With the Mets’ choices for starting pitchers slowly diminishing, rookie David Peterson continues to prove that he’s one of their best options. Peterson’s excellent outing on Thursday clinching a win against the Nationals solidified that notion, as the pitcher only allowed one unearned run over five innings pitched. 

Peterson started the game showing some signs of struggle, falling behind the count at points as he tried to find his rhythm. Despite this, he was much improved in comparison to his previous start against the Marlins, having displayed an impressive level of composure this time around. 

Peterson allowed the first three batters to reach, bringing up Juan Soto with the bases loaded and nobody out in the first inning. The tall lefty was able to strikeout perennial MVP candidate for the first out.

David Peterson, 85mph Slider….

Soto Shuffle- interruptus. pic.twitter.com/nSNXR6t61H

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 13, 2020

Howie Kendrick then knocked in a run with an RBI groundout off of Peterson. What happened next was the play of the game, as Mets left fielder Jeff McNeil made a spectacular catch in left field to rob former Met Asdrubal Cabrera and save two runs. Unfortunately, McNeil had to leave the game and is listed as day-to-day with a knee bruise.

Following the great play, Peterson was in cruise control most of the outing and didn’t allow another run. The only hit Peterson allowed was a single to Yan Gomes in the fifth inning. 

Peterson’s final line: 5 IP, H, 0 ER (R), 2 BB, 3 K

After the fifth inning, Peterson was pulled with only 74 pitches thrown. The decisions was later explained by Mets manager Luis Rojas, “He felt a little bit of shoulder fatigue there…we played it safe”

Peterson himself eventually saying that, “I did not want to come out of the game, obviously. I felt good against that lineup, but we also have another month and a half of the season, so we’ve got to be careful. … It’s just a little soreness.” 

Rojas praised Peterson in his start despite the fatigue saying “It’s just playing it safe. We still have a lot of games to go. This kid is throwing the ball well, so nothing serious. We’ll play it safe with him. We just wanted to remove him out of the game.” 

The Mets recently placed starter Michael Wacha on the injured list and had Marcus Stroman opt out, leaving Rojas to play it safe with Peterson. I’m sure Rojas felt more comfortable pulling Peterson given that he had a 7-2 lead going into the sixth inning.  

The first-round draft pick also offered some insight into how he has been adjusting to performing at the major league level with yesterday’s start being only his fourth in the majors.

“Obviously, all the pitches in the big leagues mean a lot more than they do in live games or minor-league games. It’s just been a matter of trying to manage the workload and see what works.” Peterson said.

The rookie has continued to display the level of poise and “pitchablity” that Rojas said he would. Peterson lowered his ERA on the season to 2.91 in four starts. He also became the third pitcher in Mets history to start and win three of his first four career games. 

The post David Peterson Continues to Turn Heads appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The starting pitching continued to be problematic for the Mets on Tuesday night, this time at the hand of Steven Matz, who went a measly three innings in his performance against the division rival Washington Nationals.

Matz looked strong in his first couple batters, getting speedy sensation Trea Turner to line out to center before striking out Adam Eaton for the second out of the inning. However, he couldn’t finish off with a strong frame, as the veteran Howie Kendrick struck a 3-2 pitch deep into left center field for a solo home run.

Former Met Asdrubal Cabrera then lined a pitch from the shaken Matz into center field for a base hit, before Matz settled down and struck out Starlin Castro to end the inning.

The second frame started off horribly, as Matz got behind in the count 3-1 before offering up a meatball down the middle for Josh Harrison, who belted it into the left field stands to put the Nationals up by two.

Matz settled down again after the leadoff homer, retiring Carter Kieboom via strikeout before Yan Gomes reached on an error. A fielder’s choice sent the lead runner back to the dugout for out number two, before Turner came back up and popped out to second base.

In the third inning, Matz got absolutely pummeled. Eaton was retired to start the frame on a hard line-drive to right field, before Kendrick picked up his second hit of the game on a single to right. Cabrera then doubled to put runners on second and third with one out.

