Mets 3, Twins 2: A Fun Night, a Tough Loss

[TJSweens]

32 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

It was not even recorded as a possible attempt for any fielder in the game by Baseball Savant. It was so far out of the realm of possibility it's not even in consideration for the potential a fielder could have made a play on it.

I really don't care what baseball savant said. If BS says that play was out of the realm of possibility then there are some bugs in the system. I saw a ball that landed a short distance in front of a slow footed outfielder who was pulling up to make sure the ball didn't bounce by him.

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

Sitting Martin is BAD baseball. I just do NOT understand this org. 

Wallner is in his 4th ML season......and the last 1+ have not been even close to good enough to warrant playing every day. 

There are so many different things to consider in regards to matchups. How does this hitter do against breaking pitches... what kind of breaking pitch does the starter have for example. And there are other things like hotness and coldness.  

The Left/Right platoon seems to override all of the other pieces of data... it seems to override all other considerations and that drives me crazy. 

Martin isn't sitting due to how he is playing. He is sitting because he is right handed and he is sitting because someone has to be hand cuffed to lefty hitter. He is sitting because there is a decent replacement if he sits. He is sitting because he isn't expected to be as good as other right handed hitters that get to face them. Players like Lewis who is supposed to be amazing but hasn't been. Lewis can struggle for years and it's ok... Martin will have to OPS 1,000 for things to change. 

I simply don't understand why managers can't get out of the way and just let hot hitters keep doing what they are doing.

The best way to cool off a hot streak is to not play the player during a hot streak.  

 

 

[Riverbrian]

30 minutes ago, TJSweens said:

I really don't care what baseball savant said. If BS says that play was out of the realm of possibility then there are some bugs in the system. I saw a ball that landed a short distance in front of a slow footed outfielder who was pulling up to make sure the ball didn't bounce by him.

I really couldn't tell where he started from but yeah... My eyes also saw the pull up and while I didn't bang the gavel on his guiltyness... I did say to myself that I would have dove for it... at least I would have back in my softball days... especially in that situation where a catch hangs a zero on the board of a tie game.

Much like Buxton did a play later. 

Would the ball have bounced passed him after his clumsy diving attempt and possibly created additional runs for the Mets... Yeah Probably... But I like  players who make the full effort and I don't care if it's game 24... game 106 of the season or game 7 of the world series.   

[David Maro]

Watching Prielepp pitch last night it was easy to see he only had 2 pitches. He couldn't find the right zip code with his change up or curveball. Big league hitters will figure that out fast and sit on your fastball. Hopefully he can find a way to throw all 4 in his next start.

[JD-TWINS]

14 hours ago, Jacksson said:

Keaschall was the real Choke Artist today.  Top of the 6th, 1 run in, runners at 2nd & 3rd, 2 outs and Keaschall pops out to 2B on a hanging slider up and in ON THE FIRST PITCH. Then, top of the 8th, bases loaded (1 walk, 1 single, another walk), 2 outs and Keaschall, with a chance to plate 2 runs, pops out to the Catcher in foul territory on a 4 seam fastball up and out of the strike zone.  There was also the play in the field he couldn't come up with as well.

Seven Twins Strikeouts on the day = Buxton - 2, Lee - 3.  Sure seems as though Buxton is striking out a lot these days: either he has fallen in love with hitting the long ball or since the offense is struggling so badly, he's trying to provide all the team's offense.

Such is the life of a relief pitcher, yesterday goes well and today, Topa blows the game.  Rogers has to get 1 out in the bottom of the 8th.  Bases empty, tie score.  He walks the batter.  Shelton yanks him and turns the inning over to Topa who just needs to get 1 out.  He walks the first batter he faces, then gives up a single to put the Mets ahead 3 - 2.  The damage done, Topa escapes further damage due to a diving catch in CF by Buxton.

As stellar as that play was in CF, the defensive play of the outfield corners is just an embarrassment.  Not only do they get poor jumps on balls in play, but they "run" like trucks.  How could these guys, offensively and defensively made it to MLB??  

But wait, the Twins have a chance to tie the game up again in the top of the 9th.  They send Wallner, Lewis and Buxton up to bat and ALL 3 STRIKEOUT.  Game Over.

Have to mention that both Clemens and Wallner, having gotten a hit a piece, are streaking towards raising their batting averages to the Mendoza line: While both lewis and Lee are streaking to LOWER their averages to the Mendoza line.

What are the Hitting Coach and the TWO Assistant Hitting Coaches doing to earn their salaries?  What is Hawkins doing that justifies him being anointed the bullpen savior? 

 

 

“Choke Artist” usually refers to a guy getting it done regularly and then doesn’t in a tight situation. Unfortunately, Keaschall isn’t getting it done very often, in any situation.

Getting down in the Coaching Staff is just ignorant. What is Hawkins supposed to do with Rogers (10 yr vet) to get him to not walk a left handed banjo hitter with 2 outs and nobody on base? ……. that’s not in coaching. Topa gave up a flare to RF - stuff happens…….. ZERO to do with coaching.

Matt Wallner - Kody Clemens - Brooks Lee - James Outman - Royce Lewis were all well below Par Hitters last year - Coaches don’t actually step in the batter’s box - players play!!

Also, it’s the games through April 22 ……. deep breaths.

[Danchat]

1 hour ago, The Great Hambino said:

13 fewer base runners - and 8 fewer in scoring position - than league average for his # of PAs

Same thing with Buxton, he only has had 7 RBIs even with 5 HRs. They need to have Martin/Larnach/any other OBP options hit ahead of him just to have somebody on base for when his XBHs come.

[bean5302]

2 hours ago, TJSweens said:

I really don't care what baseball savant said. If BS says that play was out of the realm of possibility then there are some bugs in the system. I saw a ball that landed a short distance in front of a slow footed outfielder who was pulling up to make sure the ball didn't bounce by him.

It was theoretically impossible for a human being standing where Wallner was standing the moment the ball went off the bat to catch the ball. 

Savant said this was a 10% of the time catch (for anybody, not just Buxton) and shows it on his fielding map  https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/sporty-videos?playId=336f5c50-bf81-3d94-a06b-3bd5852988ad

If you're saying Wallner made it look close, that just says Wallner truly made an elite effort to field that ball. Wallner apparently with an effort so great it makes Byron Buxton look like Brent Rooker.

[bean5302]

2 hours ago, David Maro said:

Watching Prielepp pitch last night it was easy to see he only had 2 pitches. He couldn't find the right zip code with his change up or curveball. Big league hitters will figure that out fast and sit on your fastball. Hopefully he can find a way to throw all 4 in his next start.

He got tasked with learning the curveball this very spring. It'd be shocking if the pitch was already under control.

[cheeseheadgophfan]

In Preilapp's last inning Royce fell and made a short hop throw to 1st base......granted not a good throw but.....

Clemons attempt at a scoop was something that I would've scolded my 8th graders for trying.  He's playing 1b in the major leagues and attempted a scoop with the glove up.  Embarrassing, as is the fact that he's back tonight batting fifth.  Not a serious team.