Noah Syndergaard went back to little league accounting for all of the New York Mets four runs batted in and narrowly throwing a complete game. Unfortunately, the Mets had viable opportunities to score more runs but continue searching for timely base hits.
Situational Hitting
Situational hitting is the adjustment or strategy in a batters approach in an at-bat with men on base to either advance base runners to better the base runners opportunity to score – or score base runners. The most common forms of situational hitting involve bunting, ground balls, sacrifice flies, drawing walks, attempts at hitting the ball to specific areas of the field, and of course base-hits.
Recently, I have showed stats and explained the issue behind the negative correlation between the Mets reliance on home runs and low team batting average with runners in scoring position compared to World Series champions.
As stated yesterday, the Mets are last in MLB in batting average with runners in scoring position. Conversely, thirteen of the last fifteen World Series champions finished in the top 15 during the regular season in batting average with runners in scoring position.
Last night, the Mets continued their struggles hitting 1-for-9 with two walks with runners in scoring position. Let’s rate the nine opportunities to determine the severity of the situation (1.0 is terrible – 5.0 excellent):
- Second inning, no out, base runners on first and second: Neil Walker fly’s-out to center field. Rating 2.5 Walker got behind in the count early in the at-bat forcing him to take a defensive swing. Walker did put the ball in play but he needs to pull the ball into right field in this situation to allow the possibility Cespedes advances to third on a fly ball.
- Second inning, one out, base runners on first and third (Yoenis Cespedes stole third base): Eric Campbell hits fielder’s choice ground ball to Corey Seager who throws Cespedes out at home plate. Rating 2.0 Campbell needs to elevate the baseball into the outfield with less than two outs for a hit or to allow Cespedes to tag up and score. Additionally, a ground ball gives the Dodgers an opportunity at an inning ending double play. The reason for not rating a 1 is at least Campbell put the ball in play opening opportunity for fielding error or a soft base hit.
- Second inning, two outs, base runners on first and third: Rene Rivera strikes out swinging. Rating 1.1 Only outcome worse is striking out looking.
- Fifth inning, no out, base runners on first and second: Noah Syndergaard hits three-run home run. Rating 5.0 Optimal outcome.
- Sixth inning, no out, base runners on second and third: Eric Campbell pops out to first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. Rating 1.2 The only objective for Campbell is hitting the baseball anywhere except for a pop up or a ground ball to the pitcher. Almost any other contact scores a run.
- Sixth inning, one out, bases loaded: Syndergaard strikes out swinging. Unrated I can’t get myself to give a 1.1 rating for a pitcher up against a 96 mph fastball who has already hit two home runs in the game.
- Sixth inning, two outs, bases loaded: Curtis Granderson strikes out swinging. Rating 1.1 Again, Only outcome worse is striking out looking.
- Seventh inning, one out, base runners on second and third: Lucas Duda flies out to left field. Rating 3.0 Duda did an average job, elevating the baseball into the outfield and only needed a few more feet to allow Michael Conforto to score from third.
- Seventh inning, two outs, bases loaded: Campbell strikes out swinging. Rating 1.1 Only outcome worse is striking out looking. Please make contact. Challenge the defense to get outs.
Thankfully, the Mets have exceptional pitching and a surprisingly impressive defensive alignment helping them stay atop the National League East division.
Stat of the Night
The Mets pitching staff has a commanding lead in team pitching WAR ranking first in MLB at 7.6. Division rival Washington National are second at 6.2. See FanGraphs for a full explanation of WAR.
Follow Chris Zaccherio on Twitter @ziography for more Mets insight going beyond statistics.
