NY Mets 2024 Season

[SinceThe70s]

Two brutal losses, both at the hands of Diaz, ugh. I'm happy to report that I missed last nights meltdown. I was exhausted and figured it was a loss down 3-0 and getting dominated by the Dbags starter.

 

We were this close to going into todays game with the chance of a 8-2 road trip. This isn't the time of year for moral victories and even if we get to 6-4 it's a lost opportunity.  I'm getting tired of thinking 'there's still time left'. The sands of time for me  the Mets 2024 season are running low.

[ExWNYer]

8 hours ago, Gugny said:

I think most Mets fans feel the same. 
 

I was pissed last night. If we can’t count on Diaz to close out big/must-win games, then he’s worthless. Period. 
 

 

And, of course, he rebounds today to nail down the save. Because baseball...

 

BTW, I've said it here before and I'll say it again...don't bring him in with traffic on the bases. He's much better coming in to a 'clean' inning. Oh, and the damn Phillies FINALLY helped out by beating Atlanta.

[Another Fan]

I had no idea the White Sox were this historically horrible a team this season.

 

So watch of course they take 2 out of 3 from the Mets here 😁

[Another Fan]

@ExWNYer @Gugny @SinceThe70s

 

Happy Labor Day guys

 

 

Well I ate some crow above.  I saw a team that can battle the 1962 Mets record for losses and I thought yeah tailor made the White Sox will take 2 out of 3.  lol

 

 

 

Silver linings: It's September and the team is going to be playing meaningful baseball.  Better than what I expected early in the season.  

[SinceThe70s]

@ExWNYer @Gugny @Another Fan

 

Mets on a 9 game heater. Looking back on my last post "This isn't the time of year for moral victories" - what a difference a week+ makes. A few thoughts:

 

- Vientos has become what I wanted (and still fadingly hope) Alvarez will become. The road he took to get where he is makes no sense to me. His glove is still suspect so I can't lock him into 3B.

 

- it's been fun watching the starting pitching 'over-achieve'. More enjoyable than waiting for a $40 mill savior to get healthy

 

- just saw that Diaz is 16/22 in save situations. Brutal, but I don't expect a change until after the 25 season. His upside is seductive.

 

- McNeil out indefintely. Disappointing, I love what OMG-guy has done, just concerned if we have to rely on him at the plate 

 

 

[ExWNYer]

@SinceThe70s @Gugny @Another Fan

 

3 hours ago, SinceThe70s said:

Mets on a 9 game heater. Looking back on my last post "This isn't the time of year for moral victories" - what a difference a week+ makes. A few thoughts:

 

So much fun and now it's a sprint to the finish. There is still the possibility of getting the top WC which seemed implausible at the start of this 9-game joyride. They still have 7 left against Philly and 3 against Atlanta. That's a potential death knell but it also puts the division in play, as unlikely as that seems. Maybe Bryce & Co can repay the favor of that 7 game choke job with 17 to play debacle. YA GOTTA BELIEVE!

 

- Vientos has become what I wanted (and still fadingly hope) Alvarez will become. The road he took to get where he is makes no sense to me. His glove is still suspect so I can't lock him into 3B.

 

Vientos has become the homegrown offensive weapon we had all hoped he would become. It's hard to believe that he was actually at Syracuse earlier this season. He's not a defensive wiz by any means but his glove is adequate. I have a feeling that he will be the Mets 1B next season if Alonso and Boras overplay their hand and price themselves out of Queens.

 

I have complete faith in Alvarez becoming a superstar. The kid just has that "it" factor and already handles the pitching staff like someone ten years his senior. He's got a fire in his belly, always has a smile on his face, and he plays with a joy and passion that's fun to watch. I am certainly pulling for him. Heck, look how fast he learned English. He's obviously smart. The bat will come around in time, he's still a baby.

