Thanks in part to the pitching of Zack Wheeler and the stunningly atrocious defense of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the New York Mets were able to defeat the Dodgers 7-3 and take the series two games to one.

When Wheeler takes the mound for the Mets, one gets the feeling that the team has a great chance to win. Although the Dodgers have a roster with more money invested, and with eyes on the playoffs, they simply were unable to keep up with Jacob deGrom on Monday, and then Wheeler tonight. Wheeler was the victim of giving up two mistake pitch home runs. The first was to phenom Max Muncy, who also drove in Justin Turner for a two run shot. The other was a Cody Bellinger solo shot. Besides these gaffs however, Wheeler pitched effectively, striking out nine and walking two.

While the Dodger offense came off of strictly home runs, the Mets did exactly the opposite. They took advantage of not-so-stellar Dodger defense, which allowed them to come up with 14 hits in the game. In fact, Amed Rosario, Jeff McNeil, Wilmer Flores, Michael Conforto, Kevin Plawecki, and Brandon Nimmo each had multiple hit ballgames. My Gut Reaction is that seeing guys like Rosario, Conforto, McNeil, and Nimmo come away with big games shows a great sign of things to come. There is hope that these guys could be a big part of the lineup moving into the future. Rosario led the Mets with three hits, while Flores led with 2 RBIs.

If you ignored the rest of the season and looked at today’s game only, you would think that the Mets were the playoff contender, and not the Dodgers. The Mets, with a talented starting pitcher in tow, played flat out better than the Dodgers. In addition, they took advantage of Dodger mistakes, which is something a winning team always does. However, the Dodgers will chase the Rockies, and the Mets will be chased by the basement of the NL East.

The Mets will be back in action on Friday, when Steven Matz will take the mound against Aaron Nola and the Phillies at 7:10 at Citi Field.

13 comments on “Gut Reaction: Mets 7, Dodgers 3 (9/5/18)

  • Mike Walczak

    It’s really nice to see the team playing much better than earlier in the season. But, we cannot get a false hope of competency for next year and stand pat with our current roster.

    The team still needs an infusion. Machado and Grandal would be excellent signings.

    • Chris F

      I believe you are entirely correct Mike.

      Im not a Machado guy, because he seems too mercurial for me, and he creates a SS glut of guys we would control many years…Id go all in on Arenado (sorry Name, Im a believer!!). I can get happy with Arenado, Gimenez/Rosario, LeMahieu, Bruce/Alonso as the infield. I like McNeil and TJ for the bench.

      I do like Grandal, but the Dodgers wont let him easily leave. They have a bit of a cult there it seems to me.

      • Rae

        I’d rather sign Bryce Harper over Manny Machado hands down.

        • Madman

          Harper would be a great signing,if only! Then trade Conforto and Matz for Realmuto.

  • TexasGusCC

    Tonight, of the Mets’ 14 hits, 9 had exit velocities of less than 90mph and 5 had less than 80mph, according to Anthony DiComo. The Mets have successfully turned their roster into a contact first roster and that gives them a chance every at bat. The homeruns are down, but the runs and wins are up. Gone is Alderson’s swing for the moon approach and hopefully soon those players will follow.

    Plawecki’s injury will be problematic as the Mets just don’t have another healthy catcher on the 40 man roster to add insurance. While Bobby Wahl can be shifted to the 60-day DL to add Jose Lobaton, I’ll throw out the name Tyler Moore. Lobaton got two chances this year and sucked both times. Moore is a 31 year old former MLB player that will be a free agent after the year anyway, went to AA to help roster flexibility, and can stand in a few positions. Why not give another guy a chance who as a veteran signed with you and stop the continuous waste of roster spots? I mean Monell can work too, and he’s the most likely to resign with the Mets organization in 2019, so maybe that’s worth more? But, Moore is the best bat.

    • TexasGusCC

      Just saw that Moore is listed as a catcher but has never caught in the majors. I guess he was trying to learn the position in AA and only had 51 at bats this year. So, it’s Lobaton or Monell after all.

      • Chris F

        Gus, hows your throw to 2B?

    • TJ

      Piazza just turned 50. He may have a week or two of games in him. He and David could stir things up a bit.

    • Rae

      Mazeika makes much more sense, and he is a Mets in house option. Maz hit in the past but dedicated this season to defense which he really improved. His caught stealing rate would make him the best throwing catcher in the entire Mets farm system. Before this year he always hit above 290. I’d think the left hand hitting Mazeika is worth a try this year besides Nido needs a solid backup catcher to protect him.

  • Metsense

    I strongly felt that the Mets were going to win the series because of their pitching. Specifically deGrom and Wheeler starting two of the games. Offensively it is worrisome with the poor seasons of Conforto, Bruce, and Frazier. Rosario gets a pass because he’s improving. My gut reaction is Lugo should be used exactly like he was used tonight. He and gsellman should be used this way. Spend the money for a set up an and a closer and they will be a playoff team in 2019. Tonight’s game what is a template for the 2019 season. Now let’s go and ruin the Phillies season. LGM

    • TexasGusCC

      Metsense, Conforto is trying to come around, but what makes you expect more from Frazier and Bruce next year? To me, Frazier is at his norms and I have no expectations of improvement for Bruce.

      • Metsense

        Both has been injured this year. So it’s hard to judge. Do I think either have seasons in 2019 that are going to be over their normal average. No. But both are professional, they set a good example for the young ones, and they give a hundred percent. Instead of sinking money at first base second base and third base I would put the money toward a set up pitcher and a closer. Remember, Cespedes comes back in the middle of season and maybe he can redo his 2015 season.

    • Madman

      Biggest need is a true CFer. If you’re going to base the team on starting pitching need a guy who can cover lots of ground. It reduces pitch counts as well as runs scored. Get a CFer!

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