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Postseason Musings

Benjamin Grimm Aug 14 2015 10:30 AM

I'm not trying to count any chickens, and I want to keep the cart behind the horse, but there are a few things I've been wondering about regarding the Mets possible participation in the postseason. I'll start with two: Barton Colon and Kevin Plawecki. Bartolo Colon Unless Bartolo comes on strong over the next six weeks, I have a hard time seeing him getting any postseason starts. If it was up to me (and it's not) I'd rather give those starts to Harvey, deGrom, Syndergaard, Niese, and Matz, assuming that all are available and healthy and aren't innings-limited. Recent reports have said that innings limits aren't expected to apply to deGrom. Matz should be well below any limit, and Niese is a veteran. Is there any room for Colon in that rotation? And would he have any value in the pen? Is there a chance he could be left off the postseason roster? Kevin Plawecki I think I'd rather have Plawecki on the postseason roster than Recker. For that to happen, does Plawecki need to be recalled by August 31? (I don't remember the rules regarding that, and even if I did remember the rules, they may very well have changed recently.) It's strange that they sent him down so that he can get more playing time, when at the same time, the Mets were saying that they wouldn't concern themselves about such things during what remains of August. That's why they kept Conforto in the big leagues.

Ceetar Aug 14 2015 11:24 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Different with Plawecki is catcher AB seem to be more important because he's got so many other things to learn/perfect too as a catcher. Plus it's easier to get an outfielder games with 2 spots to play. I hadn't thought about Colon. Nobody uses 5 starters in the postseason. He's not going start over anybody else the Mets have. you have the same roster size so you could theoretically carry him, but you'd probably use Carlos Torres or even Verrett as the long reliever type. It's hard to see the Mets being all "thanks but get lost now" though. He probably takes a spot and just isn't used much.

Edgy MD Aug 14 2015 12:54 PM Re: Postseason Musings

I'm guessing that they'll go with a four man rotation, and probably have a mind to give Matz some September starts but then launch him as bullpen lefty in the post-season. That still leaves one odd guy out. Got to be Bart, even if he is likely to have the least relief versatility. But life often tends to make these decisions for you. Plawecki is post-season eligible as he appeared before September 1, even if he wasn't on the roster on September 1.

Frayed Knot Aug 14 2015 12:59 PM Re: Postseason Musings

I think the first question, assuming Matz returns at some point, is how much time Colon gets [u:255hqi75]in September[/u:255hqi75]. They're probably talking about going back to a six-man staff if/when Matz makes it back, but if the race comes down to an every game matters situation exactly how often to you want to put off deGrom / Harvey / Syndergaard / Matz / Niese starts in favor of Bartolo getting his turn?

Benjamin Grimm Aug 14 2015 01:00 PM Re: Postseason Musings

Edgy MD wrote: But life often tends to make these decisions for you. That's definitely true. The picture may very well look a lot more clear (or more muddled) in early October.

Benjamin Grimm Aug 14 2015 01:04 PM Re: Postseason Musings

Frayed Knot wrote: If the race comes down to an every game matters situation exactly how often to you want to put off deGrom / Harvey / Syndergaard / Matz / Niese starts in favor of Bartolo getting his turn? The impression that I'm currently getting is that deGrom and Niese would be on regular rotation, but there may be extra days of rest for Harvey and Syndergaard. This will be a lot easier to figure out if Matz returns in September and stays healthy for the rest of the season/postseason. But I'm not at all sure how likely that is. I think they're going to need Colon for his innings, as long as they're good innings. If he pitches poorly, and the division race tightens, the Mets may have to make some kind of decision. Could we be seeing Dillon Gee again? It should be interesting.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 14 2015 01:20 PM Re: Postseason Musings Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Aug 14 2015 01:21 PM

Feelings aside-- and I couldn't feel any more for Colon if I were an overzealous proctologist-- given the way Terry uses the pen when he gets nervous, they would have to be brain-damaged to take Bartolo instead of, say, Matz-out-of-the-pen or Verrett or an extra bat. Or... Gee?

Edgy MD Aug 14 2015 01:21 PM Re: Postseason Musings

Gee and Verrett, also available for September acción.

Benjamin Grimm Aug 28 2015 02:31 PM Re: Postseason Musings

Andy Martino wrote: * Bartolo Colon will spend the next few weeks basically auditioning for a spot on the postseason roster. The team has not ruled out using him in a late-inning relief role, but is leaving open the possibility of excluding him entirely. * There is active debate, and nowhere near agreement, on whether to move Noah Syndergaard to the bullpen. In internal discussions, some Mets people salivate over the notion of Syndergaard blowing 100 mph in the seventh inning. Others worry about his lack of experience in that role, and are hesitant to move him from the rotation in September. With both Syndergaard and Matz, the Mets would want to do it soon, so they could gain experience pitching in relief. * Hoping that Matz will start for them in October, the Mets are closely watching several lefties in their system, including Scott Rice, Dario Alvarez and Josh Smoker.

Lefty Specialist Aug 28 2015 04:09 PM Re: Postseason Musings

Boy, there just isn't a place for Colon. He won't start and can't pitch relief. Cheerleader? Good luck charm? Comes down to him or Matz, sentiment goes out the window.

