Tagged: MLB
The Mets Offense is Historically Bad.
The New York Mets fell to the Chicago Cubs yesterday afternoon by the final score of 6-2, and unfortunately the Mets lost in the same fashion that they have all season. Wilmer Flores saved the Mets from a shutout with a 2-run home run in the top of the eighth inning, but it wasn’t enough. Continue reading
Lineups & Game Notes: Mets vs. Cubs 2:20 pm et.
New York Mets (50-43):
1. Jose Reyes (S) SS
2. Curtis Granderson (L) RF
3. Wilmer Flores (R) 3B
4. James Loney (L) 1B
5. Travis d’Arnaud (R) C
6. Kelly Johnson (L) 2B
7. Juan Lagares (R) CF
8. Michael Conforto (L) LF
9. Bartolo Colon (R) P
SP: Bartolo Colon RHP (8-4, 3.11 ERA)
Chicago Cubs (56-37):
1. Ben Zobrist (S) RF
2. Kris Bryant (R) 3B
3. Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B
4. Willson Contreras (R) LF
5. Jason Heyward (L) CF
6. Addison Russell (R) SS
7. Miguel Montero (L) C
8. Javier Baez (R) 2B
9. Kyle Hendricks (R) P
SP: Kyle Hendricks RHP (8-6 2.41 ERA)
Today’s game can be seen on SNY and ESPN.
Game Notes:
METS-CUBS NOTES: The Mets are 7-19 at Wrigley Field since 2008…The Mets have won nine of their last 10 match- ups vs. the Cubs (including the postseason)…New York snapped an eight-game regular season losing streak at Wrigley Field with last night’s 2-1 win…It was the second-longest losing streak at Wrigley Field in team history.
DAY GAMES: New York is 18-11 in day games (7-6 on the road)…The Mets have a .621 winning percentage in day games which ranks fourth in the majors…The Mets lead the majors with a 2.71 team ERA during the day.
ONE-RUN GAMES: The Mets are 19-11 in one-run games (8-6 on the road) this year…The .633 winning percentage in one-run decisions ranks sixth in the majors.
CLOSING TIME: Jeurys Familia has 33 saves, the most in the majors…Is 33-33 in save opportunities in 2016…Familia has a franchise record with 33 straight saves to open a season…Familia has hurled a career-high 17.0 scoreless innings with 17 strikeouts dating to June 8.
RECORD RUN: Familia has saved 49 consecutive games in the regular season dating to August 1, 2015, extending a franchise-record…It is the tied for the fourth-longest streak in major league history with John Axford…Familia has also set another franchise record with saves in each of his last 11 appearances.
COLON VS. CUBS: Bartolo Colón is 2-2 with a 3.66 ERA in eight games (seven starts) versus the Cubs (seven regular season starts, one postseason relief appearance)….He has struck out 26 and walked 21…His only career regular season victory against the Cubs came in his last start against them on July 2…Colón pitched 6.0 innings and gave up two runs, earned, on four hits and struck out five and walked three…Colon was the winning pitcher in the Mets clinching Game 4 of the NLCS vs. the Cubs…He worked 1.1 scoreless innings of relief as the Mets won, 8-3.
METS VS. HENDRICKS: Kyle Hendricks has made 2 career starts against the Mets and holds a 2-0 record with a 0.69 ERA…He has struck out nine and walked three in 13 career innings…Notable numbers against the 26-year old right hander are provided below…
- Kelly Johnson: .500 (1-2), 1 RBI, 1 K
- Jose Reyes: .333 (1-3)
- Curtis Granderson: .167 (1-6), 1 K
- Juan Lagares: .000 (0-5)
- Wilmer Flores: .000 (0-4)
- Travis d’Arnaud: .000 (0-3)
Final Recap: Mets 2 – Cubs 1
The New York Mets (50-43) defeated the Chicago Cubs (56-37) tonight by the final score of 2-1. For a full boxscore recap follow the link below…
Game Notes:
- Rene Rivera had the clutch hit tonight with a go-ahead RBI single in the top of the 9th. He finished the night 3-4.
