The Mets got shut out for just the fourth time this season, dropping a 1-0 game to the Reds and ruining a terrific first start back by Max Scherzer Tuesday night in Cincinnati.
It seemed odd that Buck Showalter opted for Tommy Hunter over Adam Ottavino in the eighth inning of a scoreless game. It seemed really odd that he opted for Seth Lugo to pitch a second day in a row instead of Ottavino. Clearly, Ottavino wasn’t available. But my preference would have been Adonis Medina instead of a second straight game from Lugo. As I told Gus several days ago, the default decision is to use any rested righty reliever instead of Lugo or Ottavino on back to back days.
Lugo gave up a double to lead off the night, a play that Starling Marte appeared to have alligator arms on as he was approaching the wall. Marte has done a great job in right field, a spot he’d never played in the majors before this season. The one exception is on plays close to the wall.
They gave the next batter an intentional walk and Lugo walked the next hitter to load the bases. The next batter drilled one to center field that Brandon Nimmo ran down but was an easy sac fly.
Meanwhile, the big news was the first start back for Scherzer, who looked like he had all of his pitches working. He threw six scoreless innings with a season-high 11 strikeouts.
But the offense was missing in action for most of the game. Somehow, there were eight chances with runners in scoring position and the Mets didn’t register a single hit. It’s the 2021 offense all over again and none of us want to see that.
Well, can’t win them all.
A word on JD Davis: His barrels scream ability, but at what point do you need to move on? Davis offers a 62.6% Hard Hit% with a 94 mph average Exit Velocity! That’s incredible! I just don’t want to see him like so many other former Mets doing well somewhere else. To compare, Mike Trout is 52.1% and 92; Pete Alonso is 45.5% and 89.5. I just can’t let Davis go. These are the type of guys that catch fire for a month.
Supposedly Smith had a batting stance tweek, but even his two run double was a misplayed flyball. Still, I say hold onto both. Inciarte should be first to go.
JD Davis has 154 ABs and 56 strikeouts.
In other words, he strikes out 36% of the time he steps to the plate.
So the only way the 62.6% Hard Hit rate is possible is if you don’t count all the strikeouts, all the swings and misses. At which point you have to wonder about the value of a statistic that ignores 36% of the data.
It also doesn’t take into account all the balls he hits into the ground, his lack of lift & power.
It’s a stat that lacks in context and is being wildly misused to explain something that simply does not register with what we see on a daily basis. He can’t catch up to a fastball and chases down and away changeups.
He is 29 years old.
The Mets have gotten nothing from the DH slot. Time to move to improve the team.
And the thing is that he’s getting worse. Since 6/15 he has 41 PA and 18 Ks for a 43.9 K%
I’ve always believed in him as a hitter. But the fastball has not been his friend & somehow he can’t adjust. He hit 22 bombs in 2019, I think.
It’s the old conundrum: maybe if he played everyday, it would come around. But he’s been given opportunities — everyone wants him to do well — but he’s simply not helping the Mets win baseball games. Ultimately, I’m from the school of thought that says a player has to earn it.
On that note, I think Vientos has earned a call up.
Mets against LHP: .245/.323/.379/.702
Mets against RHP: .261/.329/.411/.740
A lefty started yesterday.
Actually, I believe after a poor start with LHP, it’s gotten better. Something like 12-5 in last starts vs. LHP.
Pete’s struggles vs. LHP are a little confounding.
Gut Reaction: A wasted effort by Max. Another 0-8 in RISP in disastrous. Very questionable for the selection and order of the bullpen use in this game. There must have been a reason.
JD and Dom have not produced that power numbers that are expected for a DH. It is very hard to know what their market value is. The team needs to improve DH, Catcher and Relievers. Are there potential players with expiring contracts that the Mets could trade for that would improve the team now?.
Let’s win today, let’s hit when RISP, let’s win the series, LGM.
Mets could sure use a Pete Alonso post HR Derby bump.
Lugo can’t pitch back-to-back games.
It’s a fact.
He can barely pitch with full day’s rest.
He’s held together by duct tape & super glue.