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⚾ Rays Rising? Tampa Takes 3 of 4 in Breakthrough Stretch
By Javier Sánchez | ESPN.com | May 6, 2025
ST. PETERSBURG, FL / NEW YORK — For the first time all season, the Tampa Bay Rays are flashing signs of life. Winners of 3 of their last 4, the 11–22 Rays suddenly feel like a team refusing to drown in the early-season wreckage.
After taking 2 out of 3 from the upstart Royals, Tampa carried that momentum into Yankee Stadium, winning a rollercoaster 10-inning affair and nearly stealing the series from a 19–13 Yankees team with far more firepower on paper.
“It’s about fighting,” said Brandon Lowe after Tampa’s 10–2 series-capper against Kansas City. “People wrote us off three weeks ago. But there’s still fight in here.”
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🔹Game 30: Rays 10, Royals 2
Lowe Launches, Rasmussen Deals in Statement Win
The Rays put together one of their most complete performances of the year, torching Royals pitching for 12 hits while Drew Rasmussen turned in his best outing since Tommy John recovery:
8 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 5 K, 1 BB.
Brandon Lowe smashed a 3-run homer, finishing with 4 RBI, while Danny Jansen continued his shocking breakout season with a 3-for-4 night that pushed his average to .352. Rookie Coco Montes made his MLB debut at second base, going 0-3 but drawing a walk and scoring his first run.
> “Danny Jansen might be our MVP,” said manager Kevin Cash. “Seriously.”
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🔹Game 31: Rays 5, Yankees 3
Baz Battles, Bullpen Bends but Doesn’t Break
In what could’ve been a turning point game, Tampa leaned on a gritty 5-inning effort from Shane Baz (10 H, 3 ER, 7 K) and a lockdown 4-inning relief effort to beat Carlos Rodón in the Bronx.
Jose Caballero homered and drove in 2, while Jonathan Aranda and Richie Palacios combined for 4 hits and 4 runs created. Pete Fairbanks slammed the door for save No. 4.
Fun Stat: Aaron Judge went 0-for-4. That’s his second hitless game in five days vs Tampa.
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🔹Game 32: Rays 9, Yankees 8 (10 Innings)
Mayhem in the Bronx: Rays Erupt, Collapse, Then Win Again
After a 7-run first inning, it looked like Tampa would run Will Warren out of the stadium. But the Yankees clawed back with a flurry of bloops and wild pitches, eventually tying the game 8–8.
Taj Bradley was hit hard (3.1 IP, 6 ER), and the bullpen showed cracks. But Jose Caballero came through again in extras with a sac fly to score Yandy Díaz, who reached base three times. Kevin Kelly pitched a flawless 10th for the win.
Junior Caminero, just activated off the IL, made a pinch-hit cameo in the 10th but struck out — still shaking off the rust.
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🔹Game 33: Yankees 5, Rays 3
Caminero Returns, But Rays Can’t Finish Series Win
With a chance to complete a stunning sweep, Tampa fell behind early and couldn’t recover. Carlos Carrasco handcuffed the Rays for five innings, and Caminero, making his return to the starting lineup, went hitless in 3 ABs with a walk.
Aaron Judge got revenge for his Game 31 goose egg, smashing his 11th homer of the year off Englert.
Still, the series felt like a breakthrough for Tampa.
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📊 Series Highlights & Standings Context
Team Record: 11–22 (4th in AL East, 12 GB of Yankees)
Last 6 SP Outings: 39.2 IP, 2.27 ERA, 35 K — rotation heating up
Danny Jansen: .352 AVG, 17 RBI in 22 games
Caminero Return: 0-for-4 in first 2 games back
Caballero Breakout: 4 RBI in Yankees series
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🔥 Quote of the Week
> “We’re not where we wanna be. But this week? This is the team I believe in.”
— Kevin Cash after the extra-inning win in Game 32
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🧢 Around the Clubhouse
Tensions cooling: After rumored clubhouse drama earlier this month, veterans like Díaz and Lowe have rallied around the young core.
Is this a fluke week or a sign of resurgence? Stay tuned.
