To Sell Or Not To Sell: Update of The Update

Not only have the Mets disappointed recently, but they have wasted a great deal of hard work completed by our very own Tom. 

There are 12 games left before the morning of July 31, and the Mets must gain 4.5 games on Atlanta by that time:

Here is Tom’s reasoning.

For those of you playing at home, this would mean the Mets pretty much have to go 9-3 while the Braves go 4-8 in the next 12 games.  Quite the hill to climb…..

For What Its Worth

I expect the Mets to take 2 of 3 from the Cards this week.

Why

1.  Jose Reyes is back, duh.

2.  Carlos is back too.

3.  This team’s resiliency is due to kick in right about now.

Why Not

1.  Albert Puljols

2.  Lance Berkman

3.  Matt Holliday

4.  This series is at home.

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To Sell Or Not To Sell: Update

There are 14 games left before the morning of July 31, and the Mets must gain 3 games on Atlanta by that time:

Here is my reasoning.

Mets Clinch +.500 Record At The Break

A few quick thoughts before I call it a night:

• R.A. Dickey is pitching through what I assume is a hell of a lot of pain. Despite that, he’s going out there and putting in solid outing after solid outing. It is nearly impossible for me to criticize him.
• Brian Wilson looked ticked after he left the game. I wonder whether that has to do with his poor execution or the fact that Bruce Bochy has pitched him a few nights in a row. I doubt we’ll see him again tomorrow.
• Either way, what a big hit by Scott Hairston. Maybe the biggest of the year to date.
• The Mets, as mentioned in the title, clinched an above .500 record at the All-Star Break. Considering the 5-13 start and the laundry list of injuries, it’s pretty remarkable.
• The Mets move to within 6.5 games in the Wild Card Race, pictured below.

Atlanta	53	37	—	72
Arizona	49	41	4.0	72
St. Louis	47	43	6.0	72
Pittsburgh	46	42	6.0	74
New York	46	43	6.5	73
Washington	45	45	8.0	72

Significant Progress?

The Mets wrapped up their sixth road series win of the year tonight, and in doing so improved their road series mark to 6-5 overall. It truly is hard to fathom when considering that the 2010 version made us wait well into August to win a road series. Not only that, but the Mets improve to 19-17 away from Citi Field, tied for the 3rd best road mark in the National League. If only they could win at home.

The Mets have also now taken 5 of 8 against Atlanta this year, including 3 of 5 at Turner Cemetery. Most importantly, the Mets return to .500 on the year for the first time since they were 22-22. They are now 34-34 and surprisingly enough just 3.5 games back in the wild card (pictured below).

Perhaps the Mets are taking significant strides towards relevancy. I don’t want to get too carried away about a .500 record in mid-June, but judging by the celebrations on Twitter and Facebook it seems as if this is almost as awesome as being in first. With lower expectations comes a certain degree of happiness – kind of.

As for the game itself, there was lots of rain and there were very few hits. Sadly, Dillon Gee did not pick up the victory because weather got in the way. But fortunately the game was not called after four innings (which would have erased it). The Mets are still undefeated when Dillon starts.

A new segment I’ll introduce to Midwestropolitan: Jose watch…

• Tonight he went 1 for 4 with an RBI (28). His average drops to .345 on the year.

St. Louis Cardinals	38	31	—	93
Atlanta Braves	38	31	—	93
Arizona Diamondbacks	37	32	1.0	93
Cincinnati Reds	37	33	1.5	92
Pittsburgh Pirates	34	33	3.0	95
New York Mets	34	34	3.5	94

All Things Considered…..

It has been fun to watch this current group scratch and claw for every win.  But its games like these that make me miss Ike Davis and David Wright.  You see, power in your lineup affords you more room to make mistakes.

As I have said before this current lineup has to be practically perfect to win, especially in close games.  Giving up potential runs because of idiotic base running blunders doesn’t exactly help the cause.

It’s difficult for this team to make one critical base running mistake.  Tonight’s contest showcased two base running errors.

In the top of the fifth Daniel Murphy’s aggressiveness got the best of him as he tried to break to third early on a bunt attempt by Mike Pelfrey.  The only problem was that Pelfrey missed and Pirates catcher Michael McKenry fired a dart down to second to pick off Murph after an awkward rundown.

The second gaffe that we were treated to was yet another sacrifice fly double play brought to us by Lucas Duda.  In Duda’s defense, there was some question as to whether or not Jose Reyes’ liner to left field had hit the ground.  At any rate, Duda was doubled off of first and the Mets found themselves without a tying runner on base.

