Im not afraid to admit that when Lucas Duda hit the first inning Grand Slam, it got a little dusty in the Mets Daddy household. My son and I screamed Duda. He’s been the player we bonded over, and I couldn’t think of a better player to send the Mets on their way.
In the 10-2 clinching win, the other runs can from Mets MVP Curtis Granderson‘s second inning solo homerun. The final two came on a third inning Michael Cuddyer RBI double (scoring two). It was terrific seeing him get a big hit after how he started the year. David Wright‘s nine inning three run homerun was icing on the cake.
It was also great to see Matt Harvey just go out there and pitch. He went 6.2 innings with nine hits, two earned, and six strikeouts. He promised Terry Collins an NL East title last year, and he went out there and delivered in the clinching game. After he left, the Mets rock solid 7-8-9 trio of Addison Reed–Tyler Clippard–Jeurys Familia. This is how it’s going to go in October.
The answer to the trivia question is Jay Bruce made the last out on a Familia strike out.
After the final out, I hugged my son an cheered, I texted my brother, and I called my Dad. This was my favorite celebration after a Mets victory ever. I hope it will be topped in October.
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.
Its fitting that Matt Harvey is taking the mound today with the Mets having an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot. His absence last year was presumed to be a reason why the Mets didn’t go all out last year to try to get into the playoffs.
With Harvey healthy, along with the emergence of Jacob deGrom last year and Noah Syndergaard this year, the Mets will be going to the playoffs. No matter what you think of Harvey, and how everything has gone down, you can’t deny the wonderful season he’s had.
In his first post-Tommy John season, he’s gone 12-7 with a 2.80 ERA, 171 strikeouts (8.7 per nine), and a 1.019 WHIP in 176.2 innings. Keep in mind that today he’s going over 180 with a other start in the season before the playoffs. If the Mets go to the World Series, he may very well go over the 200-215 “loose cap” Sandy Alderdon wanted.
In any event, Harvey gave the Mets their first glimmer of hope in 2013. His absence was a dark cloud over the 2014 season. His return was a big part of the 2015 turn around. After last year, he promised the playoffs to Terry Collins:
Terry Collins said after the game @MattHarvey33 came up to him & said "We're going to do it next year." Terry added "Matt doesn't lie to me"
— New York Mets (@Mets) September 28, 2014
Harvey can now make good on that promise today. With his hard work and dedication, Harvey has earned this. There’s no one I would rather have on that mound to start the game.
Lets Go Mets!
When I cast my vote for the Cy Young Award, I have one criteria and one criteria only; I will vote for the best pitcher. The hard part is how to determine who the best pitcher is.
I’m old enough to learn not to put too much weight into win-loss record, but I’ll be honest with you. There’s a traditionalist part of me that would have a hard time completely discounting it. I think k the main reason is I’ve seen enough Jon Niese starts to see a pitcher meltdown can lead to a loss even if his stat line looks good. However, I’ll put so little weight on this you shouldn’t worry.
My father raised me to look at ERA because back then it was more indicative of a pitcher’s talent. However, it is now 2015, and there are so many stats, and combination of stats, to look at that ERA now seems like it’s arcane. Personally, I like FIP as a substitute.
There’s other stats I like as well like BABIP, hard hit rate, and LOB%. However, I won’t focus on any one stat over another. I will however focus more on starters than relievers because starters have a much greater impact than relievers. It doesn’t mean I’ll never vote for a reliever. It just means that reliever better be doing something special.
Overall, my goal is to vote for the person I think had the best year. This is the person you would want starting Game One of the World Series.
It was not that long ago that the Mets had no hope. It was not that long ago the Mets looked like they would never compete with the Nationals. It was not that long ago the Mets sought discounts to help them improve their offense. This was all last year when the Mets had Magic Number 1 Chris Young:
The Mets signed Young hoping he could reclimate his career. With the Mets, Young would hit .205/.283/.346. It was a continuation of his decline. It would only be 88 games before the Mets would release him. At that point, the Mets were in fourth place at 58-65. After his release, the Mets would slightly improve, but they would finish 79-83.