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2025 Houston Astros 09/09-09/11
Overall Record: 72-75 (3rd AL West/12.0 behind Texas Rangers/5.5 behind final WC Spot)
Game Results:
Game 1
Astros-5
Blue Jays-0
Game 2
Blue Jays-4
Astros-3
Game 3
Blue Jays-7
Astros-5
Pair of extra inning walk off homeruns stun Astros and put them closer to missing the post season.
It's not much at this stage but Houston came into Toronto on a two series win streak as they continue to try to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Coming off of series victories versus the Yankees and the Rangers, the Astros entered their series against Toronto with high hopes. Afterall, the Blue Jays have already been eliminated from playoff contention. And, after their 5-0 game one victory it would seem rather likely that they could get one of the next two to at least take their 3rd consecutive series.
Nope, of course with the Astros 'top" two starters taking the mound, they would both. But, really, it wasn't necessarily the Framber Valdez's and Hunter Brown's faults. Neither was great but they did leave their respective games with Houston having a chance to win it.
The at fault pitcher in both games would be the Astros highly paid closer, Josh Hader.
In game three, Hader entered the 10th inning after Houston scored one to take the lead in the top half of the inning. Then, surprisingly, Toronto brought in leftie, Nathan Lukes to face the LHP Hader. Hader's first pitch missed low then, Lukes took his second pitch, a 97 MPH fastball to the second deck in rightfield to give the Blue Jays the 4-3 victory.
It wasnt Hader in game four that gave up the winning homerun but he did blow yet another save in the 10th inning. The Astros had taken the lead in the top half of the inning on Pedro Leon's first major league homerun gave the Astros the 4-2 lead. Hader then proceeded to give a leadoff rbi single to Anthony Sander. That was followed by two strikeouts of Bo Bichette and Griffin Conine and it looked like Hader could pick up his 35th save of the season. Unfortunately, that was not to be as Will Wagner hit a two out double to score Matt Whatley who had pinch ran for Santander.
Eventually, the Astros would contribute to Griffin Conine's rookie of the year hopes when Luis Garcia conceded a opposite field homerun to him in the 12th inning that gave the Jays the 7-5 victory and 2-1 series win.
Houston will now head to Atlanta to end their road trip with three versus Atlanta (79-68) who currently hold the second NL Wildcard spot.
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The Amazins
Rockies Quiet Mets Lineup, Force Game 7
October 15, 2029
LHP Benny Lawrence and the rest of the Rockies staff was phenomenal tonight in New York. He led the way in stifling the Mets' bats, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits while striking out 7. The Mets staff was pretty good themselves allowing just 3 runs, but that's all the Rox would need to force a Game 7.
Colorado broke through against LHP Julio Fernandez in the 4th when 3B Tyler Nevin sent a line drive into the stands in left. It was his first HR of the postseason. The next inning, CF Marcus Wilson and RF Dan O'Neill strung 2 consecutive 2-out doubles together to push across another run and give the road warriors a 2-0 lead. That would be all the damage Fernandez would allow as he pitched well enough to put the Mets in position to win.
The home team would strike back in the 6th with a two-out rally of their own. SS Corey Seager would single and then be brought around to score thanks to a double by 3B Rafael Devers. C Luke Wray would single back up the middle to score Devers from second and tie the game at 2 a piece.
RHP Cesar Ferreira would enter in the 7th and give back the lead. CF Marcus Wilson would play hero again and would smack an RBI double down the left field line, giving the Rockies a 3-2 lead.
The Mets would threaten in the 8th. RF Alexis Quevedo came to bat with runners on 2nd and 3rd with two outs, but he would fly out harmlessly to right. In the 9th, 2B Jackie Maurer would work a leadoff walk, but the Mets were unable to capitalize as RHP Miguel Castro picked up the save.
New York is now turning to 26 year old rookie RHP Travis West. He was roughed up for 10 hits and 3 runs in 4 innings in his Game 3 start. The Mets won that game 11-4, but the bats have been next to silent since then. LHP Peter Babb will be throwing for Colorado.
Game 7 coming up next.Comment
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⚾ "Rock Bottom?" Rays Drop 9 Straight Despite Aranda's Mother's Day Heroics
By Javier Sánchez | ESPN.com | May 13, 2025
ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The Tampa Bay Rays are in freefall.
