The Sunday blues continue as the Mets yet again failed to complete a series sweep of the Oakland A’s, falling 3-2. Rafael Montero pitched seven strong innings, allowing three solo home runs but not much else. But the Mets could only muster two runs of their own, courtesy of a Michael Conforto solo shot and an RBI ground out by Jose Reyes. They had a chance to rally in the sixth inning, but stranded two runners.
On a positive note, the Mets not only weren’t charged with any errors but made a few nice plays, including Jay Bruce throwing out a runner at second and Rene Rivera throwing out a base runner at third. They also turned two nice double plays. Yoenis Cespedes and Asdrubal Cabrera had the day off.
The Mets hop a flight tonight as they begin 10-game road trip. Tomorrow night they start a four game series at San Diego’s Petco Park with with ace Jacob deGrom opposing lefty Clayton Richard. There’s a chance Neil Walker will return from the DL for the series.
One would think that following a dramatic comeback, the Mets would be sky high and facing a 1-5 pitcher against a mostly AAA team would make this veteran team smell blood. Unfortunately, this team just doesn’t have “it”. The rebuilding Braves went to LA, took the first two of four and came back in the last game to tie against a pitcher that hasn’t blown a save in close to a year. That’s fight. We went to L.A. and got slaughtered.
While a 6-4 home stand is nice, this team just doesn’t seem to grab opportunity; don’t know why. Hard to give Montero too much credit since the competition is weak, but the A’s are in the major leagues so we need to acknowledge that. But man, his offerings can be flatter than a crisp bill.
Before anyone tells me to stop being negative, about a month ago there was an article saying the Mets are too old all around and can’t bounce back for day games after night games. Looks pretty true, doesn’t it? Let this be another reason why Alderson must not only break this up, but may not be the right person to put it all back together again.
The Mets: A bunch of nice individuals that will do their best, but won’t dirty a uniform too much.
I would have also played Cespedes unless he was hurt. Even if he does not hit he makes the players in front of him see better pitches. They simply have little or no ability to win on Sunday. Very interested to watch them unload some players and start the partial rebuild. Hopefully they will revamp to score more runs without relying on the HR. Dee Gordon from the Fish would be a good starting acquisition. Glove, bat, speed, flash at the top of the order – all things they need.
Seems like many felt that way about Cespedes playing, as we read chatters and blogs in Met fandom. Maybe the trade deadline had something to do with it or maybe Collins needed to keep his word about rotating his outfielders. Nonetheless, there should have been enough in the lineup for a better result against a curveball pitcher that Hernandez said had a looping curveball at times.
I think they’ve been okay in the scoring department, at least in terms of regular season baseball (compared to tighter, pitching-centric playoff games). Aren’t they like 6th or 7th in runs scored in NL? Not outstanding, but it’s not terrible.
My issue is that we can’t look at “offense” in isolation from defense. We can say that the “bats” are fine — but if the defense that comes along with those bats is a problem, then they aren’t fine. We have to assess the position players as a whole. I don’t love Dee Gordon’s offense by any means, but the glove is appealing. He’s not at the top of my list, personally.
I can accept mediocre defense at one infield position. Everywhere else has to be solid.
I believe Mets infield in 2017 is last in defensive metrics that measure “runs allowed” — and it’s not even close. The worst defensive infield in baseball. That hurts every day. Just a terrible strategy.
Team may need to decide between Flores & Rivera & Reyes for 2018.
First might be Smith/Flores or Rivera
2B might be ________
SS is Rosario
3B might be _________
I require a plus-glove at either 2B or 3B.
I don’t believe either Flores or Rivera are everyday players, but maybe I’d take that gamble at 2B if we got real good at 3B.
I’d also like a plus CF, let Conforto play RF.
Gotta safe money somewhere.
We watched Giants win 3 WS with formula of great pitching, excellent defense, and timely offense. I just don’t see the logic of building around pitching and then not supporting it defensively, especially in this day of pitch counts. Seems counter-productive.
If pitch counts matter more and more, it stands to reason that making the plays defensively should also be at a higher premium. Those non-plays place unnecessary burden on pitchers.
Otherwise, I guess, you build a great bullpen because starters will have trouble going beyond 6.
Jimmy here is Alderson’s take according to an interview from two weeks ago:
The game is 50% offense and 50% defense. In the 50% of defense is pitching. If your pitching is good enough, defense shouldn’t matter since the 50% of offense isn’t split up. [Hence, just strike everybody out.]
Notice: Base running or speed isn’t a consideration. Also, how much of the defensive 50% is pitching and how much is leather? He fails to comprehend that leather makes a pitcher’s job easier.
It really is time for this team to get a philosophy that isn’t stuck in the 1940’s.
Montero pitched a nice game. He is 1-3 with a 3.54 ERA since his most recent promotion. During this time only DeGrom has a better ERA among the starters. Montero is not arb eligible until 2019. If he continues to pitch like this for the rest of the reason would he be included in the 2018 rotation plans? He is at the highest trade value he has ever been with the trade deadline looming. Some team in need of starting pitching may bite and the Mets should not pass up the opportunity.
Oakland looked like a fundamentally unsound team. Melvin is their manager. I’m sorry Yoenis but I would not want him as a future Met manager after observing this series.
Shame on you Metsense! Shame on you… Montero in the plans for 2018?
His 4 starts have been against the last place Giants, the last place Phillies, the last place A’s, and the Cards.
I haven’t watched him in any of those games, but it looks like he’s stopped nibbling? Or are the clubs just free swingers? No more than 2 walks in any of the 4 starts.
seems to have stopped nibbling. Sometimes that results in something right down the middle. But rather have solo homers than 2 walks and a blast.
Name: Re read my comment. He would not be in my plans in 2018. My post is suggesting that some desperate team looking for starting pitching may be fool enough to trade for him.
This has been a bizarre season. At times this team reminds us that they still have talent and heart, but then they’ll remind us of how fragile and, in some ways, poorly constructed the roster is.
The infield has gotten old all at once. Result has been too many ground ball singles. Can’t give any major league team extra outs. Also has to affect the pitcher even unconsciously since you know that even if you make a good pitch and get soft contact, if it isn’t hit right at someone you could have a problem.
They will get younger in a hurry, but there has to be concern that young players will go through growing pains. Hope they get up for the next couple of months so they can gain some experience this year.