Yesterday’s loss stings. If Zack Wheeler pitches like Zack Wheeler, we win that game and the series and sit at .500. Instead, Wheeler pitches a clunker, we lose the game, we lose the series, we drop to two games under .500 and two of our key players exit the game with injuries. It’s the type of game that could send a team into a funk, but it can’t. It’s up to Mickey Callaway and the veteran leaders on this team to not let it happen.
The next 10 games are pivotal. Beginning tonight, the Mets play three on the road against the terrible Miami Marlins. The series opens with our ace on the mound. This needs to be a sweep. After that, we’re home for a four-game series with the Nationals and a three-game series with the awful Detroit Tigers. We need to take five out of seven at home. This would put us at 28-24 by Memorial Day. Just in time to head west for four against the league leading Los Angeles Dodgers and three against the Arizona Diamondbacks and our old friend Wilmer Flores. After that, we have a home stand that features two three-game series against the terrible San Francisco Giants and the mediocre Colorado Rockies. By this point it’s June 10 and the Mets better be at least five games over .500 because the schedule becomes very unforgiving.
From June 10 up until the All-Star break July 8, the Mets play 25 games in 27 days and not one game is against a team under .500. This part of the schedule will be about survival, as the Mets will be facing the the Braves and Phillies each twice, as well as the Cubs, Cardinals and Yankees. If the Mets aren’t well over .500 heading into this stretch, our season could easily go down the tubes in June as it did last year and the year prior.
It’s time for Callaway to rally the troops. His job depends on it. And it’s time for veterans like Robinson Cano, Wilson Ramos and Jacob deGrom to demand more of themselves and their teammates. The Mets need to forget what happened yesterday and play ball like their season depends on it, because, at this point, it does.
Matt, as you know I always enjoy your articles that deal with the future schedule and the goals that you set. This article is realistic and spot-on. At this point, I don’t think that Callaway has the experience 2 right this ship. Also, no veteran is playing near their average that’s on the back of their baseball card. The veterans have their own problems. Callaway does not have the fortitude 2 rest Cano or switch him in the order. The Mets are rudderless.
Broxton feels like he not getting enough playing time and he wasn’t afforded an opportunity. If he would have you could delivered yesterday, or he fielded better last week, Maybe he would get more playing time. The Mets should accommodate him by cutting him and he can play in Cincinnati or San Francisco. Dom Smith adjusted even after he was wrongfully send to the minors.
Gsellman was on a roll but he had no opportunity to pitch so he got stale. Meanwhile, Lugo he’s on a roll and should be starting with two starters on the IL. Is there anyone in management that has the pulse of this team? This was the opportunity to see if Lugo could be a valuable starter. I realized in the past he did not but now he has more experience.
Finally, the Mets mind set should be 2 look forward to the challenge of the June 10th to the all-star break. Instead they fear it and are unprepared to meet the challenge. The front office and the coaches need to look in the mirror.
Metsense, I wonder if Cano batting third and rarely getting a day off is due to a lack of fortitude on the part of Callaway, or are there the fingerprints of the GM on this? He seems like the kind of guy who likes to micro manage and he also seems to favor aging veterans who he once was the agent for
Matt, you will never get a veteran that knows how long a 162-game season is, to say games in mid-May are pivotal. Further, you will never get a veteran to change his spots; they are who they are, and they were before you got them. Veterans feel losses will happen, injuries will happen, and the long season drains their enthusiasm and before you know it, the team is out of it by July 20th and selling.
This team is on the Wilpons. This is what they wanted: Names, Veterans, guaranteed wins. They hired a GM promising that no matter the cost, as long as it doesn’t pass $160MM. Brodie relied on the staff that was in place, overpaid for Cano and Diaz by giving up the wrong prospects when Cano couldn’t be traded to any other team, then kept signing and trading for redundant pieces. Well, the Mets were built to win on starting pitching and bullpen with offense giving just enough. If the game doesn’t go exactly that way, they are losing the game.
Perfectly stated Gus.
Health is now a big concern heading toward a stretch that offers opportunity. Nimmo hasn’t had a consistent presence since he was dinged…Conforto is out…. Lowrie will probably see the field near July….add the Pitcher dings, and they’re in Limp Mode.
Broxton continues to Look Like Tarzan/Hit Like Jane— a low contact guy with 2 ab’s a week, I’m sure he’s frustrated and it’s obvious that he needs ab’s if he’s ever to become a hitter. His comments may be absolutely correct….but they’d be best unspoken—he’s probably assured his release. They simply cannot afford to “Give Him Ab’s” because of his present production.
Interested to see whether Gomez is called…or whether Left Field might become a Platooon with him or JD Davis with Dom Smith as your LH side of that. This may be a big opp for D Smith.
Feels like Callaway is the wrong guy. 23-19 through 42 in 2018 and now 20-22 this year.
However, they will be better in June this year than last.
I don’t see Callaway between the white lines. This team is not that good, gambling on aging vets on the steep decline as if it wouldn’t happen. The players are not that good as a whole, the rotation was never going to be enough. The question is why is everyone so down on Callaway when the real culprit is BVW who staffed this mess and sold the Wilson’s (yet again) on win now instead of the necessary sensible rebuild that was and still is needed.
I dont like him, because I dont like him. How’s that for an answer. All kidding aside, except for Alonso now, who is scary in their lineup?
Lagares and Broxton both suck and Gomez will be mediocre at best. Playing like a .500 team or below, because that is what they are.
Again – the players are BVWs responsibility. He deserves to be slammed, and rightfully so.
They are in great position to trade in or trade out of the pennant race. I do think there remains more Hope than dispair ahead