- Jose Reyes went 1-4 with a triple and a run scored.
- Curtis Granderson was 0-3 with a sacrifice fly.
- Noah Syndergaard went 5.2 innings while allowing 1 run on 7 hits. He walked 2 and struck out 8.
- Jeurys Familia converted his league leading 33rd save.
Wow. What. A. Game. We can all breathe a sigh of relief now after how the bottom of the ninth inning unfolded. Jeurys Familia completed a Houdini act tonight after loading the bases with no outs. Familia who was struggling with finding the strike zone provided the Cubs with two walks, and Jose Reyes misplayed a ball which was going foul to allow the Cubs a chance to steal a win from the Mets tonight. With no outs, Familia got pinch-hitter Matt Szczur to ground into a force out at home plate due to a great stop by first baseman James Loney. Familia then got Kris Bryant to ground out into a 5-4-3 double play to end the game. Reyes redeemed himself on that final double play and an energized Familia was able to exhale after throwing a stressful 22 pitches.
Rene Rivera came up huge for the Mets tonight with the go-ahead RBI single off of Cubs closer Hector Rondon in the top of the ninth inning. With a tied ballgame and two outs with runners on second and first base, Rivera punched a first pitch fastball into right field which allowed Neil Walker to score from second base and put the Mets ahead. In what was a common theme tonight with the Mets struggling to produce runs with runners in scoring position, Rivera saved the Mets tonight with a rare base knock in that situation.
I didn’t agree with Collins pinch-hitting options tonight, as he batted Alejandro De Aza with runners on first and second base in the top of the seventh, and Kelly Johnson with runners on first and third base in the top of the ninth. De Aza ended up striking out swinging and Johnson grounded out. I believe Collins should’ve used one of his two hot-hitting hitters in Wilmer Flores or Juan Lagares in those situations. But the Mets won so it’s all for naught. But the Mets are still a dreadful 3-33 with RISP since the All Star break which is an area they are going to have to continue to clean up if they want to contend.
Noah Syndergaard looked great tonight as his fastball was constantly in the upper 90’s, even touching 100 mph early on in the game. The Cubs did get a few hits off of him which upped his pitch count, but he gutted it out tonight and put any worries about his arm to bed tonight with his performance. Syndergaard ended up throwing 105 pitches but did not lose any velocity as the game wore on. As I’ve said a million times, the All Star break could not have benefited the Mets staff at a better time and I believe we can relax and enjoy Thor’s performances going forward for the rest of the season.
A couple of milestones occurred tonight as Jose Reyes hit his 100th career triple as a member of the Mets, which is a franchise record. Noah Syndergaard also reached 300 career strikeouts tonight in his 43rd career game. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, both Syndergaard and Koji Uehara are the only pitchers with 50 or fewer walks at the time of their 300th strikeout since the pitcher’s mound was relocated to its current distance in 1893. What an incredible statistic, and it goes to show the great command as well as dominance that Syndergaard has possessed since his arrival in the Majors.
- The Mets and Cubs will play a matinee rubber game tomorrow afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 2:20 pm et. The Mets will wear 1986 road uniforms for the first time all season, and you can watch them in those great looking uni’s on SNY and ESPN.
- Bartolo Colon (8-4, 3.11 ERA) will take the hill for the Mets and face Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks (8-6, 2.41 ERA).
Lucas Duda slowly progressing
Apr 23, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Mets first baseman Lucas Duda (21) hits an RBI sacrifice fly off of Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin (43) in the first inning of their game at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
It is being reported by MLB.com reporter Anthony DiComo, that first baseman Lucas Duda did some running for the first time today since being placed on the disabled list back on May 23rd. Duda also played catch prior to tonight’s game as well.
