2015 Playoff Preview
I thought I knew Jon Niese. I thought he was the guy who was weak mentally and made excuses for his poor outings. After the Mets clinched, we found out he’s a guy that will do whatever he can to win:
Jon Niese approached Terry Collins about pitching out of the bullpen — not the other way around. He'll start doing so this week. #Mets
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) September 27, 2015
Niese has been a starter for his entire career. He made his one and only relief appearance in 2011. This is no small gesture on his part even if he knows it’s his only chance to be on the playoff roster. If he does make the roster, what will his bullpen role be?
Well, for starters, we know, he won’t be a set up guy for Jeurys Familia. Those roles are firmly in the hands of Addison Reed and Tyler Clippard (back willing). If either of them faulter, the Mets could go with multiple inning appearances from Familia or go to Hansel Robles. That means the bullpen spots remaining are long man and LOOGY.
I’m not sure he qualifies as a LOOGY. For his career, lefties hit .262/.314/.397 off of him. This year lefties are hitting .285/.325/.431 off of him. By comparison, lefties are hitting .169/.217/.351 off of Robles. I’m not sure if Terry Collins would be willing to use Robles as a LOOGY in the playoffs.
He may feel inclined to use the only effective lefty reliever he has: Sean Gilmartin. He’s been better than Niese against lefties, but not by much. Lefties hit .264/.316/.341 off of him. It’s probably one of the reasons he became the long man. Gilmartin and Niese will face some competition for that role against Bartolo Colon.
Unlike Colon, Niese is moving to the bullpen now. It’s possible with him being able to max out for one inning, he will be much better against lefties. He may be better against righties for that matter. Niese has occasionally liked to drop his arm angle. If some effectively, he could be another Pedro Feliciano. If not, at least he tried.
Honestly, I hope he makes it. Of all the pitchers on the Mets staff, he’s been here the longest. I’m glad he’s getting his chance. I hope he makes the most of it.
Now that the Mets have clinched the NL East, the time is fast approaching to set the NLDS roster. Keep in mind, this is for the NLDS only. The Mets can the roster if they advance to the NLCS.
I’ve made some changes to my prior analysis. The reason is due to injuries to players like Juan Uribe. Another reason was the possibility that Jon Niese and Bartolo Colon may move to the bullpen.
Note, this is not what I would do, but rather, what I think the Mets will do. I am taking into consideration the Dodgers lefty heavy starting rotation and lineup. Without further ado, here’s my best guess:
Catchers
Infielders
3. Lucas Duda
6. David Wright
7. Ruben Tejada
Outfielders
10. Michael Cuddyer
11. Yoenis Cespedes
12. Juan Lagares
Pinch Runner
14. Eric Young, Jr.
Rotation
15. Matt Harvey
16. Jacob deGrom
17. Noah Syndergaard
18. Steven Matz
Bullpen
19. Jeurys Familia
20. Tyler Clippard
21. Addison Reed
22. Hansel Robles
23. Sean Gilmartin
24. Jon Niese
25. Bartolo Colon
I’m not 100% confident in this. I could see Uribe getting healthy enough to play knocking EY, Lagares, or Johnson out of the lineup. With all the lefties, I could see Eric Campbell or Dilson Herrera (3-4 with a walk, a homer, two runs, and a two RBIs on Sunday) making the team as well.
I also think there is real competition and consideration for the last three bullpen spots. Erik Goeddel has been great all year (when healthy). Carlos Torres is a Terry Collins’ favorite, who may make the team if healthy. Logan Verrett has made his car all year bouncing between starting and reliever. If Colon takes Matz’s spot in the rotation, there will be more bullpen spots because the Mets won’t put Matz in the bullpen.
No matter who is on the roster I’m excited for the playoffs again. Lets Go Mets!
After the Mets clinched, I didn’t immediately write about what it meant to me. I wrote what it meant to the Mets. I wanted to process my feelings fully before putting my thoughts to paper (or fingers to keyboard).
Somewhere in my house, I still have my 2006, 2007, and 2008 World Series tickets. I was there for the final game of the season. These tickets depress me because they are reminders of the times I could’ve gone to a World Series game with my Dad. He’s the reason I’m a Mets fan. He’s the reason I’m the man I am. He’s never gone to a Mets World Series game.
