Congrats to the Mets on the second most wins in franchise history after sweeping the three-game series against the Nats.
Congrats to Jeff McNeil on winning the NL Batting title too yesterday! It was a bitter-sweet regular season in which the Mets were in first place for 275 days----virtually the entirety of the regular season---but they couldn't close things off in September.
They finished the regular season tied for first place with the Braves, but lost the regular season series 10-9, so Atlanta gets the bye and the #2 seed. The MEts will have to go the long way to get to the Promised Land, but it's still there for them.
They were one of four team to win 100+ wins this past regular season (funny how fast that went, right?). The Dodgers, who'll be waiting for the winner of the Mets-Pads series, won 111, the Astros won 106, and the Mets & Braves each won 101. Hopefully the Mets get fully healthy and get Marte back at some point in the playoffs, so they can maximize their potential and try and do what the dodgers did the Giants last season, when the Dodgers finished a game behind them in the regular season with 106 wins, but beat them in the playoffs. Let's see what happens with that.
The playoff brackets & Mets' schedule are as follows:
Game 3, if necessary, will either remain as scheduled, be moved to 4 pm EST or 7 pm EST. Here are some factoids about the Padres below (they lost yesterday & finished the regular season 89-73):
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Buck said Max would start Game 1 yesterday after the game when reporters pressed him on it.
The rotation matchups are looking like so:
It seems likely that if the Mets win Game 1 against the Padres, that they'll start Bassitt in Game 2. If the Mets win Game 2 in that scenario, then they can begin the Divisional Series in L.A. with deGrom starting Games 1 and 5, in what will be a best-of-five series.
Now, if the Mets lose Game 1 against the Padres, then they'd probably scrap that plan and pitch Jake in Game 2 with the season on the line, since the WC Series is a best-of-three series. That would then probably force the Mets to start someone like Taijuan Walker in L.A. if they survive the Padres in three games. Check out some Met killer Yu Darvish's numbers against them in his career:
He undressed them in that game he pitched at Citi after the All-Star Break in late July, so going against him is no tall order. Buck is doing the right thing by scheduling Scherzer to start Game 1 tomorrow evening. The Mets signed him for games like this and he has the most post-season experience & success in their starting rotation. Besides, deGrom has been a little off in his past few starts. Scherzer just gives them a better chance to win at this point.
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Here are some articles to check out:
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Max Scherzer to start Game 1 of Wild Card series for Mets | By Chris McShane (@chrismcshane) | Oct 5, 2022 | 9:18pm EDT
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Morning Briefing: Mets Finish Regular Season on High Note | By Ben Reimer | Updated: October 6, 2022
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Forecasting the Mets’ Wild Card Series Roster: What 26 players will the Mets take with them to the initial postseason series? | By Brian Salvatore | Oct 6, 2022 | 9:00am EDT
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Mets Morning News: The curtains close on the regular season, Jeff McNeil wins batting title - By Linda Surovich | (@LindaSurovich) | Oct 6, 2022 | 8:30am EDT
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A feel good win to close out the season: A lineup of reserves crushed the Nats for the Mets 101st win in game 162. - By Lukas Vlahos | (@lvlahos343) | Oct 5, 2022 | 8:55pm EDT
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Max Scherzer to start Game 1 of Wild Card series for Mets: Scherzer gets the nod in the team’s first postseason game since 2016. - By Chris McShane (@chrismcshane) | Oct 5, 2022 | 9:18pm EDT
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Jeff McNeil wins National League batting title: McNeil’s .326 average was the top mark in the NL. - By Chris McShane (@chrismcshane) | Oct 5, 2022 | 9:00pm EDT
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Projecting the Mets’ Potential Playoff Rotation Through Two Rounds - By Dan Quiñones | Updated: October 4, 2022
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Mets Announce Baty, Hamel As 2022 Minor League Award Winners | By Michael Mayer | Updated: October 5, 2022
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The stench of the Atlanta series looks to have been put away, but it'll only be gone if the Mets beat the Pads. They'll feel a lot better if they win Games 1 and 2 and are able to start deGrom twice in a series against the Dodgers in a best-of-five in the NLDS, but first they have to get through Darvish tomorrow---something that no Mets team has done before. It won't be easy.
There's lots to look forward to. Mets made a move yesterday placing Megill on the IL so they could activate Givens. That won't matter though going forward into the post-season roster decision for the Wildcard series. They'll do it each time a new series begins (hopefully they get to do that 4 times this post-season). No word on Marte yet. We probably won't be seeing him for the WC round in my opinion. The best we could hope for is the NLDS, if the Mets make it that far, but I personally doubt that too for my own reasons. He got hit in Pittsburgh exactly a month again.
