Zack Wheeler made a solid start after being activated from the IL and the Mets broke out the long ball en route to a 6-3 win over the Pirates at Citi Field
Wheeler made his first start in 19 days and retired 12 in a row before tiring in the sixth inning and surrendering a 2-run homer. He finished with 5.1 IP, 3 ER 0 BB and 7 Ks.
Jeff McNeil hit a three-run homer in the third inning to put the Mets on top. Todd Frazier, Pete Alonso and Wilson Ramos each added solo shots for the Mets, who upped their record to 8-5 since the AS break.
Nice win, Wheeler looked good. Hopefully scouts saw that the Mets defense sucks, so that was an extra run scored. I’m listening to the game, hearing the base hit in the second inning that rolled passed Cano being described by Howie Rose: ‘Grounder to the right side, Cano to his left, gets passed the range challenged Cano into right field…’. To have the Mets’ announcer call Cano “range challenged” says a lot to me because we all know Rose is a company guy that is taken care of by the Mets and wouldn’t say anything he knows isn’t blessed from above, that might put him in hot water. So, there are certainly hard feelings in the organization, despite the “we” BS Brodie is selling. For three years, I described Asdrubal Cabrera as the Statue known as Asdrubal Cabrera; sucks to see we have another statue there.
I’m torn on whether I want to rip up the starting staff, but this team sucks right now. I don’t like to say that my team sucks, but right after Cano’s immobility, Rosario showed that yesterday’s defensive gems are yesterday’s news, as he failed to come up with a hard smash that would have been a sure double play. Instead, no one was thrown out and the opposition had two less outs and two base runners. Now, Wheeler had to escape that. These mishaps hurt the pitcher that inning and use up his energy that he could have had later in the game.
So, we need a CF, a SS, a RP, and a manager. I would say a 3B, but Cano belongs there next year, and Lowrie and McNeil have to figure out 2B. Smith is not a LF, and Davis needs to play everyday so the Mets can evaluate him. Frazier is an anchor anyway. Rosario has some value, but I’m not sure how much or where that is. Let him finish the year but when watching Mets games, I feel the same sense of “oh well” when something goes wrong. This feeling comes from the starting middle infielders and to some sense Smith in left field. I don’t like that dynamic.
I only saw bits and pieces of the game but I saw the two defensive plays you mentioned. It was absolutely no surprise Cano didn’t get to that ball. His defensive rep at the time of the trade was great hands and a strong arm but limited range. And range doesn’t improve as you age. It’s Asdrubal Cabrera all over again and there was no reason to expect any differently. But while Cabrera could move from SS to 2B, there’s no place for Cano to go. As Chris F likes to say, 1B is taken. And the idea you’d want Cano charging in to get balls hit to 3B is a little crazy.
As for the ball hit to Rosario, it was a rocket and far from an automatic out. It was a play that could be made, not one that should be made.
Ironically Brian, I saw the Pirates’ feed on the Rosario and both announcers felt he should have made that play and the Pirates were very lucky. One of them went as far as to say that in the major leagues that play must be made as it was a straight one hopper that wasn’t a short hop or a bad hop. As I watched that play, I agree with that assessment. We embrace mediocrity and forgive our incompetence. They don’t do that in LA, or Houston, and we need to cut it out.
It was ARod that said in January that Cano can become a very good third baseman on Mike Francesa’s show and the Mets need to move him, and he’s right. Does Frazier have range? No, but he’s sure handed. Further, Smith’s pulling up two times in a week on fly balls should be his ticket to another team this week. This stuff cannot be forgiven if we want to be consistent winners.
If an announcer says that’s a ball that has to be caught – that announcer cannot be taken seriously.
That ball eas a rocket. Agree it could have been made but wasnt one that should have been made. Which is why the official scorer scored it a hit.
Wheeler’s ERA rises from 4.69 to 4.71, and yet it’s a solid start in most people’s eyes. The analysis on Wheeler is just baffling to me. The guy has more starts giving up 4+ ER than limiting them to <2 runs. The name of the game is run prevention, not strikeout generation.
I. just. don't. get. it.
Well, if you start with the idea that “Wheeler sucks” and filter everything through that prism, then yes Friday’s game was no good.
But most of us look at a guy who hadn’t pitched in 19 days and retires 12 straight batters and goes into the sixth inning as a solid outing. Earlier in the month, Matz hadn’t pitched in 10 days and went four innings. After a long layoff, with no minor league rehab outing(s) – the expectation can’t be 7 IP, 1 ER.
Name,
I get your point, that Wheeler is viewed more on what he could be than what he is. I would agree 100% if it was not for the 2nd half last season. The reality is that any pitcher in baseball that can put up a half season or more of Cy Young level results, is under 30 years old, and throws hard will be coveted to some degree. While not exact comps, guys like Corbin and Arrieta have gotten wealthy that way.
We Met fans tend to overrate our guys, like most fans. In today’s game, Wheeler project as a solid #3 and possible #2. Give him some defense and the numbers would look better, as FIP suggests. My worst fear is seeing him win a Cy Young for the Braves in the near future.