Post by Commissioner Erick on Jul 6, 2018 7:31:58 GMT -5
New York Mets (23-28) @ San Diego Padres (22-30)
NYM: Jacob deGrom (0-4, 4.05)
SD: Luis D. Perdomo (2-2, 3.59)
Two weeks ago against the Cardinals, Neil Walker came up with several huge hits to lead the Mets to a thrilling extra-inning comeback win some thought would jump start their season.
After going 3-9 in their next 12 contests, the team may be looking to 2020.
It's a matchup of two disappointing teams when the New York Mets face off against the San Diego Padres in the Game of the Week.
A day after the Mets 14-inning 7-6 win, they lost a wild 17-15 affair after giving up three in the ninth inning. The squad has been struggling ever since, with the starting pitching mainly to blame. Starters have failed to go at least 5 innings in seven of their last 12 contests, a stretch that put a terrible strain on the team's bullpen. In fact, the Mets starters easily had the fewest innings pitched of any NL team in June. The starters' 5.15 ERA wasn't horrendous, but taxed under an enormous burden, the bullpen's 6.46 ERA was second worst in the league.
The Mets will turn to The Degrominator, Jacob DeGrom to get some innings, but he only went 4.1 in his last outing, a 6-0 loss to Philadelphia. Three starts ago he lasted just 1.2 innings after allowing five runs to Milwaukee. He did fire off a much needed complete game May 23rd against St. Louis even if it did come in a losing affair. Even coming off a Matt Harvey complete game victory yesterday, New York can use a good string of starts to let their bullpen rest up.
Outside of Neil Walker, Michael Conforto, and Yoenis Cespedes, the bats have struggled to hit for average or power. Aside from the aforementioned trio, only one player has more than four home runs. Cory Spangenberg has seven, but three came very early on as a member of the Padres. The Mets also have three starters hitting .236 or lower. That's not terrible, but with only one player on the team hitting even just .280, it's been a real sink on the team's offense. The Mets are last in stolen bases so they can't manufacture runs other ways.
The talent is still there for a big run, but any kind of supporting cast has to show up for the team to reach its peak.
Meanwhile, Spangenberg's old team, the San Diego Padres, has struggled to capitalize off a hot start and a weak division. After going 16-11 through May 6th, the team closed out May on a 4-19 spell, including losing 13 of the team's final 14 games. The possibility for a winning record and maybe a longshot postseason run went up in smoke, though at 5.5 games back the team isn't completely out the playoff race. After losing 195 games last season, playoffs may have been too much to expect, but the Padres may be alright if they could get Jake Lamb going.
After producing a 33 home run season in Arizona, and a 31 home run season in San Diego, the expectation was for more of the same. However, Lamb only has seven home runs, his average has dropped to .223, and he simply hasn't played at the All Star level he played at the last two seasons.
The Padres also aren't getting the boost they thought they'd get from Manuel Margot, who is undergoing a sophomore slump. Margot hit well in his rookie season, especially after he learned how to take a walk. However, while his swing is still generating a ton of extra base hits, Margot isn't getting on base nearly enough. Whether it's by walking more, or getting his BABIP up, a .306 on-base percentage and a .245 average aren't good enough for what the Padres need to be successful.
Fortunately against the Mets, they'll have their most effective pitcher take the mound. After a 2018 cut short by a shoulder injury, Luis D. Perdomo has taken the mound and worked to the tune of a 3.59 ERA. He's done it by keeping the ball in the park and limiting walks, a necessary strategy because he strikes out precisely nobody. Perdomo trails only Mike Leake among qualified NL starters. His FIP suggests there's a correction coming, but as long as he keeps limiting the walks, he can keep churning out quality starts.
Questions for the GMs:
For Steve Cox, you've mentioned that you're willing to trade some of your best players. What would it take for you to keep working for a playoff spot?
Dominic Smith was able to hit 20 home runs last year. This year, he has just two. Do you have enough power from that spot to be a really good offensive team?
Luis D. Perdomo has kept the ball in the park all season. Will we see a lineup more geared towards slashing and dashing?
For Ryan Davis, you've lost Austin Hedges for awhile. Are you going to roll with Christian Bethancourt for the time being.
You've been looking for a shortstop who can play, trying out a host of options. Ideally, who takes the job and runs with it going into next year?