This is an injury that usually lasts 6 to 8 weeks, so the Mets were either siting on the news or unsure. Who knows. In either case, the Mets need Marte back healthy ASAFP. He makes a difference in this lineup and would be a huge re-addition. There's also the worst-case scenario that he might not be back this season at all, but let's hope that's not the case. A healthy Marte would give the Mets a shot in the arm that they could use against the clubs they'll potentially face in the NLDS and beyond if he's back then.
We can consolidate all Mets news and notes on this thread today instead of making multiple ones. Yesterday's game thread is gonna get buried at some point, so might as well make a fresh thread for today. We can use this up until tomorrow, when the Mets' post-season roster is in to MLB by noon EST then.
Toodles for now,
#LFGM!
Vientos/Ruf/Alvarez ?
Does Gore make it, I would think so.
Is Peterson officially replacing Joely as the lefty?
In a 3 game series, don't you have to pitch your best available each game?
I wonder about Jake's "blister."
But then again, I'm a Met fan....
and WHAT... a wild card spot??? Doesn't seem fair. (And I'm a Yankees fan)
Thought is we don't want to get eliminated without him throwing a pitch. But if we sweep we save him for LA
Thought is we don't want to get eliminated without him throwing a pitch. But if we sweep we save him for LA
My understanding is that this is exactly the plan. If Mets win Game 1, then Bassit starts Game 2. If Mets lose Game 2, then DeGrom starts Game 3. If Mets lose Game 1, then Degrom starts Game 2.
Degrom will start in the playoffs, but it makes sense to give yourself a shot to maybe save him for the NLDS vs LAD without impacting your chances of winning the wild card round in any way.
In 1985 the Mets won 98 games and missed the playoffs
Or even recent years the WC was a one game "play in".
I'll take 101 wins and a 3-game wild card series over the alternative. Especially with the first time making the post-season in 6 years.
people will always focus on the negative and what could have been, but that's a loser mentality.
Hopefully they’ve moved forward from last weekend enter the playoffs with clear minds and focus. I think rebounding vs. Washington definitely helped with that.
San Diego concerns me as they have some big hitters who can change a game with one swing of the bat. I’d love to see the Mets jump on Darvish early on tomorrow to set the tone.
Vientos/Ruf/Alvarez ?
Does Gore make it, I would think so.
Is Peterson officially replacing Joely as the lefty?
Good questions. It'll consist of 26 roster spots, with a maximum of 13 pitchers. Like the article above about this topic says, it's easier to determine who won't be on it. Megill is on the "I.L.", so scratch him for this series and the NLDS if the Mets get that far. You'll also have to scratch Trevor Williams for this series as well after he pitched 6 innings yesterday. He's an unsung hero of this team btw. He stepped up yesterday and prevented this team from taxing it's bullpen before the start of tomorrow's protracted "series". Scratch him too. Marte's still hurt and Ruf's sojourn to the I.L has more to di with his performance than anything else. So forgot those four.
Gotta go with the following pitchers (I chose 12 instead of the allowed maximum of 13):
1-deGrom
2-Scherzer
3-Bassitt
4-Walker
5-Diaz
6-Peterson
7-Ottavino
8-Lugo
9-May
10-Rodriguez
11-Smith
12-Givens
13-EMPTY
Walker has surpassed Carrasco to me, so I waited to think hard until the 13th and final roster spot for pitchers. I'd put Williams in but he threw 6 innings yesterday and will nbe spent for the next couple of days while this series is going on. I'd put him on the roster for the next series though over Carrasco in the next round if they get that far. Givens is a favorite of Buck's, so I'd imagine he'll be on the roster. Smith has improved recently, so he's probably there now IMO. I'm gonna leave the 13th spot empty for now and go on to rest of the roster.
