Post by Commissioner Erick on Jan 20, 2018 0:50:23 GMT -5
New York Mets (22-10) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (23-8)
NYM: Robert Gsellman (2-2, 6.63)
LAD: Tyler Danish (2-0, 3.43)
The New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers may be the two favorites to represent the National League in the World Series this year. Despite each team's reputation being staked on pitching, it's the offense driving the top two teams in baseball through five weeks.
The defending champion New York Mets face their toughest opponent to date when they take the road to face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Mets are rocking and rolling at 22-10. With the Nationals struggling with injuries, it's possible that the Mets can have the NL East wrapped up quickly this year. Though they've split most of their four-game series, and somehow lost two games to the Royals, they've won each of their three-game sets so far. They're second in ERA, though injuries have knocked out some of their best arms and their back end starters have struggled. The gap between the Mets ERA of 3.70 and the league-leading Giants 2.98 is vast, and much of the Mets low ERA comes from a bullpen which has been exceptional.
While the Mets pitching has nonetheless has been commendable, the offense has been truly explosive. It's second in the National League in runs, and second in various statistical components. Average, OBP, OPS, wOBA, if there's a hitting stat, the Mets are likely second in the NL in it. They've gotten stellar campaigns from two resigned free agents to lead it.
Neil Walker had an outstanding year last year before missing most of September and the Postseason due to injury. He had an outstanding .848 OPS with 24 home runs, and terrific walk and strikeout numbers. The Mets resigned him to two-year, $36 million dollar deal and he's rewarded them with 10 home runs, which is second in the league, and a .347 average, which is fifth. With 2.3 WAR, Walker's been one of the best players in baseball thus far.
Curtis Granderson didn't have as strong a 2017. He only hit .225 with a .308 OBP and a 23% strikeout rate. He went 1-14 in the postseason and was seemingly most valuable for his leadership. The Mets signed him to a creative contract with a vesting option for next year and a team option for the third year at $20.5 million combined. He's responded with a huge 2018, going .323/.392/.631. At 37 years old, Granderson has shown that he can still produce on the field as well as the clubhouse.
While the Mets have had a strong offensive year, tonight will be a test as none of the Mets prior opponents ranks in the top half of team ERA. The Dodgers will be the first good staff the Mets face all season. However, it will be weaker than usual for this game.
Tyler Danish, a Rule 5 pick from the White Sox, is scheduled to make his first big league start with Julio Urias expected to miss a few weeks with injury. Danish is having an exemplary season as a long man. He's allowed a single home run, walked only three, and fanned 18 in 21 innings. However, he's never made a start above A-ball, and carried an underwhelming 3.79 ERA in High-A last season. Mostly a sinker/changeup pitcher, he actually has better numbers against lefties, as his slider doesn't have enough bite to serve as a put-away pitch to righties.
The Dodgers will also be without perhaps the best hitter in the NL thus far, as well as perhaps the best closer in the league. Joc Pederson has been cuckoo bananas this year with 15 home runs in just 28 games. Unfortunately, a fractured thumb will have him missing a month. Cody Bellinger, who is second in the league in home runs may slide over to left field, or Kike Hernandez and his .338 average could move over to left field. Whatever they decide, the team has the depth to withstand the injury, though they'll obviously take a hit.
Kenley Jansen will also miss a few weeks with injury. A strained hamstring has him on the shelf, which is a disappointment as he hasn't allowed a run this year. However, every other member of the bullpen has a save, and all but Chris Hatcher have two. The bullpen hasn't been quite as prodigious as last year, but there are still serious flamethrowers in there with four guys putting up greater than 12 strikeouts per nine innings.
Questions for the GMs:
For Nate Taylor, you opted for continuity, bringing back Walker and Granderson and that gambit has paid off. What went into the decision to bring them back?
Talk about the Steven Matz trade. Steven Matz looks like a superstar, but you got back a pair of very exciting young players. What made you pull the trigger on the trade?
How much pressure have you felt as the new GM of a championship team? Do you feel heightened expectations as a result of the success of the previous regime?
For Troy Allenbaugh, losing Pederson is a huge blow. Who will start in left field tonight and why?
You really wanted to make sure Logan Forsythe was moved off second base. He's been okay with the bat, and Ian Kinsler has done a great job getting on base. Why were you so adamant about getting a new second baseman?
