3 UP
1. Conforto A Great Lead-off Hitter
Michael Conforto became the Mets lead-off hitter mostly because the Mets ran out of viable options with the terrible starts Jose Reyes and Curtis Granderson had to start the season. It turned out to be a blessing for the Mets as Conforto has arguably become the best lead-off hitter in the Major Leagues.
His .400 OPB and 15.4% walk rate are the best in the majors His 145 wRC+ is the best in the National League. His .530 slugging and .392 wOBA are the third best in the majors. Throw in 12 doubles and 13 homers from the lead-off spot, and the Mets have found themselves a lethal hitter that can both set the stage and knock runs in.
2. Montero May Have Figured Something Out
Since his latest call-up to the majors, Rafael Montero has finally been an effective major league pitcher.
Over his last six appearances (three starts), Montero is 1-2 with a 3.20 ERA, 1.263 WHIP, and a 9.9 K/9. More impressively, Montero is walking just 2.8 batters per nine. This signifies Montero is a completely different pitcher than the one Mets fans have grown accustomed. He’s trusting his stuff, pounding the strike zone, and getting outs.
His start Tuesday was a good example of that. In the second inning, he allowed some hard hits, and he was betrayed by his defense. Instead of melting down like he has typically done, Montero bore down, limited the damage to just three runs, and he followed with four consecutive scoreless innings. Overall, he kept his team in the game.
3. Trade Interest Picking Up
After the Diamondbacks acquired J.D. Martinez and the Yankees acquired Todd Frazier, it seemed as if the suitors for the Mets trade pieces were going to be extremely limited. If recent reports are any indication, that may not be the case.
The Red Sox are reportedly interested in Asdrubal Cabrera, Wilmer Flores, and T.J. Rivera for their hole at third base. In what should be a shock to everyone, Cabrera has agreed to take grounders at third. This could be a reason why recent reports suggest the Mets are pleasantly surprised at the amount of interest in Cabrera.
Recent reports have the Mariners interested in Lucas Duda, and with him on one of his typical hot streaks hitting three homers in five games, we may see more teams enter the fray. Certainly, with the Yankees still having a hole at first base, they could re-visit talks on the slugger.
There is also some smoke now on Jay Bruce with the Indians being named as the potential top suitor for the right fielder.
With there being interest in some of the Mets trade chips, and with Sandy Alderson’s ability to sell, the Mets may be able to bring some pieces back that could help them compete in the near future. Those chances increase when you consider seemingly everyone wants Addison Reed.
3 DOWN
1. The Usual Issues
The defense was bad in this series. T.J. Rivera made two errors leading to unearned runs. Rivera would have had more errors in this series if Duda had not saved him from a few. Reyes and Asdrubal Cabrera were in slow motion trying to turn a double play. Overall, the Mets defense on the left-side of the infield has a -29 DRS which is much worse than the second worst left-side of the infield (Phillies -11 DRS).
Also, the bullpen was terrible. On Monday, Josh Edgin and Hansel Robles threw gasoline on the fire Zack Wheeler started in the sixth inning rather than shut down a Cardinals rally. One bonus there was Robles once again pointing to the sky when he allowed a home run.
Wednesday saw Jerry Blevins fail to get out any left-handed hitters leading him to allow his 24th and 25th inherited runners to score on the season. His 25 inherited runners scoring is the fifth worst in the majors. Astoundingly, he isn’t even the worst on the team. That title goes to Edgin and his 29 inherited runners scored. That is the third worst in the majors.
On Thursday, Erik Goeddel allowed a go-ahead homer to Tommy Pham.
2. Cespedes Is Ice Cold
Right now, Cespedes is as cold as he was hot when first joining the Mets. It has gotten to the point with him that even eternal optimist Terry Collins is concerned.
Cespedes has not hit a home run since June 23rd. That’s a span of 71 at-bats, which is by far the most in his Mets career. This is really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Cespedes’ struggles.
Since coming off the Disabled List, Cespedes is hitting .221/.239/.302 with just five extra-base hits and six RBI. Even when you saw a glimmer of hope on Wednesday with him going 2-4 with a double, he was struggling yet again going 0-4.
There have been many reasons why this Mets season fell apart. Cespedes not being the Cespedes the Mets have come to expect in his one plus years with the Mets is a big reason why.
3. Pitchers Not Named deGrom or Lugo
Since Seth Lugo has come off the Disabled List, the Mets are 5-2 in his starts. Over the same stretch, Jacob deGrom is a perfect 7-0 as he has returned to his Cy Young caliber form. Between the two starters, the Mets are 12-2 when these starters pitch. Considering they are back-to-back in the rotation, we know now why Mets fans have developed a false sense of good hope after their turn through the rotation.
It’s false hope because the rest of the Mets staff is not pulling their weight. Over this stretch of 32 games, the rest of the Mets pitching staff have combined to go 3-15. Those three wins belong to Blevins, Montero, and Fernando Salas. This means no other Mets starter has a win since June 10th when Robert Gsellman and Steven Matz each won a game in a doubleheader against the Braves.
After splitting the series against the Cardinals, the Mets embark on a seven game West coast road trip against the Padres and the Mariners. With the Mets possibly parting with a number of players at the trade deadline, we may have seen the last of some of our favorite players wearing a Mets uniform at Citi Field.
