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Thoughts on the Game!!!

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 07 2015 07:38 AM

1. I snuck out of the office as soon as I could. Walked into subway as MFYs game ended and emerged as the top of the 1st ended. 2. Walked 2.4 miles/5 innings with Howie & Josh to get to a nice beer bar I'd been meaning to check out, around the corner from where Lunchpail was having a gymnastics class. 3. Sat at bar watching Mets/Dodgers/Pirates games simultaneously with Guy From Corona whose most recent Met Memory was Felix Millan, and 2 20something Brooklyn hipster buds. Hipster 1 a Dodger fan; Hipster 2 was wearing a Dodger hat but showed off his Mr. Met umbrella tattoo (competing with way too much other shit. Hipsters try too hard). None of them realized the Nats had a no-no going until I mistakenly declared Wright's pop-drop a basehit (I didn't realize they'd scored it an error). 4. I was very worried when Taylor singled and Muffy erred in the first, and couldn't help but imagine all sorts of day-after scenarios where the Mets ruined their season by selecting Colon to start this one. But man he was outstanding. 5. Got even more mad at the Muffster when in his first AB he went up there and hacked himself out on the first pitch. While the narrative around the Kevin Long hiring has been good and in some cases wildly oversated (some message board douche remarked that if the Mets won the division this season it would be "Two words: Kevin Long"), I've been quietly worried over the extent to which this means the Mets are backing away from the Hudgens Plan and giving guys like Muffy the okay to get themselves out in as few pitches as possible. With Scherzer cranking out these 8 and 12 pitch innings I was ready to set Muffy on fire today had things not worked out better. 6. But, they did. And it's too early to determine whether this is going to be one of those Mets teams where a 1-run deficit on the road is insurmountable. I actually was fairly CAHNfident they'd scratch something out before it was over but they came awfully close not to. 7. Duda's swing on the basehit was just terrific. He will hit 300 with that swing. 8. As I said we were also watching the Dodgers-Padres game. One highlight was Wil Myers' comical attempt to catch a fly ball over his head that turned into a Howie Kendrick triple. The Padres deserved that, you only had to look at the one play to know Myers is not an opening-day center fielder. 9. When they began the 9th and Blevins was on the hill I thought Terry had lost his mind and was determined to get himself fired, or there was an issue with Mejia. 10. Buddy Carlyle on pace for 162 saves!!!!!

Frayed Knot Apr 07 2015 07:49 AM Re: Thoughts on the Game!!!

- So many Mets fans pre-declared that games were going to be lost this year because of inadequate defense at SS ... and in Game 1 they were right!! - It was the curse of Dan Uggla. Uggla didn't get the error but it seemed like everyone's lack of CAHNfidence in him on that pop-up caused the error. I think Scherzer & the catcher Ramos were the only ones who didn't run out there to help. - Nats actually had three errors yesterday: Desmond's two plus Bryce Harper's haircut - Wilmer also had a 1st pitch pop-out w/a runner on 3rd - I was OK with Blevins for Harper even before I knew Mejia was out. I guess they didn'tt yet know about mejia when Torres was finishing his inning or they would have sent him out for the 8th as well. His 7th was on very few pitches and the top of the lineup was up. - The save was Carlyle's first ever.

Centerfield Apr 07 2015 07:51 AM Re: Thoughts on the Game!!!

For this thread, I will concentrate on my FEELINGS. *I'm glad I didn't watch the first inning (Murphy's error) until the replay at night. I think I would have had my first heart attack. *Colon was amazing, but I still watch his starts wondering how all of these hitters are missing his fastball. *Flores made every play, but he just looks awkward out there. Every time the ball lands in Duda's glove, I'm a bit surprised. I can't tell if he has a good arm or not. On the other hand, Desmond looks like a terrific fielder, but in reality, he's pretty bad. Desmond will have more errors in 2015 than Flores. *Daybidrye still looks a bit out of sync at the plate.

Ceetar Apr 07 2015 07:54 AM Re: Thoughts on the Game!!!

Scherzer certainly seems like a head case after that game.

Edgy MD Apr 07 2015 08:11 AM Re: Thoughts on the Game!!!

[list=1][*]I tend to think that the Kevin Long plan isn't diverging too much from the Hudgens Undertaking, and the reason Murphy hasn't been extended is because of his unwillingness to get with the plan and be choosier. I additionally think that it's something of a simmering issue, and Murphy is determined to have a big walk year by saying "FU I'm doing it my way, and hacking away," setting the stage for spotty results and drama as the season wears on. I could certainly see him dealt off if younger infielders emerge. Or I've been watching too many soap operas. [/*:m] [*]Bartolo may be one of the coolest cats in Mets history. You don't want to go so far as to say the Mets are vindicated — because who knows what would have happened if Mr. Page SixTM was pitching — but after the Muffy muff and again after the Harper homer, you could certainly imagine a less detached pitcher unraveling. [/*:m] [*]Granderson staying with the program and working too well-labored walks was a hidden gift. [/*:m] [*]When Granderson did hit, he did what he did so much last year — hit it hard, but with too much topspin and right into the shift. It'll be curious to see if he can reach the porch this year. [/*:m] [*]If pitchers were cards, and all other things were equal, the Mets would have the Nats really against a wall here. If the Mets think the Nats are holding an ace, a queen, and a 10, while the Mets are holding a king, a jack, and a nine, well, you play the nine first against their ace, and then you hold the high card in the next two games. All other things are certainly not equal, or they'd've never stolen the game, but there is a logic there. [/*:m] [*]Stay with your relievers when they're getting their outs, Terry. Stay with them. Stay.[/*:m][/list:o]

Benjamin Grimm Apr 07 2015 08:22 AM Re: Thoughts on the Game!!!

