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May 18, 2013 Mets 2013 Games Joe Janish

Mets Game 40: Loss to Cubs

Cubs 8 Mets 2

Mets suffer post-Harvey traumatic disorder.

Mets Game Notes

There has to be some concern when it takes a few breaks going their way and an RBI hit by the starting pitcher to beat the Cubs by one run, despite Matt Harvey holding Chicago to two runs. So without Harvey on the mound — or in the lineup — this loss was hardly a surprise.

Jeremy Hefner lived up and middle in the strike zone and was punished for it. He left after four frames and four earned runs, then reappeared in the final two innings with the name “McHugh” on his back. Very tricky, crafty way to re-enter the ballgame — had Bobby Valentine mustache disguise written all over it.

Except, that really WAS Collin McHugh, and he picked up right where he left off at the end of 2012. Many pundits suggested that the McHugh we saw in September of last year wasn’t the real McCoy — er, McHugh — because the young righthander was tired after a long season in AAA. I would like to buy into that possibility, and will reserve judgment for at least a few more outings. As of right now, though, I’ve yet to be convinced that McHugh is anything other than a poor man’s version of Hefner.

Speaking of poor man’s versions, Daniel Murphy is officially the poor man’s Rod Carew. That might not be so bad, except, Murphy’s defense at second base is slightly worse than Carew’s, he doesn’t have Carew’s foot speed, he doesn’t make contact as consistently as Carew, and he has yet to prove to be a candidate to be the first MLBer to bat .400 since Ted Williams. Murphy went 2-for-4 and raised his average to .301, but his swing is weak — he just waves the bat at the ball with his bottom hand and has the goal of just making contact. Again, that’s great if you can continue to place little bloops just beyond the reach of infielders regularly, without slumping, and if you are the opposite of a detriment on the bases. But these little bloops and bleeders, followed by brain freezes on the basepaths and/or getting thrown out stealing, is the extent of a Murphy hot streak and not terribly productive.

Another oh-fer for Ike Davis, but at least he didn’t strike out. I suppose that’s progress?

Rick Ankiel was the only other Met with a two-hit day.

Overall, the Mets collected nine hits and one walk. I thought the Dave Hudgens philosophy was all about OBP? Ten baserunners in nine innings against the #4 starter of a team just a hair above last place isn’t impressive.

Next Mets Game

The final game of the series and the road trip begins at 2:20 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. The Mets send Dillon Gee to the mound against Travis Wood.

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. Follow Joe's baseball tips on Twitter at @onbaseball and at the On Baseball Google Plus page.
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  1. Izzy May 19, 2013 at 8:17 am
    Who will be a contender first? Epstein’s Cubs or the Great Mistake’s Mets? Hmm, lets see. They both are bad but which team is getting older and older? Hmm, its the Mets. If//when Theo can find a sucker for Soriano they will bew very young. Meanwhile the Mets rebuild by having young ones sit and rot on the bench so Sandy can fantasize of the good old days by having Canseco wannabees hogging up two outfield spots. Good future indeed!
  2. TexasGusCC May 19, 2013 at 12:08 pm
    Izzy, I’m with you on the Ankiel signing, but Byrd was signed in February to give them depth. They bring up Brown, he hardly plays. They get Lagares, he’s rotting on the bench. Valdespin is misbehaving and is not allowed to play. I think Alderson thinks he will trade Byrd, Ankiel, and some others by July 31st. But, for what?
    It’s hard to say that replacing the idiot who fills out the lineup card will change much, because in Alderson’s words: “Ankiel was cut by the Astros because they want to play their younger players more”. I guess the Mets don’t.
  3. Dan B May 19, 2013 at 4:45 pm
    I have to admit, I have never been as upset about Brown, Lagares, etc… sitting because I never saw them as anything but #5 outfielders. I know you can never be sure until they play for extended time, but I am still not convinced. However, I am also not convinced Alderson would trade Byrd or Ankiel if there was a market. If they were playing well, my guess is that the Mets would keep them for ticket sales just as they did with Hairston. I don’t agree with it, but then again bad owners make bad strategies.
    • TexasGusCC May 19, 2013 at 10:54 pm
      “…bad owners make bad strategies.”

      Amen, Dan. Alderson says that we’ll see the kids in the second half. Why then? Is he afraid on not making the playoffs? We should be seeing nothing but kids: Hoffman, Brown, Lagares, Valdespin, Satin, Lutz, Den Dekker, Duda, Davis, Neuweiheis, and Cowgill. Let them each play for an extended trial (about a month to a month and a half) and see what we have.

    • TexasGusCC May 19, 2013 at 10:57 pm
      Sorry, pressed submit too quickly. However, with owners that do not give the confidence to build properly for the future, you get a half job, and a manager that was hired as a favor to Koufax. Gimme a break!!!