Gwreck Aug 28 2015 04:16 PM Re: Postseason Musings

I like the idea of a postseason bullpen of Familia, Clippard, Gilmartin, C. Torres, Verrett and Matz. Given what happened in 2006 we can't have too many starters but I think it would take quite a bit to alter the expected playoff rotation of deGrom/Harvey/Niese/Syndergaard.

Benjamin Grimm Aug 31 2015 09:22 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Mitch Abramson, N.Y. Daily News wrote: Terry Collins said he doesn’t envision using either Steven Matz or Noah Syndergaard in relief in the postseason if the Mets get that far. “You’re talking about a guy who’s had injury issues,” Collins said of Matz. “To ask him to do something he hasn’t done before — to try to go warm up fast, get ready in a hurry — I’m not sure it’s fair to him.” As for Syndergaard, Collins said, “All that’s been said about how good our starting pitching is — I think his name is a part of that. And if we are fortunate to get into (the playoffs), I think you have to go with your best pitchers in the spots they’re best at.”

Edgy MD Aug 31 2015 07:47 PM Re: Postseason Musings

The drowning of Colon has been judged to have been premature.

Nymr83 Aug 31 2015 08:18 PM Re: Postseason Musings

Edgy MD wrote: The drowning of Colon has been judged to have been premature. I dont know, he still feels more like the 5th string running back in the 4th quarter of a pre-season NFL game. no matter how good he looks, the spots ahead of him are already locked down. What he might be doing is making sure that he, and not Matz, is next in line for a start if anything happens to deGrom/Harvey/Niese/Syndergaard, but those guys are the post season starters right now and Colon just doesnt seem like a good bullpen piece

Zvon Aug 31 2015 08:44 PM Re: Postseason Musings

Nymr83 wrote: Edgy MD wrote: The drowning of Colon has been judged to have been premature. I dont know, he still feels more like the 5th string running back in the 4th quarter of a pre-season NFL game. no matter how good he looks, the spots ahead of him are already locked down. What he might be doing is making sure that he, and not Matz, is next in line for a start if anything happens to deGrom/Harvey/Niese/Syndergaard, but those guys are the post season starters right now and Colon just doesnt seem like a good bullpen piece I agree about the rotation. But I think Colon would make a fine bullpen piece and I don't think it would faze him (or phase him) in the least. Imagine him coming in for Thor in the 7th, slowing down the game (in velocity, not time) and next thing you know you're facing Familia.

Edgy MD Aug 31 2015 09:20 PM Re: Postseason Musings

Nymr83 wrote: Edgy MD wrote: The drowning of Colon has been judged to have been premature. I dont know, he still feels more like the 5th string running back in the 4th quarter of a pre-season NFL game. no matter how good he looks, the spots ahead of him are already locked down. What he might be doing is making sure that he, and not Matz, is next in line for a start if anything happens to deGrom/Harvey/Niese/Syndergaard, but those guys are the post season starters right now and Colon just doesnt seem like a good bullpen piece Nothing is locked down. The future is very un-written. And I'd say the last day of August in the middle of a pennant race, pitching shutout ball for the first damn eight innings is pretty damn far from the fourth quarter of a pre-season NFL game, except perhaps that they both take damn place around the same time per damn year. Damn. Stop watching the NFL, man. It's a horror show. Baseball, baseball, baseball!

Edgy MD Sep 01 2015 06:06 PM Re: Postseason Musings

Which pre-season quarter is Niese pitching in?

Ashie62 Sep 01 2015 06:13 PM Re: Postseason Musings

Too early to speculate and assume the Mets win the east. We saw this in 2007-2008.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 01 2015 06:25 PM Re: Postseason Musings

I don't think we're assuming anything. Read the very first sentence of this thread.

Zvon Sep 01 2015 06:26 PM Re: Postseason Musings

I'm not counting my chickens yet, but I got all my ducks in a row.

Ashie62 Sep 01 2015 07:05 PM Re: Postseason Musings

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I don't think we're assuming anything. Read the very first sentence of this thread. I did and still believe it is speculation.

Edgy MD Sep 01 2015 07:41 PM Re: Postseason Musings

Of course it's speculation.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 01 2015 08:22 PM Re: Postseason Musings

Well yeah, geez. Any discussion of the future is speculation.

Gwreck Sep 01 2015 09:03 PM Re: Postseason Musings

Ashie62 wrote: Too early to speculate and assume the Mets win the east. We saw this in 2007-2008. Because it's better to wait until the very end and then somehow be unprepared if they don't clinch until the final day? I guess I can accept the superstition angle but let's not be naive and pretend the Mets' braintrust isn't considering these very items too. They have at least a 5.5 game lead. They're selling playoff tickets already.

TransMonk Sep 02 2015 07:34 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Postseason or not, I feel the Mets are exceeding expectations this season, so I am going to enjoy every minute that they are in first place and not worry about superstition or a possible meltdown in September. They have been a mostly bad team for several years now. If we can't muse about the playoffs now, when can we?