Infielders:
13 - Alonso
14 - McNeil
15 - Lindor
16 - Escobar
17 - Guillorme
Catchers & DH:
18 - McCann (he hits Darvish well and played well this past series)
19 - Nido
20 - Alvarez (C & DH) (I'm putting him due to his power and raw ability)
21 - Vogelbach (Mets will need him this series)
Outfielders
22 - Nimmo
23 - Canha
24 - Naquin
25 - Gore (his base running is a weapon in late innings and can EASILY be the difference in a close game)
That leaves the 26th and final roster spot for this short 2 or 3 game series. Do I give it to Carrasco as the 13th pitcher or Vientos? The Padres have a bunch of LHPs on their roster, so I'm leaning towards Vientos under this particular set of circumstances (e.g., opponent's roster, length of series, recent play, etc.):
26 - Vientos (by a shred over Cookie and assuming Marte is gonna be out still along with Ruf, Megill, & Williams)
Summary of how I'd roll:
12 pitchers (4 starters; 8 BP arms)
3 catchers (including Alvarez who can and probably will DH against Snell)
2 DHs (Vogelbach and Vientos)
5 IFs
4 OFs
Things will change though each time the Mets go into another post-season series. They'll adjust their roster each time, if they're fortunate enough to be in that position of course. What do you guys think? What would you do?
Tomorrow Walker would be on 3 day rest off an 81 pitch outing, and then normal rest after that. He obviously pitched better than Carrasco. He would probably be my choice and then hold Carrasco and Williams as reinforcements for NLCS if necessary.
so my roster would be:
7 regulars (nimmo, lindor, mcneil, alonso, escobar, canha, guillorme)
2 DH (vogey, alvarez)
2 C (nido, mccann)
2 OF (naquin, gore)
(13)
4 SP
5 RHRP Diaz, Otto, Lugo, Smith, May
2 LHRP Joely, Peterson
(11)
that's 24 so still 2 extra spots left.
Givens or Carrasco or both?
Vientos or Ruf?
I think they need extra bats more than an extra P because of the way they need to PH for DH's and C's and the fact that Gore is just a PR so I don't think id go over 12 P's.
With all the work you put into these threads, have you ever thought of creating a Mets site?
2 - Ruf ("injury" - A.K.A. poor overall performance)
3 - T. Williams (he pitched 6 innings yesterday and won't be available for the next couple of days while this short series is going on; if he didn't pitch yesterday, then he'd be on the roster of course, most likely in place of either Givens or Snith).
4 - Megill (IL, but actually poor recent performance)
5 - Marte (purely injury; if and once he's heathy, he's back of course).
considering it's a 2 out of 3 series, it's hard to anticipate needing a 3rd game of a SP getting pounded out early. If it happens in the first 2 you are already done.
so playing things out, if say Scherzer gets pounded out in the first 2-3 innings Fri, you would go to Peterson for multiple innings, then probably Smith and May as long as possible. That should get you to the 8th inning or so and if it's a game you pitch Otto/Diaz if not you punt with Joely for whatever's of the game. 3 max, 2 dp, 1 smith, 1 may, 1 joely = 8 innings.
now it's game 2 and the NYM starter again gets lit up. I'd personally throw Bassitt 2nd to keep JDG for game 3 or game 1 of NLDS. now you are bringing in walker on his normal rest to hopefully piggy back. and everyone else is probably available in the pen other than DP if he threw more than 30 pitches in game 1. regardless of how far back they are you would bring diaz/otto/lugo into this game to keep it as manageable as possible because there's no tomorrow without a come back.
if those first 2 starts did go that badly, and everything unfolded as described, but they did somehow pull it out and get to game 3, it's just all hands on deck - and pretty much everyone except the game 2 starter and walker should be available, none or very few potentially on a 3rd day in a row.
You're spot on lax. They blew the division with that span (5 losses in 6 games at home to the Nats and Cubs). I'm worried about this series, mostly because Marte is missing. They could use his bat in this series against left handers. He's a HIGE loss. Mets need one of their young right-handed hitters to step up. They MUST win this series in order for it to be deemed a successful season. If they lose to the Dodgers in a close and crisply played 4 or 5 game series, then you can certainly live with that. San Diego is an opponent that scares me. They score more on the road then they do at home I think too. It's a toss-up in my view.
Give me a break. You don't just automatically win series because you're better on paper than the other team. The Cubs were one of the hottest teams in September.
They lost this division head to head against Atlanta. They dropped the last game in the 2nd to last series there and of course the sweep this past weekend.
Everything that happened with this division was more about the Braves than the Mets. The Braves played to a full season 114 win pace since June 1st. The Mets never lost 4 games in a row the entire a year. They won 101 damn games. Tip your cap to Atlanta and move on.
I'll say this about Atlanta too. If I was them I would necessarily want to take nearly a week off. It's hard to just turn on the kind of streak the Braves have been on. Hopefully it catches up with them regardless of what we do.
With all the work you put into these threads, have you ever thought of creating a Mets site?