Duda's two-run single was the first big moment of the season. I wonder if the Mets fans who were pining for Ian Desmond have reevaluated their position? I only saw the last out of the game, but I heard a good chunk on the radio. So while I couldn't see his body language, I did get the sense that Scherzer doesn't take well to misplays. Having the Mets come back and win a game where they had made 17 outs in a row and were being no-hit almost through six is a great feeling. If they can keep this never-say-die attitude going it can be a very good season. There was so much of that in 1986, and for you younger kids, there was a good deal of it in 1999 and through most of 2006 as well.

TransMonk Apr 07 2015 09:41 AM Re: Thoughts on the Game!!!

Colon is the man! It's spooky that the Opening Day closer goes down on Opening Day two years in a row. I'm now legitimately worried about closing out games.

Lefty Specialist Apr 07 2015 01:48 PM Re: Thoughts on the Game!!!

Ceetar wrote: Scherzer certainly seems like a head case after that game. That's what I came away with. You can get into this guy's head. The errors really seemed to throw him off. Something to file away in the database.

Edgy MD Apr 07 2015 01:54 PM Re: Thoughts on the Game!!!

From your friendly KTE: He's a drop-and-drive righty relying on the fastball and change, who is untouchable when he's got a feel, but can get in a funk with his mechanics, so watch and see if maybe he's opening up or having trouble staying warm

Mets – Willets Point Apr 07 2015 03:24 PM Re: Thoughts on the Game!!!

After seeing the Tigers in the postseason, I would expect that Scherzer should be accustomed to his teammates screwing it up.

cooby Apr 07 2015 06:16 PM Re: Thoughts on the Game!!!

Please keep doing these!!!!!

smg58 Apr 07 2015 06:20 PM Re: Thoughts on the Game!!!

Frayed Knot wrote: - So many Mets fans pre-declared that games were going to be lost this year because of inadequate defense at SS ... and in Game 1 they were right!! Who wants Ian Desmond now?

Frayed Knot Apr 07 2015 06:37 PM Re: Thoughts on the Game!!!

Oh I'd still take him (depending on the price of course and keeping in mind that he can be a FA at the end of the year). He's always been prone to mistakes in the field (he's better now than he was early on in his career) but also makes some real athletic plays and I could put up with some erratic-ness on D in exchange for 20 HRs & 60 XBH/year.

Edgy MD Apr 07 2015 07:44 PM Re: Thoughts on the Game!!!

Yabbut keep in mind that many a fan was demanding they roll over and cough up Syndergaard (the reported asking price) for him. For one year of him. And, you know, he may well hit another 20 homers, but I feel good about feeling good today.

TheOldMole Apr 07 2015 08:51 PM Re: Thoughts on the Game!!!

Not sure I agree with Lunchie's Note 5. If working deep counts is gospel, I say start swinging at the first pitch. Especially since so many guys who work deep counts end up striking out.

Ceetar Apr 08 2015 08:24 AM Re: Thoughts on the Game!!!

TheOldMole wrote: Not sure I agree with Lunchie's Note 5. If working deep counts is gospel, I say start swinging at the first pitch. Especially since so many guys who work deep counts end up striking out. also walking.

Edgy MD Apr 08 2015 08:35 AM Re: Thoughts on the Game!!!

Hudgens philosophy is to (1) recognize your pitch, (2) get the pitch you want, (3) destroy that pitch when it comes, and (4) take your base if it doesn't.

TheOldMole Apr 08 2015 01:56 PM Re: Thoughts on the Game!!!

Well, walking makes sense. If you're working the count, staying away from bad pitches, a walk is a desired outcome. But if you're just going deep into the count because it's the in thing to do, you're going to have two strikes on you a lot of times when you didn't really need to, and then suddenly you've gotta swing and Bob's your uncle. Whereas one of those early pitches that you let go by because that's what you're s'pozed to do might have been the one to hit.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 08 2015 02:08 PM Re: Thoughts on the Game!!!

Yer right about that. And the issue with Muffy wasn't necessarily that he swung on the first pitch, but concern from the organization that he was undermining the philosophy by getting on his teammates if/when they spit on a pitch they didn't like. He probably also wasn't taking to it personally, as the lack of power and walks might indicate. Guys like Doodoo in the meantime seemed to thrive given that approach. Anywhoo, with Scherzer getting away with several lickety-split innings I was wondering to what degree the philosophy had changed, if at all, under Long, and whether Muffy would face the same scrutiny again this year if/when he strays from it.