So, What happened?

[whippoorwill]

What do you think turned this team around?

[Lefty Specialist]

Starters going deeper into games, exposing the bullpen less.



Consistent hitting from Davis, McNeil, Rosario. Random great performances like 3 HR's from Cano and 6 RBI from Ramos.



And inferior opposition; Bucs, White Sox, Bucs again, Marlins. You have to put the hammer down against these teams and they did.



Things would be even better if they hadn't lost 3 extra-inning games to the Giants.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

I'd include Matz's CG among the random acts of greatness, since he has since returned to being Matz. But Syndergaard has been much more consistent, and that's made a difference.



1 game at a time and all, but this'll come down to the 21 times we play ATL, PHI and WAS.



Atlanta: 3 there, 6 here. They've won 6 of the first 10.

Washington: 6 there. We're 8-5 vs them so far.

Philly: 3 there, 3 here. We are a totally unacceptable 4-9 vs them so far.

[Edgy MD]

The offense has always been there, but executing in key situations had not been. But now, they look like a more-or-less complete lineup out there despite missing Céspedes, Nimmo, Canó, Lowrie, McNeil, and Smitty.



d'Arnaud, Mesoraco, and Broxton, too, for that matter.



A big below-the-radar difference has been the steady improvement of Amed Rosario.

[smg58]

Agreed on Rosario. But the starting pitchers have all dialed it up a notch, and it starts with that.

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, absolutely. But that's certainly on the radar.

[Centerfield]

A bunch of things. Some of it is just regression to the mean and some good luck. The Mets are not a great team, but likely aren't as bad as they were playing.



Other than that:



*soft schedule

*Starters are pitching much better. I've said before, I wonder if the second half ball is different. I guess time will tell.

*Justin Wilson pitching better than he is over this stretch

*Rosario

*Random great performances. I guess this is an example of the good luck mentioned above.

[kcmets]

Conforto studly in the fascination shadow of McLonso?

[Guest 41Forever]

Edgy MD wrote: But now, they look like a more-or-less complete lineup out there despite missing Céspedes, Nimmo, Canó, Lowrie, McNeil, and Smitty.

Obviously not Cespedes (and not counting McNeil), but do you think we'll see any of the rest of those guys before the end of the season? They're running out of opportunities for rehab games.

[smg58]

=Centerfield post_id=17818 time=1565098451 user_id=65]
*Justin Wilson pitching better than he is over this stretch

[smg58]

Edgy MD wrote: But now, they look like a more-or-less complete lineup out there despite missing Céspedes, Nimmo, Canó, Lowrie, McNeil, and Smitty. Obviously not Cespedes (and not counting McNeil), but do you think we'll see any of the rest of those guys before the end of the season? They're running out of opportunities for rehab games.

Smitty and Nimmo had ETAs within August at last check, but I'm not promising anything. Cano I think is done, which is a blessing in disguise if you look at the whole season and a bad thing if you look post-ASB. Anything we get from Lowrie at this point is a bonus.

[Centerfield]

Edgy MD wrote: But now, they look like a more-or-less complete lineup out there despite missing Céspedes, Nimmo, Canó, Lowrie, McNeil, and Smitty. Obviously not Cespedes (and not counting McNeil), but do you think we'll see any of the rest of those guys before the end of the season? They're running out of opportunities for rehab games.

I would guess:



1. Cespedes. Spring training 2020

2. Nimmo. Maybe September. But who knows what sort of playing shape he'll be in. Hopefully he can get healthy for next year.

3. Smith. Maybe September, but not likely. He's in a walking boot for the first 3 weeks of August.

4. Lowrie. We have literally no idea what is wrong with him. So impossible to evaluate.

5. Cano is done. Torn hamstring is 12 weeks.

[Chad ochoseis]

- A buddy of mine went on a trip to Wales at the beginning of the (first!) streak. I'm taking up a collection to keep him there till the end of the World Series



- Lugo deserves a shout-out. Our bullpen has found an anchor.



- Cano's injury worries me. He wasn't good until last week, but the alternatives are far worse. Nimmo gets hurt, move Conforto to center and start playing Smith. Smitty goes down, put in Davis. With Cano hurt, we have a lot more Hecheverria than any contender wants or needs.



- I sure hope McNeil's cramp really was just a cramp.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Actually, Smith is no longer in a boot. He's in some kind of a "tricycle-like knee rover" according to Deesha Thosar of the Daily News. Definitely appears to be a step backwards.

[Lefty Specialist]

I think what actually happened is that they put a life-size cutout of Jeff Wilpon in the clubhouse, and with every win they peel off a piece of his clothing.



Hey, it's worked before.

[Edgy MD]

=Centerfield post_id=17826 time=1565100150 user_id=65]4. Lowrie. We have literally no idea what is wrong with him. So impossible to evaluate.

[Centerfield]

Should I start advocating for Dilson Herrera again?



What year is this? What year is this?!?!?

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

I think at some level they look at Dilson's numbers just like me and somehow know he's on the juice. If they can be convinced he won't get caught he prolly deserves a trip to NYC.



Still just 25 years old.

[Benjamin Grimm]

My prediction is that they'll promote Ruben Tejada and he'll carry the team on his back to the World Series.

[Centerfield]

I'm surprised to see you. Once they started winning I figured you were in Peru.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'm surprised to see you. Once they started winning I figured you were in Peru.

https://www.uninassau.edu.br/sites/mauriciodenassau.edu.br/files/fields/imagemLateral/noticias/2018/06/like-us-on-facebook.jpg>

[Lefty Specialist]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: My prediction is that they'll promote Ruben Tejada and he'll carry the team on his back to the World Series.

And no Chase Utley to worry about this time.

[Edgy MD]

I was on vacation when the Mets had that Mike Jacobs winning streak.

[Benjamin Grimm]

http://leaptoad.com/mets/above_below_500_graph.php?year=2019>

[HahnSolo]

Apparently Jim Breuer is back making videos if that's your thing. It's not mine.

[Edgy MD]

Also, Conforto found his best self just as Alonso seemed to have lost his.

[MFS62]

Lefty Specialist wrote: I think what actually happened is that they put a life-size cutout of Jeff Wilpon in the clubhouse, and with every win they peel off a piece of his clothing.

Bob Uecker approves.



Actually, according to Alonso, it is because Mercury is no longer in retrograde.

https://nypost.com/2019/08/06/pete-alonsos-latest-weird-answer-mercury-retrograde-joke/https://nypost.com/2019/08/06/pete-alonsos-latest-weird-answer-mercury-retrograde-joke/



Later

[Fman99]

Don't underestimate MLB correcting the super juiced pre-ASG break ball with one that allows for a better slider to be thrown. Not by Diaz, of course, who's a head case, but Thor at least.

[RealityChuck]

Phil Regan.



The team's offense was always OK. It was the pitching that let the team down. Once Regan came on, most everyone started pitching better: the starters were more consistent, and the relievers more dependable.

[Lefty Specialist]

Mets are 23-16 since Phil Regan's hiring.