Such a great primer on the 2022 Dodgers heading in to this series, JB. Thanks for that!
Love to read about Lindor’s thoughts on how the coaching has helped this year. He seems to not want to throw last years’ coaches under the bus, but the specifics he cites make it clear he thinks they weren’t very good. The analytics crowd can dismiss the RBI all they want, but I think they are wrong. It’s not just about being in the right place at the right time. Sac flies, grounders through the hole. Those runs win games. And not everyone can do it.
Thanks, Jon! Sorry for the delayed response. I’ve actually been over in Switzerland for work, so my schedule is all out of whack. It was strange watching the Mets at 5 AM this morning
I love how Buck, faced with a roomful of reporters eager to write about the road trip, totally pulled the plug on that story. One game at a time. He didn't get into the "meaning" of it, the "test" of going against the better teams, none of it. He wouldn't discuss it in those terms. Just . . . no. We got a game tomorrow and that's our focus, period. The guy is good at handling the media.
Chemistry is such an interesting issue in baseball for a variety of reasons. Foremost, its impact can't be measured. And for that reason, it's often dismissed by the SABR guys as insignificant. Which makes sense, because it's not an either/or proposition. Look at Cano. Revered in the clubhouse, "good" for the team, but couldn't hit. Give us the jerk who hits bombs. But . . . look at Carrasco. Well known as a good guy on a team. Escobar. Canha. Alonso, Nimmo, Nido, Jankowski, Guillorme, etc. Part of what the Mets have going on this season is a rock-solid "team" concept. Smith was the only guy who lobbied to leave. The other factor is that they are competitors. Bassitt, Scherzer, deGrom, Lindor. In the end, the GM made a lot of moves while giving "character" -- however you want to define it -- strong consideration. It's part of the story this season. There's a lot of guys to like in that clubhouse.
Chemistry is crucial, to be sure Jimmy. But just as it is unmeasurable by the number crunchers, our assessment of it is colored by our own biases. Don’t you think? How do we know any of that stuff? We aren’t in the dugout or clubhouse.
Ha, given what you said, how can we even say that "chemistry is crucial?" We do know for a fact that both Carrasco & Escobar are highly regarded, prior to coming to the Mets, for the clubhouse presence and demeanor. We know the Mets dumped Villar, for example, just as every team dumps Villar after a season. We know that Eppler has spoken openly about the importance of "character" in terms of the guys he brought into the fold. OTOH, we remember the Bronx Zoo: they hated each other and won championships. There are many ways to skin the cat. But, come on, don't you think that this club appears to have a good, warm vibe together? We hear it over and over again.
They sure do appear to. And reporters have direct access again so we hear things. There was the idea early last year that they had good clubhouse chemistry, and the narrative was repeated way beyond the point that it seemed the opposite was the case, and then they started talking about it over the off season and the narrative changed 180 degrees. I think Buck and the veterans set the tone. They brought in strong leadership with Buck and his coaching staff, and the five veterans. And we are seeing the results.
The Dodgers, Angels and Padres should all be worried that The Mets are coming to town - not thew other way for the Mets team and thier fans ! Lets Go Mets !
The Carrasco story/moment is so important for where this team is and where it's going. A good sign of the quality of team and improving quality of organization (Buck mentioned his Dad at one point, GKR recognized him for a good few minutes, etc.)
As for the Dodgers/Pads/Angels, I am most interested in two things: 1. Bullpen usage and plan of attack with Smith and Holderman facing elite lineups multiple days in a row for the first time. Bullpen use has been an Achilles' heel the last few years of this 'big road trip' in the close games.
2. Base running. Was it 2019 or 2021 when the Mets got thrown out by Bellinger and Taylor at 3B and Home at least 3, 4 times in 2 games and lost by less than 3 runs between the two games and lost the series against the Dodgers? That's been how we lost more games against them the last few years than actually getting dominated across 9 innings. We've got better base running coaches and more capable and confident players so hopefully that goes well this time.
Man, it's hard to keep them straight since 2016. The annual road trip of LAD-CHC/MIN-SD/SF-MIL schedule of the last few years has been the tipping point of all the failures. And they all come in early to mid June. I remember the Calloway fights Tim Healy and they overuse Lugo series, the multiple extra inning losses to MIL where we give up like 6 in the 14th...last year's total roll over and die...ugh. If any team can change our fortunes it's this one!
I don’t know how you remember this level of detail. I remember the set of games against Pittsburgh sandwiching the all star break last season as being the thing that killed us. That’s about it.
