The State of WKU Football

Before I talk about WKU, I'd like to tell you a little about myself so you can understand where I'm coming from: 

I was born in upstate NY. 

I have been a NY sports fan since the day I was born (Mets, Jets, Rangers, Knicks).

I know my teams aren't too hot, but they have some damn loyal fan-bases.

I moved to Alabama when I was 5 and my family was forced to choose a team: Alabama or Auburn?

We were also forced to choose a BBQ place: Dreamland, duh.

We chose Bama because Joe Namath (ex-Jets QB) went there ( I am not a fair-weather fan... Bama sucked when I lived there...).

I have been loyal to them ever since (except when they play my Toppers!) even after moving to Georgia.

Both my sister's went to Georgia Southern University, a college with an extremely rich football tradition. That's where I learned any school can have a great atmosphere.

GSU is 0-7 this year and I can just about guarantee that their attendance numbers better ours...

I digress, back to WKU:

 

Today I overheard a statement that really rubbed me the wrong way; I feel like I need to address it. Someone said something along the lines of "I won't come to a game until Sanford gives me a reason to and they start winning." UM WHAT?! Yes, you read that right... this person won't come to games until the 5 and 3 team starts winning. Last time I checked, 5 wins meant the team is winning...

Now before I continue let me just say I understand what this person means. The 2017 Hilltoppers don't have the glitz and the glamour that the 2016 team had. The games haven't been pretty at times, but they haven't been so bad that you shouldn't come out and support the team. It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that overall the program has take a slight (very slight in my opinion) step backwards. This is, for the most part, due to the departure of Jeff Brohm and the arrival of a very young Mike Sanford. Anytime a new coach comes in, there is going to be some growing pains.

I believe Mike Sanford has done a very respectable job replacing Brohm. With 5 wins and 3 losses, Sanford has matched Brohm's record to this point in 2016. Now two of the three losses in 2016 were to SEC teams but it is also worth noting that the 2016 Hilltoppers barely squeaked out a win against MTSU and could have easily started the season 4-4.  Also, with the exception of a few games during Brohm's tenure, most games were shootouts where our offense had to outscore our defense. Let's be frank, the defense sucked under Brohm. Brohm's offense obviously made up for this but that is a dangerous way to live in the long run. I have always believed in the phrase "defense wins championships" (see Alabama). Yes, Brohm won two C-USA championships but that shouldn't be the only goal for WKU's program. We should be aiming for a New Year's Six Bowl berth and win. To accomplish that goal, this team needs to play some defense.

Under Mike Sanford, the defense has definitely improved, especially in the secondary. The run defense needs some work, but that will take time through recruiting. In the trenches, on both sides of the ball, the players are relatively young and inexperienced.  Sanford and company did a good job recruiting in the limited amount of time they could for the 2017 season, but not every hole could be filled.This is most prevalent on the offensive line. The offense has taken a step back this year and in my opinion the offensive line is to blame. This team hasn't been able to establish the run all season and pass protection has been sub-par.

Bottom line, Sanford has done a good job with this team so far in his first year as head coach. At 5-3, there really isn't much to piss and moan about with all things considered. Again, I get that the wins haven't always been pretty and some of the losses have been rough. Sanford has and will make mistakes, but he and the program will learn and grow throughout the season. But for a first year head coach Mike Sanford has gotten my stamp of approval.

You may disagree and that's fine... you're entitled to you're opinion, BUT I do disagree with not showing up to games when the team is over .500 and has a QB with a possible NFL future. The school spirit at this university is down right pitiful... It is a privilege to go to a Division-I school that lets you go to sporting events for FREE. The least you can do is show up! I mean, what else do you have going on? Watching UK (a school you do not attend)?

If that's the case then hear me out: I am a diehard Bama fan. I never like missing a game, but I'd still rather attend a WKU game than watch Bama play on TV. I also attended the WKU vs Alabama game last year and was decked out in Tops gear and cheered for my beloved Tops the entire time... Call me old school, but I like to create memories and attending games with my friends makes for a much better memory than sitting in front of a TV. (And no offense but Bama has a lot more to play for each week than Kentucky...)

