IGT - NLDS Game 5 - Mets at Dodgers - 10/15/15, 8:07 EDT

[Gwreck]

10 Reasons the Mets Will Win

1. The Dodgers couldn't hit deGrom at all. He struck out 13 and had no unintentional walks; and let's not forget that two of their five hits were Michael Cuddyer-misplays.

2. deGrom is on extra rest. No worries about his endurance or pitch count.

3. In contrast, the Mets could hit Greinke - at least some. "Some" is good enough when the Dodgers won't be getting any runs.

4. The Mets' best hitters are lefties (Granderson, Murphy, Duda) or hit righties better than lefties (Cespedes).

5. Expectations: the Dodgers lost in the NLCS in 2013, then lost in the division series in 2014. The pressure is on them and their $500 million payroll. As late as July, the Mets had no expectation of even making the playoffs.

6. Anger factor. The Mets had this series won in 3 games if not for egregious umpire misconduct and they know it. The anger might have subsided after they won game 3 but now that they have to play this game 5, they will remember again and take it out on the Dodgers accordingly.

7. If this game gets to the bullpens: advantage Mets. Nobody in the Dodgers bullpen is formidable except Jansen.

8. Dodger fans suck. As pointed out by a a friend who attended all 4 games so far:
"The difference in atmosphere between LA and NY this series has been huge. LA very subdued, except when they were cheering a broken leg."

9-10. Fuck LA.

[Lefty Specialist]

[Guest El Segundo Escupidor]

I thought about starting this IGT three times today. You're a braver man than I am, G.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Yes, Gwreck is showing us The Way. My faith was shaken last night.

[Ceetar]

Heard the Dodgers bullpen was rather mean-spirited and nasty to the7line folks after the game last night.

[Edgy MD]

I'm thinking that, back in LA, with Greinke back out on the mound, perhaps with Utley in the lineup, the Dodgers will look around them and think, "You know, we totally don't deserve to be here." And in that moment of doubt, they'll lay down and let the world run over them.

That could happen, right?

[Guest d'Kong76]

Gwreck wrote: 6. Anger factor. The Mets had this series won in 3 games if not for egregious umpire misconduct and they know it. The anger might have subsided after they won game 3 but now that they have to play this game 5, they will remember again and take it out on the Dodgers accordingly.

I don't know, I think that ship has sailed. I am completely deflated
and if they lose tomorrow after the nightmarish debacle on Saturday
night I may very well seriously take a long hard look on why I spend
so much time and energy on a game that is sometimes run like a trick
pony show. I'm really not looking forward to spending another 3-4 hours
with Cal tomorrow night... and he can eat Centerfields asshole in case
that message hasn't gotten to him yet.

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

Lefty Specialist wrote:

What's Columbo doing with those ladies?

I think The Monday game had all the emotion and last night was the inevitable letdown. I still like our guys with their backs to the wall.

[TransMonk]

I'm not there yet. I was probably over-confident yesterday and under-confident for tomorrow.

I'm guessing I'll be more optimistic come game day.

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

I need this game to be a laugher. I don't think I can take the Dodgers coming up to bat at any point in the game with the tying or leading run at the plate. Score early, score often.

[Lefty Specialist]

Kershaw smothered all that anger, I'm afraid. Game 5 should be motivation enough, but that works for both sides.

[Farmer Ted]

Justin Turner is the ugliest troll-looking-mother fucker. Ever. That's why the Mets shipped his candy ass out. Nothing but a pie-in-the-face leprechaun raping piece of shit. There I said it.

KILL KILL KILL!!!

[ashie62]

Farmer Ted wrote: Justin Turner is the ugliest troll-looking-mother fucker. Ever. That's why the Mets shipped his candy ass out. Nothing but a pie-in-the-face leprechaun raping piece of shit. There I said it. KILL KILL KILL!!!

