That 9th-inning meltdown by Edwin Diaz was not only shocking, but it took away all the feelgood moments from the game. Including a solid, 7-inning start from Noah Syndergaard, 2 HR’s from Pete Alonso and Dominic Smith proving once again that somehow, someway, the Mets need to find a way to keep him in the starting lineup. Of course, if the Mets can come back today and get a split of this series, it’d erase the bad taste in my mouth.
Monthly Archives: May 2019
Michael Conforto’s Grand Slam Leads Mets To Win Over Dodgers
The Dodgers are so good that taking a game out of L.A. is good enough for me. I just didn’t want the Mets to get swept. By the way Steven Matz isn’t getting near enough credit for how well he’s pitched so far this year. Take away that one awful start in Philly and the guy’s been an ace.
All-Star Slugger Bill Buckner Dies at 69
Bill Buckner was much more than Game 6 and it wasn’t his fault (Dave Stapleton should’ve been playing 1st and as many foregt, there was a Game 7) the Red Sox lost the ’86 World Series. Buckner was a batting champ, an All-Star and had a long and distinguished career. Still, it was a good thing that he and Red Sox fans were able to reconcile before he passed and how awesome was it for Larry David to show Buckner’s ‘true spirit’ in that infamous Curb Your Enthusiasm episode years back.
RELATED: Saddened Mookie Wilson: Bill Buckner is more than that one play
Amed Rosario Reminds Everyone Why Hustling Counts In Walk-Off Win Over Nats
Listen, the Mets knew what they were getting in Robinson Cano and that included his well-earned rep for not hustling at times. Sure, you had every reason to think that with age, maturity and possibly wanting to show leadership with a new and younger team, that Cano might change his loafing ways, but that hasn’t always been the case and he deserved to be benched the other day for lack of hustling on those two plays. Going forward, maybe Cano really will ‘get the hint’ and change his lackadaisical ways…or maybe not.
Yoenis Cespedes Suffered Ankle Fractures After A Fall On His Florida Ranch
Cespedes communicated to the team that, “He stepped in a hole and twisted his leg and foot into a difficult position,” Van Wagenen said. The rookie GM added it was his understanding that Cespedes didn’t fall off a horse.
While Van Wagenen wouldn’t say as much, the serious injury clearly means Cespedes will miss at least the duration of this season, with his availability for next year in question.
Van Wagenen made a point of noting that Cespedes suffered his injury from “non-baseball-related activity,” thereby leaving the team’s options open regarding an attempt to recoup some of Cespedes’ salary if it can prove the accident resulted from actions outlawed in the 33-year-old’s contract. Asked whether Cespedes’ activity might have compromised his right to be paid, Van Wagenen said, “We haven’t even thought about implications to the contract.”
Hey, with the help of Cespedes’ mighty bat, we got to a World Series in 2015 and a wild-card playoff game the following year. Since then Cespedes has barely played and the Mets coincidentally or not coincidentally have suffered greatly without him. And now with yet another setback that will presumably kill any chance he had of returning this season, I think it’s time for the Mets, if they can, to just close this chapter for good.
Why Wasn’t Tomas Nido Catching Jacob deGrom Last Night?
As rough as things have been for the Mets, if they can’t get consistency out of deGrom, they’re going to have serious issues.
Wilson Ramos, who went 2-for-4, was Friday’s catcher, and after what transpired it wouldn’t be a surprise if Tomás Nido is behind the plate for deGrom’s next start.
DeGrom is 2-0 with a 0.43 ERA in three starts pitching to Nido, but is now 1-5 with a 6.39 ERA when pitching to other catchers.
Callaway had no regrets about sticking with deGrom as the game got away from him.
“He’s your ace,” the manager said. “He’s gonna throw his pitches. You’re gonna win or lose with him. That’s the right thing to do. He’s the leader of the staff and he gets that chance.”
Listen, deGrom still has to make the pitches, but when you look at the difference in results on deGrom between when Nido catches him and when Wilson Ramos does, it’s worth having a conversation about.
As Wilmer Font Struggles Again, Gio Gonzalez Continues To Shine
Gio Gonzalez has been more than a marginal upgrade for the Brewers since the Mets passed on him again after he opted out of his minor-league contract with the Yankees last month.
The 33-year-old lefty owns a 2-0 record and a 1.69 ERA in four starts for Milwaukee after allowing one run over 5 1/3 innings in a 5-2 victory Wednesday over the Phillies. Gonzalez signed a one-year deal worth $2 million with the Brewers, the team he finished last season with, on April 24.
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The Mets made a minor trade for Wilmer Font earlier this month, but he’s posted a 9.95 ERA in two starts. Chris Flexen also has made one spot start this season.
“The addition of Gio, ‘consistent’ is the word you’d like to use because the line scores look the same every time out,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell told reporters Wednesday. “It’s more than consistent; he’s been really darn good. He hasn’t given up more than two runs in a start yet. That’s really good.”
Some head-scratching moves made by Brodie Van Wagenen so far this season (mind you, it’s only May): signing the journeyman Font over Gonzalez, not letting Dominic Smith get reps in the outfield, Todd Frazier still being on the team and failing to make an offer to Dallas Keuchel, who’s still available and reportedly willing to accept a 1-year contract.
Pete Alonso Powers Mets To 7-6 Victory Over Padres
With our offense in a huge funk and with a 4-game losing streak coming in, to say we didn’t need that win last night means you’re in total denial. And yeah, things got really dicey there in the 9th inning, but thank goodness we survived.
“All-In” Mets Acquire Pitcher With Lifetime 6.51 ERA To Help Pitching Woes
With their pitching staff under siege by injuries, the Mets worked the trade market for relief.
The Mets acquired Wilmer Font from the Rays on Monday for a player to be named later, The Post’s Joel Sherman confirmed.
With relievers Jeurys Familia (shoulder soreness), Luis Avilan (elbow soreness) and Justin Wilson (elbow soreness) all on the injured list, and starters Steven Matz (nerve irritation) and Jason Vargas (hamstring) potentially joining them there, Font will provide depth and versatility.
The 28-year-old righty had a 5.79 ERA in 10 appearances with the Rays this season — four of which were multi-inning outings — while striking out 18 and walking five.
RELATED: 3 things Mets can do to turn season around, including better roster management
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Ron Darling Diagnosed With Thyroid Cancer
Darling made a lot of news lately for his new book that contained uncorroborated claims of racism against Lenny Dykstra, but this news is something different and way more important. I love listening to Darling, Keith and Gary Cohen while I watch games and hope to continue doing so for a long time. Hope he gets better soon.
RELATED: Mets land rooting for Ron Darling during tough times
Pete Alonso Named NL Rookie of the Month
Congrats Pete!
Noah Syndergaard Does It All In 1-0 Win Over Reds
Considering how bad Syndergaard was struggling all season, this shutout win is so important going forward. And becoming the first pitcher to throw a shutout and provide the only run with a HR (i.e. a ‘True Win’) in a very long time isn’t shabby either.
RELATED: Noah Syndergaard saved Mets from nightmare bullpen scenario