The Nationals rally didn’t stop there, as Castro knocked in an RBI with a single to right, putting runners on the corners with one gone. Harrison knocked in his second run of the game off a sac-fly, before Kieboom singled and scored the fifth run of the game. Matz was able to finish off the frame but was taken out afterwards.

He went three innings, threw 78 pitches, struck out three and gave up seven hits. What was surprising was that he didn’t seem to be throwing wild, as 53 of his pitches were strikes. Most of the hits were off pitches that just missed their spot over the plate, resulting in multiple meatballs that seemingly offered BP for the Nationals hitters.

Matz’s ERA rises to 5.65 on the year, as he has struggled in his last two starts after a promising season debut. One thing that has really hurt Matz this year is the longball, as he has given up five home runs across just 14 1/3 innings pitched.

The post Steven Matz Only Lasts Three Innings in Rough Outing appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

I was invited by Strat-O-Matic to manage the New York Mets in a special 2020 MLB Season Simulation.

At 2:00 PM each day, Strat-O-Matic will announce the results, standings, statistics and key game highlights from that day’s scheduled contests on their site as well as MMO and @Metsmerized on Twitter.

Thursday’s game results are listed below. Full results, standings and boxscores are available at https://www.strat-o-matic.com/2020-season-simulation/.

Lineups and pitching matchups each day are submitted by me and the other 29 special guest managers and Strat-O-Matic’s own team of experts.

The defending champion Washington Nationals knocked off the New York Mets, 4-3, on a ninth-inning, tie-breaking home run by Howie Kendrick off Mets closer Edwin Diaz.

You can be sure that I’ll have a very short leash on Diaz this season, but on the bright side, Dellin Betances looks like he could step right into the closer role after striking out the side in the eighth.

With the loss of Noah Syndergaard, I had no choice but to pit Marcus Stroman against Stephen Strasburg in game two of the series.

Hopefully Alonso and McNeil will provide some fireworks after going hitless in the season opener.

Also, strongly considering bumping Seth Lugo to the rotation to replace Thor.

Here’s today’s boxscore….

The post 2020 Strat-O-Matic: Nats Deal Mets 4-3 Opening Day Loss appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Major League Baseball’s hot stove hasn’t quite warmed up just yet, but teams and players alike are making preparations, regardless. Let’s take a look at what’s cooking.

Bumgarner to the Braves? 

According to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sport California, the Braves are going to make veteran left-handed starter Madison Bumgarner a priority this offseason.

Bumgarner, 30, had a 3.90 ERA, 3.90 FIP, 1.13 WHIP and made 34 starts for the Giants in 2019. His strikeout rate saw a boost (7.6 K/9 in 2018 to 8.8 K/9 in 2019) and has walk rate dropped (3.0 BB/9 in 2018 to 1.9 K/9) as well.

The 2019 season was the first time since 2016 that Bumgarner pitched over 200 innings in a season and his 3.2 fWAR was higher than the previous two seasons (1.6 in 2017 and 1.4 in 2018) combined.

Braves’ starters ERA of 4.20 ranked seventh in the NL and their 4.32 FIP ranked sixth during the 2019 season. Fellow lefty starter Dallas Keuchel had a 3.75 ERA in 112 innings for the Braves in 2019, but is also a free agent.

Kendrick Sparking Intrigue

According to Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic, recent Nationals postseason standout Howie Kendrick is “drawing a lot of early interest” this offseason. Ghiroli lists two Florida teams — the Marlins and Rays — as potential suitors, noting that the 36-year-old utility player is from Florida and is “looking for a short deal”.

Kendrick hit .344/.395/.572 with 17 homers, 23 doubles, a triple, and 49 strikeouts over 370 plate appearances with Washington last season. His 146 wRC+ and .400 wOBA ranked 13th and 11th, respectively, among MLB hitters with over 350 plate appearances in 2019, per FanGraphs.