After a short-lived surge brought them within shouting distance of relevance, the Rays have plunged into a 9-game losing streak, falling to 12–28 and dead last in the American League. Clubhouse tension is mounting. Arms are falling apart. And now, the front office has begun making noise.
The latest gut punch came on Mother’s Day in front of a shell-shocked home crowd, where a Jonathan Aranda game-tying 9th inning homer was wasted in an 8-6 extra-inning collapse against Milwaukee — the second straight game blown by the bullpen."You try to give the fans something," said Aranda postgame. "We didn’t finish the job."
📉 From Kansas City High to Philadelphia Hell
Since completing a feel-good series win over the Royals and taking 2 of 3 in New York, Tampa has nosedived:- Swept in Philadelphia by a combined score of 22–4.
- Dropped the first two vs. Milwaukee, including two games blown by Garrett Cleavinger, who was demoted from his setup role following a pair of catastrophic outings.
- Pitching coach Kyle Snyder was fired after the team ERA ballooned to 5.00, now 29th in MLB.
- Kenny Levy, a velocity-focused coach known for unlocking strikeouts — and unlocking barrels — takes over.
The changes haven’t worked yet."There’s still belief here," manager Kevin Cash said. “But we’re burning through belief fast.”
🔍 Player Spotlight: Jonathan Aranda – Mother’s Day Hero in a Lost Season
In a featured "player lock" Sunday game, Aranda (.211 AVG) stepped up with:- RBI single in the 1st
- Walk in the 3rd
- Nearly a 2-RBI grounder in the 4th
- Game-tying oppo HR in the 9th off flame-thrower Abner Uribe
Despite his heroics, the bullpen — Peter Fairbanks (0.1 IP, 3 ER) and Manuel Rodríguez (0.2 IP, 3 ER) — unraveled once more, ruining Zach Littell’s 8-inning gem (2 ER, 4 K).
📊 Rays By the Numbers – Through 40 Games
It’s not pretty. Only Caballero, Diaz, and Palacios have shown consistency, while Josh Lowe has cratered (.162/.244/.216, 11 K in 37 AB).AVG .244 22nd Runs 152 20th HR 45 17th ERA 5.00 29th Hits Allowed 382 29th HR Allowed 58 28th
👀 Scouting Report: Draft Season Heats Up
Despite the chaos at the MLB level, the Rays’ scouting team continues to rack up evaluations: ✔️ Fully Scouted- Emery Street (Georgia, SP) – Balanced, low-90s fastball, elite K upside. Slight control risk. Strong candidate at pick #14.
- Pedro Ramirez (Panama, SP) – Great control, two plus breaking balls. A top international target, but homer-prone.
- JJ Wells (CA, SP) – 18-year-old fireballer with a volatile floor/ceiling. May slide to pick #36.
- Alex Hernandez (Oregon HS, CF) – 6'1", 215 lbs, elite contact vs LHP and high offensive ceiling. Defense unknown. Ranks #14 on both MLB and Rays boards.
Savannah Locke will continue to track international pitchers while the scouting team narrows top-50 targets.
🔮 Looking Ahead: The Hope Schedule?
With upcoming series at Toronto (18–23), at Miami (13–28), and home vs Houston (20–20), this is a critical 9-game stretch. It’s possible Tampa could go 6–3 and crawl back toward respectability — or fall into double-digit games back before Memorial Day.
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🎲 Auto-roll result: 5
Scenario Triggered: Boost from the Booth — Analyst Turned Advisor
⚾️ "Carlos Peña Joins Rays as Special Hitting Advisor"
— ESPN Tampa Bay Exclusive
With the Rays plummeting to a 12–28 record and the offense stuck in neutral, the front office is turning to a familiar face to re-ignite the lineup — fan favorite and former All-Star Carlos Peña.
Announced Monday morning, Peña will join the team as a special hitting advisor, working alongside the coaching staff during the current road trip and making visits throughout the summer. The move comes after growing pressure from ownership to spark development and restore confidence in Tampa Bay’s struggling bats.“This team has the talent — they just need to feel dangerous again,” Peña said in his return presser. “I’m here to unlock that.”