All things considered, I am still in a pretty positive state of mind regarding the Mets.  Big Pelf threw his second consecutive quality start, they continue to give themselves a chance in every game they play, and they are still only 5.5 games behind in the Wild Card Chase.

National League
	W	L	GB	Left
Milwaukee Brewers	38	29	—	95
Atlanta Braves	38	29	—	95
St. Louis Cardinals	38	29	—	95
Arizona Diamondbacks	36	30	1.5	96
Cincinnati Reds	34	33	4.0	95
Florida Marlins	32	32	4.5	98
Pittsburgh Pirates	32	33	5.0	97
New York Mets	32	34	5.5	96
Colorado Rockies	31	34	6.0	97
Los Angeles Dodgers	31	36	7.0	95
Washington Nationals	30	36	7.5	96
San Diego Padres	29	38	9.0	95
Chicago Cubs	26	39	11.0	97
Houston Astros	25	42	13.0	9

 

A Chance To Pull Closer

The wild card race heading into today’s action…

Milwaukee Brewers	34	27	—	101
Arizona Diamondbacks	33	28	1.0	101
Atlanta Braves	33	28	1.0	101
Florida Marlins	31	28	2.0	103
Cincinnati Reds	32	30	2.5	100
Pittsburgh Pirates	29	30	4.0	103
New York Mets	29	31	4.5	102
Colorado Rockies	28	32	5.5	102
Los Angeles Dodgers	29	33	5.5	100
San Diego Padres	28	34	6.5	100
Washington Nationals	27	34	7.0	101
Chicago Cubs	23	36	10.0	103
Houston Astros	23	38	11.0	101

Gee’s #1 & R.A. Dickey, The One Footed Beast

It’s official.  Dillon Gee is my new favorite pitcher on the New York Mets.  Apparently, last night, his slider wasn’t working during warm ups so he started working on a cutter.  Not bullpen session warm ups earlier this week, his actual warmup time before the game.  He then used his cutter in the game.

Are you kidding me?  At this rate, I expect his cutter to be Mariano Rivera like by next week.  This man is as cool as a cucumber.

Author’s Note: 

I refuse to link the source of this information because the website requires you to be a paid subscriber.  Much like ESPN Insider.  This is quite possibly the most annoying thing on the Bitchin’ Internet.

Guess what suckers?  I won’t pay to read your full articles.  Never.  Never ever ever ever.  You shouldn’t either.  Don’t create a demand to pay for something that should be free.  Unless of course Midwestropolitan goes down this route.  A guy’s gotta eat, ya know?

Author’s note about author’s note:

I’m just kidding about Midwestropolitan going to a paid subscription.

Don’t Worry R.A., There Is Plenty Of Love For You

Tonight, our one footed warrior, R.A. Dickey takes the mound to try to clinch a series win against the Braves.  I wonder how many other pitcher’s would pitch through something like this?  Hell, he will probably ride his bike to the ballpark tonight just to get used to the pain.

Wild Card Update

The Amazin’s are still hanging around in the Wild Card race.  There is definitely a large hill to climb but I’m not throwing in the towel just yet.  It’s only June.

 

National League
	W	L	GB	Left
San Francisco Giants	32	26	—	104
Florida Marlins	31	25	—	106
Milwaukee Brewers	32	26	—	104
Atlanta Braves	32	27	0.5	103
Cincinnati Reds	30	29	2.5	103
Pittsburgh Pirates	28	29	3.5	105
Colorado Rockies	27	30	4.5	105
New York Mets	27	31	5.0	104
Los Angeles Dodgers	27	32	5.5	103
San Diego Padres	26	33	6.5	103
Washington Nationals	25	33	7.0	104
Chicago Cubs	23	33	8.0	106
Houston Astros	23	36	9.5	103

 

 

Sweep, Epic Battle, And The Wild Card

Well, the Mets go for a sweep of the Nats this afternoon…still sounds lame.  Looking on the bright side, it is better than trying to avoid a sweep.

My Favorite Quote From Last Night

“I was wondering what the hell we were doing out there..” -Jon Niese

At least he’s honest.  More importantly, he worked through the torrential down poor in the seventh inning even though he was visibly pissed that Bill Miller wouldn’t call the game.  He struggled most certainly, but he got through it.

