For the second straight night, the Mets and Phillies played a game that either team could have won. And for the second straight time, the Mets wound up on the wrong end of a one-run game, this time 5-4 in 10 innings Friday night in Philadelphia.
The Mets jumped out to a 2-0 lead and Tylor Megill was having a strong game. But it fell apart on him in the sixth inning, in part because of two plays not made by the defense. Neither one of these were easy plays but if either was made, the Phillies don’t score in the inning.
The first was on a ball hit up the middle that Francisco Lindor was able to field but Ronny Mauricio was not able to handle a somewhat-wild throw. Maybe Mauricio didn’t display the best footwork on the play. Maybe Lindor should have made a better throw. It was going to be a close play at second base regardless. The other tough play was a foul pop on the first base side that Mark Vientos wasn’t able to field. There was a very strong wind, one which might have cost the Mets a couple of homers in the game, blowing in from right that pushed the ball far away from Vientos. Maybe Omar Narvaez should have caught it. Either way, neither play was made and J.T. Realmuto hit a three-run homer to give the Phillies the lead.
Trailing 4-2, Francisco Lindor homered in the eighth inning to cut the deficit to one run. Then Brett Baty hit a monster HR to center in the top of the ninth to tie the game.
The Phillies threatened in the bottom of the ninth but Brooks Raley kept them off the board. The Mets had two on and one out in the 10th but Francisco Lindor went fishing on a ball and struck out for the second out. Jeff McNeil walked to load the bases but Pete Alonso flailed helplessly at another pitch in the dirt for the third out. It was the third strikeout of the game for Alonso.
Adam Ottavino issued an intentional walk to Bryce Harper to start the bottom of the 10th. And then a bloop single ended the game, making Ottavino 1-6 on the year.
Gut Reaction: it was a good game and Baty had a clutch home run. Baby and Vientos are hitting home runs and showing recent signs of growth. But the Mets still lost. All four Baby Mets have growing pains.
All of them make rookie mistakes. When you look at them, do you see future guaranteed stars? Or do you see a number one draft pick, like Peterson, who has an occasional good game and then has to revert to growing pains? If the Mets choose the road of patience next year and let the Baby Mets develop are they confident that they will reap rewards? If the Mets decide to take that road, 2024 will be a struggle to get a winning record. The Mets fans will witness many games like the last two ones with the Phillies. Good try but no cigar.
All four Baby Mets have shown improvement and potential, but still have a way to go: Alvarez needed to hit the ball to the right side of the infield in the 10th, Mauricio is working on his positioning, Baty is lifting the ball more and showed some clutch fielding, and Vientos has flashed massive power off some very good pitchers.
Will Baty be the regular at 3rd base? Alvarez’s OBP get into the .300s (like in the minors)? Can Vientos be a good DH/bench player? Where should Mauricio mainly play?
Should a team’s “A”plan for 2024 be with a third baseman hitting .611 OPS, a second baseman hitting 659 OPS a DH hitting 642 OPS? Or should that be their “B” plan and sign free agents trade and trades to have a competitive roster. They have young players now to trade for established players. Hope is not a strategy.
Recently in the Game Chatter, ChrisF mentioned he may not run for reelection as Mayor of Panic City. Perhaps we’ve found his replacement … Metsense!?!
I am not in a panic but I am a realist. I don’t want to give up another season. It is a better strategy to have a rookie forcing their way into the lineup and not giving a position that they may not deserve. Alvarez has a 716 OPS and 23 homeruns. Nido had a 600 OPS and 3 homeruns last year. Alvarez force himself in the lineup. I’m not advocating giving up on Baty, Vientos or Mauricio. If the Mets sign Lordes Gurriel Jr (OF) and Jeimer Candelario (3B-1B) the Mets would be more competitive. They would not be too expensive and the Baby Mets would comprise the bench and if they force the issue they’ll get a starting position. That isn’t too unreasonable, is it?
That’s exactly the 500M$ question. It just is sort of sad that there really isnt a clear answer. Im sure Cohen would like to have seen three of four rookies so highly regarded as cementing spots for next year. I guess you can see Mauricio and Alvarez as locks, and hope both can hit. Vientos is showing signs of life as primary (?) DH and back up 1B but…. And then there is Baty, the great unknown. Ok at 3B but not special. And can he figure out out to hit? If they are on the market for 3 starters, a couple relievers, *and* 3B well, 2024 will be another very costly season. Will be fascinating to see what Stearns does.
I think the point is that the trend seems to be up for most of them (above the overall numbers).
The Mets have multiple options at 2B and 3B among the Babies and with McNeil, so they all don’t have to “make it.”
I would sign a good OF/DH hitter (maybe Bellinger or Ohtani) too.
Lots to decide for 2024. Had some chances to score but didn’t but then again we are playing a playoff team with 85 wins now and a legit chance to win the WS. Big hit by Baty and one by Lindor. Alonso after a first inning RBI double, is in a funk as is Alvarez – doesn’t the team have a hitting coach? Megill was good until the 6th and the mistake to JT. Thought we should have had someone warming up in the fifth. We malign Walker but he only gave up 2 runs in his 6 innings. Poor footwork by Mauricio was a killer – who keeps their foot on top of a base ever? Quintana against Wheeler today and a Butto on Sunday. Can we snag one game during this series? Then home to the still fighting for a playoff spot Marlins and two more against the Phillies. If we can get to 75 wins we would have sadly done all we could this season. Off season and changes can’t happen soon enough.
Gut reaction on this game alone: BS run in the bottom of the tenth. Ghost runner and then one of the luckiest hits in the world as Bohm hit it off the handle barely over the first baseman’s glove. Game over. Alonso in the top of the tenth didn’t even hit the ball. Come on Pete…
As for the long run, the kids have shown flashes and that’s what you want to see if rookies. They aren’t Hall of Famers (yet), but is Chapman and a random DH the better bet as high dollar free agents? Hope isn’t a strategy but neither is impatience as that hasn’t worked for Cohen yet in three years.
Sign Ohtani and Yamamoto and Soto next year: comes get us!
101 wins in 2022 isn’t a failure. In fact, it worked very well.
Gotta go Pete 1B, McNeil 2B, Lindor SS, Mauricio 3B, Nimmo CF, Marte RF and some combo of Stewart and an RH OF currently not a Met platooning in LF. Vientos as the primary DH. Alvarez behind the plate and Baty in AAA. Guilorme, Navarez, and another IF round out the position players. If Stewart comes back to earth, they can think about bringing Gilbert up. I suspect that Gilbert is the first man up out of the minors, which although improved, still isn’t ready to produce much right away.
Yamamoto signed as a FA, and another starter imported via the trade route. Senga, Q, and whoever wins the audition as the rotation. Diaz comes back, which will be a big boost. Maybe they can coax Robertson back. It might take a no-trade clause to do so. I would convert Megill to a reliever. Raley is just OK, but they will need another lefty. Clean out the rest of the ‘pen.
Kinda rooting for a long losing streak at the end of this season so they pass the Angels for the #6 spot, keeping the pick and getting into the lottery.
Our Baby Mets didn’t match the three Phils kids. But remember Stott and Bohr weren’t too good last year. Maybe our kids play better next year.