IGT 10/3/2012: NYM @ MIA -- If Not Now, When?

[G-Fafif]

74-88, with alternating dollops of Pollyannish BS when they play well and overwrought doom and gloom when they don't filling the Metscape

That was me when asked in another thread what the Mets' record would be in 2012.

The Mets are 73-88. There was plenty of Pollyannish BS when they played well. There was plenty of overwrought doom and gloom when they didn't.

I'll go out on a limb and make one more prediction: there will be no more games after today.

So, Mets, win the one that's left and make me look more prescient than I could possibly be in real life.

Or as the lady in those anti-Bloomberg soda radio ads put it with clipped enthusiasm, C'mon...Mets.

[Edgy MD]

I hate that lady. But I'm with her today. C'mon...Mets.

[bmfc1]

Attn seawolf17:
Adam Rubin ?@AdamRubinESPN
Marlins will start Stony Brook U./New Rochelle H.S. product Tom Koehler against the Mets in the season finale, while using entire bullpen

[MFS62]

Attn seawolf17: Adam Rubin ?@AdamRubinESPN ..., while using entire bullpen

Just what the players on both sides want, a 6 hour ballgame.

Later

[Edgy MD]

I think it'll be shorter than most.

Lots of pitchers doesn't necessarily make a game longer. Lots of mid-inning pitching changes does. I'm not sure that's the plan.

[Fman99]

Agreed -- I predict lots of first pitch swinging today.

[Edgy MD]

1. Tejada, ss
2. Murphy, 2b
3. Wright, 3b
4. Davis, 1b
5. Hairston, rf
6. Duda, lf
7. Shoppach, c
8. Torres, cf
9. Hefner, sp

1. Petersen, lf
2. Hernandez, cf
3. Reyes, ss
4. Stanton, rf
5. Lee, 1b
6. Solano, 2b
7. Buck, c
8. Velazquez, 3b
9. Koehler, sp

Mets	=#4080FF]Marlins

Wright expected to leave the game early, according to Terry. Not on the Forever Plan, like Reyes, I would hope.

Seems like Hairston's started the last two weeks straight.

[Benjamin Grimm]

That's one of the many reasons why I'm skeptical about the "Jason Bay won't have to compete for a job in the spring" stories we've been seeing. Terry seems to have given up on Bay, and deservedly so. I have to think that that portends how it will be next year, if Bay somehow makes the team. (Which I also highly doubt.)

[Ceetar]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: That's one of the many reasons why I'm skeptical about the "Jason Bay won't have to compete for a job in the spring" stories we've been seeing. Terry seems to have given up on Bay, and deservedly so. I have to think that that portends how it will be next year, if Bay somehow makes the team. (Which I also highly doubt.)

Bay won't have to compete for a job in the spring. Someone will pick him up for the minimum after the Mets release him and he'll probably earn a bench spot based on veteranness.

[Vic Sage]

bmfc1 wrote: Attn seawolf17: Adam Rubin ?@AdamRubinESPN Marlins will start Stony Brook U./New Rochelle H.S. product Tom Koehler against the Mets in the season finale, while using entire bullpen

With me being a SB alum and with my daughter going to New Roc HS, and my son a few years from there (and with a Mets loss tying me for the win in the "predict the Mets" thread), I'm cheering for Koehler today. Go Fish!

[G-Fafif]

If Jason Bay somehow rustles up two or three at-bats and gets at least two hits, he will NOT have the lowest season batting average of any Met ever to garner 200 plate appearances. But judging by this lineup, I think Al Weis's 1968 can rest easy.

[Frayed Knot]

A corner OFer in the 21st century looking to match the BA from the backup SS set during the most hitting-depleted season since the dead-ball era is a rather low bar indeed.

[G-Fafif]

Frayed Knot wrote: A corner OFer in the 21st century looking to match the BA from the backup SS set during the most hitting-depleted season since the dead-ball era is a rather low bar indeed.

And I'm confident Bay can't clear it.

Not won't, but can't.

[ashie62]

Cant...Spirit may be willing but the talent is gone baby gone.

