Mets Game 25: Loss to Astros
Astros 8 Mets 1
Are the Astros this good, or the Mets this not good? A worn and tired-looking Mets club was swept in Houston, with few positive takeaways.
Mets Game Notes
Chris Schwinden seems like a nice guy, and a hard worker. He is the kind of guy you want to root for. Unfortunately, he has yet to show that he belongs in MLB. His fastball has no movement and is below average in velocity. His curveball is a hanging lollipop that doesn’t fool anyone. His other pitchers are just for show. In short, he looks like a BP pitcher. If what we’ve seen from Schwinden thus far is what he is, then we are going to miss Mike Pelfrey more than we ever imagined, because there is going to be a big, gaping hole in the starting rotation until / unless the Mets can bring someone in from outside the organization.
After Schwinden left the game, Manny Acosta came in to be the fireman — the Fahrenheit 451 kind. The ‘stros quickly jumped all over his flat fastball, and after three runs came in, Acosta thought it might be a good idea to mix in some breaking pitches. Too little, too late.
Brian Bogusevic kind of looks like David Puddy / The Tick / Patrick Warburton — doesn’t he?
Chris Johnson had a day, eh? Four hits, two homers, six RBI.
For the Mets, Ruben Tejada enjoyed a successful day at the plate with three hits.
With the lefty on the mound and Lucas Duda ailing, why wasn’t Jordany Valdespin in the starting lineup, in either left or right field? I had forgotten he existed until he entered the game late. I was happy to see Kirk Nieuwenhuis get the shot in Duda’s place, but at the same time, if Valdespin isn’t going to be getting starts then why in the world is he up in the bigs? His versatility is redundant to Justin Turner — it’s not like an extra utilityman is vital to a team that rarely sees their infielders take off an inning — much less a game.
Next Mets Game
The Mets lick their wounds on Thursday as they travel back home to host a three-game weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Game time is 7:10 p.m. and the scheduled starting pitchers are Dillon Gee and Wade Miley.
About the Author
Joe Janish began MetsToday in 2005 to provide the unique perspective of a high-level player and coach -- he earned NCAA D-1 All-American honors as a catcher and coached several players who went on to play pro ball. As a result his posts often include mechanical evaluations, scout-like analysis, and opinions that go beyond the numbers.
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All the Mets organizational bad habits returned in this series:
- Organizational guy given a chance to start despite sub standard tools as opposed to letting a real prospect get a chance. Not working out is it?
- The really good outfielder who has been playing well gets pushed out for the veteran 4th OFer who is probably getting ABs to showcase him for a trade. It used to be played untill you lost it. CPT kirk, IS the best defensive CFer. Torres is not a gold glove caliber CFer. IF Torres is to get ABs he should be in RF. Granted Duda has been ill. But the Mets should have Kirk in center, Hairston in LF and Duda/Baxter in RF, with Torres doing what he does best, spot start and possibly platoon.
- Order: Tejada and kirk have done very well leading off. Murphy, Wright, Duda, IKE and Hairston following those two are doing OK, and Thole is hitting .311 batting 8th. Lets keep things consistent. Isnt that what TC is supposed to do by reputation?
I can deal with everything else, I was expecting most of the series to go like this, Being the first one of season is better then I imagined but I cant stand Capt Kirk getting pushed aside for Torres.
Joe,
Good thing the powerhouse Astros are moving to the AL next year. As you said, Mr. Schwinden may well be a great guy, but he has essentially shown that he is not ready for the show. I like a healthy Young, but putting all the replacement eggs is his basket is essentially nuts. Let’s see if our wonderful ownership will break one of Jeffy’s piggy banks and go find another starter that can give them a chance to win every 5th day. The Pelfrey hole is nothing a few bucks couldn’t solve if they are so intent (rightfully so) to protect the big arms in the minors. Hey, Roger Clemens may even be unexpectedly available.
Don’t worry Dave. as soon as enough kids from other teams that want to try to win are brought up, and Alderson gets word that all the super 2 slots are filled, we will hear that miraculously Harvey is ready and he will be brought up. Its time for the free ride for this joke of a GM to end. Look around. Kids are never truly ready for the bigs until the see it for themselves. Harvey is a college id and is older than a lot of guys already pitching well in the bigs. Alderson is for of BS. If it were Minaya, he’d be getting roasted daily for what is going on with this rotation.
Kevin Millwood anyone?
Boy you said it Joe– nice guy maybe but surely not a major league pitcher. I feel like he’s gotten a fair shot at this point… who’s next?
The Astros are hitting and Wandy and Bud actually are decent pitchers. Niese picked a bad day to have a bad day and after the Mets lost on a dribbler (putting a speedy runner on base), that was really their only shot in this series. How’s Hefner doing? He actually gave the team three innings scoreless last time he was up.
This guy seems hopeless. I don’t want him starting v. Phils.