I might, who know. I did it for the Giants' salary cap and did well with it, but I had personal things going on and left it. We'll see what the future brings. There's enough Mets content out there already anyway. I could do it as a blog and that would be it. It's fun :-)
Getting mediocre starts from our 3 best pitchers against ATL was way more frustrating. Plus the runners left on base in game 3.
But - still in the playoffs- will be fun
With all the work you put into these threads, have you ever thought of creating a Mets site?
Optimus - yes 100 percent agree with Shecky. I actually come to our Mets threads here over other Mets sites because of the great posters here. We have to deal with Met hating trolls but it is still enjoyable.
I don't to bring the mood down but last week really bummed me out - I am trying to join the excitement of the playoffs but I am nervous that the Mets will not win and while this was a year of progress, the perception will still be "same old Mets"
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Losing 5/6 to the Nationals and Cubs was a monumental failure on the mets part in September. They did not take advantage of a soft schedule, if they had, the Braves series is meaningless. I do not like their chances against the Padres, especially with their pitching staff. Bowing out in the WC would be a failed season.
Give me a break. You don't just automatically win series because you're better on paper than the other team. The Cubs were one of the hottest teams in September.
They lost this division head to head against Atlanta. They dropped the last game in the 2nd to last series there and of course the sweep this past weekend.
Everything that happened with this division was more about the Braves than the Mets. The Braves played to a full season 114 win pace since June 1st. The Mets never lost 4 games in a row the entire a year. They won 101 damn games. Tip your cap to Atlanta and move on.
I'll say this about Atlanta too. If I was them I would necessarily want to take nearly a week off. It's hard to just turn on the kind of streak the Braves have been on. Hopefully it catches up with them regardless of what we do.
Every person on the planet knows what happened. The Mets choked away the division. Its ok to say it because its the truth. When you are barely over .500 against the worst teams in baseball in September, its a choke
Put away the pom poms and be honest. Its ok to tell it like it is with the teams you root for. They choked. And their chances of winning a World Series are greatly impacted by it
Now its onto the playoffs. Are they doing away with the extra innings ghost runner in the playoffs as they did last year?
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can't say I disagree with any of it. Carrasco/Vientos is the only tough call for me, but I agree with Vientos. If a SP gets injured/gets pounded, Walker and the other relievers are still there.
considering it's a 2 out of 3 series, it's hard to anticipate needing a 3rd game of a SP getting pounded out early. If it happens in the first 2 you are already done.
so playing things out, if say Scherzer gets pounded out in the first 2-3 innings Fri, you would go to Peterson for multiple innings, then probably Smith and May as long as possible. That should get you to the 8th inning or so and if it's a game you pitch Otto/Diaz if not you punt with Joely for whatever's of the game. 3 max, 2 dp, 1 smith, 1 may, 1 joely = 8 innings.
now it's game 2 and the NYM starter again gets lit up. I'd personally throw Bassitt 2nd to keep JDG for game 3 or game 1 of NLDS. now you are bringing in walker on his normal rest to hopefully piggy back. and everyone else is probably available in the pen other than DP if he threw more than 30 pitches in game 1. regardless of how far back they are you would bring diaz/otto/lugo into this game to keep it as manageable as possible because there's no tomorrow without a come back.
if those first 2 starts did go that badly, and everything unfolded as described, but they did somehow pull it out and get to game 3, it's just all hands on deck - and pretty much everyone except the game 2 starter and walker should be available, none or very few potentially on a 3rd day in a row.
+ 1. EXCELLENT post Eric on Li!
No wonder Buck came out to get Taijuan as soon as the Atlanta result posted on Tuesday. Some of us were like: at least let him get two more outs so he can be credited with 5 innings and an official start so he can qualify for the victory, but Buck wasn't having any of that. He came out to that mound there with the quickness, lol!
We also have to keep in mind whatever taxation that the pitchers undergo in this series (starters and bullpen), will affect the roster composition of the next series---if they get that far of course. I could easily see the Mets having no choice BUT to add Carraso to the roster next series if they've taxed Taijuan in the WC series.
As a matter of fact, I think we'll see Walker starting a game in the NLDS against the LAD, if it gets that far for the Mets. He's their 4th starter now in my mind based on how they've handled him, his recent performances, and how poorly Carraso has been lately.