That about wraps up how I feel this morning.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Turner = Dodger Star
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/playoffs/2015/10/14/justin-turner-los-angeles-la-dodgers-new-york-ny-mets-nlds-game-4/73911222/

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Farmer Ted wrote: Justin Turner is the ugliest troll-looking-mother fucker. Ever. That's why the Mets shipped his candy ass out. Nothing but a pie-in-the-face leprechaun raping piece of shit. There I said it. KILL KILL KILL!!!

I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter

[Guest d'Kong76]

Some hard-rocking off-day inspirational tunes...
[youtube:2vi7thvg]D0IMQQF2Y84[/youtube:2vi7thvg]

[Guest themetfairy]

Kill KILL KILL!!!

[Centerfield]

TransMonk wrote: I'm not there yet. I was probably over-confident yesterday and under-confident for tomorrow. I'm guessing I'll be more optimistic come game day.

This.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I just want to say that I very much appreciate that there's a travel day. I am enjoying my day off from all this intensity before we leap back into the fray tomorrow.

I just hate that tomorrow may be the last baseball game I watch until April. I've been enjoying this ride and I'm not ready for it to end. Come on, Mets... let's keep the party going!

[Zvon]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I just want to say that I very much appreciate that there's a travel day. I am enjoying my day off from all this intensity before we leap back into the fray tomorrow. I just hate that tomorrow may be the last baseball game I watch until April. I've been enjoying this ride and I'm not ready for it to end. Come on, Mets... let's keep the party going!

Totally agree. Now I'm getting a lil teary eyed. Thanks alot.


[fimg=400]http://www.doctorwhotv.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/tennant-final-line-regen-want-to-go-end-of-time.jpg[/fimg]
"I don't want it to end..."
I changed it. Lil' bit.
Ughm,..I mean, Mets are playing postseason baseball!! PARTY ON! LETS GO METS!
[fimg=100]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-32fcAZpn14s/VbKrHFNbtNI/AAAAAAAAcgs/W6e1oSnrzvM/s300-Ic42/man-dancing.gif[/fimg]

AND kill, KILL, KILL!

[Piggiestomatoes]

Can't agree more with the KILL, KILL, KILL.

[Guest d'Kong76]

GAME: New York Mets (92-74) at Los Angeles Dodgers (94-72)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, October 15 - 8:00 PM EST
WHERE: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Playoff Series: Divisional Playoff; Series Tied 2-2
Covers Media Group, Ltd.

The Los Angeles Dodgers set things up so that Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke could each pitch twice in a five-game series, and now they�ll pin their hopes on the second of the two aces. Greinke will go up against Jacob deGrom when the Dodgers host the Mets in a decisive Game 5 of the National League Division Series on Thursday.

Kershaw allowed one run and three hits over seven innings in Game 4 to lead Los Angeles to a 3-1 win and get the series back to the west coast. �Definitely wanted to send this back to LA,� Kershaw told reporters. �I feel confident with Zack going in Game 5 back home, so really just wanted to push it.� The right-handed deGrom dominated Game 1 in Los Angeles, scattering five hits and striking out 13 over seven scoreless innings to best Kershaw, and has the confidence of his whole team. �There's a reason why we thought, 'hey, look, if we're up 2-1 in Game 4 that we're going to save (deGrom) because he's the guy we want on the mound,'� New York manager Terry Collins told reporters. ��And once again, this is a time when you need your guys to step up and you certainly think he'll do that.�

TV: 8:07 p.m. ET, TBS

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Jacob deGrom (0-0, 0.00 ERA), vs. Dodgers RH Zack Greinke (1-0, 2.57)

The 27-year-old deGrom waited until late in Game 4 to do his side work in case he was needed in the game but did not get into the contest and should be ready to go on full rest in Game 5. The 27-year-old has allowed a total of one run and 10 hits in 17 innings over his last three starts. DeGrom�s 13 strikeouts in Game 1 matched Tom Seaver�s franchise record for a playoff game.