MFS62 Sep 02 2015 07:36 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Edgy MD wrote: Which pre-season quarter is Niese pitching in? Any pre-season quarter he wants to. But I don't want to see him in the post season. Later

seawolf17 Sep 02 2015 07:40 AM Re: Postseason Musings

We were talking about this at the bus stop this morning. I think you have to go Harvey-deGrom-Thor-Colon in the rotation, consider Matz your fifth starter/long guy, and use the Familia/Clippard/Gilmartin/Torres/Verrett/Robles as your pen. Start Colon and Syndergaard at Citi Field in whatever combination you want. The question mark is Niese.

Ceetar Sep 02 2015 07:41 AM Re: Postseason Musings

MFS62 wrote: Edgy MD wrote: Which pre-season quarter is Niese pitching in? Any pre-season quarter he wants to. But I don't want to see him in the post season. Later I figure he'll turn it back around again before then, but the Mets have a decent amount of ego-crushing difficult decisions mounting in regards to playoff rosters and who's gonna be left out. "Thanks for the two years Bartolo! We'll send you a ring if we win" seem so callous, but also perhaps the right move. I can't see it happening to Niese with his contract, but if he struggles? What if Parnell straightens it out again? Do you leave him off? What if most of his success feels defense-oriented and he hasn't refined his control yet? if he walks 10, Ks 8, but only allows 1 run in 15 innings in September? Great problems to have certainly.

TransMonk Sep 02 2015 07:50 AM Re: Postseason Musings

After Harvey and deGrom, it seems as if everyone else is a question mark (not necessarily in ability, but in their postseason role). I would imagine (hope) that most of the rest gets shaken out based on how Colon, Niese and Matz pitch down the stretch. My gut tells me Thor will get moved to the pen in any postseason configuration and that if Matz blows folks away in his remaining few starts that he could join Harvey, deGrom and Colon in a starting rotation.

MFS62 Sep 02 2015 08:04 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Ceetar wrote: I figure he'll turn it back around again before then, Oh, he'll probably pitch a great game once (knocking on wood) the Mets clinch a post season spot. But IMO there's no way too much testosterone will ever show up in his next drug test. I don't trust his composure in a key spot. Later

sharpie Sep 02 2015 08:14 AM Re: Postseason Musings

and use the Familia/Clippard/Gilmartin/Torres/Verrett/Robles as your pen Addison Reed will almost surely make the pen. Either Torres, Verrett or Robles will be left off.

Edgy MD Sep 02 2015 08:15 AM Re: Postseason Musings

I don't think it's about composure. The guy was the Mets' closer and doing perfectly all right in that role when he went down. But he's had two consecutive devastating injuries leading to surgery and been out most of two years. Finding yourself again, and finding out what among all your physical tools and all your mental bullshit works for you, and doing it against the best competition in the majors, is a challenge — all while trying to keep those injuries out of your mind, even as you feel the scar tissue popping and wondering if you're reinsuring yourself. And it's more of a challenge for a reliever who gets work on a catch-as-catch-can basis, in situations you can't predict, rather than as a starter who has the parameters of his re-entry tightly controlled.

MFS62 Sep 02 2015 08:21 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Sorry, I should have included more of the quote. We were talking about Niese. Not Parnell. Later

Edgy MD Sep 02 2015 08:25 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Yeah, that makes sense. Sorry. I really don't even want to think about these decisions. Fans, by their nature, make the quickest judgments. And there's going to be 30 days to make 30 judgments by the end of the season. Post-season rosters are for post-season teams, and the Mets ain't one yet.

HahnSolo Sep 02 2015 08:29 AM Re: Postseason Musings

seawolf17 wrote: We were talking about this at the bus stop this morning. I think you have to go Harvey-deGrom-Thor-Colon in the rotation, consider Matz your fifth starter/long guy, and use the Familia/Clippard/Gilmartin/Torres/Verrett/Robles as your pen. Start Colon and Syndergaard at Citi Field in whatever combination you want. The question mark is Niese. I bolded that part of your statement…Mets are only 2 in the loss column behind the Dodgers. What if they get home field for the NLDS? Do you really want to go Colon/Thor in games 1 and 2 holding back Harvey and deGrom? I agree that Thor should get a start at Citi based on his home/road, so I'd be fine with him going game 2 after either Harvey or deGrom and holding the other for game 3 out west.

Lefty Specialist Sep 02 2015 08:47 AM Re: Postseason Musings

We really need to see how things shake out down the stretch. Injuries are always a possibility. If the post-season were to start today, Niese would be left without a chair. But we haven't seen Matz throw a pitch in the bigs in two months. We're all assuming he'll be lights out, but he might not be. Two weeks ago I was ready to give Colon a basket of flowers and a ticket home. Suddenly he's sharp again. So there's still a month of ebb and flow here. Sadly, you don't get the feeling Parnell's going to put it together, though, and will be on the outside looking in. Reed/Clippard/Familia are locked in as the 7/8/9 guys. The rest of 'em, it's Hunger Games time.

Edgy MD Sep 02 2015 08:51 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Lefty Specialist wrote: Injuries are always a possibility. A likelihood, even!

Gwreck Sep 02 2015 09:02 AM Re: Postseason Musings

HahnSolo wrote: I bolded that part of your statement…Mets are only 2 in the loss column behind the Dodgers. What if they get home field for the NLDS? Do you really want to go Colon/Thor in games 1 and 2 holding back Harvey and deGrom? Not to mention that you could/would be facing Kershaw and Greinke in those two games. I do like the idea of starting Syndergaard in either Game 2 (if Mets have home-field) or Game 3 (if they don't).