[Edgy MD]

Mets fans, MLB hears you, and has therefore elected to make today's game free through mlb.tv.

[Zvon]

Okay folks, this is it. Can't believe its the last game of 2012.

[TransMonk]

I'm guessing that Jose doens't lay down a bunt single and then take the rest of the game off.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Let's pound this Stony Brook chump.

[Zvon]

TransMonk wrote: I'm guessing that Jose doens't lay down a bunt single and then take the rest of the game off.

Tejadas fine season and individual at bats which are a joy to watch has me sayin " Jose who?"

[Edgy MD]

It could happen.

Ruben Tejada misses the hurry-up memo and opens by singling on his seventh pitch.

[Zvon]

Ew. For once I think Davis should go off on an ump. That was no strike.

[G-Fafif]

Zvon wrote: TransMonk wrote: I'm guessing that Jose doens't lay down a bunt single and then take the rest of the game off. Tejadas fine season and individual at bats which are a joy to watch has me sayin " Jose who?"

It doesn't by any means tell the entire tale, but as we speak, Reyes and Tejada have identical batting averages of .287. Wish they still played together.

[Ceetar]

G-Fafif wrote: Zvon wrote: TransMonk wrote: I'm guessing that Jose doens't lay down a bunt single and then take the rest of the game off. Tejadas fine season and individual at bats which are a joy to watch has me sayin " Jose who?" It doesn't by any means tell the entire tale, but as we speak, Reyes and Tejada have identical batting averages of .287. Wish they still played together.

indeed. better together would be preferable.

Actually Tejada has had a 'eh' season and showed very little growth that has me a little concerned. plays the premium position and is probably above average defensively so that doesn't kill you or anything, but it's not a strength either.

[Edgy MD]

The Mets have announced that Steve Chillcott will be given an at-bat during this game. Mets spokesman Jay Horowitz reports that the team is also looking for Hank McGraw so they can "throw him a bone" as well.

[Edgy MD]

Ceetar wrote: Actually Tejada has had a 'eh' season and showed very little growth that has me a little concerned. plays the premium position and is probably above average defensively so that doesn't kill you or anything, but it's not a strength either.

Tejada has a 1.8 WAR which is about equal to Reyes on a per-PA basis.

Being above average defensively at shortstop --- or anywhere, really --- is indeed a strength.

How is shortstop "the premium position"?

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

Zvon wrote: Okay folks, this is it. Can't believe its the last game of 2012.

[TransMonk]

The Mets have about a dozen concerns that are bigger than Tejada, IMO.

[Ceetar]

Edgy DC wrote: Ceetar wrote: Actually Tejada has had a 'eh' season and showed very little growth that has me a little concerned. plays the premium position and is probably above average defensively so that doesn't kill you or anything, but it's not a strength either. Tejada has a 1.8 WAR which is about equal to Reyes on a per-PA basis. Being above average defensively at shortstop --- or anywhere, really --- is indeed a strength.

Function of defense metrics apparently. I obviously haven't watched both concurrently, but Reyes always seemed better defensively to me.

But it's not about Jose. Jose is much better. It's about Tejada putting up the same WAR in more PA than last year. Walking less. striking out more. B-R lists him at 88 OPS+.

[Zvon]

Okay folks, this is it. Can't believe its the last game of 2012.

Ha!

[Edgy MD]

Ceetar wrote: Function of defense metrics apparently. I obviously haven't watched both concurrently, but Reyes always seemed better defensively to me.

I'm not sure why. I'm happy with the measurement.

Ceetar wrote: But it's not about Jose. Jose is much better.

I disagree.

Ceetar wrote: It's about Tejada putting up the same WAR in more PA than last year.

Apparently WAR has more meaning when comparing Tejada to Tejada than when comparing Tejada to Reyes.

Ceetar wrote: Walking less. striking out more. B-R lists him at 88 OPS+.

It's been a shit second half for everybody, especially a guy who got hurt.

Tejada is, indeed, 12th on a good list of valid complaints.