Duda has been progressing slowly from the stress fracture in his back, but it looks like he could hopefully be ready for a rehab assignment at the beginning of next month. If he is able to continue to progress over the next couple of weeks and begin a rehab assignment at the beginning of August, he could possibly return to the Mets lineup sometime in the middle to end of August. Duda’s timetable all depends on how his back responds to baseball activities and how much game action he will need to round into form.
The 30-year old first baseman was hitting .231 with seven home runs and 19 RBI’s in 39 games prior to hitting the disabled list.
Lineups & Game Notes: Mets vs. Cubs 7:05 pm et.
New York Mets (49-43):
- Jose Reyes (S) 3B
- Curtis Granderson (L) CF
- Yoenis Cespedes (R) LF
- James Loney (L) 1B
- Neil Walker (S) 2B
- Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS
- Michael Conforto (L) RF
- Rene Rivera (R) C
- Noah Syndergaard (L) P
SP: Noah Syndergaard RHP (9-4, 2.56 ERA)
Chicago Cubs (56-36):
1. Tommy La Stella (L) 3B
2. Kris Bryant (R) RF
3. Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B
4. Ben Zobrist (S) 2B
5. Willson Contreras (R) LF
6. Jason Heyward (L) CF
7. Addison Russell (R) SS
8. Miguel Montero (L) C
9. Jake Arrieta (R) P
SP: Jake Arrieta RHP (12-4, 2.68 ERA)
Tonight’s game can be seen on SNY and ESPN.
Game Notes:
METS-CUBS NOTES: The Mets are 6-19 at Wrigley Field since 2008.
THE RETURN: Noah Syndergaard made his major league debut at Wrigley Field on May 12, 2015…He suffered the loss, allowing three runs over 5.1 innings while notching six strikeouts.
GRANDYMAN LOVES THE WINDY CITY: Curtis Granderson is batting .353 (18-51) with a .450 OBP, four doubles, three home runs and seven RBI over his last 15 games..Is batting .346 (18-52) during his career at Wrigley Field.
JEKYLL & HYDE: Asdrubal Cabrera is batting .313 (15-48) with five homers and seven RBI in 12 games in July…He is tied for third in the majors with five home runs this month..Is 0-for-his-last-28 with runners in scoring position dating to May 27 … His last hit with RISP came on May 23 at Washington.
WILMER!!: Wilmer Flores has six homers this month, tied for the major league lead with the Twins’ Max Kepler…Flores is hitting .351 (13-37) with 11 RBI in 12 games in July…Flores has four homers in his last seven games.
THOR VS. CUBS: Syndergaard is 2-1 with a 2.50 ERA in his career against Chicago (two regular season starts, one postseason start)…He’s struck out 24 and walked five.
METS VS. ARRIETA: In six career starts Arrieta has posted a 2-2 record with a 2.48 ERA against the Mets…He has struck out 36 and walked 10 in 40 innings…Picked up the loss back on July 2nd after going 5.1 innings and allowing 4 runs on 8 hits to the Mets…He struck out 4 and walked 2… Notable numbers against Arrieta are provided below…
- Asdrubal Cabrera: .455 (5-11), 2 HR, 4 RBI’s
- Curtis Granderson: .333 (10-30), 3 HR, 9 RBI’s
- Jose Reyes: .333 (1-3), 1 RBI, 1 K
- Yoenis Cespedes: .222 (2-9), 1 HR, 3 RBI
- Neil Walker: .214 (6-28), 1 HR, 3 RBI
Mets Tidbits:
- With the recent promotion of outfielder Michael Conforto, Terry Collins has a lot of juggling to do with his daily lineup card as far as the outfield goes. Yoenis Cespedes also recently expressed a desire to strictly stay in left field the rest of the season, especially after he suffered a quadriceps injury before the break. Collins has agreed with Cespedes and told the media that he expects to primarily play Cespedes in left field to preserve his legs for the rest of the season. That leaves Michael Conforto a candidate for center field as odd as that may sound. Collins told reporters that Conforto will begin taking fly balls in center field this week, and many believe he could see playing time there when the Mets go to spacious Marlins Park this weekend. Conforto has no game experience in college nor professionally in center field but he’s young enough to hopefully adapt quickly. It may be the only way Conforto could get his bat in the lineup on a consistent basis currently.
