Centerfield

7-3 is your final. The Tigers magical run comes to an end. You're a team of destiny until suddenly you're not. Mets take note.

Kiley McDaniel has an insider article on ESPN that is pretty interesting. A little piece of it here: To start, he says that the Mets payroll is about $358M, and has $173M coming off the books. Let's assume in the rosiest situation the Mets bring back Alonso for $25 million per year and land the prize of the offseason in Juan Soto (and that Soto's CBT figure is the very round number of $50 million per year). The buzz is the Soto sweepstakes will primarily be between the two New York teams, and he fits the Mets' offseason needs almost perfectly. Those two moves would put the 2025 payroll at roughly $255 million ($80 million less than the current payroll) with five spots left to fill Assuming Soto/Alonso (or some fallback options), McDaniel says that those five spots are (1) CF, (2) DH, (3) SP1, (4) SP 3 and (5) Bullpen arm. I would argue that CF could potentially be handled internally. Taylor is back, and both Drew Gilbert and Jett Williams can play CF. DH is similarly covered. Between Baty/Mauricio/Marte/Acuna, I think we have enough guys that could slot in at DH. If Baty is able to replicate his AAA success at the big league level, Vientos can always DH. Which basically means we need pitching. I agree with McDaniel that we need two starting pitchers. But I think we need several relievers, and at least a few lefties and hope that someone pans out. I can't really picture Stearns spending a significant amount of money on relief pitching. And after this year, I have faith that he'll find some overlooked gems that will pan out (and discard the ones that don't). So basically we have enough money to sign any two starting pitchers we want. Whether we choose to do so or not is another story. But what a great position to be in after years of suffering through the Wilpons.

Look at those faces. The recruits surrounding have faces of those heading off to their first battle. The veteran in the middle having already been through hell. "War changes a man." That's great. I think you nailed it. Is that Jett in the upper left? Looks unlikeable.

I was thinking Senga should have thrown a simulated game yesterday to get stretched out a bit. I guess he can even do it today. That allows him to go longer in game 3 if he gets the start.

Edgy MD wrote: How amazin' to not only have our team on the way to the NLCS, but after playing with a gun to their heads for about two weeks, they suddenly have qualified faster than any other teams, and get some time to rest some muscles and gain some perspective. Also, since the matchup was called The National League Division Series, and they licked the team that led the division at the end of the regular season, I sort of feel like winning makes them division champions. Either way, today, we are all Kingmen. [fimg=400]https://baseballhall.org/sites/default/files/styles/fullscreen_image_popup/public/Kingman_Dave_NYM75-713_NBL_McWilliams.jpg.jpeg?itok=dJt4NN7e[/fimg] Kinda like College Basketball has Big East Regular season champions and Big East Tournament Champions. We are the NL East Tournament Champions. We should get a fucking trophy.

Park in Flushing. Take the 7 train one stop west to Citifield.

