If this weekend is any kind of harbinger of anything, 2019 is going to fun on most days, frustrating on others.
On the day the fans gave Jose Reyes a mini-me version of David Wright’s sendoff, Noah Syndergaard changed his geeky nickname today from “Thor,” to “Th0r.” He completely shut down Miami with a five-hit complete game performance. All year, we’ve been looking for the dominant-mode Syndergaard and finally, on the last day, we got it. Todd Frazier’s RBI double with two outs in the fourth inning was all the support Syndergaard needed. He struck out six and walked none, lowering his ERA to 3.03.
If he can approach that kind of performance consistently, if Jacob deGrom can even approximate his legendary 2018 in 2019, if Zack Wheeler can prove his second half was no fluke and if Steven Matz can continue his growth and smooth out the rough edges, the Mets can find themselves in the thick of things next year. Can find themselves… If they improve in the areas of most glaring weakness — catcher, centerfield, bullpen, bench, big slugger — they will most probably make one last run at the Braves and Phils before this all-too-short window closes.
And with that, Gut Reaction bids you all a fond adieu until March.
thanks for the coverage. As someone watches the games on his computer. I am glad the seasons over so I never have to see the ‘Mr. Stevens, your a brave man’ commercial again
Nice way to end the season. Team was good and find to watch the past six weeks or so as the starting pitching hit on all cylinders. Aside from bullpen and catcher, I’m wondering if we don’t go for an upgrade at third. Despite his great attitude and nice glove Frazier bat mostly stunk and he ha just one year remaining with three big name FA 3Rd baseman available.
My Gut Reaction: Syndergaard was very good as I observed him from my seat 7 rows behind the Marlins dugout. The offense was non-existent. A closer, a offensive catcher and a set up man is my wish list for the off-season.
To take Matt’s comment to the next level, this offense is pathetic without Cespedes. So, if we want to have Lagares in CF which is good for the pitchers, and we need to live with HR-happy pull-happy third baseman, then we need offense from somewhere else.
The only place besides the question mark first base will bring with a rookie is behind the plate. Note, Grandal is ok but not a difference maker. Ramos is better but injury prone. Which one is the better choice? Then there’s the ever available Realmuto, but, do we want to pay the freight?
Three-game series, scored three runs total and somehow won two games. It’s a tiny bit of payback for the first series against the Orioles.
I expect we Met fans will have a bunch of gut reactions between now and March. It also sounded like Jeffry threw Alderson under the bus yesterday regarding payroll. As we all know, it isn’t simply about spending more to win, but hopefully with the Wright situation resolved and a new GM in place, there will be a more cohesive spending plan.