Benjamin Grimm Sep 02 2015 09:09 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Me too. (Assuming that Syndergaard is in the postseason rotation. We'll have to see how his September goes.)

Gwreck Sep 02 2015 09:10 AM Re: Postseason Musings

One still-unaddressed question is how many relievers the Mets choose to carry in the postseason. Having only 4 starters seems clear but do you want 6 or 7 relievers behind them? The lock position players (14) will be D'Arnaud, Backup Catcher, Duda, Flores, Johnson, Murphy, Tejada, Uribe, Wright, Cespedes, Conforto, Cuddyer, Granderson, Lagares. There would seemingly be room for 1 additional position player (my guess is a tossup between Eric Young Jr. and Nieuwenhuis) if the Mets only go with 6 relievers.

Ceetar Sep 02 2015 09:13 AM Re: Postseason Musings

I don't know if Uribe and Johnson are locks, or should be. The Mets will go with at least 7 relievers, maybe 8.

Gwreck Sep 02 2015 09:27 AM Re: Postseason Musings

They were carrying 7 relievers and 5 starters prior to roster expansion. Why do you think they would now need to carry more relievers in the postseason?

Edgy MD Sep 02 2015 09:30 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Johnson is the Lock of the Week! What can I say? When you're right 52% of the time, you're wrong 48% of the time!

Ceetar Sep 02 2015 09:31 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Gwreck wrote: They were carrying 7 relievers and 5 starters prior to roster expansion. Why do you think they would now need to carry more relievers in the postseason? 7 relievers is standard. You're losing a starter, so the question becomes do you add a bench guy or a reliever? The Mets starters are good so I suspect they'll go bench guy, but who knows.

Gwreck Sep 02 2015 09:36 AM Re: Postseason Musings

7 relievers is standard for the regular season when the team is playing 6-7 games a week. First round schedule looks like this: Sunday 10/4: Last game of regular season Mon 10/5: Off Tue 10/6: Off Wed 10/7: Off Thu 10/8: Off Fri 10/9: Game 1 Sat 10/10: Game 2 Sun 10/11: Off Mon 10/12: Game 3 Tue 10/13: Game 4 Wed 10/15: Off Thu 10/16: Game 5 I don't see reliever #7 needing to work very much in a schedule like that.

Gwreck Sep 02 2015 09:40 AM Re: Postseason Musings

My recollection is that the 2000 Mets used a 6-man bullpen: Benitez, Franco, Wendell, Cook, White and Rusch. The 2006 Mets used a 7-man: Wagner, Heilman, Bradford, Feliciano, Mota, Oliver and Hernandez/Ring - although Reliever #7 did not pitch in the division series.

Ceetar Sep 02 2015 09:43 AM Re: Postseason Musings

just randomly checking the first two teams I picked, Dodgers and Giants, both went with 12 pitchers for the NLDS last season.

Gwreck Sep 02 2015 09:46 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Fair enough. But do you think the Mets need that 7th or 8th reliever? I would probably embrace that idea more if the Mets had an extra bullpen weapon that they were planning on using for 1-batter appearances but they don't really have any of those relievers. Hence I think they'll get greater utility out of having more position players and a deeper bench.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 02 2015 09:52 AM Re: Postseason Musings

I think so too. And remember, if they have the 12-man pitching staff in the postseason (as in the regular season), but only use four starters, then they do have an 8-man bullpen.

Ceetar Sep 02 2015 09:59 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Well, if games get out of hand a pitcher is ineffective or even just taxed and exits earlier, you stress your bullpen more. Having the deeper safety net there is more valuable in general than the extra hitter (or pinch runner in this case probably) Giants last year Lincecum pitched 1.2 IP. (aside, Madison Bumgarner through 52.2 and no one else through more than 21) Gary Brown got 1 PA. Joaquin Arias got 4. I think the potential for the extra reliever to be more valuable is worth carrying one. But yeah, a whole month worth of games. maybe Nieuwenhuis is hammering the ball or something. Or one of the relievers is pitching lights out and it's obvious you should include him.

Gwreck Sep 02 2015 10:09 AM Re: Postseason Musings

The problem with that argument is that if "games get out of hand" with any regularity it's not going to matter very much about the bullpen being stressed because they won't be winning the series in that case. I could see an argument that a roster of deGrom-Harvey-Syndergaard-Niese and bullpen of Familia-Clippard-Reed-Gilmartin-Matz-Colon is a little short and could use one more (ie. Robles). I don't see a circumstance in which any more than 11 total pitchers are required.