During the Nats’ thrilling drive to their first World Series title this October, he slashed .286/.328/.444 with two homers, four doubles over 67 plate appearances, contributing a number of huge hits along the way and securing NLCS MVP honors.

Kendrick didn’t play in the outfield at all last season but accumulated -1 defensive runs saved and a -1.3 ultimate zone rating per 150 innings at first base (336 innings), 1 DRS and 1.2 UZR/150 at second (165.2 innings), and -2 DRS and 12.3 UZR/150 at third (126 innings).

Heyman’s Veteran Updates

Jon Heyman of MLB Network provided updates on two major league stalwarts on Wednesday.

According to Heyman, backstop Russell Martin “plans to return” in 2020, noting that the 36-year-old “remains hungry”.

Martin hit .220/.337/.330 with six homers and 20 RBIs over 249 plate appearances with two DRS and 5.6 framing runs above average (FanGraphs) over 486 innings behind the dish in his return to the Dodgers last season.

After spending four seasons playing in his home country with Toronto (2015 to 2018; .225/.336/.399, 99 OPS+), Martin was traded to Los Angeles — the team that drafted him in the 17th round of the 2002 draft (2006 to 2010; .268/.362/.391, 100 OPS+) — last January to play out the final year of the five-year, $82 million deal he signed with the Jays ahead of the 2015 season.

Heyman also reports that Martin Prado, 36, has “told friends he will likely retire”. Prado began his 14-year MLB career as an international free agent signing of the Braves in 2001.

After spending the first seven seasons of his career in Atlanta (2006 to 2012; .295/.345/.435, 109 OPS+), the Venezuelan native bounced between Arizona (2013 and part of 2014) and the Yankees (rest of 2014) before settling down in Miami, where he slashed .278/.325/.374 with a 92 OPS+ from 2015 through last season (.233/.265/.294 over 260 PA).

Another Reliever Hits The Market

As per a team announcement, Kansas City Royals requested waivers on right-hander Jacob Barnes, presumably to make room for Salvador Perez (UCL) and/or Kelvin Gutierrez (right toe fracture) (both of whom were activated off the 60-day IL on Monday) on the team’s 40-man roster. The 29-year-old was designated for assignment on Monday.

Barnes found success with Milwaukee from 2016 through 2018, pitching to a 3.54 ERA with 153 strikeouts and 62 walks over his first three MLB seasons (149 relief appearances; 147.1 IP) before being DFA’d by the Brewers in August of this season (6.86 ERA over 18 appearances). He landed in Kansas City but didn’t fare much better (8.31 ERA over 15 appearances).

The post MLB Rumor Roundup: Braves Making Madison Bumgarner a Priority appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Good morning, Mets fans!

On Tuesday afternoon, the Houston Astros beat the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium by a score of 4-1 to give Houston the lead to their ALCS 2-1. On Wednesday, the Yankees and Astros are set to face off for game four of their ALCS, with both teams starters currently listed as TBD. The game will be televised on FS1 and is set to begin at 8:08 p.m. EST.

On Tuesday night, the Washington Nationals beat the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park by a score of 7-4. The Nationals have swept the Cardinals to be named National League Champions and will be moving on to the World Series.

Latest Mets News

Tim Britton of The Athletic talked about what it was like for Boog Powell and the 1969 Orioles to lose to the ’69 World Series to the Mets.

Tickets for the Double-A Affiliate Binghamton Rumble Ponies 2020 season are available now.

Latest MLB News

Evan Drellich of The Athletic discussed how the Major League Baseball wants to implement opioid testing this offseason after the death of Tyler Skaggs.

Latest NL East News

Howie Kendrick was named National League Champion Series MVP.

Latest on MMO

Robert Silverman retold the story of Ron Swoboda‘s famous catch 50 years ago.

Jack Ramsey gave his take on Mets managerial candidate Eduardo Perez.