Judge me if you will, but winning the World Series is secondary to going to a World Series game with my Dad. Personally, I don’t think it makes me s bad Mets fan or anything less than the diehard I am. It’s about sharing a moment withy Dad. I don’t remember it, but I know we celebrated 1986 together, or so I’m told. He has that memory. I want him to have another.
Sure, I’ll be depressed if they lose. When the Mets lost to the Yankees in 2000, I actually had family members calling me to make sure I was alright. I just remember watching the highlights all night. It was like a train wreck. I just couldn’t look away. On a side note, it was on that night I developed an irrational hatred of Edwin McCain and his awful song “I Could Not Ask for More.”
If the Mets don’t make it this year, I won’t be as upset as I was in 2006 -2008. The reason is because I got to celebrate it with my son. It quickly became my favorite baseball memory. The only thing that will top it is if I get to go to Game Three of the World Series this year. We got the tickets.
Trust me, it wasn’t an easy decision. A lot of thought went into it. I know my Dad wanted to go do it (for the right price) after going to a Mets game with my son this year. My Dad was just amazed at how a kid that’s always on the go-go-go eagerly sits down to watch a Mets game. I am too. After all other options were exhausted we hit the secondary market a while ago and eventually found tickets at an acceptable price.
We chose Game Three for a few reasons. First, if the Mets make it, the game is guaranteed. Second, my Dad loves the player introductions. He still laughs at the fans chanting “SUCKS!” after each Cardinals player introduced in the 2006 NLCS. Finally, Game Three is going to be the first ever World Series game at Citi Field.
My Dad and I laugh at the prospect of going to a World Series game with my son. He will be 68. I will be 35. My brother will be 33. My son will turn two at the end of the month. Maybe it’s a sign my son will experience more winning than the three of us had. I know that I’m getting ahead of myself.
I hope the Mets make it that far. I want to be there with my Dad, brother, and son. It’s the only thing that will top the feeling I had on Saturday.
Clinching a playoff spot means so much to everyone related to the Mets: players, fans, coaches, and even the owners. Each fan has their story to tell, but so does the team. Here are the tales of each of the Mets:
REDEMPTION
Terry Collins: Collins managerial career was supposed to be over when he quit the Angels in 1999. Omar Minaya brought him to the Mets organization in 2010, and Sandy Alderson made him manager in 2011. He kept the team together when everyone was injured, and now, he had a team that can win. His prior teams in pennant races may have collapsed, but not this one. He’s 66 years old and finally making the playoffs as a manager.
Yoenis Cespedes: Cespedes was the guy traded last year so the A’s could win the World Series. This year the Mets traded for him so they could win the World Series. He’s rewarded the Mets faith in him.
Ruben Tejada: Tejada was supposed to be the shortstop of the future when Reyes left. Tejada never lived up to the billing and was slated to be a utility player this year. Instead, he’s had the best year of his career, and with a hot September, he now looks to be the Mets playoff SS.
FINALLY PART OF A WINNER
Daniel Murphy: Murphy first came up in 2008 to provide offense to a collapsing Mets team. The Mets found out he wasn’t an OF and thought he had no position. He worked hard to become an All Star 2B. Now, he’s the 2B of a playoff team.
Jon Niese: Like Murphy, he got his first taste of big league action during the 2008 collapse. Niese would become a solid arm and eventual Opening Day starter. Even in a down year, he’s become a Daddy and a NL East Division Champion. This may be his greatest year of all.
Bobby Parnell: Parnell has 37 saves and a one-hitter under his belt in the Mets losing seasons. He was once a big part of the future, but after Tommy John surgery, he’s part of the past. He really tried, but it just isn’t there yet (he’ll find it). If this is his last go round, he’s going out a champion as he deserves.
PROVING THEY BELONG
Lucas Duda: Duda finally won the first base competition last year over Ike Davis. He would reward the Mets faith with a 30 HR season. This year even with the struggles and the back injury, he’s hit 24 so far. The biggest being the grand slam in the division clinching game.
Travis d’Arnaud: His career started rough, and he needed to go to the minors to figure out his swing. He did, and he’s raked ever since. He’s also remained a good defensive catcher who’s an excellent pitch framer. Each of the Mets playoff appearances featured a terrific catcher. This year is no different.
THE YANKEES
Curtis Granderson: When Granderson leads off in Game One of the NLDS, he will be the first position player to appear in a Mets postseason game after first appearing in a Yankees postseason game. Granderson was a big part of the 2009 Yankees World Series team; a team who had no interest in re-signing him. He went from being a part of the Yankees to a leader and the team’s MVP.