 

- it's been fun watching the starting pitching 'over-achieve'. More enjoyable than waiting for a $40 mill savior to get healthy

 

They have been lights out for the most part and the bullpen has done a great job lately, as well. The only starter who still makes me nervous going into a game is Quintana and even he had a great game on Saturday. Manaea had a rare off day Friday but still managed to get a no decision. He's been pitching like an ace and Severino has been more good than bad. I have always been a big fan of David Peterson's potential and I'm glad to see it finally all come together for him. A lefty who is pitching like he has been is an invaluable asset. Agreed on the $40M point. Nobody was happier to see Verlander and especially Scherzer shipped out for some much needed high-level prospects than I was. I would have driven them both to the airport myself, had Cohen let me. They underachieved mightily (as is the Met free agent way) when they even bothered to be healthy enough to be on the field. I still hold it against Scherzer for sh*tting the bed down the stretch against Atlanta in 2022 and costing the Mets the division title.

 

- just saw that Diaz is 16/22 in save situations. Brutal, but I don't expect a change until after the 25 season. His upside is seductive.

 

I have been "done" with Diaz several times this year. lol I still think about those blown saves that cost them games against the Priests and the D-bags and will wonder "what if" should they fall a game or two short of making the playoffs. <sigh> He currently looks more like the 2022 version of Diaz so fingers crossed that it stays that way the remainder of the year. Maybe it's taken him longer to shake off the rust from that injury than any of us thought it would.

 

- McNeil out indefintely. Disappointing, I love what OMG-guy has done, just concerned if we have to rely on him at the plate 

 

McNeil has been playing his best ball here, too, so losing him is disappointing. I'm not too worried about Iglesias though. He has been a spark plug all year and has hit decently. He's also fast and a plus defender, better at 2nd than McNeil. Here's to hoping for a speedy recovery and also a few quality innings from Senga out of the pen for the final few games. LGM and LET'S GO BILLS!!!

 

(Bolded your statements and commented on each...you may have to expand to read them all)

Edited September 8 by ExWNYer

[SinceThe70s]

8 hours ago, ExWNYer said:

@SinceThe70s @Gugny @Another Fan

 

 

(Bolded your statements and commented on each...you may have to expand to read them all)

 

I've been wondering the same about Vientos and first base. Also love that you're not putting the division out of reach. I've been keeping an eye on the Phillies but that still feels like a reach. Mets final 10 games are either an opportunity or a gauntlet depending on how you look at the glass of water.

[SinceThe70s]

@ExWNYer @Gugny @Another Fan

 

RIP Ed Kranepool. He was on every Mets roster from the inaugura season in 1962 until he retired in 1979. 

[SinceThe70s]

@ExWNYer @Another Fan @Gugny

 

7 games left, magic number is 6. I would've signed up for this in spring training.

 

I was at the game on Friday - Good Lord was that bad. One of the few times that I left the stadium early. Ottavino went a third of an inning. His only out came when Castellanos had an automatic out due to the clock.

 

Regardless, excellent bounceback win today = how you guys feeling? I expect we'll lose tomorrow night (Wheeler/Megill) and go into our house of horrors one up. Need to exorcise our Braves demons and win 2 of 3. Am I confident? No, not really - but looking forward to being proved wrong.

[Another Fan]

22 minutes ago, SinceThe70s said:

@ExWNYer @Another Fan @Gugny

 

7 games left, magic number is 6. I would've signed up for this in spring training.

 

I was at the game on Friday - Good Lord was that bad. One of the few times that I left the stadium early. Ottavino went a third of an inning. His only out came when Castellanos had an automatic out due to the clock.

 

Regardless, excellent bounceback win today = how you guys feeling? I expect we'll lose tomorrow night (Wheeler/Megill) and go into our house of horrors one up. Need to exorcise our Braves demons and win 2 of 3. Am I confident? No, not really - but looking forward to being proved wrong.

Pretty much the same as what you described.

 

And is just me or does like every important end of the season game between Atlanta and the Mets always take place in Atlanta not Queens? 