Sources say Peña has been particularly interested in working with Jonathan Aranda, Junior Caminero, and Jose Caballero, who each display raw power but struggle with swing consistency and pitch selection.
🔄 Gameplay Consequences- Jonathan Aranda gains +5 Discipline, +4 Contact vs RHP, and a morale bump. He’s now seen as a project Peña wants to help break out fully.
- Junior Caminero receives a +5 Potential Boost — development curve accelerated as Peña works with him in BP and film study.
- Jose Caballero gains +3 Power vs LHP, reflecting mechanical tweaks Peña introduced in cage work.
🧃 Clubhouse Impact
The move is well-received by veterans like Yandy Diaz and Richie Palacios, who welcome Peña’s positive energy and old-school grit. The clubhouse gets a short-term chemistry bump, and fans react with a surge of excitement, especially on social media.
The Rays are still deep in the AL East basement, but this is the first true sign of a strategic turnaround — not a panic move, but one aimed at development over desperation.
Next Up:- Rays begin a road swing vs the Blue Jays, Marlins, and then return home to face the Astros before a May 22 rest day.
- Will Peña’s influence help them climb out of the early season cellar?
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June 11, 2025
Angels (29-38)Angels in Free Fall: Offense Goes Quiet as Losses Pile Up
With a record of 29-38, the Halos have now dropped 7 of their last 9 games, including a five-game losing streak that has them buried in the AL West cellar. The latest blow? Losing two of three to the fourth-place Oakland Athletics (36-34), who now sit 7.5 games ahead of Los Angeles.
While the pitching has kept things manageable most games have remained within reach, the offense continues to falter. Over the nine-game slump, the Angels have scored four or more runs just three times. In the series against Oakland, they stranded 23 runners on base, including blowing a golden opportunity with the bases loaded and one out in the series finale.
The numbers paint a grim picture. L.A. ranks 27th in Major League Baseball with just 234 RBIs on the season. Only two players Luis Rengifo (.328) and Zach Neto (.304) are hitting over .300 with runners in scoring position.
Home run production hasn’t been able to mask the lack of clutch hitting either. The Angels have hit 79 home runs, which ranks 19th in the league. Jorge Soler leads the team with 12, followed by Jo Adell with 11. For comparison, the San Diego Padres lead MLB with 104 long balls, while their crosstown rivals, the Dodgers, have launched 97.
With July fast approaching and the trade deadline looming, speculation is already swirling around the Angels possibly becoming sellers. Taylor Ward, off to a sluggish start (.245/.302/.371), might not generate much interest, but Soler could be a valuable bat for a contender seeking power.
TIme is running out for the Angels to course correct. A hot streak could put them back in the Wild Card conversation—but if the offense continues to sputter, it may be time to start looking toward 2026.
Crazier things have happened, but the clock is ticking in Anaheim.
Mike Trout tries to turn back time with this solo HR, but it's not enough as The Athletics win 5-3
Last edited by Bgrd1080; 07-01-2025, 02:31 AM.Sacramento Kings San Diego Padres Dallas Cowboys Liverpool FC
Sactown Born, LA Living. Music in my ears, soccer ball at my feet.
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I would not expect that it's the pitching that keeps the Angels in the running while the offense struggles, shouldn't that be the other way around?! Tough.
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The Amazins
The Rockies Complete Comeback, Earn World Series Berth
October 16, 2029
The Mets collapse is official. 40,000 New Yorkers filed out of Citi Field in stunned silence as the visiting Rockies celebrated in the infield after they completed one of the most improbable comebacks in MLB history. Down 3-0, they stormed back and won 4 straight to earn their first World Series berth in over 20 years. Their last appearance being in 2007 when they were swept by the Red Sox.
Game 7 started with a bang when 2B Jackie Maurer took a LHP Peter Babb fastball into the second deck in left field for a 2-0 lead in the 2nd inning. Citi Field was rocking as it looked like the Mets future star had "arrived." The next half inning is where disaster struck and things took a turn for the worse. With 2 outs in the top of the third, RHP Travis West lost the strike zone. He walked three consecutive batters, and that's when the Rockies threw their haymaker. 1B Greg Uribe turned around a 98mph fastball for a grand slam and a 4-2 lead. The Rockies would never look back.