It's worth recalling that the handful of structural adjustments in place for the regular season will not all be part of the playoff rule book. Specifically and most notably, there will be no automatic runner on second base should any playoff game reach extra innings, a rule that has been in place for the past handful of regular seasons in order to cut down on marathon extra-inning games and to cut down on pitcher workloads that result from said marathon extra-inning games. In the playoffs, however, the game will proceed in the usual manner until one team wins in the usual manner.
Check out the article below...
2022 MLB playoffs: New postseason format explained, and why there are no more Game 163 tiebreakers - CBSSports.com | By Dayn Perry | 23 hrs ago • 4 min read - ( New Window )
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In comment 15848098 lax counsel said:
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Losing 5/6 to the Nationals and Cubs was a monumental failure on the mets part in September. They did not take advantage of a soft schedule, if they had, the Braves series is meaningless. I do not like their chances against the Padres, especially with their pitching staff. Bowing out in the WC would be a failed season.
Give me a break. You don't just automatically win series because you're better on paper than the other team. The Cubs were one of the hottest teams in September.
They lost this division head to head against Atlanta. They dropped the last game in the 2nd to last series there and of course the sweep this past weekend.
Everything that happened with this division was more about the Braves than the Mets. The Braves played to a full season 114 win pace since June 1st. The Mets never lost 4 games in a row the entire a year. They won 101 damn games. Tip your cap to Atlanta and move on.
I'll say this about Atlanta too. If I was them I would necessarily want to take nearly a week off. It's hard to just turn on the kind of streak the Braves have been on. Hopefully it catches up with them regardless of what we do.
Every person on the planet knows what happened. The Mets choked away the division. Its ok to say it because its the truth. When you are barely over .500 against the worst teams in baseball in September, its a choke
Put away the pom poms and be honest. Its ok to tell it like it is with the teams you root for. They choked. And their chances of winning a World Series are greatly impacted by it
Now its onto the playoffs. Are they doing away with the extra innings ghost runner in the playoffs as they did last year?
They got beat by a better team in Atlanta both in the last series between them and over the 162 game season.
If you think that winning 101 games and losing out on the division to the defending champions on the strength of a 10-9 tie breaker is a "choke" then I question your level of understanding baseball and sports in general.
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for your threads. I don't know how you do it, and to say they get better and better every week is a true understatement.
With all the work you put into these threads, have you ever thought of creating a Mets site?
Optimus - yes 100 percent agree with Shecky. I actually come to our Mets threads here over other Mets sites because of the great posters here. We have to deal with Met hating trolls but it is still enjoyable.
I don't to bring the mood down but last week really bummed me out - I am trying to join the excitement of the playoffs but I am nervous that the Mets will not win and while this was a year of progress, the perception will still be "same old Mets"
I feel the same way Drew. We have a nice crew here man. Dan Metro Man is my favorite though. He's the OG of Mets posters here. Speaking of which, where's he at? lol. Come back Dan Metro Man! We miss you! lol.
Ignore the trolls. The only time things got heated was when the Mets and Yankees played and I went off on a few of them. There are cool Yankees fans on this site though too in fairness of course, so I can't say anything negatively about them without also pointing out the positive. That just wouldn't be fair. The only thing that annoys me a little is when people go off on each other in our threads, "Mets fan on Mets fan crime" if you will, lol. I stay out of it, but it can get ugly at times. It's still better here than MMO though. I tried following a game thread there once and it was something else man. I'm good here, lol.
Even if we won the division, we'd have maybe a 10-15% chance of winning a title?
But when you're in, you have a chance. Especially in baseball. And it's fun. This is what's great about being a sports fan - getting pumped for games, the tension/excitement of watching meaningful games.
Might as well enjoy it instead of lamenting missed opportunities
You'd still have deGrom for game 3 at home of the NLDS.
I think your plan of bypassing deGrom in game 2 makes sense, especially if you win game two and don’t need him to face the Pads. Mets definitely can beat LA, especially without their top 3 starters not pitching- Bauer, Buehler, and Gonsolin.
But their next 3 aren’t too shabby either- Urias, Kershaw, and i suppose Anderson.
Best of luck…
I think your plan of bypassing deGrom in game 2 makes sense, especially if you win game two and don’t need him to face the Pads. Mets definitely can beat LA, especially without their top 3 starters not pitching- Bauer, Buehler, and Gonsolin.
But their next 3 aren’t too shabby either- Urias, Kershaw, and i suppose Anderson.
Best of luck…
At this point, can’t worry about braves sweep
Fact is I want the braves in playoffs if we get to that point
Right now, it’s a whole new season
Only way to look at it. Have a CB’s memory and next play ( or game)
Getting mediocre starts from our 3 best pitchers against ATL was way more frustrating. Plus the runners left on base in game 3.
