Back home again IGT - Nats at Mets, 8/14/26

[Frayed Knot]

 

The just completed nine game road trip where the Mets went 6 - 3 (which seemed disappointing only in that it was 6 -1 heading into the last two) now gives way to a 15-game span where only n odd one-series trip to the ChiSox sandwiched in the middle are away games [three games each vs WAS, SDP, @CHW, MIL, HOU].

So it starts Friday night vs the Nationals where Robert Stock faces 27 y/o rookie left-hander Andrew Alvarez. Following a September call-up in '25 he's been in 17 games / 9 starts this year compiling a 3.76 ERA and 1.40 WHIP

So where are the Nats now? Well, they're still the highest scoring team in MLB at 5.37 RS/G. On the flip side they're 3rd worst in preventing runs (5.24 RA/G). They're also the team directly ahead of us so catching and passing them should be the most immediate goal. We currently sit 6.0 games in back of them (pending today's game in which they lead 6 - 0) as they're tattooing Kevin Gausman one day after we got skunked by the likes of Tyler Mahle. Most recently they swept the Reds in a series but lost the first two at home to the Cubs.  

 

So since we last saw them (mid May):

- they traded righty bat Curtis Mead to the BoSox (where he promptly broke his wrist in his 2nd AB)

- dealt 1B/lefty masher Luis Garcia Jr to the Yanx

- probably their best starting in Foster Griffin was sent to the Guardians

- and their best player, James Wood, is currently on the IL

[Frayed Knot]

Well, at least we'll miss Cade Cavalli in this series.

Cavalli just no-hit the Cubs thru 6-2/3 before losing it on a bloop single in the 7th. Wound up going 8 innings/108 pitches (of course they didn't let him finish) allowing just the one hit plus 2 BBs against 10 Ks. 7 - 0 was the final.

So we'll head into tomorrow 6-1/2 games in back of the Nats.

[Edgy MD]

The Mets return home to the triumphant strains of "Rock, Rock, Robert Stock!" — the new hype song that is sweeping the lounges, go-gos, and cabarets of Northern Queens.  Stock takes on lefthander Andrew Alvarez of the Washington Nationals, as the Mets take aim at the team just ahead of them in the National League East standings.

Some patriotic warbler will sing the national anthem of these United States!  Some wannabe jock will attempt to throw a ceremonial strike!  And then, on or about 7:10 PM, Andy Green will have his team ready to compete!

Fireworks after the game, and if any justice exists in this cruel universe, a few Metly explosions will happen during the game as well.

[Frayed Knot]

Was mine not good enough?

[Gwreck]

I was frustrated that Robert Stock got a start last time.  Now I’m just mad.  We have players who have an actual chance of helping the Mets in 2027 for whom this experience would be useful.  Stock is not one of them.

[Edgy MD]

1 hour ago, Frayed Knot said:

Was mine not good enough?

I do try.

And sometimes fail like a futhermucker.

[seawolf17]

Why on earth would you still be giving Robert Stock innings when you have Myers and Tong in AAA? Both on the 40, both way more valuable to this team in 2027 than Stock will be. It's even Myers' start day; he's pitching tonight! (Tong starts Sunday.)

[Edgy MD]

I imagine they see value and potential to using him here and those guys there.  Something you may not see or agree with.

With Tong, I imagine, they are just trying to get him off the one-way train ride to Syndergaardland that he's been on for a good chunk of 2026.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Predicing full shelves for the Stockboy tonight

[Edgy MD]

Make Butch Huskey proud.

Moundfeller

Andrew Alvarez LHP 2-3, 3.76 ERA, 65 SO

Lineup

1. CJ Abrams (L) SS
2. Abimelec Ortiz (L) 1B
3. Brady House (R) DH
4. Daylen Lile (L) RF
5. Keibert Ruiz (S) C
6. José Tena (L) LF
7. Nasim Nuñez (S) 2B
8. Jorbit Vivas (L) 3B
9. Jacob Young (R) CF

 

Bumpbrother

Robert Stock RHP 0-2, 10.13 ERA, 8 SO

Lineup

1. A.J. Ewing (L) LF
2. Francisco Lindor (S) SS
3. Bo Bichette (R) 3B
4. Luis Robert Jr. (R) CF
5. Carson Benge (L) RF
6. Francisco Alvarez (R) DH
7. Marcus Semien (R) 2B
8. Jared Young (L) 1B
9. Luis Torrens (R) C

[Frayed Knot]

Abimelec Ortiz, a 24 y/o out of the Carlos Beltran Academy in Puerto Rico, played one game for his ML debut in July then was recalled on August 3 after the dust settled on all the deadline trades. Listed as a 1B/PH and at 5' 10" / 230 (that's a load!), he's pretty much playing every day now and is 10 for 30 in his brief career with four HRs already (1122 OPS) including a 3R job off Kevin Gausman yesterday to bust that game wide open.

And remember, don't take Abimelec if you're allergic to Abimelec.

[ashie62]

My first game in about a week

LGM

[ashie62]

The PIX advertising is going with "the Mets season is on fire!"

[Edgy MD]

5 minutes ago, ashie62 said:

The PIX advertising is going with "the Mets season is on fire!"

They're not wrong.

[Frayed Knot]

That was the cleaned up version. At first it was: 'the Mets season is a dumpster on fire'

[Frayed Knot]

For the Nationals (ionals) batting third (hird) the DH (ache) number 12 (elve) ... 

[ashie62]

I don't really understand why Stock is pitching again. It's like the organization doesn't really give a rat

[Edgy MD]

There has to be a pitcher.  And they put their heads together and assessed that maybe he could be a helpful one.

[ashie62]

How about Lindor since he doesn't catch balls hit right to him

[ashie62]

Stock is actually winning me over. He seems to be a short-armer and a grinder

[ashie62]

Lindor providing the crack!

[Edgy MD]

The Mets have taken the lead, because the STOCKYARD kept 'em in it!

Against the top offense in the league, too!

[Edgy MD]

And YOUNGSTOWN gives them a touch of breathing room.

Terrible nicknames for everybody!

[Centerfield]

We have our 2027 1B. 
 

tell Stearns he can focus on other needs. 

[Centerfield]

Maybe 3B once Bichette opts out. 

[Centerfield]

Kodai needs a cool entrance song. Cant do trumpets anymore. Does anyone know some cool French Horn songs?

[ashie62]

Thin Lizzy

[ashie62]

This may not end well

[ashie62]

BOOKS!!

[Centerfield]

Internet says his walkout song is Beat It by Michael Jackson.