[ExWNYer]

On 9/21/2024 at 9:36 PM, SinceThe70s said:

@ExWNYer @Another Fan @Gugny

 

7 games left, magic number is 6. I would've signed up for this in spring training.

 

I was at the game on Friday - Good Lord was that bad. One of the few times that I left the stadium early. Ottavino went a third of an inning. His only out came when Castellanos had an automatic out due to the clock.

 

Regardless, excellent bounceback win today = how you guys feeling? I expect we'll lose tomorrow night (Wheeler/Megill) and go into our house of horrors one up. Need to exorcise our Braves demons and win 2 of 3. Am I confident? No, not really - but looking forward to being proved wrong.

 

On 9/21/2024 at 10:01 PM, Another Fan said:

Pretty much the same as what you described.

 

And is just me or does like every important end of the season game between Atlanta and the Mets always take place in Atlanta not Queens? 

@Gugny

 

Well boys, the Amazins are on a roll! How sweet was that to beat Wheeler? Diaz was the Diaz of old for that six out save. Great stuff. This team has been without their catalyst, Francisco Lindor, for the last seven games, yet they keep finding ways to win. Luisangel Acuna looks and plays eerily like his older brother. We got a steal in that trade and he looks like our cornerstone 2B for years to come. He has stepped in for Lindor at SS and plays like a seasoned vet. And what did I tell you about Iglesias, @SinceThe70s? He has been better than McNeil, IMO. Sparkplug with a GREAT glove and a good stick. The type of 'glue guy' needed for a deep run. Tyrone Taylor is another bench player giving them phenomenal D and good at bats. I know the Mets were in the WS in 2015 but I have not felt this special vibe with a team since the '86 Mets. I hope they can finish off these last six games with a flourish. I don't think anyone wants to face them in the postseason right now. If they take two out of three from the Braves, they are in the playoffs. It doesn't look like they'll catch the Padres for the first WC but they own the tiebreaker over the D-bags and have a very good shot at the #2 WC. Severino (Tuesday), Peterson (Wednesday), & Manaea (Thursday) are tasked with getting it done in Atlanta. Hard to believe but I have way more faith in those three than I did with any of deGrom, Scherzer, & Bassitt in 2022. It's payback time. LFGM!!!

 

Also, I never commented at the time back when everyone was talking about whether or not Mendoza would be the right guy to lead this organization into the future, but I liked the hire at the time and have liked it ever since. I have been higher on him than most (all?) of you. I think he does a great job of using analytics and managing 'old school' with his gut. The vast majority of his decisions have been right, IMO. He just seems to have a great feel for the game. This year has been more than I ever expected and a very pleasant surprise. Getting to the playoffs would be the icing on the cake but the way that this team has played since early June, just wanting to get to the postseason seems like selling ourselves short. Let's go, fellas. Why not us?

 

And...LET'S GO BILLS!!! KILL THOSE JAGS!!!

[SinceThe70s]

1 hour ago, ExWNYer said:

 

@Gugny

 

Well boys, the Amazins are on a roll! How sweet was that to beat Wheeler? Diaz was the Diaz of old for that six out save. Great stuff. This team has been without their catalyst, Francisco Lindor, for the last seven games, yet they keep finding ways to win. Luisangel Acuna looks and plays eerily like his older brother. We got a steal in that trade and he looks like our cornerstone 2B for years to come. He has stepped in for Lindor at SS and plays like a seasoned vet. And what did I tell you about Iglesias, @SinceThe70s? He has been better than McNeil, IMO. Sparkplug with a GREAT glove and a good stick. The type of 'glue guy' needed for a deep run. Tyrone Taylor is another bench player giving them phenomenal D and good at bats. I know the Mets were in the WS in 2015 but I have not felt this special vibe with a team since the '86 Mets. I hope they can finish off these last six games with a flourish. I don't think anyone wants to face them in the postseason right now. If they take two out of three from the Braves, they are in the playoffs. It doesn't look like they'll catch the Padres for the first WC but they own the tiebreaker over the D-bags and have a very good shot at the #2 WC. Severino (Tuesday), Peterson (Wednesday), & Manaea (Thursday) are tasked with getting it done in Atlanta. Hard to believe but I have way more faith in those three than I did with any of deGrom, Scherzer, & Bassitt in 2022. It's payback time. LFGM!!!

