20/20 Hindsight: Mets Better Than Padres
For all the talk about the San Diego Padres this year, a depleted New York Mets team just took the season series:
1. People keep telling us to appreciate Jacob deGrom and not take him for granted. Not sure why because every Mets fan absolutely venerates him.
2. One of these days, deGrom is going to have a perfect game. It’s just going to happen.
3. Next time deGrom departs a game early, the reaction should be calm. He’s listening to his body, the Mets are listening to him, and they’re all just getting him ready to dominate in October . . . which he will.
4. While we’re told not to under appreciate deGrom, his sheer greatness is actually overshadowing Marcus Stroman who has been great this year.
5. Give credit where it is due, Joey Lucchesi has absolutely turned around his season. He wants a chance to go through a lineup a third time, and sooner or later, he probably should get that chance.
6. Not enough credit is being given to Luis Rojas and Jeremy Hefner for the job they’re doing.
7. Of course, it was a poor decision to leave in Jeurys Familia that long and to bring in Jacob Barnes in that spot. However, when you’re short bad and indefensible decisions like that are going to happen.
8. The question does need to be asked – if the Mets are so reticent to use Barnes, why is he still on the team?
9. Seeing Seth Lugo back to Lugoat form, you’re further convinced this team is going to win the World Series.
10. People can dismiss what Chris Paddack said all they want, but he does seem to have Pete Alonso‘s number.
11. Dominic Smith really needs to pick it up. Sooner or later, this team will get healthy, and he’s going to be in peril of losing playing time.
12. It’s great to see Luis Guillorme back healthy and performing wizardry in the field.
13. Months later, he may no longer be on the roster, but people should remember how Jose Peraza held down the fort and each and every single one of his homers gave the Mets a lead.
14. He’s probably not the best option, but Jonathan Villar has done everything the Mets could’ve asked. He’s been better than anyone could’ve reasonably expected, and at this point, the third base job should be his.
15. Of course, Billy McKinney is dealing with a sore knee and needed to miss a game. This would’ve be the 2021 Mets if that didn’t happen.
16. Tomas Nido has started struggling at the plate once he stopped being the everyday catcher, but James McCann is thriving.
17. More than what they’re doing at the plate, the Mets pitchers are thriving while throwing to both of these catchers. So long as the catchers are maximizing pitcher performances, they’re doing a great job.
18. On the topic of catchers, if Francisco Alvarez hits a huge homer, let him do a bat flip. Criticize him when he celebrates and the ball doesn’t go out, which is something that hasn’t happened yet.
19. People may want to get rid of the DH, but deGrom has more RBI than earned runs allowed.
20. In case you haven’t noticed, it’s June 14, and the Mets are over .500 so far this month.
Game Recaps
Jacob deGrom Provides Thrills and Chills