Tyler Clippard: Strangely enough, he came to prominence in a spot start he made against the Mets as a Yankee. He was a villain as a National. Now, he’s a key component of a Mets postseason run.
Bartolo Colon: The Yankees took a chance that he would be an effective pitcher after rehabbing during a year he didn’t play baseball. The Mets gambled he could be a leader to a young pitching staff. Both gambles played off.
VETERAN LEADERSHIP
Michael Cuddyer: Cuddyer was supposed to be the missing piece offensively. Instead, he struggled and was hurt. He rebounded to be a terrific leader and bench player. He came here to win, and he did it in the regular season. Now it’s time to do it in October.
Juan Uribe: At the time the Mets traded for him, the offense was in shambles. He was a stabilizing force in the field and the locker room. He had a history or being a great locker room guy, and he hasn’t disappointed. He won in 2005 & 2010. It’s now five years later. Will the pattern continue?
Kelly Johnson: He came over with Uribe. He’s had a reputation as being able to play all over and hit anywhere in the lineup. He’s done that in the regular season, and now, he’ll get that chance to do it in the playoffs.
NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE
Michael Conforto: It took a historically bad offense, a Cuddyer injury, and a terrific AA season for the Mets to call up Conforto. When he came up, they couldn’t send him back down. He’s proven he belongs, and he’s going to be here for a long time. Now, it’s time for him to deliver in the postseason.
Wilmer Flores: In case you don’t remember, the Mets almost traded him to Milwaukee. He cried at the idea of leaving. Now that the Mets are in the playoffs, his tears are now tears of joy.
Kirk Nieuwenhuis: Kirk was having a nightmare season, was DFA’d, and shipped to the Angels. He wasn’t any better with the Angels, but the Mets picked him upon his release because their offense was that bad. He came back and was the first Met to hit three HRs at home sparking the rise to first place.
Logan Verrett: The Rangers grabbed him From the Mets in the Rule 5 draft. After four ineffective appearances, the Mets took him back and bounced him back and forth between starting and relieving. His terrific spot starts allowed the starters to get the rest needed for the playoffs.
Sean Gilmartin: He was the Mets Rule 5 pick, who was supposed to an additional lefty in the pen. The Mets grabbed two lefties right before Opening Day making his roster spot tenuous. He carved out a spot as a long man in the bullpen, and he’s outlasted all of the lefties.
Hansel Robles: The Mets were supposed to be set in the bullpen coming into the season. However, injuries, ineffectiveness, and suspensions led to him getting called up until someone better was ready. He and his quick pitching ways were so effective that he was never sent down, and now, he’s a key part of the bullpen.
Kevin Plawecki: He was the catcher of the future. The guy that was supposed to force the Mets to choose between him and d’Arnaud. He was pressed into service early with two d’Arnsud injuries. He held his own, especially defensively. He’s now going to be on the playoff roster.
Erik Goeddel: He’s had a history of arm injuries. He’s fought through them, and he’s pitched well in the bullpen when healthy. He may not have been in the original plans, but he’s pitched well when given the opportunity. Let’s see if he gets the opportunity in October.
LATE TO THE PARTY
Addison Reed: Even with all the moves, there was still a hole in the bullpen. In late August, Sandy Alderson picked up the former closer, who has been excellent. Reed has locked down the seventh inning, and he gives Mets fans comfort that the bullpen won’t be an issue in the late innings.
Eric Young, Jr.: He was a former Collins favorite and stolen base champion with the Mets. With him languishing away in AAA, the Mets traded for him to become their Dave Roberts, and he’s delivered. With an unfortunate Uribe injury, he’s quickly becoming an option for the playoff roster.
ALONG FOR THE RIDE
Dilson Herrera: He’s been labeled the 2B of the future, but he wasn’t this year. With injuries he was pressed into service too soon. He struggled to hit, but he was good defensively. He went back down to AAA, and he raked. He’s been watching the run up to the clincher, but it looks like he’ll be a big part of this in the future.
Eric Campbell: He’s earned the right to celebrate because he’s done everything he could do to stay in the majors. He made himself an emergency catcher. He plays every position except CF. He won a game with a key pinch hit. He may not be on the playoff roster, but it’s not for a lack of trying.
