Close To Normal

Posted by Nineteen Eighty-Sixed on


Things are starting to feel close to normal again. The crowds are slowly growing back at the ballpark, and even though the Mets had a couple of ill-timed scheduled off days this week, they have been able to play some baseball. And on a personal note, I even got to a ballgame at Citi this week. It feels great! 

DISLOCATED RECAP
Hey, how have the Mets been doing?

🟠 Sunday 4/25 vs Nationals - W 4-0 
Taijuan Walker took the mound and worked around a few hits and walks, with the help of his defense. Particularly a pickoff in the 1st, and an amazin’ catch by Almora Jr in the 6th to prevent a 2-run double. 
Castro worked around two hits to strike out the side in the 8th, and the trumpets sounded for the 9th as Diaz came in to close out the day. 
In addition to some slick defense, the Mets offense seemed to click today, with JD and Pete each going yard, and Conforto knocking a double just short of a third dinger. McCann even got a single with runners in scoring position. An all around team win to start the week off right!

🟠 Tuesday 4/27 vs Red Sox - L 2-1 
Not much to say about this loss. David Peterson pitched 6 strong innings, only allowing 2 runs, while walking 2 and scattering 4 hits.
Familia, May, and Castro put in one clean inning a piece, and have continued to look great.
With Luis Rojas starting a much different lineup, giving Nimmo an extra day to rest his sore hip, the bats once again just couldn’t drive in runners. The Mets had 7 hits overall, with Conforto contributing 2 of them, but the only run came on McNeil’s solo shot in the 2nd. 

🟠 Wednesday 4/28 vs Red Sox - L 1-0
This one was absolutely brutal to watch (and I was there in person). It wasn’t so much a gem from deGrom, as it was a diamond in the rough. He was off his game, which meant he only went 6 innings and struck out 9, walking 1 and giving up 3 hits, and 1 (earned) run. Sheesh! I’d love to have bad days like that.
Loup, May, and Diaz continued the bullpen’s recently dominant performances, giving up just 1 hit, zero runs, and striking out a combined 6 over their 3 innings. 
But at the risk of sounding like a broken record, the offense just couldn’t do a damn thing for deGrom. Only 2 hits, and 0 for 4 with RISP. 
Something needs to happen to get these bats going, but what that something is remains to be seen.

🟠 Friday 4/30 at Phillies - L 2-1 
I’m hoping this was the low point of our season. Hard to get much worse than this. On a cold, windy evening, Marcus Stroman pitched a gem, but was pulled after just 5 innings with tightness in his hamstring. The Phillies scored 2 runs on a passed ball after Str0 & McCann got crossed up on what would’ve been an inning-ending strikeout. But the bullpen continued to perform, not allowing any further damage. 
Unfortunately, the Mets looked to be pressing all night at the plate, popping up and grounding out when a well-placed single was all that was needed. Only Dom Smith managed to find a hole with RISP. 
And speaking of Smith, wild, multiple-batter-hitting Phillies’ reliever, Jose Alvarado struck him out, and then proceeded to talk some shit, going back to the last series between these two teams. Dom started towards him, and the benches cleared. No punches were thrown, but I have to agree with Ron Darling that there should’ve been some violence after that. 
Hopefully this will light a fire under the Mets’ asses.

🟠 Saturday 5/1 at Phillies - W 5-4 
We needed this one! Taijuan Walker had a decent outing, giving up 4 runs over 6 innings. He would’ve gotten away with just 2 runs if not for the minuscule dimensions of the Phillies ballpark, as Alex Bohm hit a fly ball that sailed out over the RF fence in the 6th. 
The bullpen once again stepped up beautifully, with Loup, May, and Diaz combining for 3 spotless innings. 
The Mets offense kicked off the game by nearly batting around on Zack Wheeler, driving in 4 early runs. But then Wheeler settled down and held the Mets in check for the next 6 innings. 
It wasn’t until the 9th, when Conforto got ahold of one from Phillies closer, Hector Neris, to gI’ve the Mets the lead. Diaz came in and got the save. 
In the post-game press conferences, Pete & Conforto had a little fun, mentioning a mysterious new hire by the club, named Donnie Stevenson, who they said was their “approach coach”. Glad to see the guys are keeping those good vibes alive. 

 

CAUGHT IN A RUNDOWN
All the news from this past week, which you’ve probably already seen by now.

🟠 Governor Cuomo announced increased capacity at outdoor venues. But unfortunately the 6’ social distancing rule will only allow for up to 22% capacity at Citi Field 🏟

🟠 And not to be outdone by his nemesis, Mayor DeBlasio announced Thursday that NYC will be fully reopened by July 1st. Whether that applies to Citi Field is unclear, and would ultimately fall under Governor Cuomo’s decision.

🟠 The bullpen shuffle adds another round 🔀

🟠 Jerry Blevins announced his retirement. We’re gonna miss you, Jerry 🥺

🟠 The Mets added to their organizational catching depth 🧱

🟠 Every day the Mets are shufflin’ 🔀

🟠 Well José Peraza’s time off the big league roster was particularly brief 😳 Hopefully Guillorme can heal up quickly 🤞


TWEET THE METS

🟠 Taijuan was fired up for his first win as a Met 😤


🟠 Sugar continues to toot those horns 🎺


🟠
Noah teams up with Tatis Jr to raise baby Bauer. All they need is a third “dad” (maybe Stroman?) for a hilarious baseball-themed remake of Three Men & a Baby 👶🏻

🟠 The Mets media team put together a tribute fitting of one of the most delightful players to ever rock the blue & orange 💙🧡

🟠 Uncle Steve weighs in on the Mets strong pitching, and lack of offense. And he’s right, it’s only April, folks.

  

ROSTER MOVES
New merch for every Mets Mood

🟠 Mother’s Day is coming soon. Celebrate the Mets Mom in your life by letting her know she’s on your All-Star squad. Order it here


🟠 It’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and we’ve got new designs for Korean, Japanese, and Chinese fans to cheer on our boys in blue & orange. And don’t forget the previously released ones for the sour Mets moods. A portion of proceeds from these shirts for the month of May will go to the AAJC to help combat hate crimes against AAPI folks. Order here

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