But - still in the playoffs- will be fun
I'm with you
Now lets put all that crap behind us and look forward!
It was encouraging and hopefully a confidence-builder for Vientos to get a couple of hits yesterday.
Ruf has had enough run and he just hasn't earned a spot. The failure was so complete, so spectacular, that he simply should not be part of any postseason plans.
I hope Buck considers Alvarez at C against Snell in game 2 with Vientos at DH. I know it's a risk, but a calculated one. There's no question that Alvarez is a more dangerous bat than either Nido or McCann, and Vientos would be the RH DH against the lefty in that scenario, which is still probably a better combination offensively than McCann or Nido.
I fully expect that not to happen as Buck is deferential to his veterans and certainly Nido and McCann are more trusted defensively.
There's no reason to have more than 12 pitchers for this series.
Are Mets fans worried at all? Or are you all expecting an easy series.
Are Mets fans worried at all? Or are you all expecting an easy series.
Yes. Yes. No. Yes. No.
Any team is a legitimate threat. Every series is a coin toss. This isn't the NBA
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Tell me about the Padres. Are they any good? Are they a legitimate threat? Is this a walkover series for the Mets?
Are Mets fans worried at all? Or are you all expecting an easy series.
Yes. Yes. No. Yes. No.
Any team is a legitimate threat. Every series is a coin toss. This isn't the NBA
+ 1. Exactly. The Pads are a VERY dangerous opponent and are better than their record. Marte's loss looms large, hence the need for one of Alvarez and/or Vientos to step up against lefties. Ruf failed spec-crapularly. No post-season for him AT ALL.
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In comment 15848097 KDavies said:
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can't say I disagree with any of it. Carrasco/Vientos is the only tough call for me, but I agree with Vientos. If a SP gets injured/gets pounded, Walker and the other relievers are still there.
considering it's a 2 out of 3 series, it's hard to anticipate needing a 3rd game of a SP getting pounded out early. If it happens in the first 2 you are already done.
so playing things out, if say Scherzer gets pounded out in the first 2-3 innings Fri, you would go to Peterson for multiple innings, then probably Smith and May as long as possible. That should get you to the 8th inning or so and if it's a game you pitch Otto/Diaz if not you punt with Joely for whatever's of the game. 3 max, 2 dp, 1 smith, 1 may, 1 joely = 8 innings.
now it's game 2 and the NYM starter again gets lit up. I'd personally throw Bassitt 2nd to keep JDG for game 3 or game 1 of NLDS. now you are bringing in walker on his normal rest to hopefully piggy back. and everyone else is probably available in the pen other than DP if he threw more than 30 pitches in game 1. regardless of how far back they are you would bring diaz/otto/lugo into this game to keep it as manageable as possible because there's no tomorrow without a come back.
if those first 2 starts did go that badly, and everything unfolded as described, but they did somehow pull it out and get to game 3, it's just all hands on deck - and pretty much everyone except the game 2 starter and walker should be available, none or very few potentially on a 3rd day in a row.
+ 1. EXCELLENT post Eric on Li!
No wonder Buck came out to get Taijuan as soon as the Atlanta result posted on Tuesday. Some of us were like: at least let him get two more outs so he can be credited with 5 innings and an official start so he can qualify for the victory, but Buck wasn't having any of that. He came out to that mound there with the quickness, lol!
We also have to keep in mind whatever taxation that the pitchers undergo in this series (starters and bullpen), will affect the roster composition of the next series---if they get that far of course. I could easily see the Mets having no choice BUT to add Carraso to the roster next series if they've taxed Taijuan in the WC series.
As a matter of fact, I think we'll see Walker starting a game in the NLDS against the LAD, if it gets that far for the Mets. He's their 4th starter now in my mind based on how they've handled him, his recent performances, and how poorly Carraso has been lately.
100% agree. The possibility of Walker starting an early game in the 2nd series may be a reason to table him for the WC round and go Carrasco figuring the only way either is getting in is if a starter blows up early. it's a risk, and maybe a good reason to carry both of them instead of someone like Givens, but i honestly think it's at best 50-50 either is needed in this series.
If Walker is forced to pitch innings in this series---and the Mets somehow survive, then I don't even see him being on the roster for the NLDS due to it's shortness (best-of-five) and also due to his fatigue. Lots to keep an eye on in this thread. Let this be a lesson for peeps who underestimated the importance of having a bye in the WC Round. It is a HUGE advantage with respect to getting your pitchers their needed rest and roster construction.
