September 22, 2013 Mets 2013 Games Joe Janish

Mets Game 154: Win Over Phillies

Mets 5 Phillies 4

Just think, if the season wasn’t expanded from 154 to 162 games, the Mets would be done for the year today, finishing on a high note, and owning a protected pick in next year’s amateur draft.

Oh, and that makes two wins in a row for the amazins’ … you know what they call three?

Mets Game Notes

Do you think the Mets were lucky that rain stopped the game? Precipitation came at just the time the Phillies started to get themselves into gear, sparked by the notorious “third time through the lineup” against Dillon Gee. Would the Mets bullpen been able to hold the fort through the final three frames? Even if they couldn’t, I’m not so sure the Phillies would’ve been able to shut down this suddenly powerful Mets offense. Had it not been for the rain, it could’ve been an exciting barn-burner for the final few frames.

Coulda, woulda, shoulda. It’s in the books as a win for the Mets, their 70th of the year. I have to say I’m somewhat surprised they won 70 games in 2013; I had them pegged for between 66-69.

Oh, and that 70th victory raises them to tenth-worst in all of MLB. If they beat the Phillies again on Sunday, the two teams will be tied for tenth-worst with identical 71-84 records — though, the Toronto Blue Jays are also threatening to bust in to the bottom ten with their 71-83 record.

Considering the standings, and what’s at stake, is there just a little piece of you wondering if a team, or teams, might be motivated to do one thing or another to give themselves less of a chance to win the last eight games of the year? You know, like, rest a star player, start a rookie on the mound, or “test” a youngster in a tough situation late in the game? Hmmmm ….

Cesar Hernandez is clearly not a center fielder. Though I’m sure the Phillies keep sticking him there because they have no one else — not because they want to lose. Similarly, Tyler Cloyd, Joe Savery, and Ethan Martin are getting the ball because a) the Phillies are short on arms; and b) they need to see what they have with these guys.

Next Mets Game

The final game of the series begins at 1:35 PM on Sunday afternoon. Carlos Torres takes the hill against Cliff Lee.

Mets Item of the Day

There is still about a month or so of tee times here in the northeast, so how about getting a New York Mets Divot Tool and Ball Markers? Only $17.79 and includes free shipping. Follow the link or click the image below.

Izzy September 22, 2013 at 12:03 pm

Ben Revere is their centerfielder. He’s been out a long long time. Phillies suffering from that old old GM mistake of not shredding the team soon enough. Happened lots of times before, like to the great Cashen after 88 and probably to today’s Yankees, altho I don’t know if the problem is the GM or ownership.. I don’t think Cashman wanted to give AROD the last deal, but who knows. Hopefully, the Phillies and their horrid fan base will suck for years to come.
- crozier September 22, 2013 at 12:16 pm
  
  “AROD”? Is his name an acronym now?
  
  Albatross Ruined Our Dynasty?
  - Izzy September 22, 2013 at 7:35 pm
    
    Not only is his nickname an acronym maybe Janish will have a contest to see who best names it. You are off to an excellent start.
    - argonbunnies September 22, 2013 at 8:53 pm
      
      Oh man, that’s tough to top. Nice, crozier. Here’s all I could come up with:
      
      Another Rule-breaker On Drugs
      Apparent ‘Roid Over-Dose
      Angry Rejected Obsolete Distraction
      A Reflection Of Despair
    - crozier September 22, 2013 at 9:26 pm
      
      Shoot. I surrender, argon. You’re all over this one.
    - Joe Janish September 23, 2013 at 10:50 am
      
      So much for holding a contest. Not much point now.
- Joe Janish September 22, 2013 at 12:21 pm
  
  Yes, well aware of Revere and his injury. The Hernandez experiment, however, has run its course. I guess the Mets aren’t the only organization lacking outfield prospects.
  - Izzy September 22, 2013 at 7:33 pm
    
    I bet most Met fans don’t know the Phillies think they have a centerfielder, but I think your last sentence is correct. The Phillies also don’t have a catcher, first baseman third baseman right fielder, and a lot of pitchers. But here in PA listening to Tom ex Met announcer McCarthy you would think just as Met fans listening to Gary Cohen hear, the team is just a spring training away. And they are right, come late March they are tied for first.
    - Joe Janish September 23, 2013 at 10:56 am
      
      Is Ryan Howard not returning in 2014?
      
      Well, the Phillies and Mets will both have a good shot at the NL East title in 2014 if the Braves and Nationals team buses collide during spring training.