You released fan-favorite Adrian Gonzalez in the offseason. Was that a tough decision to make?
NYM: Robert Gsellman (2-2, 6.63)
LAD: Tyler Danish (2-0, 3.43)
The New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers may be the two favorites to represent the National League in the World Series this year. Despite each team's reputation being staked on pitching, it's the offense driving the top two teams in baseball through five weeks.
The defending champion New York Mets face their toughest opponent to date when they take the road to face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Mets are rocking and rolling at 22-10. With the Nationals struggling with injuries, it's possible that the Mets can have the NL East wrapped up quickly this year. Though they've split most of their four-game series, and somehow lost two games to the Royals, they've won each of their three-game sets so far. They're second in ERA, though injuries have knocked out some of their best arms and their back end starters have struggled. The gap between the Mets ERA of 3.70 and the league-leading Giants 2.98 is vast, and much of the Mets low ERA comes from a bullpen which has been exceptional.
While the Mets pitching has nonetheless has been commendable, the offense has been truly explosive. It's second in the National League in runs, and second in various statistical components. Average, OBP, OPS, wOBA, if there's a hitting stat, the Mets are likely second in the NL in it. They've gotten stellar campaigns from two resigned free agents to lead it.
Neil Walker had an outstanding year last year before missing most of September and the Postseason due to injury. He had an outstanding .848 OPS with 24 home runs, and terrific walk and strikeout numbers. The Mets resigned him to two-year, $36 million dollar deal and he's rewarded them with 10 home runs, which is second in the league, and a .347 average, which is fifth. With 2.3 WAR, Walker's been one of the best players in baseball thus far.
Curtis Granderson didn't have as strong a 2017. He only hit .225 with a .308 OBP and a 23% strikeout rate. He went 1-14 in the postseason and was seemingly most valuable for his leadership. The Mets signed him to a creative contract with a vesting option for next year and a team option for the third year at $20.5 million combined. He's responded with a huge 2018, going .323/.392/.631. At 37 years old, Granderson has shown that he can still produce on the field as well as the clubhouse.
While the Mets have had a strong offensive year, tonight will be a test as none of the Mets prior opponents ranks in the top half of team ERA. The Dodgers will be the first good staff the Mets face all season. However, it will be weaker than usual for this game.
Tyler Danish, a Rule 5 pick from the White Sox, is scheduled to make his first big league start with Julio Urias expected to miss a few weeks with injury. Danish is having an exemplary season as a long man. He's allowed a single home run, walked only three, and fanned 18 in 21 innings. However, he's never made a start above A-ball, and carried an underwhelming 3.79 ERA in High-A last season. Mostly a sinker/changeup pitcher, he actually has better numbers against lefties, as his slider doesn't have enough bite to serve as a put-away pitch to righties.
The Dodgers will also be without perhaps the best hitter in the NL thus far, as well as perhaps the best closer in the league. Joc Pederson has been cuckoo bananas this year with 15 home runs in just 28 games. Unfortunately, a fractured thumb will have him missing a month. Cody Bellinger, who is second in the league in home runs may slide over to left field, or Kike Hernandez and his .338 average could move over to left field. Whatever they decide, the team has the depth to withstand the injury, though they'll obviously take a hit.
Kenley Jansen will also miss a few weeks with injury. A strained hamstring has him on the shelf, which is a disappointment as he hasn't allowed a run this year. However, every other member of the bullpen has a save, and all but Chris Hatcher have two. The bullpen hasn't been quite as prodigious as last year, but there are still serious flamethrowers in there with four guys putting up greater than 12 strikeouts per nine innings.
Questions for the GMs:
For Nate Taylor, you opted for continuity, bringing back Walker and Granderson and that gambit has paid off. What went into the decision to bring them back?
Talk about the Steven Matz trade. Steven Matz looks like a superstar, but you got back a pair of very exciting young players. What made you pull the trigger on the trade?
How much pressure have you felt as the new GM of a championship team? Do you feel heightened expectations as a result of the success of the previous regime?
For Troy Allenbaugh, losing Pederson is a huge blow. Who will start in left field tonight and why?
You really wanted to make sure Logan Forsythe was moved off second base. He's been okay with the bat, and Ian Kinsler has done a great job getting on base. Why were you so adamant about getting a new second baseman?
You released fan-favorite Adrian Gonzalez in the offseason. Was that a tough decision to make?