Eric O’Flaherty: He was supposed to be the missing piece of the bullpen. He was going to be the LOOGY. Now, he’s eating up innings so the key relievers can rest up for the playoffs. Even when it seems like someone has failed, there’s still an important role to play.
Tim Stauffer: He was really here only to provide bullpen insurance and mop up innings when Clippard had the bad back. Stauffer has done his job well.
Johnny Monell: He was probably never supposed to play, but with injuries and ineffectiveness, he got his shot. He was part of the first half team that was frustrated trying to score runs. That frustration is now gone.
PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE
Juan Lagares: There’s no denying he was much better last year. However, he’s become a late inning defensive replacement and platoon player against left handed pitching. He’s adapted to this new role without disrupting the clubhouse. He will be back and better next year. In the meantime, he will be out there for the innings that matter most this October.
Carlos Torres: He’s had the reputation as having a rubber arm, but for one day he showed he’s got wheels. He may have had a down year, but he’s always answered the call. He’s continued to be versatile. If healthy, he may be heard from again.
Anthony Recker: Even for a good defensive, poor batting average guy, Recker had a down year. His bat didn’t have the same pop it usually does. However, he’s had a good replies with Colon, and he helped him get back on track after a rough stretch.
Dario Alvarez: He came on late as a LOOGY. When the NL East was still in doubt, he got a huge strikeout of Bryce Harper. Unfortunately, he’s injured, and he won’t be back. He will be back next year.
THE YOUNG GUNS
Matt Harvey: For everything you can and will say about him, it needs to be pointed out that it started with him. He was the first arm that came up. He gave the Mets hope. He’s been terrific post Tommy John surgery. Last year, he promised Terry Collins the Mets would be here. It’s fitting he stayed out there for 6.2 innings and got the win in the clincher.
Jacob deGrom: He was originally supposed to be a reliever. He got his chance to start, and he won the Rookie of the Year Award. He then deGrominated in the All Star Game. Next stop is October.
Noah Syndergaard: He was the other part of the Dickey trade, but This year he looked like he was the key part of the trade. He’s been amazing at home. He’s stayed around 98 MPH. He’s Thortured his opponents. It’s time to do it in October.
Steven Matz: We all love the homegrown guy. We all live the local kid. Matz is both. He’s been terrific in his starts so far this year. I can’t wait to see his grandfather going nuts when Matz has his first October start.
Jeurys Familia: He came into the year as a setup man. He became the closer due to Mejia’s stupidity. He’s been dominant all year. He’s been widely considered to be the Mets MVP. He didn’t make the All Star Game, but he may be the last closer standing.
THE CAPTAIN
David Wright: There is so much to say about him. He’s the one who came up with Jose Reyes and gave Mets fans hope. In 2006, we thought the Mets were going on a long run with at least one World Series. After the 2007 and 2008 collapses, that dream died. Wright then had to face some losing seasons.
Even after the Mets refused to re-sign Reyes, he stayed. He took a hometown discount with a team on the cusp of this team getting good again. Then, in a cruel twist of fate, he was diagnosed with spinal stenosis. He rehabbed long and hard. He came back to the team, and he produced as if there was nothing wrong. He put the icing on the cake with a ninth inning homerun on the clincher.
He’s been a leader showing Thor the ropes. He’s the team captain and leader. He means a lot to the team:
"The best acquisition we got all year was David Wright” — Murph
— SNY (@SNYtv) September 26, 2015
He also means a lot to the fans. He’s our guy. It looks like he will be the great player who will be a lifelong Met. It’s why he’s the face of the franchise. It’s why we believe him when he says:
David Wright: “I bleed orange and blue. To be able to celebrate with these fans, this city, this team, is a privilege." #Mets
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) September 27, 2015
Wright’s getting another chance at a World Series. He probably deserves it more than anyone. I hope he gets it, not for me, but for him.
THE STORY CONTINUES
This is only the story of the regular season. It’s been a story with ups and downs. I enjoyed every minute of it, and I’m looking forward to the playoffs.
NOTE: If you think this post seems a lot like Faith and Fear in Flushing’s “Here’s to the Non-Winner’s” post, I think you’re right. Because of that, I sought the go-ahead for this post. Being the mensch he is, Greg Prince said yes. I encourage you to read his post. It’s fantastic.