And one more thing: A tailgate isn't an excuse to get black-out drunk but rather an opportunity to hang out, have some brewskis, and get ready to watch the Tops kick some ass. So if you can't control yourself enough to make it to the game and stay past halftime, then I'd rather you not show up. The game is four quarters long, not two. As Saban said at Alabama, if you expect the players to play the full 60 minutes, then it shouldn't be a problem for the fans to stay for the full 60 minutes.

The games are a lot more fun when the stadium is packed and the students are going crazy. When a close game enters the fourth quarter, the intensity should increase... Unfortunately that doesn't happen here and believe it or not, it affects the players. I honestly believe the result of this years La Tech game would have been much different if fans stayed until the end and made some much needed noise.

If this post offends you, then you're part of the problem here at WKU. I love this school and I love this team, so I am here to defend them and defend them I will. You attend WKU, a school with a successful football program, take advantage of it. Show up, wear red, go crazy!

GO TOPS!

Here We Go... LGM

In less than 24 hours from now the NY Mets will take the field against the SF Giants in a single game battle for the chance to take on the Cubs in the NLDS. I. AM. HYPE.

 

I am currently sitting here watching the AL Wild Card game and it has reminded me how different a postseason game is compared to a regular season game. Every single pitch is important. Every single swing is with a purpose. Every single play puts you on the edge of your seat. Last year when the Mets were in the Postseason I remember watching the games generally alone in my dorm room. Only a brave few souls would check up on me every once in a while to make sure I was doing ok. In general, I was doing pretty well last year due to the successful run the Mets had to the World Series (sweeping the Cubs is pretty dang enjoyable)! But I'll admit there were times when I lost my cool... *cough* Chase Utley's slide *cough* Also, Duda's bad throw home made me get up and take a walk around campus because I knew the Mets magical run had ended.Those moments left me feeling like this...

 

So by now you probably think I'm crazy to let a silly sports team determine my emotions. To be honest I'm not that bad, well compared to other die-hard fans. I may get heated in the moment but typically within a few minutes I'm able to get my emotions in check. I mean it's only a game, mere entertainment, that I don't have any control over. So why do I get emotional in the first place? Because I have become attached to this team. The Mets may be just be another baseball team to you, but to me they're almost like family. I can hear you laughing right now... How cliche, right? Ok yes I know it sounds silly, but following the Mets brings me joy. Even when they stink, I find joy in sitting down and watching my favorite players play my favorite sport.

 

Sports in general can be a good escape from reality. When I turn on a Mets game all of my worries, issues, and problems just fade away. They can wait until after the game. Also, sports have a unique way of healing, whether on a personal level or on a national level. For example, Mike Piazza's HR against the Braves in the first professional ball game played in NY after the 9/11 attacks. This homer gave the Mets the lead (eventually the win) and also signified the beginning of the healing process for NYC.

Another reason I love baseball and the Mets? Well this exchange from the movie Fever Pitch sums things up pretty perfectly: 

Troy: Why do we inflict this on ourselves?

Ben: Why? I'll tell you why, 'cause the Red Sox never let you down.

Troy: Huh?

Ben: That's right. I mean - why? Because they haven't won a World Series in a century or so? So what? They're here. Every April, they're here. At 1:05 or at 7:05, there is a game. And if it gets rained out, guess what? They make it up to you. Does anyone else in your life do that? The Red Sox don't get divorced. This is a real family. This is the family that's here for you.

If you don't know what Fever Pitch is about, basically its about a die-hard Red Sox fan who falls in love with a girl who is clueless about baseball. This movie perfectly shows what a true die hard fan is like and how they reason their love for their team. My favorite scene from the movie? Definitely this one...

So after reading this post you probably think I'm crazy, and yeah I kind of am. But that's ok! The Mets make me happy so I'm going to continue to obsess over them! A little craziness never hurt nobody. 