 

Also, I never commented at the time back when everyone was talking about whether or not Mendoza would be the right guy to lead this organization into the future, but I liked the hire at the time and have liked it ever since. I have been higher on him than most (all?) of you. I think he does a great job of using analytics and managing 'old school' with his gut. The vast majority of his decisions have been right, IMO. He just seems to have a great feel for the game. This year has been more than I ever expected and a very pleasant surprise. Getting to the playoffs would be the icing on the cake but the way that this team has played since early June, just wanting to get to the postseason seems like selling ourselves short. Let's go, fellas. Why not us?

 

And...LET'S GO BILLS!!! KILL THOSE JAGS!!!

 

LOL, I was thinking about my Iglesias comments over the weekend. I definitely expected him to tail off (law of averages), glad to  be wrong! 

 

I like Mendoza too, but was definitely in wait-and-see mode. It was a big feather in his cap when he weathered the awful start to the season and kept the clubhouse together. And he's never been afraid to trust his gut. It backfired spectacularly with Ottavino on Friday, but I understood his thought process, On the flip side, getting two out of Diaz last night paid the hoped for dividends - I have to admit I wasn't sure about Diaz going two after going an inning plus the night before.

 

Good times!

[ExWNYer]

2 hours ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

LOL, I was thinking about my Iglesias comments over the weekend. I definitely expected him to tail off (law of averages), glad to  be wrong! 

 

I like Mendoza too, but was definitely in wait-and-see mode. It was a big feather in his cap when he weathered the awful start to the season and kept the clubhouse together. And he's never been afraid to trust his gut. It backfired spectacularly with Ottavino on Friday, but I understood his thought process, On the flip side, getting two out of Diaz last night paid the hoped for dividends - I have to admit I wasn't sure about Diaz going two after going an inning plus the night before.

 

Good times!

 

They took 3 out of 4 from Philly and you chose the only clunker of the bunch to attend. Oof. 😂 I have to admit that I had my doubts about Diaz going two full innings after going the night before but Mendy was right to throw him against the Phils' best hitters. He attacked them and that fastball was exploding out of his hand.

 

I haven't heard talk about manager of the year but Mendoza should be solidly in the running, IMO, for how he has transformed this group into a cohesive, winning unit. It's nice to see a Mets team that can actually play great defense for a change. Kudos to David Stearns, as well, for getting the right pieces for the bullpen. And WRT to Ottavino, it sucks to see him be so ineffective. I have always liked him but I fear he may be nearing the end. I certainly wouldn't use him at this point unless it was in garbage time in a huge deficit or with a huge lead.

[SinceThe70s]

@ExWNYer @Gugny @Another Fan

 

I thought by now we'd have more clarity but Helene had other plans. Tuesdays loss didn't inspire confidence that we'd exorcise our Atlanta demons and there's a chance we can clinch a spot before Monday, but that's BS. It's gonna come down to winning either one or two against the boogeyman on Monday.

 

Let's Go Mets!!! 

 

[Another Fan]

5 minutes ago, SinceThe70s said:

@ExWNYer @Gugny @Another Fan

 

I thought by now we'd have more clarity but Helene had other plans. Tuesdays loss didn't inspire confidence that we'd exorcise our Atlanta demons and there's a chance we can clinch a spot before Monday, but that's BS. It's gonna come down to winning either one or two against the boogeyman on Monday.

 

Let's Go Mets!!! 