- Matt Harvey went under the knife today in St. Louis with Dr. Robert Thompson to correct his thoracic outlet syndrome. Harvey is expected to need around six months to recover and agent Scott Boras expects the Dark Knight to be ready for the 2017 season.
Final Recap: Cubs 5 – Mets 1
The Chicago Cubs (56-36) defeated the New York Mets (49-43) tonight by the final score of 5-1. For a full boxscore recap follow the link below…
Game Notes:
- Steven Matz picked up the loss tonight going 5 innings while allowing 4 runs on 8 hits. He walked 1 and struck out 5.
- Wilmer Flores was 2-4 with a solo HR.
- Michael Conforto was 1-1 with a pinch hit single.
- Seth Lugo pitched 2 perfect shutout innings in relief while striking out a batter.
Well the Mets aren’t going to beat the Cubs 11 times in a row, as the Cubs are a good ballclub and the Mets simply squandered multiple opportunities tonight to go ahead. The Mets had Cubs starter Jon Lester on the ropes multiple times tonight early on in the game and could not drive in a run. Neil Walker was also unable to come through with runners on in the top of the eighth inning. The Mets offense finished 0-7 with runners in scoring position tonight, an area they’ve struggled in all season and it’s significantly affected their record. If the Mets aren’t hitting multiple home runs a game they aren’t scoring, and it’s frustrating to figure out how they can’t manufacture runs without the long ball. The Mets are currently ranked dead last in the league with a .209 average with runners in scoring position.
Terry Collins is going to have to also figure out a way to get Wilmer Flores more at bats, as all he has done over the past couple of weeks is rake. Word is that Jose Reyes is also learning how to play center field (like the Mets need another outfielder) but it may be helpful in getting both of their bats, as well as Reyes’ speed in the same lineup. Flores currently has six home runs this month, a number nobody else in the league has. Collins is going to need to be creative in getting him in the lineup until he stops hitting, as well as Michael Conforto who came up and got a base hit in his return to the Majors. Conforto is expected to get a start in left field tomorrow night with Cespedes in center field, and Granderson in right field.
Steven Matz essentially lost the game on one pitch to Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo who took him deep in the bottom of the third inning for a three-run homer. Rizzo turned on an 83 MPH changeup and took Matz’s pitch into the right center field seats. The Cubs would take a 3-0 lead, a lead they would not relinquish for the rest of the game. To Matz’s credit it was a tough 10 pitch at-bat, and while Matz pitched admirably the rest of the night, that home run by Rizzo will stick out like a sore thumb for tonight’s loss.
- The Mets will attempt to take the second game of this three game series against the Cubs tomorrow night with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm et. You can watch tomorrow’s night’s game on SNY and ESPN.
- Noah Syndergaard (9-4, 2.56 ERA) will make his first start since his arm fatigue injury and square off with Cubs ace Jake Arrieta (12-4, 2.68 ERA).
Lineups & Game Notes: Mets vs. Cubs 7:05 pm et.
New York Mets (49-42):
1. Jose Reyes (S) 3B
2. Curtis Granderson (L) RF
3. Yoenis Cespedes (R) LF
4. Neil Walker (S) 2B
5. Wilmer Flores (R) 1B
6. Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS
7. Juan Lagares (R) CF
8. Travis d’Arnaud (R) C
9. Steven Matz (R) P
SP: Steven Matz LHP (7-5, 3.38 ERA)
Chicago Cubs (55-36):
1. Javier Baez (R) 2B
2. Kris Bryant (R) 3B
3. Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B
4. Willson Contreras (R) LF
5. Addison Russell (R) SS
6. Matt Szczur (R) RF
7. Albert Almora Jr. (R) CF
8. David Ross (R) C
9. Jon Lester (L) P
SP: Jon Lester LHP (9-4, 3.01 ERA)
Tonight’s game can be seen on SNY and ESPN.