West would give up another HR in the 4th before his day was over, and the Rockies would add 3 more in the 7th. The Mets last gasp came in the bottom of the 7th when they had runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. However, they could not produce a run. CF Nick Craven came up empty once again in these playoffs, and struck out to end the inning. 8-2 would be your final.
The Mets seemed poised for a 4th straight World Series appearance, but a lack of offense and injuries to the pitching staff led to their downfall. Being in the position they were in (up 3-0) and then going out with a whimper is going to sit poorly with the fanbase as well as management. It will be interesting to see their approach to the offseason.
There will be a lot to unpack in the following days as the dust settles. For now, congratulations to the Colorado Rockies! They will be facing the Chicago White Sox in the World Series. The White Sox most recently appeared in the Fall Classic in 2027, when they defeated the New York Mets in 6 games.
Stay tuned for a postseason recap as well as a debrief on what the heck just happened in Flushing.Last edited by jmcole33; 07-01-2025, 03:53 PM.Comment
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I have a real bad habit of leaving my starters for a few pitches too many because I hate Detmers SLOW windup and my other relievers aren't trustworthy minus my setup guys and closer.
Im also forcing the issue with Trout and lose my "let the pitch come to you" mentality anytime I string a few hits together.Sacramento Kings San Diego Padres Dallas Cowboys Liverpool FC
Sactown Born, LA Living. Music in my ears, soccer ball at my feet.
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Texas Rangers Season 3 MOM update
The Texas Rangers are 57-87 and are now a magic number of 5 from being officially eliminated. This terrible season can be almost solely blamed on the lack of offense. From the injury to Seagar to the 205 hitting Kyle Tucker. 230 2 hr hitting Langford. So basically my 3 best players were either hurt or terribly underperformed. Im happy with my starting pitching. Matt Manning and Cody Bradford have both been outstanding. As we approach the end of the season we are looking at almost a total rebuild offensively. Aside from Seagar and Tucker, who knows what else we will have. My next update will be at the conclusion of the upcoming postseason. One thing I'm keeping an eye on is if for the 1st time in baseball history we see a under 500 team win a division. Currently Houston is 3 games under and has a half game lead over the Mariners.Comment
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Cardinals add Mike Schildt to coaching staff
The Cardinals have added former manager Mike Schildt to the coaching staff. Schildt will be the teams new 1st base coach after Dennis Martinez retired. Schildt who managed the Cards for 4 seasons before being let go, was just recently let go by the Padres after yet another season of missing the playoffs.
I can't shave with my eyes closed, meaning each day I have to look at myself in the mirror and respect who I see.
I miss the old days of Operation Sports :(
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The Amazins
World Series Champions - Colorado Rockies
October 25, 2029
The Colorado Rockies defeated the Chicago White Sox in a 4 game sweep to win the 2029 World Series Championship. Game 1 was won 5-4 in the 12th inning, and their magical ride this postseason kept on rolling through the next 3 games. It is the first World Series Championship in franchise history.
The Rockies had 97 wins during the regular season, good for second in the NL behind the New York Mets. They took care of the St Louis Cardinals in a 3-game sweep in the NLDS. Then came their historic comeback against the Mets. They rallied from down 3-0 to win 4 straight and claim the NL pennant. They then took care of the Chi Sox in 4 games by scores of 5-4, 7-5, 7-6, and 4-0. Games 1 and 3 needed extras to be decided.
1B Greg Uribe was your World Series MVP. He has two years of team control left and will be a big piece in the Rockies title defense in 2030.
Congratulations again to the Colorado Rockies!Comment
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The Amazins
Postseason Debrief
October 25, 2029
Before we get to the offseason and start looking towards 2030, I thought it would be valuable to debrief this postseason with some general thoughts.