Edgy MD Sep 02 2015 10:28 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Well, maybe a game gets out of hand on the plus side, and you want to pull your starting pitcher so you can bring him back faster. The Randy Johnson Maneuver. You put in your back end buttress guy. Vic Black, by the way, not a happy campesino.

seawolf17 Sep 02 2015 10:29 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Gwreck wrote: One still-unaddressed question is how many relievers the Mets choose to carry in the postseason. Having only 4 starters seems clear but do you want 6 or 7 relievers behind them? The lock position players (14) will be D'Arnaud, Backup Catcher, Duda, Flores, Johnson, Murphy, Tejada, Uribe, Wright, Cespedes, Conforto, Cuddyer, Granderson, Lagares. There would seemingly be room for 1 additional position player (my guess is a tossup between Eric Young Jr. and Nieuwenhuis) if the Mets only go with 6 relievers. Gwreck wrote: The problem with that argument is that if "games get out of hand" with any regularity it's not going to matter very much about the bullpen being stressed because they won't be winning the series in that case. I could see an argument that a roster of deGrom-Harvey-Syndergaard-Niese and bullpen of Familia-Clippard-Reed-Gilmartin-Matz-Colon is a little short and could use one more (ie. Robles). I don't see a circumstance in which any more than 11 total pitchers are required. I agree on an eleven-man staff, but I wouldn't be surprised if they went with 12 because That's What You're Supposed To Do These Days. I don't see Addison Reed as anywhere near a lock yet. He's a spare part right now, although he looked good last night.

Rockin' Doc Sep 02 2015 07:49 PM Re: Postseason Musings

I don't think a team really needs more than 4 starting pitchers in the postseason. So a 5th starter either joins the bullpen or gets dropped from the roster. Am I the only one here that feels more comfortable with Colon on the mound than Neise? Neise just seems to get rattled and lose focus when the opposition scores a run or two. Bartolo may not have the greatest stuff on the staff, but he seems mentally tougher than John. Bartolo will battle. I don't think you need more than 7 relievers to go with the 4 starting pitchers. It seems that most managers ride their best pitchers for as long as possible in the post season. The top 3 starters generally pitch most of the innings so they can hand the game to the top 2-3 relievers to close it out. The remaining relievers are generally used situationally, for extra inning games, or when a starter has a poor outing. I think Collins likes the additional flexibility that the added bench player provides him. He is utilizing a rotating platoon at several different positions in order to exploit matchups he feels comfortable with. Of course there is still a lot of baseball yet to be played in the regular season. I think there are a number of pitchers and position players that could play their way onto (or off) the postseason roster in the final coming week of the season.

Zvon Sep 02 2015 07:53 PM Re: Postseason Musings

Rockin' Doc wrote: Neise just seems to get rattled and lose focus when the opposition scores a run or two. Bartolo may not have the greatest stuff on the staff, but he seems mentally tougher than John. Bartolo will battle. Colon is unfazeable. Niese is the opposite.

Mets – Willets Point Sep 02 2015 09:40 PM Re: Postseason Musings

You only need 3 starters for the NLDS, because deGrom, Harvery, and Syndergard will lead the Mets to a sweep. Then in the NLCS and World Series, those three will win the first three games and Colon can start game 4 for those sweeps. Very simple.

seawolf17 Sep 03 2015 05:37 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Mets – Willets Point wrote: You only need 3 starters for the NLDS, because deGrom, Harvery, and Syndergard will lead the Mets to a sweep. Then in the NLCS and World Series, those three will win the first three games and Colon can start game 4 for those sweeps. Very simple. I'm all in with this plan.

Edgy MD Sep 05 2015 09:19 PM Re: Postseason Musings

Fourth quarter boy now has a 4.18 ERA. And a slick way of throwing to first.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 05 2015 11:55 PM Re: Postseason Musings

Colon in, Batman-in-bubble-wrap out. Matz as alternate/pen-ammo. Obviously.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 06 2015 04:53 AM Re: Postseason Musings

We'll have to see how he pitches in September, but I'm hoping that Matz gets into that postseason rotation, should there be one.

Ashie62 Sep 06 2015 03:21 PM Re: Postseason Musings

Should there be one...

HahnSolo Sep 08 2015 08:28 AM Re: Postseason Musings

I think Robles has pretty much cemented a spot in the postseason* pen. Going back to the Wilmer game (yes, a totally selective date, but I was there and he pitched a big inning in relief) Hansel has recorded 25 Ks with only 4 BBs in 17+ innings. During that span he's faced the Nationals three times: four perfect innings with 8 Ks. Plus I kinda like that he's pissing off other teams with his (alleged?) quick pitches. *(Should there be one…)

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 08 2015 10:49 AM Re: Postseason Musings

I kinda like the quick-pitch business, too. Almost as much, I like the fact that his reaction to French-type overreacting to the same is so impassive.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 13 2015 06:49 PM Re: Postseason Musings

Kevin Kernan in the Post is reporting that the plan is to start deGrom in Game 1 of the NLDS. Game 2 will be Syndergaard if it's at Citi Field, and Harvey if it's at Dodger Stadium.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 25 2015 08:03 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Based on September usage, it doesn't look too likely that Anthony Recker, Johnny Monell, Dilson Herrera, or Eric Campbell are too likely to be on the postseason roster. I would think that Eric Young is unlikely as well. How many pitchers do we think they'll go with? DeGrom, Harvey, Syndergaard, Matz. Familia, Clippard, Reed, Robles. Who else? I think I'd add Colon and Niese as long relievers/God-forbid-emergency-starters ahead of guys like Gilmartin or Parnell. Goeddel seems to deserve a spot. I'd say Verrett too, but I wouldn't bump Niese or Colon in his favor. So, if it's an 11-man pitching staff, I'll propose deGrom, Harvey, Syndergaard, Matz, Familia, Clippard, Reed, Robles, Colon, Niese, Goeddel. I'd like to see them keep it at 11, but if there's a 12th I'll say Verrett. For 14 position players: D'Arnaud, Plawecki, Duda, Murphy, Johnson, Flores, Tejada, Uribe, Wright, Cespedes, Conforto, Granderson, Lagares, Cuddyer. If it's only 13 position players, I'd reluctantly drop either Lagares or Cuddyer from the above list. This may leave the bench a little too right-handed, but I don't know if I'd take Niewenhuis over Cuddyer or Lagares. Discuss!