Game Notes:
METS-CUBS NOTES: The Mets are 6-18 at Wrigley Field since 2008… The Mets have won eight straight games vs. the Cubs (including the postseason – 4-0 in 2016 at Citi Field and 4-0 in the NLCS)…That ties the longest winning streak in team history vs. the Cubs, done two previous times, last, August 3-September 19, 1985.
ONE SHY: Jeurys Familia has saved 48 consecutive games in the regular season dating to August 1, 2015, extending a franchise-record…It is the fifth-longest streak in major league history…John Axford is fourth on the list with 49 straight saves.
ONE MORE RECORD: Familia has tied another franchise record with saves in each of his last 10 appearances…It’s the fifth time it’s occurred and first since Familia also did so, April 12-May 1, 2015.
HOT AS JULY: The Mets are averaging 5.15 runs per game in July, the second-most in the National League behind San Diego (5.39 runs per game)…New York has belted 28 homers this month to lead the majors.
LAGARES LOVES LEFTIES: Juan Lagares is batting .333 (4-12) with one double, one triple, one homer and two RBI over his last four games…Lagares is hitting .279 (17-61) vs. lefthanders this year and has batted .279 (113-405) with nine homers vs. lefties during his career.
SLUGGIN’ ASDRUBAL: Asdrubal Cabrera is batting .318 (14-44) with five homers and seven RBI’s in 11 games in July…Cabrera hit his 13th home run of the year yesterday (88 games)…He had 15 home runs in 143 games last year with the Rays.
MATZ VS. CUBS: Has made two starts against the Cubs (one regular season, one postseason)… Received the no-decision in his lone regular season start against the Cubs…Pitched 5.1 innings, allowed three runs, earned, on seven hits in the Mets’ 4-3 win on June 30, Matz struck out six and walked three…Started the decisive Game 4 of the 2015 NLCS at Chicago and received the no- decision in the Mets’ 8-3 series clinching victory…Pitched 4.2 innings allowed one run, earned, on four hits, and struck out four and walked two.
METS VS. LESTER: Jon Lester holds a 2-1 record with a 6.05 ERA in four career starts against the Mets…He had the worst start of his career against the Mets back on July 3 at Citi Field… Lester allowed 8 runs on 9 hits in 1.1 innings pitched…It bumped Lester’s season ERA from 2.03 to 2.67…Notable numbers against Lester are provided below…
- Travis d’Arnaud: .667 (2-3), 1 HR
- Juan Lagares: .444 (4-9), 2 2B
- Wilmer Flores: .400 (4-10), 2 HR, 3 RBI
- Curtis Granderson: .306 (15-49), 3 HR, 8 RBI
- Neil Walker: .300 (3-10), 1 RBI
- Asdrubal Cabrera: .259 (7-27), 2 RBI, 9 K
- Yoenis Cespedes: .167 (3-18), 2 RBI, 5 K
- Jose Reyes: .120 (3-25), 2 RBI
Michael Conforto Recalled
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 19: Michael Conforto #30 of the New York Mets hits a two run home run in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
The Mets made a surprising move tonight as they recalled outfielder Michael Conforto from Triple-A Las Vegas and sent outfielder Brandon Nimmo back to Las Vegas in a corresponding move.
The move is somewhat surprising as the Mets had recently stated they had no plans to bring up Conforto after the All Star break, but it seems the way Conforto has swung the bat down in Las Vegas they have changed their minds. In the 16 games Conforto has played in the minors he has hit .344 with three home runs and 15 RBI’s. He also seemed to cut down on the strikeouts as well, as he had as many strikeouts as walks with eight. The Mets also had Conforto play some right field down in AAA which means he may see some playing time there with big club.
His promotion does also come at a time when Juan Lagares is swinging a hot bat, and Yoenis Cespedes had expressed after Sunday’s game a desire to strictly play left field for the remainder of the season. It will be interesting to see how Terry Collins juggles the outfield from here on out, as he has many talented outfielders and simply not enough spots to play them all at once.