Christopher Soto discussed Ali Sanchez‘s all-around game in the Arizona Fall League (AFL).

Rob Piersall evaluated Justin Wilson‘s 2019 performance with the Mets.

On This Date In Mets History

1968: The Mets sold Don Bosch to the Montreal Expos.

1969: The Mets won their first World Series title.

Birthdays: Tim McCarver turns 78, Kevin McReynolds turns 60, Billy Taylor turns 58, Darren Reed turns 54, Josias Manzanillo turns 52.

The post Morning Briefing: Nationals Advance to World Series appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

St. Louis Cardinals (91-71, 0-2) at Washington Nationals (93-69, 2-0)
National League Championship Series Game 3 • Nationals Park
RHP Jack Flaherty (11-8, 2.75) vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg (18-6, 3.32)

The Cardinals look to get back into the series getting shutdown by Max Scherzer on Saturday in St. Louis. Cardinals offense has a grand total of four hits through the first two games.

The games starts at 7:38 p.m. ET on TBS.

Cardinals Lineup

1. Dexter Fowler – CF
2. Kolten Wong – 2B
3. Paul Goldschmidt – 1B
4. Marcell Ozuna – LF
5. Jose Martinez – RF
6. Yadier Molina – C
7. Tommy Edman – 3B
8. Paul DeJong – SS
9. Jack Flaherty – RHP

Nationals Lineup

1. Trea Turner – SS
2. Adam Eaton – RF
3. Anthony Rendon – 3B
4. Juan Soto – LF
5. Howie Kendrick – 2B
6. Ryan Zimmerman – 1B
7. Kurt Suzuki – C
8. Michael Taylor – CF
9. Stephen Strasburg – RHP

The post NLCS Game 3 Thread: Cardinals vs Nationals, 7:38 PM appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The Washington Nationals and Milwaukee Brewers will battle for the National League Wild Card Tuesday night. The winning team will advance for a chance to take the NLDS crown.

Nationals Lineup

1. Trea Turner– SS
2. Adam Eaton– RF
3. Anthony Rendon– 3B
4. Juan Soto– LF
5. Howie Kendrick– 1B
6. Asdrubal Cabrera– 2B
7. Kurt Suzuki– C
8. Victor Robles– CF
9. Max Scherzer– P

Brewers Lineup

1. Trent Grisham– RF
2. Yasmani Grandal– C
3. Mike Moustakas– 3B
4. Keston Hiura– 2B
5. Ryan Braun– LF
6. Eric Thames– 1B
7. Lorenzo Cain– CF
8. Orlando Arcia– SS
9. Brandon Woodruff– P

Game Notes

The Brewers won the season series against the Nationals, 4-2.

Tonight’s game will air on TBS and can be heard on WFAN.

The Nationals have a 53-31 home record this season, while the Brewers have a 40-41 record on the road.

The post Wild Card Game Thread: Nationals vs. Brewers, 8:08 PM appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Michael Conforto exited the game on Thursday in the fifth inning after colliding with Robinson Cano while trying to catch a ball hit off Howie Kendrick‘s bat.

After the game, Mets manager Mickey Callaway told reporters that Conforto has been diagnosed with a concussion and will take the train back to New York to be evaluated according to Deesha Thoshar of the Daily News. Though it hasn’t been announced yet, Conforto is expected to go on the 7-day concussion IL.

The ball was easing towards foul territory when both Cano and Conforto were running full-speed towards the ball. Conforto was calling all the way and was ultimately hit in the head by the left shoulder of Cano. After a brief conversation with the trainer and Mickey Callaway, they felt it was best to take Conforto out for the rest of the game.

Kendrick’s hit was ruled a double.

Conforto finished the game going 1-for-2 with a three-run homer, his ninth of the season. He was replaced in the game by Keon Broxton. Earlier in the game, left fielder Jeff McNeil left the game with abdominal tightness.