seawolf17 Sep 25 2015 08:34 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Benjamin Grimm wrote: For 14 position players: D'Arnaud, Plawecki, Duda, Murphy, Johnson, Flores, Tejada, Uribe, Wright, Cespedes, Conforto, Granderson, Lagares, Cuddyer. This seems like a virtual lock, so I have to figure on 11 pitchers. Of those, DeGrom, Harvey, Syndergaard, Matz, Familia, Clippard, Reed are definites, which means you've got four spots from Colon, Niese, Robles, Gilmartin, Parnell, Goeddel, Torres, and Verrett. If I had to guess, I'd say Colon, Niese, Gilmartin, and Verrett, but I could see them keeping Robles over one of the starters.

Ceetar Sep 25 2015 08:35 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Too many hard decisions, I'll leave it for Terry and Sandy.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 25 2015 07:49 PM Re: Postseason Musings

Uribe is suddenly looking like no lock. Ouch.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 26 2015 07:39 AM Re: Postseason Musings

They should let Uribe sit until October 8 and then reevaluate him. No need to put him in a game at all for the rest of the regular season.

Rockin' Doc Sep 26 2015 11:59 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Benjamin Grimm wrote: They should let Uribe sit until October 8 and then reevaluate him. No need to put him in a game at all for the rest of the regular season. I agree. I had the same thought after he had to leave the game last night. His versatility, right handed bat, and postseason experience should be very helpful in October.

Elster88 Sep 26 2015 12:03 PM Re: Postseason Musings

I'm still annoyed that he was playing second in the first place. A right handed bat with pop is nice to have on the bench.

TransMonk Sep 28 2015 09:48 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Not necessarily a worry, so I'll put it here. The Mets against the NL Central this season minus the Cubs and Bucs: 13-6 The Mets against everyone in MLB minus the Cubs and Bucs: 89-53 (.627!) I can't decide if I'm scared of the Cubs and Bucs or not.

Ceetar Sep 28 2015 09:51 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Benjamin Grimm wrote: They should let Uribe sit until October 8 and then reevaluate him. No need to put him in a game at all for the rest of the regular season. Except then he'd be super rusty and it's not like he's a superstar anyway. He's been average (literally 101 OPS+) for the Mets. He's very replaceable so if he's not healthy and ready to go, sorry he's not going.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 28 2015 09:57 AM Re: Postseason Musings

TransMonk wrote: Not necessarily a worry, so I'll put it here. The Mets against the NL Central this season minus the Cubs and Bucs: 13-6 The Mets against everyone in MLB minus the Cubs and Bucs: 89-53 (.627!) I can't decide if I'm scared of the Cubs and Bucs or not. The Mets haven't played the Cubs since July 2, and the Mets have changed fairly significantly since then. And of the seven losses to the Cubs, four of them were by a single run. (The scores were, in May: 4-3; 6-1; 2-1; 6-5 and in June/July: 1-0; 2-0; 6-1.) The Pirates are a little more worrisome, since they swept three from the Mets at Citi Field in August: 3-2, 5-3, and 8-1. The 8-1 game was tied at 1 through 6 innings, until Terry turned it over to Parnell, O'Flaherty, and Carlos Torres. Presumably none of those options will be available to him in October.

Edgy MD Sep 28 2015 09:58 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Pythagorean winning percentage vs. the Cubs: .142 Pythagorean winning percentage vs. the Pirates: .068 (!!) That said these teams (particularly the Cubs), caught the Mets during their mid-season lineup crisis. The Mets aren't the same team, and hopefully won't behave like the same team. Anyhow, we gots to get past the Bridegrooms first.

Frayed Knot Sep 28 2015 10:07 AM Re: Postseason Musings

I think Pittsburgh might be the best team in baseball right now - and if they can throw a sweep on the Cards -- 3 game series in Pitt starting tonight -- they just may take that title officially. After a barely .500 start to the season (26-24), they're 69-37 since June 1 which is four games better than the Cards over the same time. Cards are currently without Yadier (might return for playoffs) and Carlos Martinez (won't return). Plus I keep thinking that one of these days things are going to wrong for them at this time of year even though that never seems to be the case.

TransMonk Sep 28 2015 06:00 PM Re: Postseason Musings

Edgy MD wrote: Anyhow, we gots to get past the Bridegrooms first. Agreed...wasn't meaning to look past anyone. I had just been musing that with the 7 game season sweep of the Reds and how well the Mets had played against the East and West, the Cubs and Pirates were really the only thorns in the Mets' side over the course of the whole year. I have a feeling in another week or so, the national talking heads are going to start trying to debunk the Mets by claiming that they only beat up on a weak NL East this season. Beat the East they did, but they also held their own against anyone not named the Cubs or Pirates, too.