This is the sixth time the Mets have made the playoffs in my lifetime. In 1986 and 1988, I was too young to run out and buy playoff gear. In the subsequent years, I was able to purchase playoff gear, and I did. I wasted my money.
I look at my 1999 playoff stuff, and I see Kenny Rogers walking in the series winning run. I look at my 2000 playoff stuff, and I’m reminded of the Mets losing the Subway Series. I loved my three quarter sleeve 2006 NL East Champion t-shirt up until the Carlos Beltran strikeout.
I don’t wear the stuff anymore. It’s just reminders of painful losses. Also, I’ve realized it’s not the gear I want. I want the World Series gear.
Being a Giants fan, I only got the Super Bowl Champion gear. Some people got me the NFC Champions and the NFC East Champions. I never wear them. If I’m wearing something, I’m wearing the Super Bowl Champion gear.
So take my advice. Don’t rush out and buy the NL East Champions gear. I understand your excitement, but you’ll wear it for a month at most. Save your money for the World Series. You can use the extra money to get extra stuff. Trust me. You’ll thank me later.
When the Mets first acquired Eric Young, Jr., I envisioned him having a limited, but very important role, as a pinch runner in the playoffs. Essentially, I thought of him as the Mets version of Dave Roberts:
However, as everyone came back healthy and producing, it seemed like there was no room for EY. However, no that it looks like Juan Uribe is going to be sidelined for several days after aggravating his chest injury. Depending on how healthy he is, there’s going to be an open spot on the playoff roster, at least for the NLDS.
As the Mets could look for another infielder to replace Uribe, the choice may come between EY and Eric Campbell. In some ways, Campbell has the upper hand because he’s a righty going up against a heavily left Dodgers pitching staff. EY may be a switch hitter, but he’s even worse as a right handed batter than a left handed batter. Campbell can also play more positions than EY, including SS and emergency catcher.
However, I think the Mets go with EY because he has something great – speed. EY has harnessed that speed to become a good defender and an excellent base stealer. He’s been used mostly as a pinch runner for the Mets, and he’s excelled. He has two stolen bases in two attempts. He’s scored nine runs (with no hits).
While Campbell does more things, EY does more things well. As we’ve seen, the sheer ability to steal a base, especially when everyone knows you’re going to attempt it, is a skill that can turn things around and help you win a series.
With that in mind, the Mets should replace Uribe with EY. Who knows? Maybe EY can help steal the Mets a pennant . . . or a World Series.
In many ways, this year could not have gone worse for Michael Cuddyer. His deal with the Mets was widely panned. He got off to a terrible start. He then got injured. Basically, he was a Mets free agent acquisition.
With the emergence of Michael Conforto and the Yoenis Cespedes trade, Cuddyer’s role diminished. He became a pinch hitter and a platoon player spelling Conforto and Lucas Duda. It was quite the fall from grace for a player who was once considered the Mets key offensive acquisition. The only question remaining would be how Cuddyer would respond.
In the second half, he’s hit .350/.404/.525. As a pinch hitter, he’s hit .333/.381/.333. He’s hitting .284/.370/.358 against lefties. Basically, he’s accepted his role, and he’s excelled. It’s a good thing too because the Mets are going to need him in the NLDS with the Dodgers throwing Clayton Kershaw, Alex Wood, and Brett Anderson.
Cuddyer said he came to the Mets to win. It’s one thing to say it. It’s another to do everything you can for a team to help them win, even if it means making the most out of a diminished role. We’ve seen most players go the other way when these things happen. Not Cuddyer. He turned things around, and he’s s key part of this team.
For that, he deserves our respect.
There are a number of stages to a player’s career. The first is when you’re called up and you’re learning. The second is when the league finds out more about you and adjusts. The most important is how that player responds.
It seems we’re at the response stage for Hansel Robles and his quick pitch. The league seems to have adjusted to the quick pitch with incessant whining causing the umpires to have to intervene. Usually, the umpire would call it a no pitch, but for the first time yesterday, the umpire ruled the pitch to be a ball. Under the rules, the umpire has that right.
The issue then becomes what exactly is a quick pitch? Reading the MLB rules is like reading any modern statute. It’s needlessly long and open to interpretation. I can best sum it up as a quick pitch is a pitch made when it is purposefully made when the pitcher knows the batter isn’t ready. Talk about open to interpretation.
