Frayed Knot

Edgy MD wrote: Hey, Cain, go down. Cain was unabel this eve. And Harvey really got adam.

You'd never know by watching this post-season that Zobrist is a .265 career hitter.

Lefty Specialist wrote: Just scoring one run won't work, guys. Wonder if Carlos Gomez would have had a better World Series. I think Gomez Adams would have had a better World Series.

Frayed Knot wrote: After this series is over I'm going to go back and count the number of times that the Royals have come up in GiDP situations (man on 1st, or 1st & 2nd, < 2 outs) and not hit into a GiDP even though they hit a grounder to the infield at the time. I've lost track but it's at least 5 or 6 so far. It's like they specialize in hitting grounders/bouncers too shitty to turn two even though we know there's no skill for actually doing that. Tonight it was the catcher Perez who managed to avoid it even though he's probably one of the ten slowest guys in MLB. FINALLY!!!! I believe our only DP turned this series had been the K/interference on the SB thing.

After this series is over I'm going to go back and count the number of times that the Royals have come up in GiDP situations (man on 1st, or 1st & 2nd, < 2 outs) and not hit into a GiDP even though they hit a grounder to the infield at the time. I've lost track but it's at least 5 or 6 so far. It's like they specialize in hitting grounders/bouncers too shitty to turn two even though we know there's no skill for actually doing that. Tonight it was the catcher Perez who managed to avoid it even though he's probably one of the ten slowest guys in MLB.

batmagadanleadoff wrote: And I'm more than tired from reading about the great fucking Royals, because if they were as great as everyone's making them out to be, if they were truly so much better than the Mets, they would've already swept the damn thing and outscored the Mets by 20. I'll take the Mets HR power any day of the week over a team that has to string together a half a dozen unbelievable you'll never see that again for the rest of your life plays just to score two or three runs. The thing is, there IS a legitimate discussion to be had about whether KC's method of building a team through high-contact / low-K / speed & defense is a good 'Moneyball' style of under-valued approach in this day where power is king and damn the strikeouts (didn't have the money to buy power sez GM Moore - so went with gloves & speed instead) and I'm sure we're going to hear a lot of off-season opining of how this is the wave of the future that Sandy & Cashman MUST!!! capitalize on immediately. Copy the winner articles are the easiest column idea ever. But, yeah, if you listen to enough people it's like the Royals have built one of the great offensive machines ever seen instead of one which, because of their below average power AND OBP, were only slightly above average when it came to scoring runs this season [6th best 4.47 R/G vs 4.39 AL AVG]. And I suppose it's natural to look at it that way if you are merely one of the 'drop-in' types who's paying attention for the first time and witnessed how they came up off the mat vs Houston [scoring 7 times in the 8th & 9th innings down 2 games to 1] and again against Toronto [scored 4 times late after a botched pop-fly, etc.], plus the two late rallies vs the Mets. One of the talking heads quoted a stat last night about how often they had scored (and not been scored ON) in the late innings as if that was some sort of intentional skill or strategy. Except that the larger size, one known quaintly as the 162 game regular season, shows that the Royals score a lower pct of their runs in late (7-9) innings as compared to the league as a whole. And it also ignores that their arms held those mighty Jays bats to 3 runs or fewer in 4 of the 6 games during the ALCS and are holding the middle of the Mets lineup down as well. But, you know how it is, bending the facts to fit the story is usually easier than the other way around.

Be nice if the bats woke up too. Especially since, for all the talk about KC's contact rates and aggressive approach that exploits every chance they get, this 'talent' of theirs still just netted them runs at a rate barely above league average over the course of the season. It's actually their pitching which ranked much closer to the league leading levels (more due to the pen than the starters but we're not exactly busting up their starters either). Bottom line: it would be nice if the offense tonight consisted of more than just two solo HRs and a combination passed ball/brain fart by Rios out in RF.

Didn't Fred always promise us that the Mets would play 'meaningful games in November'?

They're the better team this week so far, but I don't think it's carved in stone that they're better overall.

Lots of goats tonight. For starters the offense, outside of Conforto, had 4 singles all night and that includes the two at the tail end. And all that does is just make the margin for error too small for comfort.

Win next game. Rinse. Repeat.

A three-run inning where ONE ball reached the OF grass.

Even when they hit grounders with guys in DP situations they don't hit into DPs They've done it like six times this series so far.

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Let's get a first-pitch GIDP. Don't think they've hit into one this whole series so far. Maybe not in the whole post-season for all I know.

You can't walk back to back guys on a team that doesn't walk.

You figure there'll be a short leash for Clip-Art this inning - but I'd love for him not to need it.

I have very much nervous here.

Dang these guys and their two-strike hits! It seems like 3/4 of them this whole series have come that way.

Tidings of Conforto and joy!!

His name is Rios and he can not count to three.

A successful Sac Bunt!!!! Is that our first of the year?

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I sense that Travis knew exactly what he was doing there. He definitely helped to sell that call but Zobrist's back foot wound up on the 1st base side of the plate; that call was a no-brainer even without the act.