Gwreck Sep 28 2015 09:16 PM Re: Postseason Musings

I've got not problems looking past the Dodgers. I think we all understand the conditional nature of it. I would be most happy to see the Pirates have to face Jake Arietta in the wild card game and possibly get knocked out then.

Elster88 Sep 28 2015 09:43 PM Re: Postseason Musings

Gwreck wrote: I've got not problems looking past the Dodgers. I think we all understand the conditional nature of it. I would be most happy to see the Pirates have to face Jake Arietta in the wild card game and possibly get knocked out then. Me too!

Zvon Sep 28 2015 11:14 PM Re: Postseason Musings

Middle of the 10th inning in San Fran *yawn. 2-2 Mets

Zvon Sep 28 2015 11:24 PM Re: Postseason Musings

I hate to say it, but you know baseball. I'm afraid that Justin Turner will somehow bite us bad in the post. Wow, and they got Utley now too. I forgot about him. My old nemesis. *teeth start to chatter

Edgy MD Sep 29 2015 06:21 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Well, the proof will be in the pudding, if the Mets have the honor of facing one of those teams but... May 11 @ Chicago [list=1][*]Juan Lagares CF[/*:m] [*]John Mayberry RF[/*:m] [*]Daniel Murphy 3B[/*:m] [*]Michael Cuddyer LF[/*:m] [*]Lucas Duda 1B[/*:m] [*]Wilmer Flores SS[/*:m] [*]Kevin Plawecki C[/*:m] [*]Dilson Herrera 2B[/*:m] [*]Jacob deGrom P[/*:m][/list:o] May 12 @ Chicago [list=1][*]Curtis Granderson RF[/*:m] [*]Daniel Murphy 3B[/*:m] [*]Michael Cuddyer LF[/*:m] [*]Lucas Duda 1B[/*:m] [*]Wilmer Flores SS[/*:m] [*]Kirk Nieuwenhuis CF[/*:m] [*]Kevin Plawecki C[/*:m] [*]Noah Syndergaard P[/*:m] [*]Ruben Tejada 2B[/*:m][/list:o] May 13 @ Chicago [list=1][*]Curtis Granderson RF[/*:m] [*]Daniel Murphy 3B[/*:m] [*]Michael Cuddyer LF[/*:m] [*]Lucas Duda 1B[/*:m] [*]Wilmer Flores SS[/*:m] [*]Kevin Plawecki C[/*:m] [*]Kirk Nieuwenhuis CF[/*:m] [*]Dilson Herrera 2B[/*:m] [*]Matt Harvey P[/*:m][/list:o] May 14 @ Chicago [list=1][*]Curtis Granderson CF[/*:m] [*]Dilson Herrera 2B[/*:m] [*]Lucas Duda 1B[/*:m] [*]Michael Cuddyer LF[/*:m] [*]John Mayberry RF[/*:m] [*]Wilmer Flores SS[/*:m] [*]Anthony Recker C[/*:m] [*]Ruben Tejada 3B[/*:m] [*]Jon Niese P[/*:m][/list:o] May 22 @ Pittsburgh [list=1][*]Curtis Granderson RF[/*:m] [*]Eric Campbell 3B[/*:m] [*]Lucas Duda 1B[/*:m] [*]Michael Cuddyer LF[/*:m] [*]Daniel Murphy 2B[/*:m] [*]Wilmer Flores SS[/*:m] [*]Juan Lagares CF[/*:m] [*]Kevin Plawecki C[/*:m] [*]Noah Syndergaard P[/*:m][/list:o] May 23 @ Pittsburgh [list=1][*]Curtis Granderson RF[/*:m] [*]Juan Lagares CF[/*:m] [*]Lucas Duda 1B[/*:m] [*]Daniel Murphy 2B[/*:m] [*]Wilmer Flores SS[/*:m] [*]Eric Campbell 3B[/*:m] [*]Darrell Ceciliani LF[/*:m] [*]Kevin Plawecki C[/*:m] [*]Matt Harvey P[/*:m][/list:o] May 24 @ Pittsburgh [list=1][*]Curtis Granderson RF[/*:m] [*]Wilmer Flores SS[/*:m] [*]Michael Cuddyer 1B[/*:m] [*]Daniel Murphy 2B[/*:m] [*]John Mayberry LF[/*:m] [*]Anthony Recker C[/*:m] [*]Darrell Ceciliani CF[/*:m] [*]Ruben Tejada 3B[/*:m] [*]Jon Niese P[/*:m][/list:o] June 30 vs. Chicago [list=1][*]Curtis Granderson RF[/*:m] [*]Ruben Tejada SS[/*:m] [*]Lucas Duda 1B[/*:m] [*]Daniel Murphy 3B[/*:m] [*]Michael Cuddyer LF[/*:m] [*]Wilmer Flores 2B[/*:m] [*]Kevin Plawecki C[/*:m] [*]Jon Niese P[/*:m] [*]Juan Lagares CF[/*:m][/list:o] July 1 vs Chicago [list=1][*]Curtis Granderson RF[/*:m] [*]Ruben Tejada SS[/*:m] [*]Lucas Duda 1B[/*:m] [*]Daniel Murphy 3B[/*:m] [*]John Mayberry LF[/*:m] [*]Wilmer Flores 2B[/*:m] [*]Kevin Plawecki C[/*:m] [*]Juan Lagares CF[/*:m] [*]Bartolo Colon P[/*:m][/list:o] July 2 vs Chicago [list=1][*]Curtis Granderson RF[/*:m] [*]Darrell Ceciliani CF[/*:m] [*]Daniel Murphy 3B[/*:m] [*]Lucas Duda 1B[/*:m] [*]Wilmer Flores 2B[/*:m] [*]Eric Campbell LF[/*:m] [*]Johnny Monell C[/*:m] [*]Jacob deGrom P[/*:m] [*]Ruben Tejada SS[/*:m][/list:o] August 14 vs. Pittsburgh [list=1][*]Juan Lagares CF[/*:m] [*]Curtis Granderson RF[/*:m] [*]Yoenis Cespedes LF[/*:m] [*]Juan Uribe 3B[/*:m] [*]Daniel Murphy 2B[/*:m] [*]Michael Cuddyer 1B[/*:m] [*]Wilmer Flores SS[/*:m] [*]Anthony Recker C[/*:m] [*]Bartolo Colon P[/*:m][/list:o] August 15 vs. Pittsburgh [list=1][*]Curtis Granderson RF[/*:m] [*]Yoenis Cespedes CF[/*:m] [*]Daniel Murphy 1B[/*:m] [*]Juan Uribe 3B[/*:m] [*]Kelly Johnson 2B[/*:m] [*]Travis d'Arnaud C[/*:m] [*][Michael Conforto LF[/*:m] [*]Ruben Tejada SS[/*:m] [*]Jon Niese P[/*:m][/list:o] August 16 vs. Pittsburgh [list=1][*]Juan Lagares CF[/*:m] [*]Curtis Granderson RF[/*:m] [*]Yoenis Cespedes LF[/*:m] [*]Juan Uribe 3B[/*:m] [*]Daniel Murphy 2B[/*:m] [*]Michael Cuddyer 1B[/*:m] [*]Travis d'Arnaud C[/*:m] [*]Ruben Tejada SS[/*:m] [*]Matt Harvey P[/*:m][/list:o] Those Pittsburgh and Chicago teams faced a whole lot of Ceciliani and a few shovelfuls of Mayberry to boot. Only the last series featured something like the lineup that the Mets are sporting now, and those were all close games, at least until the moment that Bobby Parnell threw the ball into centerfield.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 04 2015 01:38 PM Re: Postseason Musings