The same applies to Walker and Carrasco. If you extrapolate the situation into the NLDS against the LAD, then the choice could be made to exclude the better performer of the two, so that Walker (the better performer) is available and fully rested to pitch against the LAD in the NLDS.
I think you may have just changed my mind to keep Walker off the post-season roster for the WC round in place of Carrasco filling the long-relief role for the Padres best-of-three. If anything, Carrasco's subpar performances lately may have "earned" him that roll in place of Taijuan's good performances. Funny how shit works sometimes, ain't it? lol.
If Trevor Williams were available for this the next three or four days, then it'd be a slam dunk to add him, but alas, he won't be. Lots of permutations, combinations, and conditions to take into account. This is definitely NOT a simple calculus.
It was encouraging and hopefully a confidence-builder for Vientos to get a couple of hits yesterday.
Ruf has had enough run and he just hasn't earned a spot. The failure was so complete, so spectacular, that he simply should not be part of any postseason plans.
I hope Buck considers Alvarez at C against Snell in game 2 with Vientos at DH. I know it's a risk, but a calculated one. There's no question that Alvarez is a more dangerous bat than either Nido or McCann, and Vientos would be the RH DH against the lefty in that scenario, which is still probably a better combination offensively than McCann or Nido.
I fully expect that not to happen as Buck is deferential to his veterans and certainly Nido and McCann are more trusted defensively.
There's no reason to have more than 12 pitchers for this series.
great call ASJ. totally agree on this. Alvarez caught the ball just fine. Bassitt can be prickly, so that's the only caveat I'd give, if he doesn't want Alvarez then maybe I wouldn't do it. But I think we heard Scherzer had positive reviews after throwing to Alvarez in minors so I would possibly let him catch game 1 with Vogey at DH to keep his bat in the lineup. His homer and double were both of RHP and all of SDP's 3 starters were worse against RHH than LHH this year.
posted this chart yesterday but here's an updated batted ball chart on mets hitters for the year. hard to not be excited by the upside of the 3 kids. vientos hit too many balls on the ground but they were hit hard. alvarez was kind of boom or bust but in his short run he barreled more balls (3) than either of baty/vientos (2 each). had he barreled 1 against the braves in the 9th inning on saturday they'd have been division champs. Baty was appropriately called up first and appears to have been the most "MLB ready" - his sweet spot% was basically best on the team including McNeil also with the 2nd best average exit velocity. It would have been really interesting to see what happened with him if he didn't get hurt - he may have taken Vogey's spot as the LHDH.
1-deGrom
2-Scherzer
3-Bassitt
*4-Carrasco instead of Walker
5-Diaz
6-Peterson
7-Ottavino
8-Lugo
9-May
10-Rodriguez
11-Smith
12-Givens
**13-EMPTY**
Infielders:
13 - Alonso
14 - McNeil
15 - Lindor
16 - Escobar
17 - Guillorme
Catchers:
18 - McCann (he hits Darvish well and played well this past series)
19 - Nido
20 - Alvarez (C & DH) (I'm putting him here due to his power and raw ability; a right bat will be needed against the Padres' staff with rife w/south paws)
DHs
21 - Vogelbach (Mets will need him this series)
22 - Vientos (by a shred over a pitcher since it's a three-game series and a righty bat will be needed against the lefties on the Padres' staff; Marte is gonna probably still be out along w/Ruf, Megill, & Williams)
Outfielders:
23 - Nimmo
24 - Canha
25 - Naquin
26 - Gore (his base running is a weapon in late innings and can EASILY be the difference in a close game)
Summary of how I'd roll:
12 pitchers (4 starters; 8 BP arms)
3 catchers (Alvarez can and might DH against Snell)
2 DHs (Vogelbach and Vientos)
5 IFs
4 OFs
I plugged in Carrasco for Walker now because I want to preserve Walker for a start in the LAD series in the NLDS (a best-of-five series). I'd rather risk burning Carrasco in the WC series instead of Walker, because in that case I'll lose my opportunity to start him against L.A. in the next series. I'd rather do it that way, then risk burning Walker in the WC Series---then win---and then be stuck giving a start of Carrasco instead. I also wanna keep Peterson as a multi-purpose stretch option, and not be forced into using him when I don't want to (lots to unpack there, lol).
