After getting their clock cleaned in Washington, the Mets have won six out of seven games against teams in the playoff chase, capped off by a series-clinching 4-2 win over the Marlins Wednesday afternoon.
- It was the Wilmer Flores and Jose Reyes show on offense. Flores had two solo homers, the first one a bomb that went 10 or so rows deep in LF and the other a wall scraper, also to left. Reyes had two doubles down the third base line and it was fun to see him run the bases and dance off third base again.
- Jacob deGrom won his second consecutive start. It was a weird outing for deGrom, as he danced out of severe trouble in the first and served up two gopher balls to Giancarlo Stanton. Yet somehow he pitched seven innings, needing 117 pitches to do so. It was the most pitches thrown in a game by a Met this season.
- Addison Reed pitched a scoreless eighth and Jeurys Familia came on in the ninth and recorded his 30th save, including a strikeout of Stanton.
- The Mets are now 35-7 when they score at least four runs in a game
- Next up is a rematch against the Nationals in a four-game set that will take the Mets to the All-Star break.
The big news is that Harvey is out. Maybe a two week stint or maybe longer depending on what the doctors find out. If we can maintain some momentum and take a few from the Nats, that will be outstanding.
Brian, I don’t know if you saw this but you were wondering during the chatter where Dilson was. Per Adam Rubin:
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Dilson Herrera missed his sixth straight game Tuesday with a hamstring injury, although the Mets say he is nearing a return and his availability to participate in Sunday’s Futures Game in San Diego is not in jeopardy. He was selected to join Binghamton first baseman Dominic Smith in representing the Mets organization at Petco Park. Smith ranks second in the Eastern League since June 24 with an .808 slugging percentage. He has produced four doubles, six homers and has a .385 average during that 14-game span. Smith’s 10 homers this season are a career high.
EDIT: So soon in fact, that he’s in the lineup tonight!
Hi Gus – I had not seen this (read it last night and meant to reply then) so thanks for posting it.
And not only did he play but he had a good game with two XBH and a walk
Flores has been one of the Mets best hitters since June 3rd. He belongs in the starting lineup, especially during this power hot streak. First base would be a good place to start him tonight. Taking him out of the lineup now is a huge mistake during a six of seven winning streak. Loney can sit a game, another game could start Reyes in left but Flores should be the preference over Reyes right now. Eventually Flores should cool off and be the .680 OPS Flores we know but if he doesn’t then ride him hard. Nice to have these problems.
JdG is a solid pitcher. With any run support he would have a few more wins and an all star spot.
A split this weekend is mandatory, three of four preferred, a sweep would make me ecstatic. Lets Go Mets.
Maybe now that Wilmer has gotten the consistent ABs he’s needed to establish himself (and his inner confidence), he can play the “super-utility” role that the team originally envisioned for him.
Cabrera, as I’ve said all along, is not young and has a history of leg issues. He’s been great, but needs more rest. Jose is not young either, and needs rest. Loney can sit more. Walker, maybe, a little more.
There should be plenty of ABs for Wilmer Flores.
I don’t think I’m ready to see Reyes in LF — but it would be an interesting option moving forward.
A lot depends on how Jose plays. This is a fluid situation.
The opportunity to gain Rest, Platoon Advantage, Bench Depth/Quality would be a bi-product of manipulating the “Starting Lineup”…and they have the guys to do it—including a few switch hitters. It provides unusal opportunity–if both Flores and Reyes can be productive. The Manager needs to deploy these guys to their best advantage, and with consistency.
In a 162 Game Season, Flores “Role would probably be 350-450 ab’s… including a RH Pop bat on the bench for many games. If the Infielders can “do their baseball cards”, it’s a pretty good mix.
Also, Reyes is a great response to an offense that at times is too homer reliant. He is, after all, the greatest “little ball” players in Mets history.
Also, what if Cabrera goes on DL for 15 days? Now you’ve got a ready solution.
Basically, this guy fell into the Mets lap — for free — a perfect storm of circumstances. At age 33, I don’t think he’s done. Worth taking a look, clearly. I don’t understand why anyone is/was against it.