It would be too easy to overreact with disgust after watching last night’s game. Max Scherzer was absolutely dominant (as we all know by now). Granted it may not have been the starting lineup, but it is a pretty dismal performance when you are one error away from having a perfect game tossed against you. The Mets have not looked good this last week of the season, and it could be that Terry Collins has been trying to rest guys and maneuver his rotation for the playoffs, but it has to be concerning to fans after seeing this past week’s performance.
Since September 26th, the day that the Mets clinched the NL East crown, the team has gone 1-5 in games against the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals. It is shocking to see a lack of urgency from the team with home-field advantage on the line. We all know the importance of playing at home, but the Mets have played well on the road in the second half, so maybe it is part of the greater game plan.
The main reason to push the panic button is how poor the offense has performed. In the first two games of the Phillies series, the offense manufactured three runs in the first game and five in the second. These numbers are not bad, as the lineup is going to face Clayton Kershaw and Zach Greinke in the upcoming week. Three runs are more than acceptable against the Los Angeles’ two aces. However, the Mets blew a 5-0 lead, as Tyler Clippard, Bobby Parnell and Hansel Robles let up runs four runs total. The bullpen pitched 4.2 innings, as starter Logan Verrett came out of the game early.
In the first three October games, the Mets have already been shut out twice. The lineups are not the best being put out there, but it has been frustrating to see the starting pitchers turn in a great performance only for the team to lose the game. Memories from the first half the season come to mind.
If we critiqued the three October games, the game against Gio Gonzalez would be the most telling. The lineup Collins put out there will most likely be his lineup against Kershaw, except that he may consider penciling in Michael Cuddyer somewhere in the lineup. The Mets managed to get five hits total that game, while scoring one run. In six innings, Gonzalez struck out seven and walked three. Travis d’Arnaud hit a double, but also struck out three out of four times in the game. Game one of the doubleheader may be the most frustrating sign as this team progresses into the playoffs. Gonzalez is a good pitcher, and the Mets struggled quite a bit. With Kershaw on the mound, it will be even more difficult for the team.
Once a team makes the playoffs, it is easy to sit back and enjoy the rest of the season. Collins knows what he is doing, but the Mets need to feel some sort of urgency moving forward. October baseball is going to be the most intense baseball that most of these players have ever experienced. It will be a fun time for both the fans and the players in October, but if the offense struggles to score, the euphoric feeling could dissipate pretty quickly.
The four-day layoff negates any momentum in either direction. Come Friday, it’s a new day, and it really won’t matter how well somebody hit a week ago.
It could have an impact on confidence, but I don’t think it will.
The key is the starting pitching and that has looked fabulous across the board, everybody seems ready to throw their best.
Matz is a concern, because I believe he could be a key to any extended run.
No.
Panicked? No. Concerned? A bit, I think. They’ve played flat and are inspiring zero confidence on the offensive side. Hopefully they work out whatever the heck is going on between now and Friday.
No reason to panic. The team is what the team is, an on again off again squad, that has achieved more than anyone could have predicted. Even if they are swept, which I think is quite likely, the season is a total success, worthy of our endearing appreciation. I don’t think there was one serious thought about being concerned about home field. I suspect they are hoping for a split in LA and to win it at home. It would stake deGrom with his second start, one day early, unless Matz miraculously recovers from whatever this mysterious back thing is.
I like our total pitching staff. deGrom and Syndergaard will match Kershaw and Greinke. The offense needs to respond with runs before they see Jansen. I hope Uribe can heal. Mets in 4.
Gave to split in LA
How the Met’s “gave” up home field advantage is more annoying The Phillies had their bags packed for the winter. The team needed Collins to not let his foot of the gas pedal physically as well as mentally. More difficult to turn it back on than to continue a hot streak and the momentum that goes along with it.The Dodgers are a completely different team offensively and SP on the road. I guess the only consolation is that the team will have a definite advantage whoever starts game 3 for the Dodgers.. Need to split in L. A .and finish in 4. Don’t want to face a win or go home game against Kershaw or Greinke..
You keep wanting to blame Collins for everything. They won 90 games. You saw the team through the month of July. Do you really blame him for the Mets not winning 95?
The starting pitching is exactly where it needs to be right now. Exactly. The position players suffered a collective post-clinching letdown, and it was appropriate for Collins to take his foot off the gas at that point in time.
But the “blame” agenda is relentless. After two loses, it’s time figure out what Terry Collins did wrong. As easy as shooting fish in a barrel.
I agree with Pete. While Collins needn’t have played all his regulars in every game he owed it to the team and the fans to put a representative lineup out in every game from the clincher on. Sitting one or two regulars per day would have given the team the necessary rest and yet still given the club a decent chance to win the home field advantage in the Dodgers series.
Very poor job by the manager here (perhaps at the GM’s urging).
But not the Wilpons Larry! Fairly certain fred and jeff would take 3 home games and the millions of dollars they can pocket. Worst case scenario the Met’s have 2 home games of revenue gauranteed
James the Met’s have a week to rest their regulars. Go 4 up with 3 games against the Nat’s and you can give the regulars the weekend off. I give Collins his due credit. Once the front office fielded a major league team he made the most of it. I just don’t think he’s going to lead the Met’s to the next level and a World Series. Winning the division and getting into the playoffs is awesome. The Met’s took advantage of a weak division and a National team in disarray. Would you be satisfied if the Met’s lost in the first round to the Dodgers? I know learning to win comes in increments. Just look at the Pirates and Royals. I’m not looking to blame. We just see things differently. James as a Met fan I want the Met’s to always win regardless of ownership and the manager.I cheer for the players on the Met’s
Cuddyer was in the lineup in game 1 Saturday…