Gary just said that the Mets are considering starting deGrom in Game 4 four of the NLDS on three days rest.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 04 2015 02:00 PM Re: Postseason Musings

I found an article from AP that says that deGrom would possibly go in Game 4 if the Mets were down 2 games to 1. Associated Press wrote: After that, it's uncertain who would get the ball if Game 4 is necessary. New York would like to start unbeaten rookie Steven Matz, provided his balky back is healthy enough, and 42-year-old Bartolo Colon remains a possibility. But manager Terry Collins said Sunday the Mets might use a three-man rotation if they fall behind 2-1 in the Division Series. That would mean bringing back deGrom in Game 4 on three days' rest for the first time in his two-year career. Syndergaard would be on full rest for a potential Game 5 at Dodger Stadium.

Ceetar Oct 04 2015 08:44 PM Re: Postseason Musings

I mean, it all so heavily depends on what happens. Did they use Colon and/or Niese in game 3? is Matz available? are they down or up 2-1? How'd deGrom look in game 1?

Gwreck Oct 04 2015 09:12 PM Re: Postseason Musings

The decision on whether Matz makes the roster is made by 10:00 AM this Friday. If he does not make it, obviously Colon is not going to pitch in relief.

Lefty Specialist Oct 05 2015 06:44 AM Re: Postseason Musings

Lotta factors at play. Uribe's boobs. Matz's back. I like that they've sent a taxi squad down to PSL to stay ready just in case.

Ceetar Oct 05 2015 08:28 AM Re: Postseason Musings

My predictions.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 05 2015 08:31 AM Re: Postseason Musings

That the Expos are going to defeat Burger King in the World Series? I'd bet everything I own that that's not going to happen.

Centerfield Oct 05 2015 09:31 AM Re: Postseason Musings

I'm excited about this post-season. If we beat the Dodgers we should invite the '88 team to come down and celebrate with us. (We missed the chance to do this in 2006). Then I hope we play the Cardinals. With Yadier Fucking Molina making the last out. Then we can invite the '06 Mets to come celebrate with us. Maybe not Guillermo Mota. Then I hope we face the Yankees in the World Series. (It will be kind of awkward for Beltran, who just partied with us a few days before, but whatever.) We can invite the 2000 Mets to the party. Any excuse to party with Benny Agbayani again.

Mets – Willets Point Oct 05 2015 09:44 AM Re: Postseason Musings

So, the pitching looks good lately. Pitching wins championships, right?