Battle Of The Midwestropolitans

The tension was extremely high in my region of the country as we were forced to watch two Midwestropolitans battle mano a mano as the game hung in the balance.  With the bases loaded in the aforementioned seventh inning, Brian Bixler from Sandusky, Ohio was called upon to hit against Lima, Ohio native Jon Niese with one out.

Bixler represented the tying run as there were runners on first and second base.  An epic battle ensued with neither backing off in the stinging rain.

Eventually, Bixler grounded sharply to Justin Turner.  However, he turned it into an infield hit as he beat out the throw displaying his blazing speed that was undoubtedly developed during endless running sessions in a cornfield somewhere in Ohio.

Wild Card Update

As you can plainly see,  the gritty Mets still find themselves in contention for the Wild Card.  If they can manage to hover around .500 while their studs get healthy,  there’s still a chance.

National League
	W	L	GB	Left
Florida Marlins	24	17	—	121
St. Louis Cardinals	25	19	0.5	118
Atlanta Braves	25	20	1.0	117
Colorado Rockies	22	19	2.0	121
Milwaukee Brewers	21	22	4.0	119
New York Mets	20	22	4.5	120
Washington Nationals	20	22	4.5	120
Arizona Diamondbacks	19	23	5.5	120
Los Angeles Dodgers	20	24	5.5	118
Pittsburgh Pirates	19	23	5.5	120
Chicago Cubs	18	23	6.0	121
San Diego Padres	18	25	7.0	119
Houston Astros	15	28	10.0	119

Changeup?, Wild Card Update, & Bay

A few quick thoughts on this glorious Saturday morning….

Changeup?  You Gotta Be Kidding Me

Right before David Wright’s huge eighth inning bomb, Keith Hernandez appropriately questioned Humberto Quintero’s call of an outside changeup by saying,

“Changeup?  You gotta be kidding me.”

This is one of the reasons I really enjoy Mex as an analyst.  Clearly he isn’t one of the most polished color guys in the biz, but he’s not afraid to question certain player or managerial decisions (even members of the Mets).

In this case, he was spot on.  Why would you throw anything else to David Wright but a 94 mph fastball or a curveball or slider on the outside corner?  Up to that point, Wright had not shown the ability to catch up to the fastball and we all know his propensity to waive at outside breaking pitches.  Also, everyone knew he is dealing with a bad back.  Maybe everyone except Quintero.

Regardless, it was great to see Wright come through with a clutch hit.

Wild Card Update

Don’t look now but the Mets find themselves tied for 6th place in the Wild Card standings.

National League
	W	L	GB	Left
Florida Marlins	22	15	—	125
San Francisco Giants	21	17	1.5	124
Cincinnati Reds	21	17	1.5	124
Atlanta Braves	21	19	2.5	122
Los Angeles Dodgers	19	20	4.0	123
New York Mets	18	20	4.5	124
Pittsburgh Pirates	18	20	4.5	124
Washington Nationals	18	20	4.5	124
Chicago Cubs	17	20	5.0	125
Milwaukee Brewers	17	21	5.5	124
Arizona Diamondbacks	15	22	7.0	125
San Diego Padres	15	23	7.5	124
Houston Astros	14	24	8.5	124

Has Jason Bay Busted Out Of His Season Long Slump?

Jason Bay had two hard hit balls last night, leading some to believe that this may be a sign that he is starting to heat up.  I certainly hope this is the case.  It isn’t a coincidence in my opinion.  He appeared to be significantly closer to the plate last night.

Marathon Update

Three days ago I informed you that I was focusing my attention on the teams directly in front of the Mets in the Wild Card standings.

Here’s an update for you, as I know you were completely enamored with my analogy.

1. The Mets have actually gained a half a game on the WC leading Marlins.
2. The Mets surpassed the Diamondbacks and now have sole possession of ninth place in the standings.

My focus now shifts on to catching the Cubs and Dodgers.  Baby steps ladies and gentleman, baby steps.

National League W L GB Left  Florida Marlins 21 15 — 126  San Francisco Giants 20 16 1.0 126  Cincinnati Reds 20 17 1.5 125  Atlanta Braves 20 18 2.0 124  Washington Nationals 18 18 3.0 126  Pittsburgh Pirates 18 19 3.5 125  Los Angeles Dodgers 18 20 4.0 124  Chicago Cubs 16 19 4.5 127  New York Mets 16 20 5.0 126  Arizona Diamondbacks 15 20 5.5 127  Milwaukee Brewers 16 21 5.5 125  San Diego Padres 15 22 6.5 125  Houston Astros 14 23 7.5 125