The Mets took on the Indians in Cleveland this afternoon in the rubber game of the series and came away the with shut out the win, 6-0. It was the first series win for the Mets this young season.
- Steven Matz was looking to bounce back after his horrid season debut, and he was phenomenal. He threw seven scoreless innings while striking out nine and allowing just three hits.
- There were no home runs for the Mets today, but the offense continued its resurgence with six runs on nine hits. They were 5-7 with runners in scoring position.
- Michael Conforto continues to look great in the number three spot, going 2-3 with two doubles and two RBI. He went 5-12 with three RBI and a homer during the series.
- Kevin Plawecki had a good day behind the plate filling in for Travis d’Arnaud. He went 2-4 and was robbed of a home run by the high left field wall. It will be a boon for the team if Plawecki can continue to make strides offensively.
- Mets pitchers struck out 15 batters in this one, highlighted by the nine for Matz. They had four Ks in the ninth inning after Jerry Blevins struck out Francisco Lindor but Lindor made it to first on a wild pitch.
Our trip to Cleveland was just what the doctor ordered. Three games and 17 runs is a nice clip. Now off to Philadelphia to get some early revenge.
Gary and Keith said they rested Wright today so he could play all three games in Philadelphia. He’s hit more homers in CBP (20) than any other road park.
As the Fab Four sang:
Good day sunshine, good day sunshine, good day sunshine
I need to laugh and when the sun is out
I’ve got something I can laugh about
I feel good in a special way.
Conforto in the three hole is such a natural fit. Cabrera’s bunt single was so cool.
Duda’s 2 RBI’s might get him rolling. Matz in a great bouce back effort.
9th inning with a 6 run lead and three games in Phillie starting tomorrow night and TC pitches his 8th inning man, Reed, when he has Bastardo rested. Why doesn’t TC want to set up his bullpen when given the opportunity?
A few things:
* Conforto at 3 makes so much sense. One reason why I felt so strongly about it was that it maximizes the value of hitting in front of Cespedes. Giving that slot to Wright, at this point in his career, is not optimal. Also, it’s pushed Cespedes and Duda back in the order, which is also positive.
* So, of course, it is painful to hear TC say that Conforto will stay in the 3-spot . . . unless there’s a LHP! In that case, the Mets manager still plans on benching the team’s star young hitter. What team does that?
* Read a good piece yesterday over at Knuckleball, “Statistical and practical realities of the Mets bullpen use,” that includes the line: “The facts contradict the narrative.” Worth reading. Not a perfect piece, but he makes some good points based on data.
* Wow, what a shot in the arm from Steven Matz. Just a huge start.
* David Wright has timed his two days off to coincide with starts from Fernandez and Kluper. It’s not going to be easy for Wilmer Flores to get it going this way. I think he’s due for starts at SS and 2B, try to find some rhythm.
* it is strange and disconcerting that TC comes off as so uptight this season. Definitely something to watch. I wonder how much he misses Geren, whom insiders felt actually did much of the in-game planning/thinking for TC.
Here’s the link to the piece that JP referenced, which is at Today’s Knuckleball not knuckleball.com:
http://www.todaysknuckleball.com/national-league/new-york-mets/statistical-practical-realities-mets-bullpen-use/
Generally speaking, the only time that people were concerned about the raw number of pitches thrown by a reliever was when Henderson threw 34 when pitching for the third time in four days and in a day game following a night game. With his penchant for using multiple relievers, Collins almost never uses his relievers for too many pitches per outing.
While Robles likely has more future value to the organization than Henderson, the idea that Robles should be treated with kid gloves and Henderson should be abused is not one that I support. Pitchers are going to get hurt and we have to accept that fact. But we should also accept the fact that they’re human beings and we shouldn’t place them unnecessarily at risk. Robles was significantly better positioned to have a high-pitch outing than Henderson and given that Robles has pitched, and pitched well since then, I can’t fathom any reason for thinking otherwise.
I do think TC cares about the health of his pitchers. Perhaps that’s why his use of Henderson the other day was so shocking.