It's a Dirty Job, but Somebody's Gotta Do It IGT, Mets vs Cubs 4/18/26

[Lefty Specialist]

15 1/2 years I've been on this site and I've never started an IGT.  But a stupid and futle gesture needs to be made on somebody's part, and, well....desperate times call for desperate measures.

Carson Benge demonstating the new Mets hitting method.  He really does look better without the mustache.

It's not Freddy's fault they're 7-13.  He's done reasonably well, but has a disturbing tendency to get tired early and then the clown car shows up.  Jameson Taillon just came off a game against the Bucs where he pitched 6 innings, 6 hits, 6 runs, all earned, 3 homers and 10 strikeouts.  Now THAT's entertainment, kids.

It's too early for the lineup but you can be sure it's full of underachieving lugnuts.  The game's at 2:20 on SNY, which means you can watch it and spoil your appetite for dinner as the Mets go for their first double-digit losing streak since 2004, when they lost 11 games from August 28th to September 8th.  Game time temperature is supposed to be 47 degrees with an 18 mph wind, so be glad you're not sittng in the Friendly Confines.

On a positive note, there's absolutely zero chance that Sean Manaea will pitch in this game.  Outside of that... I got nothin'. 

[metirish]

This IGT deserves the Mets best efforts and a win 

 

LFGM 

[ashie62]

Yes it does. Lefty and Peralta as stoppers

[Centerfield]

I think we finally win tomorrow. 

[Lefty Specialist]

How does one pin this to the top so it doesn't slide down the memory hole?

[Edgy MD]

2 hours ago, Lefty Specialist said:

How does one pin this to the top so it doesn't slide down the memory hole?

I am no longer a moderator, but the magic forum goblins have apparently given me pinning privileges.

[Lefty Specialist]

Kewl.

[Edgy MD]

This Moises Ballesteros character is going .375 / .409 / .625 // 1.034.

# NEW YORK POS. # CHICAGO POS. 1 Carson Benge (L) lf 1 Nico Hoerner (R) 2b 2 Bo Bichette (R) 3b 2 Michael Busch (L) 1b 3 Francisco Lindor (S) ss 3 Alex Bregman (R) 3b 4 Luis Robert, Jr. (R) cf 4 Ian Happ (S) lf 5 MJ Melendez (L) dh 5 Seiya Suzuki (R) rf 6 Francisco Alvarez (R) cf 6 Moises Ballesteros (L) dh 7 Mark Vientos (R) 1b 7 Miguel Amaya (R) c 8 Brett Baty (L) rf 8 Pete Crow-Armstrong (L) cf 9 Marcus Semien (R) 2b 9 Dansby Swanson (R) ss       Freddy Peralta (R) sp   Jameson Taillon (R) sp

[Lefty Specialist]

Lol at Benge leading off.  

[ashie62]

A child shall lead them all

[Edgy MD]

I'm fine with Benge leading off.

And I'm fine with Semien pulling up the rear.

[Gwreck]

So they call up Senger but neither he nor Torrens are in the lineup.  Curious.

 

[Edgy MD]

I realize we are men and talk about manly things, sportscasters, but you can tell me about a guy being a cancer survivor, without having to tell me it was his testicles. 

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Bingo having a nice at bat

[Edgy MD]

I estimate Lindor had about a 10% chance of scoring on the double, and I still wanted to send him, so run-thirsty am I.

But he stopped hammering shortly after rounding second, so he was never going to go.

[ashie62]

I expected him to try with 2 outs

[ashie62]

Benge reminds me of Crow-Armstrong. They could almost swap uniforms 

[Edgy MD]

Well, that's nice.

[ashie62]

A lead!

[Edgy MD]

I think Benge has a tiny hitch in his swing.

He's mostly shed it but there was still a hint of it in that at-bat where he got the walk.

[Lefty Specialist]

I think the Mets lead the league in singles with two out and nobody on.

[Centerfield]

Would have liked to see Bichette not pop up the first pitch, but the ABs look better today. 

[Lefty Specialist]

And just like that, it's tied.

[Centerfield]

Dammit. The Mets have had very few leads during this losing streak. But whenever they do, they give it back the immediate half inning after. 

[MFS62]

The report I saw said both homers were over 450'.

That famous Wrigley wind must be blowing out, C'mon guys, take advantage of it.

Later

[Lefty Specialist]

Beginning to look like they've scored their run for the day.

[Edgy MD]

56 minutes ago, Lefty Specialist said:

I think the Mets lead the league in singles with two out and nobody on.

The Mets don't lead the league in any category that involves net successfully hitting safely.

Although they may lead in the percentage of hits that so qualify.

The hinge so far in this game was Melendez' deep fly with two out and two on in the first.

[Edgy MD]

38 minutes ago, MFS62 said:

The report I saw said both homers were over 450'.

That famous Wrigley wind must be blowing out, C'mon guys, take advantage of it.

Later

It's not at all.  The wind is going from left field toward first base.  Vientos' homer was almost right into the teeth of it.

If he hit it yesterday, it would have cleared the bleachers.  Still would have been one run, of course.

[Edgy MD]

Bringing in Brooks gets Ballesteros out of there.  Sweet!

[Lefty Specialist]

Well,  fuck.