John Sickels does a look back at his Mets prospect projections from exactly five years ago -- the list he did in Oct 2010 in advance of the 2011 season. Those are his comments at the time and then his current ones after 'RESULT': 1) Wilmer Flores, SS, Grade B+: He's coming around with the bat. How fast will the new regime push him, and what position will he play long-term? RESULT: Took time but he's still only 24 and looks like he will be a solid asset going forward. 2) Jenrry Mejia, RHP, Grade B: I'm concerned enough about his health to lower his grade a notch, but I still like him. Not a technical rookie due to service time, but under the innings limit and people ask about him. RESULT: Saved 28 games in 2014 but lost job due to injuries and PED use. Failed a second test and now under 162-game suspension. 3) Matt Harvey, RHP, Grade B: Love the power arm, but lingering questions about his command keep him from higher grade at this point. RESULT: Harvey had just been drafted and had no professional experience at this stage. At the time there were some concerns about his command but he ironed that out quickly and was dominating the majors within two years. 4) Aderlin Rodriguez, 3B, Grade B-: I am very impressed with his power but concerned about defense and reports of bad work ethic. RESULT: Shaky strike zone judgment has kept him confined to the minor leagues, now in the Mariners system. 5) Fernando Martinez, OF, Grade B-: Stock is starting to slip. Still young, still has potential, but development hampered by injuries and poor handling by previous front office. May need change of scenery. RESULT: Played with Mets and Astros but never got his career on track, frequent injuries. 6) Cory Vaughn, OF, Grade B-: Tools are excellent. If he maintains the improved approach he showed in the NY-P, he'll blossom. RESULT: Bat fizzled at the highest levels and I was over-rating his tools in any event. Released after hitting .210 in Triple-A this year. 7) Juan Urbina, LHP, Grade B-: Highly projectable but a long way from the majors. Grade is somewhat aggressive but I like what I hear about him. RESULT: Scouting reports were strong at this point; that changed quickly, stuff went backwards, numbers were always poor and that turned out to be the true indicator over the word of mouth reputation. 8) Reese Havens, 2B, Grade C+: Would rank higher with at least a B- or a B if he could stay healthy. RESULT: Couldn't stay healthy. 9) Lucas Duda, OF-1B, Grade C+: Older prospect, turned on the power this year, should be a useful bat. RESULT: Turned into a very useful bat due to his power; one of my favorite sluggers currently. 10) Kirk Nieuwenhuis, OF, Grade C+: I think he'll be a useful fourth outfielder but if he can refine his skills further he could be a decent starter. I originally had him at 14 on this list, but looking at it again that was too low. That said, he's got some weaknesses with contact that have to be addressed. But he's younger and more athletic than [Zach] Lutz and needs to rank ahead of him. RESULT: Fourth outfielder. I should have stuck with my initial impression though. 11) Zach Lutz, 3B, Grade C+: A third base version of Duda; lots of power, other skills marginal. RESULT: Has hit well in Triple-A but injuries have held him back. 12) Cesar Puello, OF, Grade C+: Others may rank him higher due to speed and tools. Very young, fast, lack of power is a concern, many similar players have failed and something is making me cautious here. RESULT: Crushed Double-A in 2013 but otherwise disappointing, gained some command of the zone but hasn't hit well after PED suspension. 13) Jeurys Familia, RHP, Grade C+: Still like the arm, could bloom if control sharpens up again. He's actually a sleeper again. RESULT: Excellent major league closer. 14) Armando Rodriguez, RHP, Grade C+: Scouting reports point to mediocre stuff, but excellent statistics. RESULT: Became a successful relief pitcher in the Mexican League, which isn't easy really. At age 27, he could still wind up in a big league pen eventually. 15) Sean Ratliff, OF, Grade C+: Was Double-A breakout genuine or a fluke? Has always had power, but strikeouts held him back. RESULT: Struck in face by a foul ball in 2011 and was unable to resume his career. 16) Albert Cordero, C, Grade C+: Sleeper catching prospect features good glove, power, but needs to tighten strike zone. RESULT: Can't hit, still hanging around upper minors as a defense-oriented reserve. 17) Matt Den Dekker, OF, Grade C+: I think he can be a good fourth outfielder. RESULT: Fourth outfielder. 18) Darrell Ceciliani, OF, Grade C+: Younger and faster than Den Dekker and Nieuwenhuis, but less polished. RESULT: Hit well in Triple-A, still a potential fourth outfielder. 19) Jefry Marte, 3B, Grade C+: Improved slightly and very young. RESULT: Solid Triple-A bat, now in Tigers system, didn't hit well in first trial in majors but still just 24. 20) Mark Cohoon, LHP, Grade C+: Finesse lefty could reach majors in '11. RESULT: Didn't have enough stuff to get past Double-A competition. 21) Dillon Gee, RHP, Grade C: He can eat up innings but I think his ceiling is limited. RESULT: Some success as an inning-eating major league starter.

Of greater concern is that Pete appears to have gambled away his neck.

Apparently ESPN wants independent voices, just not too independent. Not that they'll admit that that is the reason of course. The release they put out yesterday talked about how all writers contracts would be honored (gee, that's nice of them) and that the content of Grantland would be shifted to "other platforms". You wonder though how many of those writers will be kept around as current deals expire (Simmons wasn't technically fired - just simply 'not renewed') or how secure those working at (ESPN-owned) 538.com feel right about now. And part of this is financial. While ESPN's set up is still a license to print money, they are experiencing a slow down of the rate in which Brinks trucks are unloading cash into their lobby these days to the point they recently announced some 350 layoffs, although I suspect none of those involve any of the six or seven dozen ex-NFL players/coaches currently on staff.