The Mets defeated the Braves 3-2 in a crisp, mostly pleasant game this afternoon. The win completed a three game sweep of the Braves, their first series sweep of the season, and was the seventh straight win for the Mets in Atlanta. The team completed their road trip at 7-2. Not too shabby. Their record improved to 10-7 on the year.
- Jacob deGrom pitched 5 2/3 innings of one-run-ball, while giving up eight hits and getting only three strikeouts, in his return to action. It was a performance carried over from Spring Training in that he got the job done but he doesn’t quite seem to be in peak form. In case you’re wondering, his velocity sat around 92-93 mph.
- The Mets scored all three of their runs without the long ball, which is encouraging. It showed the team can score in other ways, and without three big bats in their lineup in David Wright (rest), Travis d’Arnaud (rest), and Yoenis Cespedes (injury).
- With Wright being rested, Wilmer Flores got the start at third. It’s been a rough year so far for him, as he got just his second hit of the season in the ninth inning. That infield hit got him to 2 for 21 on the year. He looked pretty good in the field, though.
- Despite an odd decision not to throw to second base for a double play in the ninth, the middle infield combo of Asdrubal Cabrera and Neil Walker continues to look great on defense. I’ve probably said it in these Gut Reactions before, but not having to hold your breath on anything hit on the ground to second or short is a good feeling.
- Should the Mets be concerned about Jeurys Familia? No, not yet, but he too doesn’t look quite right yet. He earned his fifth save in a dicey ninth inning while giving up three hits and a run. It was mostly weak contact this time, but Familia has now given up 13 hits in nine innings pitched this season.
A few weeks ago Collins complained that the BP had “dead arms.” It never occurred to me that he could have meant JF but maybe that’s the case here. And if that is the case, isn’t the only remedy to rest him? Which makes me wonder why he’s used JF in non-save situations. Seems like there have been at least three already this season. Plus that 4 out save (which I agreed with at the time, fwiw.)
A 7-2 road trip was great. Resting Cespedes was a good move. There is no reason for him to be playing hurt in April. It us a long season.
I hope they continue to rest Wright once a week. It is the prudent thing to do but having TDA also sit the same day is not wise. TDA should have sat Saturday night. deGrom pitched well but had a pitch count limit. Verrett should have been held out from Saturday night in case deGrom wasn’t as sharp as he was today. The 7-2 trip coincided with Conforto batting 3rd in the order. Sorry Juan, but Michael should not be platooned. Conforto had two more RBI’s today with one of them coming from a SF. Two runs came on SF’s today and that is encouraging.
This post is not a complaint because aa 7-2 road trip is stellar. The post is just an observation of different thinking by a fan.
Mets see I am in lockstep on that different thinking, including my reaction this morning when I saw the lineup was ‘Lagares is eighth, even though he’s been hot?’ In fact, most of us here think very differently from Collins… We’re novices, he’s the expert, case closed.
Hopefully Cespedes is OK. If “iffy”, Mets should sit him another 2-3 days.
They can beat the Reds without him and with Lagares / De Aza.
Season is a marathon, need him big time. Same thing for Wright.
While the starters have been very good, Harvey and Familia still are not the same. They will be. The BP to me, has been the best surprise. Henderson, Robles, Bastardo and Blevins have held up their end in the middle innings and Reed has not been bad either. The depth of the staff is crazy.
Verrett, Gilmartin are there as well. In the minors,another trio could be brewing : Ynoa, Gsellman, Montero. Position players are set up also: C Carillo, 1B D. Smith, 2B Herrera, SS Rosario / Cechini, OF- Nimmo, Bucera, Taijeron. 3B is not as clear. Maybe the heir apparent to the Captain is drafted this year 1st round.