Maybe it's the ASD hyperfocus by osmosis from bonding over Mets with my ASD sibling...it also might be those are the moments each of the last few seasons where I chose to accept #LOLMETS failure for the year....and last year my toddler said, "Go Blue" instead...so bad memories, lol!
The Mets were actually up 2.5 games after the loss in Pittsburgh (the one where Lugo and Diaz let up like 7 combined runs). They got their lead back up to 5 games by 7/31 (Baez first game, Dom tying hit in the 9th, Drury winner in the 10th). The set of games that really started to kill them were directly after that, losing 3/4 to Florida and then being swept by the Phillies (from up 5 to down 2 in week or so). They eventually tied for first again but the 13 games against the CA teams were the death knell.
That all sounds about right. But those Pittsburgh games were the first momentum shift. They should have headed into and then come out of the ASB with a strong lead. But instead they opened the door for the Bravos.
Would have been better if Cookie gave us a couple more innings yesterday. Ottavino will likely not be available tonight (although I have less and less confidence in him anyway🤣
Diaz was already warming up and Buck tries to avoid not using guys who have warmed up if possible. Also, not sure there were a ton of guys available who hadn't pitched previously or on Tuesday.
The baseball reference version has 44 players which includes 5 on the 60-day IL. Szapucki wasn't on there either and perhaps he's just missing for some reason? I don't think they released him, that would seem quite unnecessary, rash and unlikely.
I think it's just an error; baseball reference only has 39 players included (and I think I accounted for everyone on the MLB list). I thought if you removed someone from the 40-man roster they could become a free agent. I can't say I'm 100% positive about that though.
Such a great primer on the 2022 Dodgers heading in to this series, JB. Thanks for that!
Love to read about Lindor’s thoughts on how the coaching has helped this year. He seems to not want to throw last years’ coaches under the bus, but the specifics he cites make it clear he thinks they weren’t very good. The analytics crowd can dismiss the RBI all they want, but I think they are wrong. It’s not just about being in the right place at the right time. Sac flies, grounders through the hole. Those runs win games. And not everyone can do it.
Thanks, Jon! Sorry for the delayed response. I’ve actually been over in Switzerland for work, so my schedule is all out of whack. It was strange watching the Mets at 5 AM this morning
Oh wow! Hope you are getting some sight seeing in!
I love how Buck, faced with a roomful of reporters eager to write about the road trip, totally pulled the plug on that story. One game at a time. He didn't get into the "meaning" of it, the "test" of going against the better teams, none of it. He wouldn't discuss it in those terms. Just . . . no. We got a game tomorrow and that's our focus, period. The guy is good at handling the media.
Chemistry is such an interesting issue in baseball for a variety of reasons. Foremost, its impact can't be measured. And for that reason, it's often dismissed by the SABR guys as insignificant. Which makes sense, because it's not an either/or proposition. Look at Cano. Revered in the clubhouse, "good" for the team, but couldn't hit. Give us the jerk who hits bombs. But . . . look at Carrasco. Well known as a good guy on a team. Escobar. Canha. Alonso, Nimmo, Nido, Jankowski, Guillorme, etc. Part of what the Mets have going on this season is a rock-solid "team" concept. Smith was the only guy who lobbied to leave. The other factor is that they are competitors. Bassitt, Scherzer, deGrom, Lindor. In the end, the GM made a lot of moves while giving "character" -- however you want to define it -- strong consideration. It's part of the story this season. There's a lot of guys to like in that clubhouse.
Chemistry is crucial, to be sure Jimmy. But just as it is unmeasurable by the number crunchers, our assessment of it is colored by our own biases. Don’t you think? How do we know any of that stuff? We aren’t in the dugout or clubhouse.
Ha, given what you said, how can we even say that "chemistry is crucial?" We do know for a fact that both Carrasco & Escobar are highly regarded, prior to coming to the Mets, for the clubhouse presence and demeanor. We know the Mets dumped Villar, for example, just as every team dumps Villar after a season. We know that Eppler has spoken openly about the importance of "character" in terms of the guys he brought into the fold. OTOH, we remember the Bronx Zoo: they hated each other and won championships. There are many ways to skin the cat. But, come on, don't you think that this club appears to have a good, warm vibe together? We hear it over and over again.
They sure do appear to. And reporters have direct access again so we hear things. There was the idea early last year that they had good clubhouse chemistry, and the narrative was repeated way beyond the point that it seemed the opposite was the case, and then they started talking about it over the off season and the narrative changed 180 degrees. I think Buck and the veterans set the tone. They brought in strong leadership with Buck and his coaching staff, and the five veterans. And we are seeing the results.
