The Nationals evened their series with the Mets with a 9-4 win Saturday afternoon in D.C.
Robert Gsellman dug himself an early hole, allowing four unearned runs in the first inning. The kicker was that he was responsible for the error. He also allowed two earned runs for a total of six runs in four innings pitched.
Nearly all of the offense for the Mets came off the bat of Catire, better known as Wilmer Flores. He had a four-hit game, including a solo homer in the sixth and a two-run double in the eighth which cut the deficit to 6-4.
But Jeurys Familia, making his return to action, was unable to keep the game close, as he surrendered three runs on four hits and two walks in the bottom of the eighth.
Angelo, better known as Juan Lagares, drove in the Mets’ other run with a single in the second. But he also ended the game with a strikeout – on a pitch that appeared to be outside – with a runner on third base.
this tea is headed for 70-73 Ws. Theres a ton of heavy lifting and money spending needed to make this team a legit contender in 2018. Id like to see Darvish, Moustakis, Bruce/JDMart, and Sogard added to the team. The Mets can call this “reload” but it looks a lot like a rebuild to me.
I agree that it’s within the team’s reach; they can be good in 2018 with creativity and willingness. Will need to go quite a bit beyond the $140 they spent this season.
My fear is that Sandy won’t go far enough, that he will fall back on old tendencies (to do as little as possible). Some of us debate between Cabrera and Reyes; I worry that Sandy will keep both. That the team won’t change enough.
I have a hatred of Moustakis, just don’t love that guy, and I’d be concerned about an overspend — but my bet is Mets won’t be serious contenders for him.
I’ve been a big d’Arnaud supporter over the years, but his offense has disappointed me this season. They need a better defensive catcher.
I feel Sandy should have traded Blevins. I love him, but $7 million for a LOOGY on this team, with this many holes . . .
At same time, the old news is still true: If Jake, if Noah, if one of Matt/Zack/Matz, then Mets will have a shot. .500 ball and 4 good weeks gets you to Game 163, and I think that’s all they really want. Meaningful games in September. And one really sad one in October. Let’s roll those dice. You never know!
Things to watch: Who will be new manager? Will Conforto be back and effective by June? The freakishness of his injury scares me. Shoulders are important. Also: Don’t put too much stock in late-season performances. This bullpen needs to add more talent. The six-inning starter is not going away.
“At same time, the old news is still true: If Jake, if Noah, if one of Matt/Zack/Matz, then Mets will have a shot. .500 ball and 4 good weeks gets you to Game 163, and I think that’s all they really want. Meaningful games in September. And one really sad one in October. Let’s roll those dice. You never know!”
This season?
Matz and Wheeler are already done for the season and Harvey giving up runs in the minors like mad.
There are 34 games left. To get to .500 on the season, the Mets would need to win 25 of 34, which is a 73.5 % winning percentage. Not in a million years.
Not talking about this season. Where did you get that idea?
JP, Apologies if I misunderstood if that was for next year. I hope if Alderson does his job we can be better than .500!
Got it, no worries.
Flores also had a two out single to center in the opening inning and with Cabrera on second getting a pretty darn good lead, he was still thrown out at the plate by almost two strides. Wow.
Smoker looked good. I think it’s important to not give up on our talented players like Smoker, but players like Cabrera are a farse. The question ownership must ask is “is this team on the right path”? Unless the kids can mature quickly and Cespedes can be what we expect him to be, I’d say no.
Too many redundant players over the years, too unathletic a roster for the money spent (remember the pitching is almost nothing), too often a roster that lacked versatility, and too many times have politics seeped into the lineup.
This is not how we have seen winning organizations and rosters constructed.
And as a bonus, how about the barren upper levels of the minors?
Wilmer Flores, aka “Gump”, tried single highhandedly to beat the Nats. He has his OPS back up to 804, which would be a league position advantage of a second baseman but the Mets don’t play him there. Cabrera, aka “Still Motion” , was thrown out at the plate in the first inning. They couldn’t challenge because the slow motion review came back only as still motion photos.
Bradford has pitched well in the second half along with Sewald and Goedell. Familia will be fine but I get nervous when a Met pitcher declares that his arm “feels great”. Does that mean that after the game his arm only blows up into the size of a plum and not a grapefruit?