Mets Reaction April 15, 2021: The Rain, the Mets and Other Things
The first homestand is over, and the New York Mets are heading into frigid Denver, where snow is expected on Friday and extreme cold on Saturday. The homestand was a success, as the Mets won three games against the Phillies before Thursday's game was rained out. The Mets handled the weather much better than they did on Sunday, calling the game 30 minutes after the first pitch was scheduled. Of course, it was especially smart with Jacob deGrom set to toe the rubber. The last thing that the Mets would want is their ace getting hurt on a wet mound.
The homestand was overall a success. They won four of five games with two rainouts. The starting pitching was terrific, the bullpen was not awful, and the bats started to wake up somewhat over the final two games. The Mets were fortunate to win the opener on Michael Conforto's elbow drop and took full advantage of the seven-inning doubleheader rule. However, the runner on base is still the worst idea ever.
The series against the Phillies was a roaring success as the Mets are leaving town in first place at 5-3, despite their disjointed schedule with five games postponed until later in the season due to the Nationals COVID concerns and April showers. This does not include Monday's rainout, which led to The Mets can just hope that these April showers bring wins in May and over the summer when the games that were postponed will be played. I remember one other season that had this disjointed start, and it was 1986, when they had four rainouts in the first ten games of the season, starting 2-3.
Brandon Nimmo has been beyond terrific so far; he leads the majors in on-base percentage, which is the most important stat for a leadoff hitter. He is also hitting well and has been decent in the field. The Mets were wise to move around the lineup after their loss on Saturday, dropping Michael Conforto out of the third spot. Conforto has been terrible. He went hitless on the homestand and has reached base more by getting hit by pitches than using his bat 4-3. Meanwhile, Dom Smith in the third spot has been terrific. Smith has gotten several big hits and seems well suited for that position due to his ability to get extra-base hits and make contact. Dom Smith is a born leader and showed that when he was about to fight Jose Alvarado after he hit Conforto in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader. That type of spirit is important for team chemistry.
Jacob deGrom has been great as usual. He has yet to win, and the Mets have lost both of his starts, but allowing just one run in 15 innings, with a career-high 14 strikeouts in his start on Saturday, show that he is already locked in. Marcus Stroman has also been fantastic and has an infectious personality that can make him a fan favorite if he ever decided to stick around beyond this season. The late signing of Taijuan Walker has worked out, as Walker has been solid in both of his starts this season. On Wednesday, the Mets got a strong start from David Peterson, who erased the bad taste from last week by allowing one run on three hits.
The bullpen was improved on the homestand, with the exception of Jeurys Familia, who still fucking sucks. Miguel Casto has looked good for the most part, while Aaron Loup was fantastic on Wednesday with a double play on his first pitch. He followed it up with a masterful eighth inning as the Mets completed the sweep. Edwin Diaz, meanwhile, did not suck as his new entrance music seems to set the ballpark on fire.
As the Mets head for the mountains of Coors Field, you would like to see more production from Francisco Lindor, who hat two hits Wednesday night. James McCann also showed signs of life with a home run that put the game on ice. Jeff McNeil has looked better, and Pete Alonso seems to be just missing at this point. If they can get it going, the Mets road trip could be a success.
While the 5-3 start is somewhat satisfying, the frustration of watching former Mets excel is always present. How the fuck does Wilson Ramos has six home runs? The Mets only have five as a team. Jed Lowrie is fucking raking in Oakland, and Steven Matz, who had an ERA near ten last year, is looking like a Cy Young candidate for the Blue Jays. SMH. It's always something.