The Mets entered the day looking to take the series against the Cardinals, as well as even their season record against .500 clubs. Instead they lost and are now own six wins and eight losses against such teams. Noah Syndergaard, who Mets needed to come through with a quality outing, instead faltered by giving up six runs over five innings. He was, however, gifted a homerun at the plate on a careless play by Marcella Ozuna. Mets pitchers have given up 19 unearned run, which as Gary mentioned, is an unsustainable rate especially considering the poor performance across all pitchers.
Pete Alonso requested to be in the lineup and rewarded the decision with a rocket homerun to dead center, his eight of the season. His OPS sits comfortably in second place among first basemen in the Major Leagues, (notwithstanding Cody Bellinger who has played eight more games in the outfield than at first). Robinson Cano also knocked over a long ball for his third of the year.
Brandon Nimmo struck out twice and failed to get on base, my gut reaction is that this game is an anomaly for him. Travis d’Arnaud, however, has a troubling approach at the plate as he fails to track the ball. He did have a strong blocked ball while catching and was squeezed on a few pitches that he had seemingly framed well.
Robert Gsellman pitched three strong no-hit innings in relief. The Mets will play the Phillies to start a ten game homestand tomorrow night.
Not impressed with Thor so far this year. When is he going to connect the dots ?
“Thor” no more…now it’s just Noah..Sorry to say, the pitching staff is not what we all hoped it would be.
Being a “talent guy” I believe in Thor, Wheels and JDG – if he is healthy. I’m scared of Matz, and Vargas should be piggybacked. Having said that, I still think Lugo is being wasted in the bullpen. They worry so much about the bullpen, that they are letting the first five innings of every fifth game fly like a flag in the wind. Familia is not adapting and Wilson and Avilan are wildcards. When Sewald and Rhame are up at the same time, we’re screwed.
I’d put Oswalt in the bullpen because I think he can handle two innings at a time, but not more, and I’d put Lugo in the rotation. When deGrom comes back, then we see who goes to the pen. Maybe Matz, maybe Vargas. At this point, the only ones they haven’t tried on the 40 man is Hanhold and Bashlor. Why is Bud Norris still out there and no one is even giving him a MLB job?
Gut reaction this was a disappointing game ending a slightly disappointing road trip. Syndergaard and the starting pitching are not meeting our expectations. The Mets offense produced four runs but they’d never seem to be in the game. The offense has been multifaceted. Some games like this one it is home runs other games opposite field hitting. The offense is so much better than last year because of this and it’s only going to get better when Lowry and Frazier return. The starting pitching needs to step up and the front office needs to get one more starting pitcher. Keuchel!
A six and four homestand should be the minimum expectation so seven and three would right the ship.
PS Calloway did not handle the Cano ab professionally. Rookie mistake again.