 

Even if the Mets lose out Mendoza has still greatly exceeded my expectations for him from the beginning of the year.

 

That being said it would be nice for him to nudge the team here over the last 5 games.  Especially given the history with the devil in Georgia. 
 

I was initially overjoyed at the season to get worked up but when you’re this close I say go for it!  Heck Buck was manager of the year then fired the next season.  So who knows what tomorrow or next year brings.

 

Lets Go Mets! 

[ExWNYer]

4 minutes ago, SinceThe70s said:

@ExWNYer @Gugny @Another Fan

 

I thought by now we'd have more clarity but Helene had other plans. Tuesdays loss didn't inspire confidence that we'd exorcise our Atlanta demons and there's a chance we can clinch a spot before Monday, but that's BS. It's gonna come down to winning either one or two against the boogeyman on Monday.

 

Let's Go Mets!!! 

 

 

@Gugny @Another Fan

 

Yeah, there is a lot of scar tissue still. It took one loss at Atlanta for me to start questioning the Mets' chances. I still think they'll get it done but just once I'd like to see them go into Atlanta with something on the line and punch those annoying a$$holes in the mouth. It's gotten really old to constantly be their whipping boy.

[ExWNYer]

@SinceThe70s @Gugny @Another Fan

 

Well, Manaea sh!t the bed tonight in a game that meant absolutely nothing to the Brewers. The pitching names change but the results remain the same. When will this organization finally field a staff that can win when it matters? And, of course, Atlanta won and the Mets' two game lead has completely evaporated. We just can't have nice things. <sigh>

Edited September 28 by ExWNYer

[SinceThe70s]

1 hour ago, ExWNYer said:

@SinceThe70s @Gugny @Another Fan

 

Well, Manaea sh!t the bed tonight in a game that meant absolutely nothing to the Brewers. The pitching names change but the results remain the same. When will this organization finally field a staff that can win when it matters? And, of course, Atlanta won and the Mets' two game lead has completely evaporated. We just can't have nice things. <sigh>

 

It's going to come down to the Mets needing to win two on Monday.  Yikes.

[Another Fan]

10 hours ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

It's going to come down to the Mets needing to win two on Monday.  Yikes.

Who has the tie breaker?  Maybe last night was just a bad night?  I didn't catch the game but heard the umpire was terrible.  

 

On another note I saw last night the White Sox broke the 62 Mets loss record 

11 hours ago, ExWNYer said:

@SinceThe70s @Gugny @Another Fan

 

Well, Manaea sh!t the bed tonight in a game that meant absolutely nothing to the Brewers. The pitching names change but the results remain the same. When will this organization finally field a staff that can win when it matters? And, of course, Atlanta won and the Mets' two game lead has completely evaporated. We just can't have nice things. <sigh>

I'm kind of puzzled what exactly it takes to win in the MLB in 2024.  Spending money helps but isn't the end all be all.

 

In a way hate to say it but the 1998 Yankees are like what most teams strive to be before the game turned into an analytic freak show.....  that team didn't have an all star on it but was very very solid with fundamentals.  And ironically Buck laid the foundation for it 

[SinceThe70s]

35 minutes ago, Another Fan said:

Who has the tie breaker?  Maybe last night was just a bad night?  I didn't catch the game but heard the umpire was terrible.  

 

On another note I saw last night the White Sox broke the 62 Mets loss record 

I'm kind of puzzled what exactly it takes to win in the MLB in 2024.  Spending money helps but isn't the end all be all.

 

In a way hate to say it but the 1998 Yankees are like what most teams strive to be before the game turned into an analytic freak show.....  that team didn't have an all star on it but was very very solid with fundamentals.  And ironically Buck laid the foundation for it 

 

Mets win the tie-breaker against the D'backs - so if we get one more win than them today or tomorrow we're in.  If we go even with the D'Backs today and tomorrow a split on Monday gets us in. If none of that happens we can still get in by sweeping the Braves