The Mets got a rare Sunday Night Baseball win, as they edged the Giants, 2-0, to split the four-game series.
- Noah Syndergaard looked in complete command, throwing his best game in ages. He threw eight shutout innings and looked ready to pitch the ninth, too. He had excellent command and was not plagued by countless two-strike foul balls. Syndergaard finished with a line of 8 IP, 0 ER, 2 BB and 6 Ks. He allowed just two hits.
- The Mets were no-hit for six innings by Jeff Samardzija and looked completely unprepared for his high fastball and big breaking ball. Finally, Curtis Granderson broke up the no-no with an opposite field double. And next batter Yoenis Cespedes crushed a homer to LF for the game’s only runs.
- Rene Rivera threw out both baserunners who tried to steal. His second throw was a laser beam to second to catch Eduardo Nunez, who came into the game with 31 SB.
- After a day off Monday, the Mets square off against the Cardinals, with a chance to put a dent into the lead of the club they are chasing in the Wild Card standings.
Regarding the 2 CS throws. Both came early in the game, and it completely changed the tone of the Giants strategy. Now to be sure, Noah didnt give them a lot, but we have seen how he gets flustered when runners start going wild, then fails to make pitches. The 2 CS allowed Noah to concentrate on making pitches, and damn good ones at that, which limited the Giants from getting runners. I see a strong feedback loop with Syndergaard. It was a strong night behind the dish for Rivera.
This game is an example of why I’m not a fan of Cespedes leaving. Stories come out about his golf and about how he has his quirks, but he is the only player the Mets have that can be considered one of the best players in baseball, and you can’t just let that leave.
Don’t know what it would cost to have him here but the contracts of Wright and Granderson cannot be an obstacle; you either want to win, or not really. If Cespedes wants a four year deal, do it. A five with lesser money per year, do it. If Beltran just got traded for three good prospects, Cespesdes will have value all the way until the end.
This game brought back Memories of Seaver-Marichal.
It was a good night and on national television to boot. TC was even giddy about Cespedes homer as he said ” That didn’t even look like it was a good pitch and he hit it that far. He golfed it. He’s been working on that. It finally paid off. That was a tee shot.”
In a world where long term free agents like Heyward and Upton struggled this year, Cespedes and his over pay short term deal worked for the Mets. He is a dynamic player and has carried the team while doing it in the New York spotlight. I would try the same formula , same conditions, adding a year at an obscene amount of money, like 3/90 with the opt out.
It is important (duh) to take the Cardinal series in order to keep them in our sites.
Lets Go Mets
I would offer Yoenis with a two-year extension (making it a four-year deal in effect) totalling $120 million. I’d also promise him LF.
There will always be side issues & small headaches, but the guy is a star and he does not shirk the limelight.
I totally agree about Ces. And he is clearly a LF. Im good going Ces, Lags/Conforto, Bruce?/Granny L to R. Granny is clearly out of gas, and while Bruce hasnt been much to talk about, I dont see that being he new baseline.
Michael Conforto is not a CF, that’s just setting him up to fail, cluttering his mind when it should be clear.
Mets need to make big decision about first base. Seems like Duda and Bruce are the same player. I don’t think Loney does a lot to help team win games, do not want to pay him next season.
Curtis and Lagares can share CF, giving Granderson plenty of rest. He might be tradeable in July, since there would be less of a contract commitment. It feels like he’s in the way.
I believe that Conforto is the best of the bunch, with by far the highest ceiling. He needs to play against LHP. A terrible waste if they mismanage him, or prematurely turn him into a platoon player. This is the player is invest in.
Yeah, I agree MC has the highest ceiling. Ive seen enough of Grandy in CF to not like this experiment unless he’s last years guy. Thanks for reminding me about 1B, and the fact we have some options there, even including MC. Bruce can do it, and I doubt Loney comes back, a path that has not been SAs style at all. He has no fear of dumping productive trade or FA-pick ups.
As I see it, we have 1B, 2B, 3B, and C issues to solve for 2017. The Cabrera to Rosario path is clear. Walker may solve the 2B thing in the off season. You and I both know DW coming back to man 3B is not a good recipe. In the OF, I expect to see Conforto, Lags/Granny, Bruce L to R. Its not my dream OF, but honestly, I cant see Ces staying. Hes the #1 FA outfielder and massive RH power. He’s gonna get *paid* next year; do you see the Wilpon’s standing tall to do battle in free agency to keep him? He could be looking at a 6/150-175M payday (J-Up got 6/133).
For the Mets to be relevant in 2017, SA has a lot of heavy lifting to deal with.
JF looked explosive last night, for the first time in a long time. He looks like he’s standing on a Spindle…and the ball comes out of his hand like a greased apple. Those 98mph Elevator K’s were impressive in his mix.