Was kind of a sad ending to reg season and I don't exactly like our chances going very far, especially w/o Marte, but the future is bright. I wouldn't say that if the wilponzis still owned the team.
It's SO nice to know your owner is a big fan, has the desire to win and the bucks to spend. Cohen is kind of like a nicer more level headed and civilized '70s Steinbrenner. What's not to love?
With Cohen and some added talent, '22 could be like the Mets '85. A stepping stone to the big one.
Was kind of a sad ending to reg season and I don't exactly like our chances going very far, especially w/o Marte, but the future is bright. I wouldn't say that if the wilponzis still owned the team.
It's SO nice to know your owner is a big fan, has the desire to win and the bucks to spend. Cohen is kind of like a nicer more level headed and civilized '70s Steinbrenner. What's not to love?
With Cohen and some added talent, '22 could be like the Mets '85. A stepping stone to the big one.
Good point Dr. D about Cohen. I don't think he's like Steinbrenner. Cohen is a VERY intelligent and forward thinking guy. When I first learned about him I was REALLY intrigued (check out THIS ARTICLE). Watch the show Billions if you can. Bobby Axelrod, the show's main character, is inspired by him. I don't mean to speak ill of the dearly separted, but George never struck me as overly intellectual. He was a football man who was impulsive. He wanted to win and was willing to spend to win, but he was also destructive.
Cohen is shrewd and forward thinking (yet he has a killer's mentality at the end, like Steinbrenner). I mean, he said he wanted the Mets to become Dodgers-East: develop talent; spend money intelligently, yet willingly; and become a fully formed and overall solid organization. This was NEVER going to happen with the Couponzis, as we all know. The future is indeed bright with him at the helm. Sandy's continued presence in the organization is still an issue for lots of fans, but he's gradually being moved aside (he'll be a consultant to Steve and Alex Cohen going forward). The organization is still being molded. The front office is still a little unsettled, but is better than before---which is an issue for another time, lol.
I don't view this as '85 Mets though. That team was young and on the come mostly. This team isn't that way. They might be next year, as they integrate Alvarez (C), Baty (3B), & Vientos (DH) into the squad, but they're a pretty old team now. Cohen said that he wants to win a championship within the first 3 to 5 years of buying the team if I'm not mistaken. He's pretty close in only his 2nd year owning the team.
I think that the organization is trying not to mortgage the future for the present, as evidenced by the trade deadline this summer. They screwed the pooch by giving up their 1st round pick (Pete Crow Armstrong) to the Cubs in a rental deal for Baez last year. Cohen knows he's a marked man and that the Mets are a marked organization now because of him and his ability AND willingness to spend. Buck is HIS guy, as we know. Scherzer came here because of Cohen. Other owners hate this about him, so their organizations are gonna try and screw the Mets at each and every turn.
He's building an organization to counter these buffoons though, but that's going to take some time to get right. Overall: so far so good. Mets fans could not ask for a better owner of this team.
Thanks to Optimus and everyone who puts effort into these threads. Definitely noted and appreciated!
I'll be there tomorrow as well. My son's first playoff and the lights are on. Stoked!
I ask this silly question of all Mets & Giants fans
If you could have only 1.
Giants beat the Packers or Mets advance past the Padres....which would it be.
I am a passionate Mets fan, but my devotion to the G-Men is on another level
I ask this silly question of all Mets & Giants fans
If you could have only 1.
Giants beat the Packers or Mets advance past the Padres....which would it be.
I am a passionate Mets fan, but my devotion to the G-Men is on another level
Regular season game versus season ending play-off series? I would easily choose the Mets to beat the Padres.
In fact, if I had a choice between the Mets winning the World Series this year or the Giants winning the Super Bowl this year, I would pick the Mets. It's been 36 years since the Mets won it all. That's a long time. It's only been 11 since the Giants hoisted the Lombardi.
I ask this silly question of all Mets & Giants fans
If you could have only 1.
Giants beat the Packers or Mets advance past the Padres....which would it be.
I am a passionate Mets fan, but my devotion to the G-Men is on another level
Easy. Mets advance past the Pads. Organizations are in one of 4 phases to me: (1) Bad, (2) youthful and moving up the ladder to contention, (3) championship window, (4) no longer in a their championship window and declining, but still a decent team.
Right now, the Mets are in Phases 3. The window is open for them to win a title and should continue to be for a couple of years. The NYG are still in Phase 1, but are on the Path now to Phase 2. Ask me that question again if they're both in their championship window! Besides: I want to Giants to draft a QB, but that's for another thread, lol.