“Wanna watch the Mets play the Angels?”
“What’s gonna be in it?”
“Mike Trout.”
“Didn’t he used to be great?”
“A great is a great. Wanna watch?”
“What else is gonna be in it?”
“Travis d’Arnaud.”
“Doesn’t he always kill us?”
“Not necessarily. Wanna watch?”
“What else is gonna be in it?”
“A bullpen game.”
“One of those things with no starters? Don’t those suck?”
“They can, but sometimes they’re OK if there’s a real starter on the right side. Wanna watch?”
“What else is gonna be in it?”
“Balls being called strikes at a critical juncture.”
“Isn’t that terrible umpiring?”
“Probably, but perspective matters here. Wanna watch?”
“What else is gonna be in it?”
“A leadoff homer.”
“Won’t the Mets be behind if there’s a leadoff homer?”
“There are leadoff homers and then there are homers that lead off the home team’s first inning, hint, hint. Wanna watch?”
“What else is gonna be in it?”
“Francisco Lindor.”
“The guy who hasn’t had a base hit in ages?”
“Slumps end, hint, hint, hint. Wanna watch?”
“What else is gonna be in it?”
“Pete Alonso.”
“The slugger who hasn’t hit a home run in ages?”
“Like I said, slumps END, sometimes resoundingly. Wanna watch?
“Gee, I dunno. Can you promise me I’ll be happy if I do?”
“I can promise you you’ll be sorry if you don’t.”
“OK, let’s watch.”
“Too late. You missed it because you asked too many questions.”
“What happened?”
“Read between the lines.”
“What does that mean?”
“Again, with the questions.”
“Balls being called strikes at a critical juncture.”
“Isn’t that terrible umpiring?”
“Probably, but perspective matters here.”
You got that right. If I’m an Angels fan I’d be hot. Not that he was all that great all game – twice Brazoban thought he’d ended an inning with a SO and ended up with a walk. But that Rengifo AB was special.
Lots of good signs – Lindor, Alonzo, Manaea. But one game does not make a trend. Good to see though.
If you’re an opposing pitcher, you have to be a little nervous about facing a hitter with a record like Lindor’s, who’s currently 0-31. That’s a dangerous hitter. Hope he continues, the Mets need him.
I’m betting that the call-challenging gizmo that Diaz debuted at the All Star Game is going to be made official in ‘26. The only thing better would be an actual robot ump or an ump cam behind the plate. Balls and strikes are measurable, and if we have the technology to get the measurements perfect, why not use it?
Not that I’m complaining. The Mets won.
Travis used to kill us a bit, but he’s no Daniel Murphy and never was. That said, his departure was also a gift from the former ownership. It’s unfortunate, because he came in the RA Dickey trade and was once our catcher of the future.
Travis has put up pretty much the same kind of numbers since leaving as he did for us. Except for when he’s playing us, that is. I always get nervous about someone pulling a Murphy or Justin Turner after leaving but it didn’t happen with him – the other recent guy I was afraid of was Wilmer.
Still, one of the better catchers in the league offensively. The short leash coming back from a major injury where we let him go was ridiculous. But I guess Ramos was The Answer.
Uh-oh….
The announcers are bored.
So glad Darling is not there. He sucks.
A few days ago, Keith had to tell the two clowns that it was a 1-run game.