Because life isn’t fair, Young went to the Yankees and hit .282/.354/.521. This was the type of season the Mets were hoping that Young would produce for them. Young re-signed with the Yankees, and he appears to be heading to the playoffs. However, so are the Mets.
With Matt Harvey getting healthy, the Mets signed Michael Cuddyer because they thought they could win. When that didn’t work, they traded for Yoenis Cespedes. The Mets finally had hope this year, and they went for it.
It was not that long ago there was no hope. It was as soon as a year ago. Now the Mets are on the verge of the playoffs where the worst case scenario is a tie atop the division. Long gone are the days of no hope and discount players.
So with that let’s offer a tip of the cap to Magic Number 1 Chris Young. Whe you’re holding those caps up, wave goodbye to the tough times.
Well so much for the narrative that Noah Syndergaard can’t pitch on the road. He was so great tonight Keith was wondering if Thor was the best Mets pitcher.
Thor was consistently around 98 MPH. Not topping off at 98, consistently at 98. His final line was 7.2 innings, 5 hits, 2 ER, 0 BB, and 11 Ks. Thor wasn’t touched until the seventh and after his 100th pitch.
Offensively, Lucas Duda was awesome. He went 2-4 with two three run homeruns. The second homerun landed at the same Louisville Slugger facility where his bat was made.
Curtis Granderson added his own three run homerun in the eighth to make the score 12-0. Granderson finished the night 2-5 with a double, the aforementioned homer, 2 runs, and 4 RBIs. Overall, the Mets offense had a second straight great night. Daniel Murphy went 2-4 with an RBI double and a run scored.
The only starters without a hit was the red hot Ruben Tejada and the ice cold Travis d’Arnaud. In fact, they were the only starters without a multiple hit game, Thor included.
Tonight would’ve been a laugher except for Juan Uribe seemingly reinjuring himself. He was pinch hitting for David Wright, which was the right move. However, with these expanded rosters and a 12-0 score, it should’ve been Eric Campbell, who wound up finishing the at bat. Honestly, I don’t know why the Mets did it.
It was almost a laugher too because Eric O’Flaherty and Bobby Parnell had trouble getting the last out in the eighth. When Thor left the game, it was 12-1 with a runner on. By the time Parnell finally got the last out it was 12-4. Tim Stauffer gave up a ninth inning homerun and could t get the last out. This trio was so bad that Hansel Robles had to come into the game to end the nonsense and finally secure the 12-5 win.
With the Mets winning and the Nationals losing, the Mets can clinch tomorrow with Matt Harvey on the mound. It just seems fitting, doesn’t it?
I’m a traditionalist when it comes to baseball. However, I’m not against making things more fun for the crowd. I though about this with the Mets contest allowing you to announce the Mets lineup:
Ever wanted to announce the #Mets lineup? RETWEET this for a chance to win #BetterMattersSweepstakes Rules: http://t.co/QBh9CRtBdH
— New York Mets (@Mets) September 22, 2015
All MLB stadiums follow the same general pattern. They dutifully announce the players in the mold of Bob Sheppard:
There’s nothing wrong with this. It’s a workman like job. However, I’d love to see some emotion in the announcement like the NBA:
Sorry for the Bulls reference there fellow Knicks fans, but that intro is a classic that proves the point I’m trying to make. The announcer has emotion in calling the names. It sends the crowd into another octave. The place is going berserk before the game.
Do I want this for a random weekday June game? No, that’s out of place. However, it would boost the electricity for a playoff game. During a rally would you rather hear, “Now batting for the New York Mets, the third baseman, David Wright” or “NOW BATTING FOR THE NEW YORK METS, THE CAPTAIN, DA-VID WRIIIIIIGHT!”
Which one gets the crowd going more? I don’t care if it’s deemed artificial. Is it any more artificial than the “Make Some Noise” sign on the scoreboard with the noise meter? I’d argue no. In fact, I think it’s better because you’re capturing the emotion in the stadium, not trying to create it.
I know the Mets won’t follow my suggestion, but I hope they will. If they don’t, I know Citi Field will be going plenty crazy this October.