LET'S GO METS! WE CAME TO REIGN! BEAT THE GIANTS! HAPPY THORSDAY!

Trust The Process

As many of you may know, I'm a huge Alabama Crimson Tide fan. Yes, I know its random but I lived in Birmingham, Alabama for 3 years and when you live in Bama, you have to choose Alabama or Auburn. My family and I, thankfully, chose Bama. Roll Tide.

That is not the point of this post though. Surprisingly, this post isn't even technically about sports, but rather lessons I have learned from playing sports and watching teams like Alabama. Nick Saban, Alabama's head coach and arguably the greatest coach in college football history says it best- Trust The Process. What is the process? It depends on what you are trying to accomplish. It is the steps you must be willing to take in order to get the result that you want. One of Nick Saban's greatest quotes reads "Know what you want to accomplish and focus on the process rather than the outcome." At the end of the day, the outcome doesn't matter as long as you gave it your all trying to reach the desired outcome.

Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide are a perfect example of this. Just google videos of Alabama's practices and you'll understand what I'm talking about. That team doesn't waste any time in trying to be champions. They may not win the championship every year but there is no way anyone can say it was due to a lack of effort. Nick Saban embraces the process necessary to becoming a champion and gets his players to buy into the process as well.

So next time you sit down and think about any goals you want to accomplish, also think about what you need to do to reach those goals. Too often we forget this step. We much rather just look at the goal and assume we will eventually reach it. Let's say you want to do well in a certain class, well how can you accomplish this? The first step is to typically try to do well on the tests. And how are you going to do this? Study! Obviously that is a simple goal that has a direct path to accomplishing it. A more complicated example would be setting a goal like trying to lose ten pounds. There isn't a set way to go about losing the weight. Some may try to eat healthier, others may try exercise, and the others will try a combination of the two. After choosing a method in which to shed the weight, one must stop focusing on the goal, but rather embrace the process. Enjoy the sweat that comes from the workout, enjoy the satisfaction of making a healthy choice in foods, and know that the struggle is worth it in the end. You can't just set a goal to lose weight and give just a little effort and get the result you desire. Life, and nothing in life, works that way.

Another great quote from Nick Saban is "Success doesn't come from pie-in-the-sky thinking. It's the result of consciously doing something each day that will add to your overall excellence." I love this quote and tend to think about it when people here at college say "I want to drop out and just go home." Yeah I realize this is just a joke most of the time but to those of you who are serious I must ask will going home make you a better person? College is a time in which we should be pushing ourselves and trying to improve each and every day. I like to relate this quote to building a resume. Whenever you do something that sets you apart from others, you are adding to your overall excellence i.e. you can put it on your resume!

 The last quote I would like to talk about is "There are three things we can't have. We can't have complacency, we can't have selfishness, and we can't lose our accountability." This quote is more applicable in a group setting, but it can be applied on an individual level as well especially when talking about complacency. We as humans are far from perfect, and so we should be trying to improve ourselves each and every day. Too often we become complacent and say things like "well that's just who I am" or "that's just how I'm wired." Those kinds of sayings really get on my nerves  because it is a sign of complacency (although I admit I have said such things). I truly believe that everyone is capable of change, but people fall short because they don't embrace the process. People often give up when the going gets tough. These people need to understand that nothing in life is given and that everyone has to put in the work to get to where they want to be.

Selfishness and accountability are more of an issue with groups and teams, but they can also be talked about on an individual level. For example, surrounding yourself with unselfish people who will hold you accountable is one of the most important keys to success. DON'T surround yourself with negative people because soon you'll find yourself being negative as well. Negativity distracts you from the goal at hand. On the other hand, a positive attitude keeps you focused. Ok sure it's only natural to be negative from time to time, but the key is to have a short memory. Look at the reason why you're negative, learn a lesson from it, then move on. Don't dwell on the thing that is giving you negative thoughts. It is certainly easier said than done, but work on it and it will get easier with time (TRUST THE PROCESS).