The Dodgers, Angels and Padres should all be worried that The Mets are coming to town - not thew other way for the Mets team and thier fans ! Lets Go Mets !
I concur. I'm eager for the test.
I like your thinking, Steve! You must be on top of the world right now with the Rangers and Mets!
Yes - finally my house has some winners and now 9 playoff wins ! Top of the World Jon @
The Carrasco story/moment is so important for where this team is and where it's going. A good sign of the quality of team and improving quality of organization (Buck mentioned his Dad at one point, GKR recognized him for a good few minutes, etc.)
As for the Dodgers/Pads/Angels, I am most interested in two things: 1. Bullpen usage and plan of attack with Smith and Holderman facing elite lineups multiple days in a row for the first time. Bullpen use has been an Achilles' heel the last few years of this 'big road trip' in the close games.
2. Base running. Was it 2019 or 2021 when the Mets got thrown out by Bellinger and Taylor at 3B and Home at least 3, 4 times in 2 games and lost by less than 3 runs between the two games and lost the series against the Dodgers? That's been how we lost more games against them the last few years than actually getting dominated across 9 innings. We've got better base running coaches and more capable and confident players so hopefully that goes well this time.
It wasn’t last year. I was at the series in LA and they just trounced us.
Man, it's hard to keep them straight since 2016. The annual road trip of LAD-CHC/MIN-SD/SF-MIL schedule of the last few years has been the tipping point of all the failures. And they all come in early to mid June. I remember the Calloway fights Tim Healy and they overuse Lugo series, the multiple extra inning losses to MIL where we give up like 6 in the 14th...last year's total roll over and die...ugh. If any team can change our fortunes it's this one!
I don’t know how you remember this level of detail. I remember the set of games against Pittsburgh sandwiching the all star break last season as being the thing that killed us. That’s about it.
Maybe it's the ASD hyperfocus by osmosis from bonding over Mets with my ASD sibling...it also might be those are the moments each of the last few seasons where I chose to accept #LOLMETS failure for the year....and last year my toddler said, "Go Blue" instead...so bad memories, lol!
ASD = Autism Spectrum Disorder?
yep
The Mets were actually up 2.5 games after the loss in Pittsburgh (the one where Lugo and Diaz let up like 7 combined runs). They got their lead back up to 5 games by 7/31 (Baez first game, Dom tying hit in the 9th, Drury winner in the 10th). The set of games that really started to kill them were directly after that, losing 3/4 to Florida and then being swept by the Phillies (from up 5 to down 2 in week or so). They eventually tied for first again but the 13 games against the CA teams were the death knell.
That all sounds about right. But those Pittsburgh games were the first momentum shift. They should have headed into and then come out of the ASB with a strong lead. But instead they opened the door for the Bravos.
it was certainly a tepid July that foreshadowed an amazingly ugly, but foreseeable August
Would have been better if Cookie gave us a couple more innings yesterday. Ottavino will likely not be available tonight (although I have less and less confidence in him anyway🤣
The only thing I'm worried about on this west coast trip is the late start times. I tend to fall asleep. The Mets are ready for this test #LFGM
Thanks. Is Cookie Colombian? And why use Diaz with such a big lead?
Diaz was already warming up and Buck tries to avoid not using guys who have warmed up if possible. Also, not sure there were a ton of guys available who hadn't pitched previously or on Tuesday.
Also you have the “too much rest” issue with Diaz. He hadn’t gotten into a game since Sunday. We want him at his best tonight.
Is there any reason that szapucki isn’t listed on the Mets 40 man roster? https://www.mlb.com/mets/roster/40-man
You are right! There are 40 guys there when you subtract the guys on the 60 day IL. How did that get missed?
They also don’t have Megill and scherzer as being on the 10-day DL
The baseball reference version has 44 players which includes 5 on the 60-day IL. Szapucki wasn't on there either and perhaps he's just missing for some reason? I don't think they released him, that would seem quite unnecessary, rash and unlikely.
He pitched yesterday for Syracuse. So they didn’t just release him. I don’t know what the rules are for taking him off the roster though.
I think it's just an error; baseball reference only has 39 players included (and I think I accounted for everyone on the MLB list). I thought if you removed someone from the 40-man roster they could become a free agent. I can't say I'm 100% positive about that though.
What do you think the odds are we see him start for the Mets again this season?