The Nationals jumped on top early and held on for a 5-3 win over the Mets Tuesday night in Washington. It was the Mets’ sixth loss in their last seven games.

Steven Matz surrendered two homers and five runs in three innings to put the Mets in an early hole. But the bullpen came up with five scoreless innings, including an inning apiece by Dellin Betances and Edwin Diaz, to give the bats a chance.

The Mets got three runs back and had chances to add more but couldn’t get the timely hit. They were also done in by bad baserunning by Brian Dozier and bad ball/strike calls by home plate ump Laz Diaz. Whatever happened to the automated strike zone we were promised for these Covid games? It sure would have come in handy tonight.

4 comments on “Gut Reaction: Nationals 5, Mets 3 (8/4/20)

  • Eraff

    I’m all in for Automated Balls and Strikes. It will be imperfect, but consistent.

    I am adjusting to lower expectations for Matz. He’s a Bulldog in a Ballet. He doesn’t mix and execute. That said, I look at his lifetime stats and it’s about 5 innings per start, 4.03 era…. His FIP is higher and it’s a better match to my own eyes. Maybe he’s just “Mneh”. If I compare him to what He’s been, I’ll be less disappointed. I doubt there’s much more than continuing to push him out as a Starter, but I believe he’s more suited to be an attacking Reliever…. No Brain/Two Pitches/Go Get ’em.

    The Opposite Field Hit by Alonso is a Sign.

  • Chris F

    Matz is Meh for sure. He cannot shake the anger on the mound when he surrenders another HR or misses a pitch. To me his issues are pretty clear after suffering through start after start. He basically has a 2 pitch mix, both predictable. He has a fastball up in the zone (seems he simply cannot throw high velo low in the zine), and a curve/slurve/slider low in the zone. Basically he’s a number 5 starter.

  • David Klein

    I think the whole mental issues thing is just narrative the guy is a gopher ball machine and that’s the main reason he’s a back end guy.

  • Metsense

    Gut Reaction: Matz pitched a clunker after two solid starts. Every month In 2019 he threw one clunker where he failed to complete the 4th inning.Only twice in 2019 pitched in the 7th inning.This is who he is.
    Alonso needs a rest and then bat lower in the order until in rights himself. Shades of 2019 Cano batting third.

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