So yeah, those are some lessons I've learned from playing and watching sports. That's not to say that I am perfect and follow all these guidelines and suggestions perfectly because I don't. I am working on it though. It is a daily grind that I am in trying to better myself. Too often in today's world we search for the quick solution- I am guilty of that. But starting today I am going to trust and embrace the process in many aspects of my life. Forget the outcome... Focus on the process... Accomplish your goals.

Roll Tide!

Another Amazin' Year

Welp, it's that time of year again! The weather is cooling down, the days are getting shorter, and the MLB Postseason is about to begin. This year is extra special because the Metropolitans of New York are in the Postseason for the second consecutive year, only the second time in Met's history they've made back to back playoff appearances. After winning the NL East last year, the 2016 team snuck into the postseason by clinching the top Wild Card spot on the second to last day of the season. They will play the San Fransisco Giants in a 1 game series to decide who advances to take on the Chicago Cubs in the NLDS.

Now some of you may be saying "oh so they got lucky and barely made it into the playoffs... yawn!" Well to you people I must respond with "you hate us 'cause you ain't us." No, I'm not trying to say that this team is better than what their record shows (87-75), but what I am saying is that I am damn proud to support this team that had to overcome a ton of adversity to get the opportunity they now have. Not many teams in the MLB could overcome the massive amounts of injuries to some of the biggest stars in the league and still be able to make the playoffs. Still not impressed? Well then keep reading, if you know baseball, you'll understand why this season was Amazin'.

The 2016 NY Mets began the season expecting to compete with the Washington Nationals once again for the top spot in the NL East. For the first month, they did exactly that going 15-7 in the month of April. They were getting great pitching performances every day, Neil Walker was crushing the ball, and Michael Conforto was raking as well. Unfortunately, the success tailed off May. They went 14-15 in May. They weren't playing terrible baseball but the biggest issue seemed to be Matt Harvey. Harvey was clearly not himself as he struggled just about every time he took the mound. Then June rolled around and bang! Both David Wright and Matt Harvey were placed on the disabled list with serious injuries. Wright had a herniated disk in his neck while Matt Harvey had thoracic outlet syndrome, both needed season ending surgery.

July started off nice as the team won 6 of 7 to start the month, but the success did not continue. It wouldn't be until August 13 and 14 when the Mets would again win back to back games... This period of futility would be defined by poor offense, tiring pitchers, and of course- injuries. The two biggest injuries were to Yoenis Cespedes and Asdrubal Cabrera. Both attempted to play through their injuries but eventually needed to be placed on the DL. The offense clearly missed these two veterans.

August 19th was probably the low point of the season. The Mets had just lost their second consecutive game to the SF Giants and were 60-62 on the season- their worst win percentage since early April. The team looked ready to call it a season as not even the acquisition of slugger Jay Bruce could turn the offense around. I thought the season was over. Man was I wrong... The Amazin's would go on to win 9 of their next 11 to close out August. This all despite losing both Jacob deGrom, Steven Matz, and Neil Walker to season ending injuries!

So the Met's highly touted, young starting rotation was left standing with two original pieces- the young gun Noah Syndergaard and the 43 year old stud Bartolo Colon (go figure). There is no way they could keep up the success.

Again I was wrong... The Mets would just go 13-9 the rest of the way to clinch a playoff spot. How? I'm still not really sure. It was a team effort. Rookie starters Robert Gsellman, Seth Lugo, and Gabriel Ynoa pitched like veterans down the stretch. Asdrubal Cabrera played some of his best baseball of his career despite nursing a knee injury. Yoenis Cespedes was a stud as usual. Mid season acquisition Jose Reyes was impressive out of the lead off spot. Jay Bruce finally heated up and crushed the ball like we all expected him to. And lastly, the bullpen- headlined by Jeurys Familia- was solid.