The post Michael Conforto Diagnosed With Concussion appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Stop the presses. The sky is not falling over Flushing. Salt and pepper was back in business Wednesday night as the New York Mets got a redemption rally over their NL East rivals in their 11-5 win.

Two consecutive losses unleashed a wave of concern, and although a bit warranted, the bats and bullpen bounced back with a vengeance confirming that the Mickey Callaway Mets are really that good.

Yoenis Cespedes said so long to his slump with a single and grand slam, capping a nine-run eighth inning outburst to avoid being swept up by the Nationals.

Steven Matz settled down after a shaky first inning put the Mets three in the hole via a Howie Kendrick single, Bryce Harper walk and three-run blast off the bat of Ryan Zimmerman. The struggling veteran first baseman busted out of his slow start going 3-for-4 with a triple and additional solo shot in the ninth.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Mets finally figured out Nats starter, Tanner Roark. Asdrubal Cabrera led off with a double to right, Todd Frazier walked and Adrian Gonzalez slapped a clutch RBI single. Zimmerman’s defense then played second fiddle to his offense, throwing a surefire double play ball off the bat of Jose Lobaton, pulling Kendrick off the bag at second, and scoring Frazier to pull the Mets within one.

With runners on first and second, Callaway made the uncomfortable decision of removing a much improved Matz for the pinch hitting Brandon Nimmo, who was plunked to load the bases, and left at first after Ahmed Rosario hit into an inning-ending double play.

Paul Sewald retired his first six batters, striking out three, then ran into a little trouble in the seventh surrendering a leadoff triple to Zimmerman and sac fly to Moises Sierra to put the Nats up 4-2. But the right-hander closed out strong striking out Michael Taylor and Wilmer Difo, swinging.

With nothing doing offensively in the seventh, good fortune was abundant in the eighth when Nats manager allowed relief pitcher Ryan Madson to stay a little too long at the fair on his third straight day of work.

Michael Conforto muscled a leadoff base hit the other way, Cespedes, 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts at the time, banged an 0-2 fastball up the middle, Cabrera loaded the bases with a single to right, Frazier brought in the tying runs with a rocket up the middle. Gonzalez drew an intentional walk, then Juan Lagares roped a pinch hit two-run double down the right field line. Rosario and Conforto received free passes, and A.J. Cole got the unenviable call to face Cespedes with the bases loaded, and his 0-2 95 MPH four-seam fastball didn’t fare too well.

“We just went out and took it,” Callaway said after the game “We went there and the players in that clubhouse took that game. They were wanting to win, and they did everything they could.”

The Mets collected nine runs on six hits and three walks in their eighth-inning comeback rally. That is the team’s most productive inning in terms of both runs and hits this season, and their first time scoring at least nine runs in an inning since plating 12 runs in the third inning vs. San Francisco on April 29, 2016.

It was a huge mental win for New York who could have easily fallen down a rabbit hole of a three-game losing streak. Instead, they embark on a 10-game road trip on a high note as the only big league club that remains unbeaten on the road.

The post Mets Bats Come Alive Late To Avoid Sweep By Nationals appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Steven Matz started for the Mets tonight, but fell behind quickly against the Washington Nationals.

Matz struck out Trea Turner to start the game, but then proceeded to allow an infield hit to Howie Kendrick and walked Bryce Harper.

The blemish on his line came in the next at-bat, though, as the lefty allowed a three-run homer to Ryan Zimmerman to give the Nationals a 3-0 lead.

However, the lefty was perfect for the next three innings as he did not allow a hit or walk afterward.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, the team decided to pinch-hit with Brandon Nimmo for Matz with runners on the corners and only one out in the inning.

The 26-year old finished his outing with three earned runs, three hits, and one walk against him, while also striking out six batters in four innings. He received a no-decision as Paul Sewald replaced him in the fifth, while the Mets tied and took the lead in the eighth inning.

The post Matz Gives Up Homer Early, Recovers In Four Inning Start appeared first on Metsmerized Online.