My nervous prediction tonight is an optimistic 2-1 win. Scherzer goes 7 and Diaz finishes it. BTW I figure Buck uses Diaz in the 8th this series if Soto and Machado are due up and there’s a lead or even tie.
Imagine if Scherzer is on fumes come the 7th inning or even already out, if Buck went to the pen to start the inning, and the Mets are up 5-2. But now tge bases are loaded with no one out and Soto is up, with Machado to follow. Based on JB’s amazing analysis, Diaz is the guy to put in, right there, in the 7th.
While everyone is saying the Padres are super underdogs, the teams are evenly matched. They are mirror images of each other in roster creation - and in the strengths/flaws of their individual players and collective production.
A storyline I don't see talked about much - yet - but will definitely be one either tomorrow or Sunday morning, is Blake Snell's first post season action since getting pulled in the World Series against LA. How's he going to handle it? He's better than Matz ever will be, but he gets in his head and in his own way the same as Matz.
This will be a very interesting series. #LFGM
Of note, National Reporter and resident hypocrite in chief Ken Rosenthal* at The Athletic wrote a piece today that FINALLY questions the God-Tier status of Buck by really criticizing - and implying #LOLMets mentality - with the decision to not commit to Jake in Game 2 and plan/play more for the Dodgers series than the WC round. It's a passingly interesting read, but mostly click bait since he hasn't written anything pre-Atlanta series on the Mets besides playoff preview paragraph blurbs.
*As for Rosenthal, I strongly oppose his writing. In general, he's gone click bait-y especially after getting fired by MLB, but my issue with him comes from being the 'lead' on all female led reporting around Bauer and the Mets - as if they couldn't do it themselves, limiting the female writer's coverage of DPM and fallout from Porter last year and then taking them off the story lines once the season started, and to me his greatest offense: he wrote the great investigative journalism piece on Vizquel's DV history and then KNOWING ALL THAT published it before the HOF voting window and enabled him by voting him into the HOF anyways and wrote a b.s. click bait article discussing 'conflict on my ballot', while condemning PED users like Cano for 'ruining the character and integrity of the game'.
While I am excited and hopeful -- and can imagine a positive result -- this series fills me with dread. I could see this Padres staff completely shutting down the Mets offense. Ultimately, we'll need our great players to be great. I guess that's what the postseason is all about. We're going to need to win games 1-0, 2-1. One key for me: Nimmo getting on base, hitting some doubles. If I'm the Padres, I have one plan: Don't let Alonso beat you. And as I've said before, Jake starts Game 2 for me, period. It's very bad voodoo to start thinking about the Dodgers now.
Listen to Steve Gelbs interview on The Mets Pod. He explains really well why holding DeGrom held back till Game 3 if they win tonight is a great idea. Basically, it’s the way we can get back to that initial plan of DeGrom and Scherzer for 3 starts in a 5 game series with the Dodgers. We’d have Bassitt for game 3, as well.
All this possible, with the only disadvantage being Bassitt craps out in game 2 tomorrow, putting our backs to the wall with DeGrom in game 3, and then ending up with one start from each of the big three in the Dodger series.
I understand the logic -- it's not hard -- I just think it's bad voodoo. I generally like my starters on regular or near-regular rest. It's just a degree of cleverness I don't love. I'd prefer clarity, clear expectations: Jake, you are going tomorrow night, period. But maybe it will turn out to be genius. Excited for tonight's game.
If they aren't overly rigid in the LDS roster slots I wouldn't mind an opener game of MeGill-Williams to get through 7, 8 innings at least once to save our inexperienced and not very challenged middle relievers in a longer series
Lets Go Mets - It wont be easy but this is the playoffs - exciting !
Oh JB. The Agbayani clip! Perfect! That’s what’s coming starting tonight! Citi Field will be shaking at from its foundation! Let’s Go Mets!!!!!!
