Gwreck

A couple of additional notes upon further review: The Pirates (with presumed opening day starter Paul Skenes) are about as bad an “bad team” opening day opponent comes. There’s undoubtedly a lot of variables that factor in, and it might not be so feasible, but the STL/SF and a LA/CHC roadtrips seem like they’re crying out for a swap somewhere.

Edgy MD wrote: Marsh, by the way, should have [CROSSOUT]dove[/CROSSOUT] [CROSSOUT]dived[/CROSSOUT] diven. He would have been faster to the ball if he washed and cut his hair (less drag/wind resistance). Oh well

22 pitches for Edwin. So, if we don't beat Duran here…Diaz for the tenth?

Released today. Notable: -Opening day Thursday, March 26 at Citi Field against the Pirates. -All of the major travel comes early, with the last West Coast trip ending June 7. Mets only play 9 games in the central time zone after that date (one series each in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Texas). -Only two semi-repeaters (Miami in May, Philly in June). -Rare Friday off day on June 19 (Mets are in Philly; World Cup game that day at the football stadium across the street). -Playing at the other NY team on Friday, September 11.

With last night’s win, the Mets have won 8 in a row at Citi Field over the Phillies (including the 2024 division series). Since the start of the 2022 season, they are 21-6 at home against Philly. I for one welcome the idea that it’s in their heads. From The Athletic: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6575444/2025/08/26/phillies-lose-eighth-straight-game-at-citi-field/ [bLOCKQUOTE]No one inside the visitors’ clubhouse at Citi Field will admit it, but maybe this place has infiltrated the collective Phillies’ subconscious. It’s only natural; the Phillies have lost 22 of their last 28 games they’ve played here, including two soul-crushing postseason defeats last October that sent them home. It will be a thing until it’s no longer a thing. Cristopher Sánchez endured his worst start in more than a year, then Bryce Harper suggested afterward that the Mets had something on Sánchez. This was how the Mets crawled into the Phillies’ heads last October; paranoia spread through the organization that New York had devoted significant resources — through technology and manpower — to detect a pitcher’s tells. Maybe it was something; the Phillies did extensive work on their own pitchers. They looked at J.T. Realmuto’s positioning on specific pitches, too. They inspected things even after they were eliminated. Maybe it was a bluff. Maybe the Mets have just played better than the Phillies whenever they meet. That is the simple explanation, and the most uncomfortable one. It’s why the Phillies fumbled a three-run lead Monday into a 10-run loss, 13-3, and opened the door just a little bit. It’s still a six-game lead in the National League East, a lead that will remain robust so long as the Phillies aren’t swept here. But they have now lost eight straight at Citi Field. [/bLOCKQUOTE]

I forgot about that. It was the last game before the All Star Break. McNeil hit a RBI triple that I think just barely missed being a homer. Jared Young (!) actually tied it by bringing McNeil home on a sac fly….but then Manaea gave up the winning run in the 9th.

The closest they’ve come was the May 23 game against LA, scoring 3 in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game and force extras (losing in the 13th).

Frayed Knot wrote: =Cowtipper post_id=202275 time=1756168661 user_id=166] Don't they usually not play on Monday? Except when they do.

Mullins hasn't been a switch hitter since 2020, and the splits most certainly do not favor Taylor.

I have a hard time seeing this lineup as anything other than suboptimal with Taylor in there over both Mullins and Baty

Not great, Bob

Possibly nobody, if they wait until September 1 when rosters expand by two players. If they wanted to call him up earlier/needed him as a sixth starter, Garrett could go down. Or (probably last resort) a DFA of Stanek.

A poor trade by Stearns. I wanted to trade for Flaherty at the deadline last year (and the prospect cost for him was pretty low). Stearns instead traded for Blackburn who hadn’t ever been good and…shockingly was not good for the Mets either.

Indeed, Mendoza in the pregame press conference called it pretty significant and said TJ is a possibility.

Other prominent NL pitchers who were never the same after thoracic outlet syndrome: Matt Harvey; Stephen Strasburg. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to be concerned that this could end Wheeler’s career.

Frayed Knot wrote: The Cards @ Rays played yesterday and will again tomorrow but are off today. I have no idea why. Conflict at the football stadium across the street, where they share parking.

It's been a week since Diaz had that 6-out save and he hasn't pitched since. Might be seeing him tonight no matter the score.

Edgy MD wrote: I like Baty at third more than Mauricio. One would think Mauricio is in big danger of being sent down, whether for Siri or Clifford or Alvarez.

I'd give an error to Holmes on that nice play by Pete.

Seattle won last night and Boston is winning big this afternoon but at the moment the AL is basically just a seeding race with the top 6 teams fairly stable. Kansas City is still 3 back of knocking the Yankees out of the playoff position entirely.

Helsley trying to play himself off the postseason roster.

If you would have told me going in that Baty, Taylor, Mullins, and Senger would have combined for 12 hits without a position player pitching…

5-4 win for Nationals over Philadelphia. Top of the 9th, Daylen Lile of the Nationals: -singles in the tying run -advances to second on the throw -steals third -goes home as go-ahead run on a throwing error by Realmuto.

A little tip for Ronald: when you hit a solo home run when your team is down 6 runs and that's your celebration, you look like a jackass.

Did you know that Apple TV has a function that lets you switch to the local radio broadcasts rather than the Apple announcers?