Greinke carried over his outstanding work from the regular season into Game 2, when he yielded two runs � both on solo home runs � and five hits over seven innings to pick up the win. The Cy Young hopeful struck out eight without issuing a walk in that win and has allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of his last five starts. Greinke is 3-2 with a 3.48 ERA in eight career postseason starts.

WALK-OFFS:
1. Mets 3B David Wright is 1-for-12 with five strikeouts in the series.
2. Los Angeles 3B Justin Turner, who is 7-for-15 with four doubles in the series, left Game 4 with swelling in his knee and is day-to-day.
3. New York OFs Yoenis Cespedes and Michael Conforto each homered off Greinke in Game 2.

[Guest El Segundo Escupidor]

Live from Mets again -- didn't do it for game 4 cos igt was started late.

[Centerfield]

Overture, curtains, lights,
This is it, the night of nights
No more rehearsing and nursing a part
We know every part by heart
Overture, curtains, lights
This is it, you'll hit the heights
And oh what heights we'll hit
On with the show this is it

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

This song, one of Pat St. John's picks, came on my commute this morning and pumped me the fuck up. We're not dead yet.

[youtube:1b4iim7z]tB4Avdlz3lk[/youtube:1b4iim7z]

[Guest El Segundo Escupidor]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: This song, one of Pat St. John's picks, came on my commute this morning and pumped me the fuck up. We're not dead yet. [youtube]tB4Avdlz3lk[/youtube]

I initially read that as Frank Springer.

[Centerfield]

Game day. I'm nervous as all fuck. Tons of thoughts going through my mind and as much as I try, I can't really make sense of anything.

Greinke was the best pitcher in baseball this year. As you saw with Kershaw the other night, if he's on, the other team can be shit out of luck.
We are going to fucking lose.

But wait, we have our own ace going tonight. And though you give the edge to Greinke, deGrom can be followed by Syndegaard, Matz, Harvey and Familia. The Mets can work to remove Greinke from the game and attack the bullpen. There is no relief in sight for the Dodgers lineup. We are going to fucking win!

But the Dodgers are tough at home. Gonzalez has been getting hot. Turner has been hot all series long. They are dangerous up and down their lineup. One mistake can be fatal with Greinke on the mound. We are going to fucking lose.

But our lineup is better. And we have our A lineup out there for only the second time this series. Given the choice of facing a lefty ace, or a righty ace, I pick the righty every time. Plus our guys have had great at bats against his slider. We are going to fucking win.

If they lose, I am going to be pissed off about the blown call in Game 2 all winter long. This can't happen. We was fucking robbed!

That's nonsense. Even after the call, Reed had a chance to get out of the inning tied. And since then, the Mets have had 2 chances to close out that series. Blaming one play three games ago is excuse making at its best. Get over it. That's baseball.

Wait what? Fuck that. We was fucking robbed!

It's ok if we don't win it all this year. This is the first step. We have a great base. Aces up and down the staff. We have a great lineup with some good young hitters. If we lose Cespedes, Sandy will find a way to put another competitive team out there. This team is committed to winning. We are seeing the beginning of a glorious time in Mets history. It's all good.

But man, if they can get past tonight, I like our chances against anyone, and that includes Toronto. The Mets haven't put this good a team together since 1988. And it took a perfect storm of moves down the stretch to make this happen. They won't be as good next year, even if they re-sign Cespedes. We likely lose Murphy, Colon. No way our bench is as deep. Our chance is now! OMG IF WE DON'T WIN TONIGHT WE ARE NEVER GOING TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS AGAIN.

[Ceetar]

fwiw Zack Greinke wasn't the best pitcher this season, and Jacob deGrom had a better FIP/xFIP.

[Guest El Segundo Escupidor]

Jeezus CF after reading that, i feel worse than point in the last 9 hours. I had go to the gym at lunchtime to work off some extra angst after i read Gwreck's post in the TOR-TEX thread which got me a bit worked up, itbt.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Justin Turner may be too fat and injured to play. That's big.