All of us armchair managers think we could handle an MLB bullpen.
Of course, the real managers have access to information those of us on the outside simply do not. That’s a handicap when managing a pen from afar, something that we all need to acknowledge. My opinion is that it’s not an insurmountable disadvantage. Reasonable people can think otherwise.
My impression is that Carlos Mendoza bungled his bullpen usage down the stretch and that he got bailed out by the offense on Tuesday. Specifically, he should not have used Phil Maton three days in a row and he should not have brought Edwin Diaz into Game #161 in the eighth inning.
It’s only natural to have relievers you trust more than others. And, certainly, there are guys that you don’t want to use in high-leverage situations, either. But Mendoza should have four guys he feels okay about using in the eighth inning or later — the aforementioned Diaz and Maton, along with Jose Butto and Reed Garrett.
In 36 IP as a reliever during the regular season, Butto had a 2.00 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. Additionally, he limited batters to a .527 OPS coming in out of the pen. It’s true he had a bad stretch late in the year, the type of thing every reliever has. But in his last five games of the regular season, Butto had 5 IP, 0 R, 0 BB and 8 Ks. And of course there was yesterday’s 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB and 3 K outing in G1 of the Wild Card series.
Meanwhile, Garrett had been lights-out for most of the close to 2024, save his poor outing in the Milwaukee series.
Mendoza’s moves have worked out better than he had any right to expect. Still, we’re looking at G2 where Butto is likely unavailable and if either Diaz or Maton have to be used, they’ll likely be less than 100%.
Somewhere this century, the idea materialized that one day off automatically refreshes a reliever, regardless of how often he’s pitched recently. A lot of people will come into today thinking that a day off nullifies any effects the 66 pitches Diaz threw in the two previous games or that it will be no issue to use Maton for the fourth time in five days. But you won’t find me in that camp.
There are times you have to go to the whip. If the Mets hold a one-run lead in the ninth inning tonight, Diaz should be in the game. Still, the danger of going to the whip in the Wild Card round is that you’re courting danger in the near future, whether that comes in the NLDS, the NLCS or the World Series.
Ideally, the offense puts up another eight runs today and Mendoza can use Garrett and the “B” relievers to finish up. But a close game and a loss today will put the pen in perilous shape for the series-deciding game on Thursday.
*****
Join us in the Game Chatter for G2 of the Wild Card series, which is slated for a 7:30 start. Here’s the direct link — https://substack.com/chat/1934025/post/458fb1b3-cb7a-4574-b475-b1c0207fe314
The reality is that all of us armchair, managers think we can do it better than those who are in their current positions. The reality is we cannot. We have debated and argued about Mendoza’s use of his entire roster this season and especially his questionable use of the pen. We are quick to point out when it fails and hardly ever willing to give credit when his move works. Clearly Mendoza doesn’t throw run hit or field and must rely on the players to do their jobs. When Butto came in the other day I had almost forgotten that he was on the roster since I couldn’t remember the last time he pitched. And when he threw two perfect innings, I started to wonder why we haven’t seen him more often. Bring back the days of Goose Gossage when he pitched one or two winnings and could throw nearly every day. Our relief, pitchers, and for that matter, our starting pitchers have become soft.
I’ll take a win anyway we can get it and I am a big fan of small ball because waiting for that three run home run could leave you waiting a long time. Let’s take game two and move onto Philadelphia.
Yanks/Mets WS? Maybe!
Game #1 DH, 9/30 Bot 8th, Mets 7 Braves 4: I would have pitched Butto because had 5 appearances in a row without a ER and also allowed only one hit in that time frame. His last appearance was 9/27. Mendoza’s moves didn’t work,taxing Maton and then Diaz in the eighth. He was bailed out by Lindor.
Game #1, Playoffs, 10/1 , Bot 9th, Mets 8 Brewers 4: Stanek replaced Butto. See my comment to Gus in the Gut Reaction.
One day off doesn’t automatically refresh a relief pitcher. I’m with Brian’s camp. Judiciously use relief pitchers with the eye of the whole picture of the playoffs.
10/2: shame on Mendoza! He hadn’t read the Wednesday catch-all thread ! He could have learned something.
