Another day, another Mets loss. Our band of hasbeens and non-prospects were bested by a Braves team that is younger, faster and hungrier.
Jason Vargas took his turn in the rotation and got off to a bad start, surrendering four early runs before settling down. The veteran lefty lasted five innings and struck out seven, but allowed four earned runs on six hits and three walks. The battery of Vargas and Kevin Plawecki also surrendered three stolen bases. The Mets managed two runs off Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz (Fol-ta-nay-vitch) courtesy of a Brandon Nimmo solo home run and a Luis Guillorme RBI single, but couldn’t tack on against a bolstered Braves bullpen.
The Mets bullpen did their job tonight, holding the Braves scoreless for four innings. Contributing to the late inning blanks were Paul Sewald, Jerry Blevins (who seems to have rediscovered his curve ball), newcomer Bobby Wahl and Robert Gsellman. Todd Frazier returned to the Mets lineup but went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts. He blended in with this moribund lineup seamlessly.
The series continues tomorrow evening with Jacob deGrom on the hill. Stay tuned to see if we can eke out a run or two against journeyman Anibal Sanchez.
Time once again to beat the dead horse.
Wilmer Flores’ lack of defensive ability showed up again. Vargas picked the runner off first base but Flores threw wildly to second and he was safe. The Braves scored three runs in the inning and would have scored none if Flores makes an accurate throw.
Not only does he continue to play, there’s not another first baseman on the roster. It’s maddening.
No CFer and no 1Bman. It’s quite a team! 100 losses? Worst record in the league?
apologies for the re-post.
After tonight’s game with Atlanta:
Mets assistant general manager John Ricco said the team will use these final two months to evaluate whether Flores is a viable starting option.
“Wilmer has been a valuable guy for us. He’s one of our better hitters, he factors in, as to where, we’ll have to see,” Ricco said. “First (base) is probably his best position now.”
Dont worry, we’re contenders in 2019!!!!!!!
He continually makes the pitchers have to get extra outs.
And on top of that, he was thrown out at second base tonight because he’s never been taught how to slide. Tonight’s effort saw his lead leg go too high off the ground.
Unlike you, Chris, I think being a contender in 2019 is possible. But we’ve got to quit giving away outs on defense and we’ve got to stop giving starts to guys because of their contract size. You can live with guys defensively who don’t have great range. You can’t live with guys who fail to make basic plays. It’s the difference between Asdrubal Cabrera and Flores.
32 outs per game is my guess. Does anyone track that metric?
Howie and Josh also mentioned how many times an error is not scored, but the defense gives up runs and outs.
I still see 1B, 2B, 3B, C, CF, and RP as looming problems that make this a 75-80 win team at best.
Ricco and other 2 stooges need to go and take Mickey with them.
Wilmer is not an everyday player because you need to be a 900 OPS Gorilla to forgive and offset his tremendous deficits in skill and talent…. virtually everything he does outside the confines of a 12 square foot batters box
Today’s short benches are occupied by versatile guys who can do many things…../ bzzt …. he’s limited
There is nothing else to know about Wilmer… lead footed and a bad baserunner on top of it. He can’t think or throw at the speed of the mlb game.
For Me, he could be a Dh who you hide in a position just a few times per year—- and I don’t think anyone surrenders talent for his profile
He’s a straight out non-tender…. a good guy…. and I hope he finds a team willing and wanting to add him.
I don’t need to see any more…. and I wish it wasn’t so.
I hate to say it because I like Wilmer, but you are all right. He is too limited to take up a roster spot.
Remember when they started Wilmer at shortstop? What were they thinking?
Remember, he is a natural 3B. Its literally like no one in the Mets organization actually watched him play a game. Surely at 19 yo he didnt throw better across the diamond than at 23 yo. He has never had the basic competence to play on the left side, and now as we know, not anywhere on the field.
That is reality.