Well, that didn’t go as planned.
The Mets ended the first half on a down note, losing three out of four to the Nationals, including a 3-2 setback Sunday. They head into the All-Star break six games out of first place.
Steven Matz struggled early but essentially pitched a good game. Unfortunately, it contained one bad pitch in the first inning, which Daniel Murphy deposited for a two-run homer. Matz finished with 7 IP, 3 ER, 4 BB and 5 Ks.
The Mets got Jose Reyes for his speed and ability to play small ball. Somehow, Reyes didn’t get that message. He provided all of the offense for the Mets, with two solo homers. After 26 PA, he has but a .308 OBP. But thanks to three homers, he has a .708 slugging mark.
Perhaps four days off will be just what the doctor ordered for the Mets. Hopefully, Yoenis Cespedes and Noah Syndergaard can heal and the rest of the team can recharge their batteries and come out firing in the second half.
This team will kill us all.
If there was ever a year that felt like this isn’t the year, outside of 1987, I’d say this is it.
And yet, and yet. A win today and we tell ourselves a different story.
There’s still time, still hope. But it sure doesn’t feel that way.
Probably don’t need any more stats to show that Murphy is killing us, but Murphy came in with 2.343 WPA, and 0.941 has come against the Mets. That number should be over 1.0 after today’s game is factored in.
He’s like Roy Hobbes.
I give credit to the FO for adding smart pieces in Reyes and Loney… the quick question going forward may be whether the next moves are going to be Buy, or Sell.
There are some “whispers” about adding a Pitcher, and I believe that would be a last resort—it would pickle the next 2-3 years by sacrificing your best remaining prospects, and probably some Near Ready guys.
The team is built on Pitching..if that fails, it’s time to address ’17 and ’18. They have some moveable and useable talent—Loney, Reyes, Walker, Bullpen Arms…… it may soon be time to consolidate and re-trench.