My nervous prediction tonight is an optimistic 2-1 win. Scherzer goes 7 and Diaz finishes it. BTW I figure Buck uses Diaz in the 8th this series if Soto and Machado are due up and there’s a lead or even tie.
Imagine if Scherzer is on fumes come the 7th inning or even already out, if Buck went to the pen to start the inning, and the Mets are up 5-2. But now tge bases are loaded with no one out and Soto is up, with Machado to follow. Based on JB’s amazing analysis, Diaz is the guy to put in, right there, in the 7th.
I hope Buck has read JB’s analysis this Morning!
Postseason roster out and contains a few surprises.
Megill over Carrasco is a mistake. I hope he doesn’t get in to a game.
While everyone is saying the Padres are super underdogs, the teams are evenly matched. They are mirror images of each other in roster creation - and in the strengths/flaws of their individual players and collective production.
A storyline I don't see talked about much - yet - but will definitely be one either tomorrow or Sunday morning, is Blake Snell's first post season action since getting pulled in the World Series against LA. How's he going to handle it? He's better than Matz ever will be, but he gets in his head and in his own way the same as Matz.
This will be a very interesting series. #LFGM
Of note, National Reporter and resident hypocrite in chief Ken Rosenthal* at The Athletic wrote a piece today that FINALLY questions the God-Tier status of Buck by really criticizing - and implying #LOLMets mentality - with the decision to not commit to Jake in Game 2 and plan/play more for the Dodgers series than the WC round. It's a passingly interesting read, but mostly click bait since he hasn't written anything pre-Atlanta series on the Mets besides playoff preview paragraph blurbs.
Screw him
*As for Rosenthal, I strongly oppose his writing. In general, he's gone click bait-y especially after getting fired by MLB, but my issue with him comes from being the 'lead' on all female led reporting around Bauer and the Mets - as if they couldn't do it themselves, limiting the female writer's coverage of DPM and fallout from Porter last year and then taking them off the story lines once the season started, and to me his greatest offense: he wrote the great investigative journalism piece on Vizquel's DV history and then KNOWING ALL THAT published it before the HOF voting window and enabled him by voting him into the HOF anyways and wrote a b.s. click bait article discussing 'conflict on my ballot', while condemning PED users like Cano for 'ruining the character and integrity of the game'.
While I am excited and hopeful -- and can imagine a positive result -- this series fills me with dread. I could see this Padres staff completely shutting down the Mets offense. Ultimately, we'll need our great players to be great. I guess that's what the postseason is all about. We're going to need to win games 1-0, 2-1. One key for me: Nimmo getting on base, hitting some doubles. If I'm the Padres, I have one plan: Don't let Alonso beat you. And as I've said before, Jake starts Game 2 for me, period. It's very bad voodoo to start thinking about the Dodgers now.
Listen to Steve Gelbs interview on The Mets Pod. He explains really well why holding DeGrom held back till Game 3 if they win tonight is a great idea. Basically, it’s the way we can get back to that initial plan of DeGrom and Scherzer for 3 starts in a 5 game series with the Dodgers. We’d have Bassitt for game 3, as well.
All this possible, with the only disadvantage being Bassitt craps out in game 2 tomorrow, putting our backs to the wall with DeGrom in game 3, and then ending up with one start from each of the big three in the Dodger series.
I understand the logic -- it's not hard -- I just think it's bad voodoo. I generally like my starters on regular or near-regular rest. It's just a degree of cleverness I don't love. I'd prefer clarity, clear expectations: Jake, you are going tomorrow night, period. But maybe it will turn out to be genius. Excited for tonight's game.
I’m stretching thoroughly so I don’t cramp up while curled into fetal position for about 3 hours. Can’t be too careful.
If they aren't overly rigid in the LDS roster slots I wouldn't mind an opener game of MeGill-Williams to get through 7, 8 innings at least once to save our inexperienced and not very challenged middle relievers in a longer series
That would be outside the box thinking, to be sure.