager beyond what he says.
What's more perplexing is that deGrom was not available out of the bullpen and because he is a former shortstop you could butcher boy and other things with him. Would have been better to use him in that role and saved TdA for a more important position.
Great point. Look, I disagree STRONGLY with how much Mickey wants to bunt but if you want to lean on that you can't expect poor/inexperienced guys to do it well just because you practice it in ST. TDA has been a professional for 13 seasons, missed part of ST, lets just accept bunting with him isn't something you do.
Michael Mayer
@mikemayerMMO
36m
He was going to pitch Drew Gagnon against the Phillies 3-4-5 in a tie game instead of using Edwin Diaz.
1. he was regarded as a "top pitching coach"
2. he was rumored to be more modern + more analytics oriented in his approach
3. there weren't many other appealing proven candidates, so he was perceived as an upside candidate
4. Francona vouched for him pretty strongly, Cleveland results seemed good
As it has turned out his handling of the pitching staff has been god awful almost top to bottom. Perhaps he deserves some level of credit for JDG finding another level and Wheeler's 2nd half. Or was the former already on track and the latter just finally stayed healthy? His "modern approach" has been inconsistent and downright random from his batting orders to his gaffes - from batting out of order, to saying Mcneil couldn't play 3rd, to saying he liked a flexible BP and now going back on that.
In the end what's taken for granted with MLB managers/coaches is that it seems like a simple job because it's an individual performance sport. Pitchers pitch well or they don't, hitters hit or they don't. Mickey's pitchers pitched well in Cleveland. But like everything experience matters and Callaway just doesn't seem to have enough experience to avoid making big mistakes on a very regular basis. That is the risk with any first time anything. A fatal flaw that can only be exposed once the lights are on. He could still improve but we haven't seen much progress from him yet - hopefully as time goes on Riggleman will be able to help him.
Not pitching Diaz in the 8th made no sense however. It would have made more sense to pitch him there and let Gsellman try for the save. That was the highest leverage situation of the season to this point. It was 1 out that may have meant a win or a loss in the standings.
Also I think it's kind of messed up the way they are willing to shuffle Familia into a new role with apparently little consideration to acknowledge trying to make that adjustment easier for him while at the same time being so rigid in how they use Diaz. Gammons had a good article on the athletic yesterday about how bad all bullpens around baseball have been so far this year and 1 of the quotes in it sort of jumped out to me:
You can basically sub the names "Familia" and "Diaz" in that sentence.
1. he was regarded as a "top pitching coach"
2. he was rumored to be more modern + more analytics oriented in his approach
3. there weren't many other appealing proven candidates, so he was perceived as an upside candidate
4. Francona vouched for him pretty strongly, Cleveland results seemed good
As it has turned out his handling of the pitching staff has been god awful almost top to bottom. Perhaps he deserves some level of credit for JDG finding another level and Wheeler's 2nd half. Or was the former already on track and the latter just finally stayed healthy? His "modern approach" has been inconsistent and downright random from his batting orders to his gaffes - from batting out of order, to saying Mcneil couldn't play 3rd, to saying he liked a flexible BP and now going back on that.
In the end what's taken for granted with MLB managers/coaches is that it seems like a simple job because it's an individual performance sport. Pitchers pitch well or they don't, hitters hit or they don't. Mickey's pitchers pitched well in Cleveland. But like everything experience matters and Callaway just doesn't seem to have enough experience to avoid making big mistakes on a very regular basis. That is the risk with any first time anything. A fatal flaw that can only be exposed once the lights are on. He could still improve but we haven't seen much progress from him yet - hopefully as time goes on Riggleman will be able to help him.
Spot on.
Also from above post about Callaway saying they had to use Gagnon for 6 innings..didnt they have Vargas too? Guy only pitched .2 innings.
Callawayn says a lot of idiot things thst seems like he cant see ahead of their implications.
Or is he just this smart and fooling us all?
Or is he just this smart and fooling us all?
Don't think it's this.
Some highlights and items to really be excited about. Jeff fucking McNeil and Edwin Diaz. McNeil is slick as hell at 3B. Might be why they are considering Davis out in LF. Speaking of Davis, while I expected him to hit lefties, he's hitting righties too. He also has a great approach. Nimmo is back! Conforto is red hot. I still feel like Cano isnt there but he's very close.
Lots of positives. Lets take 2 of 3 in this series on the road again.
I'm still concerned by the Ks, but glad that the power is still showing in 2019. We really have some nice offensive depth.
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Nimmo's wRC+ is up to 127 already. uh... that was fast.
I'm still concerned by the Ks, but glad that the power is still showing in 2019. We really have some nice offensive depth.
I mean... most guys K a lot in a slump. He can't erase them. They are what they are. At the end of the year they should average out and be around where he was last year. Seems like his approach is back now and he's walking and waiting for his pitches again and that's awesome for the Mets.
Peter Alonso wRC+ 204
Jeff McNeil wRC+ 172
Dom Smith wRC+ 182
JD Davis wRC+ 155
Brandon Nimmo wRC+ 127
Rosario is struggling around 89 but thats not awful.
UZR and DRS are a mile apart right now. That's usually not the case as they both use the BIS system to calculate defense. Im going to need a bigger to sample to see where those normalize. If you looked at UZR, he's fine there. DRS? Disaster. Need a bigger sample.
Offensively? Yeah, he looks like a stud.
I can live with that if it means Lagares/Broxton are moving to the bench permanently.
However, last year this time (in my mind at least) with the Mets fast start, just about everything went right. Especially the bullpen. Yes, some starters had slow starts, but for the most part everything went right wrt pitching.
This year, the Mets are in 1st place with the 2nd worst team ERA in the NL and not a lot has gone right (from a pitching standpoint).
the offense is doing fine, not unexpectedly fine, but they're doing fine. Some notorious slow starters started out slow, like Cano. and Lowrie hasn't made an appearance yet. But Alonso, McNeil, Conforto, etc. all good starts.
If the pitching straightens out there is a lot to be optimistic about. Because it's not like the offense is playing over their heads.
TDA, in comparison, looks much better IMO defensively. TDA always framed pitches well, but now after finally fixing his arm, he seems to be throwing better as well.
Very disappointed in Ramos though.