Virtually all your hitters have regressed this season. Do you feel Julio Paula is pulling his weight as hitting coach?
NYM: Jacob deGrom (0-4, 4.05)
SD: Luis D. Perdomo (2-2, 3.59)
Two weeks ago against the Cardinals, Neil Walker came up with several huge hits to lead the Mets to a thrilling extra-inning comeback win some thought would jump start their season.
After going 3-9 in their next 12 contests, the team may be looking to 2020.
It's a matchup of two disappointing teams when the New York Mets face off against the San Diego Padres in the Game of the Week.
A day after the Mets 14-inning 7-6 win, they lost a wild 17-15 affair after giving up three in the ninth inning. The squad has been struggling ever since, with the starting pitching mainly to blame. Starters have failed to go at least 5 innings in seven of their last 12 contests, a stretch that put a terrible strain on the team's bullpen. In fact, the Mets starters easily had the fewest innings pitched of any NL team in June. The starters' 5.15 ERA wasn't horrendous, but taxed under an enormous burden, the bullpen's 6.46 ERA was second worst in the league.
The Mets will turn to The Degrominator, Jacob DeGrom to get some innings, but he only went 4.1 in his last outing, a 6-0 loss to Philadelphia. Three starts ago he lasted just 1.2 innings after allowing five runs to Milwaukee. He did fire off a much needed complete game May 23rd against St. Louis even if it did come in a losing affair. Even coming off a Matt Harvey complete game victory yesterday, New York can use a good string of starts to let their bullpen rest up.
Outside of Neil Walker, Michael Conforto, and Yoenis Cespedes, the bats have struggled to hit for average or power. Aside from the aforementioned trio, only one player has more than four home runs. Cory Spangenberg has seven, but three came very early on as a member of the Padres. The Mets also have three starters hitting .236 or lower. That's not terrible, but with only one player on the team hitting even just .280, it's been a real sink on the team's offense. The Mets are last in stolen bases so they can't manufacture runs other ways.
The talent is still there for a big run, but any kind of supporting cast has to show up for the team to reach its peak.
Meanwhile, Spangenberg's old team, the San Diego Padres, has struggled to capitalize off a hot start and a weak division. After going 16-11 through May 6th, the team closed out May on a 4-19 spell, including losing 13 of the team's final 14 games. The possibility for a winning record and maybe a longshot postseason run went up in smoke, though at 5.5 games back the team isn't completely out the playoff race. After losing 195 games last season, playoffs may have been too much to expect, but the Padres may be alright if they could get Jake Lamb going.
After producing a 33 home run season in Arizona, and a 31 home run season in San Diego, the expectation was for more of the same. However, Lamb only has seven home runs, his average has dropped to .223, and he simply hasn't played at the All Star level he played at the last two seasons.
The Padres also aren't getting the boost they thought they'd get from Manuel Margot, who is undergoing a sophomore slump. Margot hit well in his rookie season, especially after he learned how to take a walk. However, while his swing is still generating a ton of extra base hits, Margot isn't getting on base nearly enough. Whether it's by walking more, or getting his BABIP up, a .306 on-base percentage and a .245 average aren't good enough for what the Padres need to be successful.
Fortunately against the Mets, they'll have their most effective pitcher take the mound. After a 2018 cut short by a shoulder injury, Luis D. Perdomo has taken the mound and worked to the tune of a 3.59 ERA. He's done it by keeping the ball in the park and limiting walks, a necessary strategy because he strikes out precisely nobody. Perdomo trails only Mike Leake among qualified NL starters. His FIP suggests there's a correction coming, but as long as he keeps limiting the walks, he can keep churning out quality starts.
Questions for the GMs:
For Steve Cox, you've mentioned that you're willing to trade some of your best players. What would it take for you to keep working for a playoff spot?
Dominic Smith was able to hit 20 home runs last year. This year, he has just two. Do you have enough power from that spot to be a really good offensive team?
Luis D. Perdomo has kept the ball in the park all season. Will we see a lineup more geared towards slashing and dashing?
For Ryan Davis, you've lost Austin Hedges for awhile. Are you going to roll with Christian Bethancourt for the time being.
You've been looking for a shortstop who can play, trying out a host of options. Ideally, who takes the job and runs with it going into next year?
Virtually all your hitters have regressed this season. Do you feel Julio Paula is pulling his weight as hitting coach?