Alert: change in starting time of game 3
7:08 ET on ESPN per mlb.com
Thanks for the update!
I have to give it some further thought. If any of you have a different opinion, please elaborate
Greatest Single¹ At-Bats in New York Mets History
1. Mookie Wilson, 1986 World Series Game 6, October 25th, Bottom of 10th inning, Shea Stadium, Bob Stanley pitching
2. Pete Alonso, 2024 NLWC Game 3, October 3rd, Top of 9th inning, American Family Field, Devin Wiliams pitching
1. By single at-bat, I mean one event, not what it led to (or will lead to)
Todd Pratt is up there as well.
Senga starting Game 1!!!
That is great news. Hopefully he can give 3 innings but that might be optimistic.
Kranick was going to be dropped for Megill. Who gets left off the NLDS roster for Senga? My guess in Brazoban.
I told you yesterday that there was a ghost of a chance.
I’d request your adult opinions because you guys shouldn’t allow me to rely on what various gasbags and chuckleheads on YouTube are asserting
There’s this thing on The Toob called Jomboy of whose apparent greatness I had not been aware
He claims that Devin Williams was tipping his pitches, implying that this is what Alonso and the Mets used to gank him.
Look on The Toob and you’ll find his cacophonous video
Heck, I’ll give yous the URL:
Pre-thanks in advance
I believe there is a good chance that the Mets were keen to some pitch tipping by Williams. The video provides some compelling evidence on multiple fronts. It is hard to tell how clear his hand positions were to the hitter, who is viewing Williams from the opposite side of the camera angle. However, I do think it is possible that they pick up on something that subtle in this day and age with all the video available as well as the support staffs on teams providing the players with “intelligence”. Even with technology removing sign stealing, knowing what pitch is coming is still a huge advantage that hitters will search for.
I think it is pretty much accepted that a large part of Severino’s terrible 2023 was due to pitch tipping, which he and the Mets feel has been corrected. Hopefully the Phillies don’t have anything on the Met pitchers.
Interesting stuff, thanks for posting.
Today’s commentary in reference to Game 2 of 2024 NLDS
So, PheePhi made two decent plays in the 2nd I, by Sttott and Harper
Sttott’s play is pretty good, Harper’s nothing amazing
Then les doofees claim Harper is and/or has become one of the best fielding 1B in league
Let’s investigate:
Since I don’t know any better, I choose to compare Harper to PooBear, Goldschmidt and Olson, the latter two I picked because they have won 4 GGs and 2 GGs respectively, which is more than any other active 1B… I think
I picked PooBear because he appears to be the standard of awful 1B defense according to >1 Mets360er
Harper’s numbers appear better than PooBear, probably surprises nobody
Goldschmidt had probably his worst defensive season in 2024, although his range factor (per G and per 9 I) still better than league average
Olson had an excellent season by the numbers – evaluated as such, deserves the GG more than any of the other 3
Harper has 179 career games at 1B, including 141 this year.
If you compare those 141 to his previous 38 games, well then, yeah, he’s gotten better
But those are sample sizes which, arguably, have limited utility… or do I mean usefulness?
Harper’s range factors are right around league average
Conclusion: These announcers are talking bullsnot as usual
I am totally willing to admit my shortcomings
Rizzo, who plays for NYY¹, has gathered 4GGs, all with the Cubbies
Also, someone named Walker (Christian?) has ganked the last 2 NLGG at 3B
Combined with Goldie and Olson, these 4 dudes have the most GGs among active 3B
1. If you can call that playing
Question I asked my wife:
In an all-out street brawl, who would win – Grimace or that Phillie Phanatic?
Her answer:
Grimace by KO
I really am so tired of these bonehead announcers yelling at me.
The Philcos scored 3 in the bottom of the 8th, only exciting hit/play was 3B by Sttott
And yet, these lunatics are yelling like the world is coming to an end
I’m going to listen to subsequent games with the volume off
Ive addressed the annually horrific national broadcasting on TV by getting my phone to sync woth the TV so I can listen to Howie and Keith and watch the TV on mute.
Each series gets worse than the next. And for sure Ronnie will never call a postseason Mets game.
Editor’s Note – It very clearly says — Please use this thread all week to discuss any Mets-specific topic you wish.