I was with a friend of mine yesterday who is a fan of the Yankees.
We watched as Masahiro Tanaka gave up a first inning homerun to Adam Jones, giving Baltimore a 1-0 lead. “Ehh,” he said dismissively, as if he were an elephant and a fly landed on his back. Like a billionaire spending a dollar, he couldn’t have been less concerned.
Now imagine the Mets fall behind in the first inning…
- How many pitches is he up to?
- What relievers are available today?
- Jose Reyes and Jose Lobatòn are in the lineup. Can we get that run back?
Why do we do this to ourselves? No matter how many corners the front office cut, if there are 9 human beings wearing Met jerseys, I’ll be tuned in at 7:10 PM.
Anywhere you look you are smacked in the face with another example of this team’s complete ineptitude. Before the game they cancelled the Todd Frazier jersey giveaway because the shirts did not pass quality control. The Mets just called up Jose Lobatòn. They are flawed at every stage of the organization. They can’t construct a roster or even giveaway shirts.
Last night was a perfect example. On a Saturday night, I watched a game that lasted over 5 hours. Deep down, I knew how that game was going to end. I didn’t necessarily know we were going to lose 7-1 in 14 innings, but when deGrom left with the game tied- I had a pretty good idea what the outcome would be.
Jacob deGrom was phenomenal again. Over 7 innings of work, deGrom allowed just one run on 7 hits. He walked 2 and struck out 13. He lowered his NL best ERA to 1.49. Just another no decision. Jacob deGrom is 4-0 this year.
He has allowed one run or less in 8 straight starts (franchise record.)
Opponents are 6-51 (.118) with runners in scoring position against him.
Opponents are 0-12 with 9 Ks with the bases loaded against him.
BUT….
Opponents have won 7 of the last 9 games he’s pitched.
How? Inconceivable. I have a lot more of those stats which will impress you then make you sick. I have a Jacob deGrom article in the works which will probably be titled “DON’T TRADE DEGROM!” But for now, here’s the recap.
DeGrom gave up a run in the 6th inning. Conforto tied it with a solo homerun. Neither team scored again until the 14th, when the Cubs exploded for 6 runs against a pitcher that the Padres released. Hansel Robles 2.0 (Gerson Bautista) gave up a homerun. Mickey Callaway did another silly double switch. DeGrom battled and pitched his ass off again and was rewarded with another no decision. I think that about covers it.
The Mets did set a franchise record by striking out 24 batters. They also had 7 hits in a 14 inning game.
Steven Matz will pitch the finale, looking to avoid the sweep. Jon Lester goes for Chicago.