In theory, the hold plate umpire is supposed to hold time until the batter is set in the box. Once the umpire let’s gameplay resume, the pitcher should then be able to throw a pitch. Therein lies the problem. Each time Robles has been called for a quick pitch, time was in. The umpire already judged the batter to be ready. Therefore, how could that same umpire call a ball? He’s already determined the batter ready, so how could that same batter be “off guard?”
Batters don’t like being rushed, so they’ll do anything to slow the game down. The best tactic they have at their disposal is whining. They’re doing it now with Robles, and they’re succeeding. I’m glad Collins argued last night. There needs to be a clear bright-line rule. The Mets need to get a conference call with MLB and the umpires to figure it out.
Absent that, Robles should keep doing what he does best, which is quick pitch. He just needs to be cognizant not to do it with three balls in the count so as not to award a walk. If he does quick pitch again, and it’s called a ball, he needs to collect himself better than he did last night. That’s the real adjustment needed.
He’s an important part of this bullpen in the playoffs, so he better figure it out quickly.
Terry Collins is 100% correct that you worry about getting to the playoffs, and then you let the chips fall where they may. I know I’m in the minority on this, but I don’t want the Mets fighting for homefield in the NLDS.
The first reason is the rotation. We may not know who the fourth starter is, but we do know that Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, and Noah Syndergaard will get starts. We also know Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke will start Games 1 & 2. With Syndergaard’s home/road splits, I don’t want the Mets to have a reason to start Thor in Game 2 to keep him at Citi Field over Harvey. I like the idea of coming home and having a huge edge in the pitching matchup with Thor at home.
The second reason is the Mets offense. Kershaw and Greinke are hard enough to hit. I know the Mets will be hitting in the shadows at Dodger Stadium, but the Mets hitters are better on the road. Yoenis Cespedes hits .220/.283/.484 at Citi Field. Daniel Murphy is hitting .256/.296/.429. Curtis Granderson is hitting .236/.331/.415 (although his Dodger Stadium numbers are similar). Travis d’Arnaud is .252/.320/.461. The Mets offense travels better. Let the have a better shot at getting going early in the playoffs than struggle at home.
The final and most important reason is the importance of Games 3 & 4. The Mets would be coming home either down 0-2, tied 1-1, or up 2-0. If you’re down 0-2, there’s no place you’d rather be at home to stave off elimination. You’d also rather be home tied so you have a shot to go up 2-1 in front of a rabid fan base. If the Mets come home up 2-0, after beating Kershaw and Greinke, series over.
Therefore, I don’t think homefield advantage is something you don’t want to get. Just get the team healthy and ready for the NLDS.
Right now, there are 14 Mets players who look to have a strong claim to a playoff spot with two players on the cusp of cracking into that group. Of these 16 players, only seven players have postseason experience. Here’s how they’ve fared:
- Juan Uribe (44 games) .204/.241/.338, 5 HR, 24 RBI
- David Wright (10 games) .216/.310/.378, 1 HR, 6 RBI
- Kelly Johnson (8 games) .143/.250/.429, 0 HR, 0 RBI
- Yoenis Cespedes (10 games) .340/.395/.525, 1 HR, 6 RBI
- Michael Cuddyer (22 games) .338/.372/.473, 2 HR, 8 RBI
- Curtis Granderson (36 games) .229/.333/.458, 6 HR, 17 RBI
- Eric Young, Jr. (2 games) .000/.000/.000
Now, these are short sample sizes, but outside of Cespedes, they’re not promising. Outside of Cespedes, the only player that has had success consistently in the playoffs is Cuddyer, who is a part time player.
If these stats hold true, and I’m not sure we can expect that, this means one of two things: (1) Cespedes will have to carry the Mets offensively; and/or (2) the Mets will need players, who haven’t been to the playoffs before, to perform.
The Royals last year showed you didn’t need postseason experience. They took out Jon Lester, who’s a terrific postseason pitcher. They swept an experienced Angels team in the ALDS. They then beat an Orioles team in the ALCS who had recently been in the playoffs.
The Royals mainly lost the World Series because they were beaten by a great manager in Bruce Bochy and an all-time postseason pitcher in Madison Bumgarner. As always, it comes down to pitching, and right now, the Mets have that in spades. As long as they get enough offense and Terry Collins doesn’t implode, the Mets can have a run just like the Royals did.
It appears like this October will feature low scoring, tight games. I think the Mets will be ready for it. Lets Go Mets!