First, postseason statistics:
Lineup
CF Nick Craven - .200/.273/.340 with 2 HR, 39 SB, and 3 RBI in 50 AB
SS Corey Seager - .375/.444/.521 with 0 HR and 4 RBI in 48 AB
2B Jackie Maurer - .286/.457/.486 with 2 HR and 4 RBI in 35 AB
3B Rafael Devers - .224/.269/.367 with 1 HR and 10 RBI in 49 AB
C Luke Wray - .200/.308/.267 with 0 HR and 4 RBI in 45 AB
LF Michael Conforto - .286/.310/.571 with 1 HR and 6 RBI in 28 AB
1B Ray Velazquez - .216/.333/.324 with 1 HR and 6 RBI in 37 AB
RF Nick Karnitz - .143/.217/.190 with 0 HR and 1 RBI in 21 AB
Bench
OF Albert Almora - .382/.432/.794 with 4 HR and 10 RBI in 34 AB
OF Henry Armas - .333/.333/.500 with 0 HR and 0 RBI in 6 AB
OF Alexis Quevedo - .250/.348/.300 with 0 HR and 0 RBI in 20 AB
IF Barney Nowak - .286/.375/.714 with 1 HR and 3 RBI in 7 AB
C Roosevelt Fox - .400/.400/.400 with 1 RBI in 5 AB
Rotation
RHP Anderson Espinoza - 3.31 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 17 K in 16.1 IP
LHP Sean Machado - 2.76 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 6 K in 13 IP
LHP Julio Fernandez - 2.08 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 2 K in 13 IP
RHP Travis West - 5.79 ERA, 1.93 WHIP, 5 K in 14 IP
RHP Luis Severino - 3.68 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 5 K in 7.1 IP
LHP Jeremy Pacheco - 27.00 ERA, 4.00 WHIP, 2 K in 2 IP
Bullpen
LHP Howard Sanchez - 4.15 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 1 K in 4.1 IP
RHP Jermaine Butler - 2.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 4 K in 4 IP
RHP Barney Shipman - 4.15 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 8 K in 4.1 IP
LHP Ramon Chavez - 0.00 ERA, 0.27 WHIP, 2 K in 3.2 IP
RHP Otis Morgan - 2.25 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 3 K in 4 IP
LHP Donald Beals - 2.16 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 5 K in 8.1 IP
RHP Cesar Ferreira - 1.59 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 6 K in 5.2 IP
RHP Steve Roy - 3.60 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 9 K in 5 IP
What immediately jumps out is the fact that it was a pretty underwhelming postseason for much of the lineup, especially for the big sticks you're expecting to do most of the damage. Craven, Devers, and Wray were non-factors for most of October. It's going to be hard to make a serious run when 3 of your top 4 hitters aren't producing at the level they are expected to. Devers did have 10 RBI but half of those came in the 11-4 Game 3 victory in Colorado. Most of the disappointment lies with Craven. He looks poised to be the face of the franchise moving forward, and the Mets have discussed extending him this offseason, but he was not productive in several key moments over the last couple weeks.
The other big factor at play here was the injuries, namely to 2B Steven Logan and the pitching staff. Logan's big power bat was missed sorely throughout these playoffs with the Mets offense sputtering. On the pitching side, Julio Fernandez came back right before the playoffs started and he was great during the postseason. However, RHP Michael Whitehead suffered a setback and was never available, and then Sean Machado was lost to a concussion after Game 1 of the NLCS. The Mets were forced to turn to two rookies in the final 4 games of the NLCS, and while Jeremy Pacheco and Travis West both had pretty good regular seasons, it's a lot to lean on two youngsters in those high leverage situations. West struggled in two of his three starts and Pacheco looked overwhelmed in Game 4. Hopefully, they can build on these experiences as they move forward in their careers.
Perhaps the biggest positive of these playoffs was the play of Jackie Maurer. He established that the lights are indeed not too bright, and that he should be expected to do big things as we move into next year and beyond. After struggling a bit in the NLDS, he was red hot in the NLCS. He had almost as many walks as strikeouts in the playoffs (11 v 13), and he provided the lone offense in the Game 7 loss - a 2-run bomb to left. His plate discipline, bat to ball skills, and pop make him a prime candidate for the top of the order moving forward.
All in all, 104 wins and one game away from another NL Pennant is a place almost every franchise in the sport wishes they were. But here in Queens, it feels like this Mets team came up short. Unfortunately, there's nothing left to do except to move on.
The offseason is right around the corner.Comment
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