Edgy MD wrote: Just got home. Omg. Biggest moment i I've ever seen live. First few innings were frustrating. I was exhausted and my voice was gone. It always felt like they would score. Just a matter if we would then hold on. What a game. I'm totally spent. That's great. Who were you with? Brought the family. My wife and I ditched work early. SC took a train down from college. We picked up our daughter and made the trek to Citi. It was super inconvenient given the game time, but man, was it worth it. This is only my second post-season game ever. Game 1 of the 2015 NLCS is my only other one. So this isn't something I'm used to. I think I'm still processing the whole thing. The crowd was super into it. Murphy threw out the first pitch to Bartolo. Both got big receptions, but I think Bartolo got a little bit more. Crazy if you think about it. They played these video montages of the past few weeks, and some about starting 0-5. Once you see those you think we're going all the way. Quintana started strong, and each time the Mets threatened everyone was going nuts, on their feet. Imploring the Mets on. But because they didn't score, each time it got more and more frustrating. By the end of 3 we were exhausted. My wife's voice was gone. I had to sit for a while just to kinda reset. All the while I was feeling super stressed. Like all the goofy stuff you love about regular season games seemed so out of place in this life or death situation. Trivia? Vote for karaoke? Dance troupe? Do you guys not understand what's at stake here? Once the Phillies scored the crowd deflated a bit. I don't think anyone felt like the game was lost, but that we would definitely regret those opportunities that were squandered. I figured we'd eventually get to Suarez, or the bullpen, but we'd be down a few runs, or sweating out holding slim lead rather than tacking on. When JD led off with a single, I was hoping Mendoza would run for him. I didn't want to get into the late innings trailing. By the time Lindor came up it was more frustration. Alvarez had grounded into a FC without a run scoring. But once Lindor came up, I think everyone was confident. "This is who we want" Stuff like that. I don't think I even let myself dream of a grand slam. Was hoping for a double into the gap. At least a SF to tie the game. But once he hit that ball we all erupted. I could hear some of the crowd holding their breath but I thought it was gone off the bat. Absolute hysteria. We were all hugging and high-fiving strangers. People were crying. Some were calling family members. It was crazy. We have a big family chat with my parents and my brother and his wife. It was buzzing non-stop. Part of me wishes I had video of the moment but I honestly didn't even think to have my phone out. It was so stressful until he hit it, and once he did it was just pandemonium. After that, my whole vibe changed. It was like a party the rest of the way. I danced along with DJ Lomo. Sang Piano Man during the 8th. I missed the seventh inning stretch standing in the line for the bathroom but who cares. Lazy Mary surrounded by strangers who had to pee. Why not? And then the 9th. Everyone around us agreed Peterson should have been at least allowed to start the inning, with Diaz as an insurance policy if he got in trouble. So the trumpets were fun, but everyone was like "uhhhh ok". Once he walked the first guy we tried to talk ourselves into staying calm. After the second walk we were all ready to die. I had these visions of Kody Clemens getting back at us for all the snark on the scoreboard, but he eventually struck out. We celebrated the second out but everyone knew what was coming up. I don't think anyone breathed until Schwarber struck out. But once he did everyone just let it all out. Screaming. Hugging. Tears. Lots of people filming. Some just standing there soaking it in. Crazy stuff. It's especially weird for me. I didn't grow up around NY. I only get to a handful of games each year, and like I said this is only my second post-season game. Anytime the discussion turns to "I was at that game where this happened" I have nothing to add. I'm never at that game. But I was there for this. The four of us just stood there standing around afterwards like did this just happen? Did the Mets really clinch at home? Were we really here for this? I don't know how this season will end, or where this grand slam will end up in Mets lore. But I can't believe my family and I were there to see Mets history in person. Crazy.

Just got home. Omg. Biggest moment i I've ever seen live. First few innings were frustrating. I was exhausted and my voice was gone. It always felt like they would score. Just a matter if we would then hold on. What a game. I'm totally spent.

Elated! But my description doesn't do justice to the many hills and valleys along the way.

Ranger Suarez has good overall numbers, but has struggled in the second half. 5.65 ERA, 1.691 WHIP. I can't help but think this reminds me of the Frankie Montas game meaning the Mets are gonna lose tonight.

Books!!!!!!

Two!!! I'm starting to think we have a chance to win!!!

There's 1

No walks guys. Let's leave Schwarber in the dugout.

That is a big run.

Moment too big for Acuna.

Get the runs back. Let's go.

Ok. Diaz

Throw strikes guys.

I hate it. Throw strikes.

Walking people up 6-0. Just kill me.

Maton in with the big lefties coming up. If you can't pitch him here where can you pitch him.

I hope Manaea didn't sit too long. Batter by batter.

Frayed Knot wrote: Not to be Negative Nellie here but you hope they don't need the potential extra runs that Pete just squashed. I hope not. Terrible call to send him.

OMG!!!!