It’s sad to see Nimmo go back down to the minors after he produced a spark upon his arrival to the big leagues three weeks ago. However the 23-year old outfielder could benefit from a little more seasoning in the minors, rather sit on the bench as he currently has been. Nimmo is also expecting to mainly focus on playing center field when he heads back down to the minors. Nimmo heads back to Las Vegas with a .235 average and a home run with four RBI’s in 51 at-bats.
With the way Conforto has swung the bat in Triple-A and Nimmo hitting just .158 over his last 19 at-bats, the Mets made an executive decision to help better the ball club right now, while also hoping Conforto has regained his confidence. Conforto was expected to be a big piece to this team’s offense coming into the season, and if he comes back swinging the bat like he had been in April, it will be the equivalent of the Mets adding an impact bat at the trade deadline.
Final Recap: Mets 5 – Phillies 0
New York Mets’ Jacob deGrom pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Sunday, July 17, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
The New York Mets defeated the Philadelphia Phillies this afternoon by the final score of 5-0. For a full boxscore recap follow the link below…
Game Notes:
- Jacob deGrom threw a complete game shutout, allowing only one hit, while striking out 7 and only walking 1.
- Curtis Granderson was 1-3 with a solo HR.
- Asdrubal Cabrera was 1-4 with a 2-run HR.
- Juan Lagares was 1-4 with an RBI triple.
- Jose Reyes was 1-5 with an RBI double.
What an outstanding performance by Jacob deGrom this afternoon! He was absolutely filthy and threw his best game of the season, while only needing 105 pitches to do so. Today’s performance was also the first shutout and complete game in deGrom’s career. With today’s complete game shutout, deGrom became only the third pitcher in Mets history to throw a one-hit shutout in Philadelphia, joining Tom Seaver in 1970 and Terry Leach in 1982 to accomplish that feat. I previously stated that the All Star break came at the perfect time for the Mets rotation, and deGrom looked to be revitalized after deciding to rest, rather than participate in the All Star Game. After the slow start that deGrom’s season got off to with the lat injury and the birth of his son, he has seemed to turn a corner over the last couple of months. His velocity has been on the uptick and he seems to have returned to his dominant form as he has a 1.92 ERA over his last nine starts. The last time the Mets threw a one-hit shutout, R.A Dickey was on the mound against the Orioles back on June 12, 2012 during his Cy Young winning season. A surprising statistic considering all the talent the Mets currently possess in their rotation. Nonetheless congratulations to Jacob and I’m looking forward to a big second half from the Degrominator!
The Mets offense was also clicking today as Juan Lagares stayed hot, and both Asdrubal Cabrera and Curtis Granderson provided a pair of home runs for the Mets. The Mets love hitting in Philly however as they have hit 35 home runs at Citizens Bank Park over the last two seasons, (2015-16) which is the highest total for any visiting team at any major league venue over that span. Jose Reyes also stole his second base as a member of the Mets which now puts him only one behind the Mets team lead with three. A mind-boggling statistic nonetheless.
This was the perfect series win for the Mets heading into Wrigley Field for the next three games. The Cubs are certainly going to have revenge on their mind as they have lost eight straight to the Mets dating back to last year’s NLCS. The Mets will have to bring their A game as they did a couple of weeks back when the Cubs came to Citi Field. It’s going to be a great competitive series, but for the rest of the day I’m going to enjoy this victory and deGrom’s historic performance.
- The Mets will open up a three-game series with the Cubs tomorrow evening at Wrigley with first pitch slated for 7:05 pm et. You can catch tomorrow night’s game on SNY and ESPN.
- It will be a battle of southpaws as lefty Steven Matz (7-5, 3.38 ERA) will make his first start of the second half and oppose Cubs lefty Jon Lester (9-4, 3.01 ERA).
Above The Mendoza 