I must give all the credit to the manager, Terry Collins, on keeping his cool and turning the season around. As with any NY sport team, the fans were not happy in early August but Terry ignored the whines and kept the team focused and on track. Terry had to deal with a lot, including a ton of other injuries that I didn't even have room to mention in this post (Jose Reyes, Wilmer Flores, Justin Ruggiano, Jon Niese, Lucas Duda, Travis d'Arnaud, Juan Lagares).

If you look at this season's DL records, you would probably guess the Mets would be a few games under .500 and getting ready to hit the links for the offseason. Well they're not. Instead they are preparing to make another run in the playoffs. This team has overcome a ton of adversity, that's why I'm damn proud to be a Mets fan.

#LGM #YaGottaBelieve #Amazin

   

  

  

Time to Overcome Adversity

Dear Dodger's Fans,

Chase Utley’s Slide… Was it legal? Heck no.

I am going to try to look at the slide while putting my passion for the Mets to the side. It will be hard, but as a middle infielder for much of my baseball career, I will explain why the slide was dangerous and should have been called obstruction which would have resulted in both Utley and Kendrick being called out, inning over. I will also try to disprove all the arguments Dodgers fans seem to have.
    I 100% believe that Utley had no intention to injure Tejada. He was absolutely just trying to break up the double play and get the tying run score. BUT, that still doesn’t make the slide legal. Utley did not start his slide until he was practically on top of the 2^nd base bag. Sure, he didn’t go cleats up but since his slide was so late, he didn’t even have time to get a front leg out that you typically hit the bag with when sliding. Instead, he hit his knees, high up on Tejada’s leg, effectively fracturing Tejada’s fibula. Sure Utley was close enough to the bag to reach out and touch the bag, but that was clearly not his intention as he completely bypassed the bag and aimed directly for Tejada and NEVER touched the bag. Here is the rule that should have ruled Utley and the batter out:

5.09 (a) (13) (Rule 6.05, 2014)

A batter is out when --

(m) A preceding runner shall, in the umpire's judgment, intentionally interfere with a fielder who is attempting to catch a thrown ball or to throw a ball in an attempt to complete any play

                                                  CLEARLY LATE AND WENT IN HIGH

The umpire apparently judged that Utley did not intentionally interfere with the fielder. He simply judged wrongly. There are no if, ands, or buts about it. Utley’s attempt of a “slide” was not an attempt to injure Tejada, but it was an attempt to interfere with the shortstop. Now there is a proper way to do this without being called for interference. It is done just about every day during the baseball season and middle infielders rarely got seriously hurt.

This brings me to the point of the Dodger fans arguments as to why the slide wasn’t dirty

    1. “Utley was just playing hard-nosed baseball, trying to win the game!” 

You’re right! That’s exactly what he did, but he did it illegally. I have already addressed this multiple times. The slide was just way too late. The media, all over the country (except for some in LA) are calling the play a tackle rather than a slide. Multiple MLB shortstops took to twitter to display their anger at the slide including Jose Reyes who said it was a pathetic attempt at a slide. Justin Upton said that if that Tejada was a superstar shortstop like Tulo out there, the next day the MLB would have a rule called the “Tulo Rule.” He’s right, but we already have that rule (look above at rule 5.09). If this was soccer, Utley would have been given a Red Card for that slide tackle, not a warning, not even a Yellow Card, but a big ole’ bright RED CARD. He would have been kicked off the field immediately because that slide was, intentional or not, malicious.

    2.  “It is Tejada’s fault. He shouldn’t have turned his back to the runner!”

Hahahahahaha. This argument makes me laugh, a lot. This is the classic “scapegoat” for the Dodger’s and their fans. People who say this, know Utley did wrong, but are still trying to justify it. These people have also never played baseball. Yes, a typical double play would be turned without a “spin-o-rama,” but this wasn’t your typical double play. The ball was hit up the middle and Murphy fielded the ball directly behind the bag. He flipped the ball to a Tejada (a LITTLE behind him). Tejada decided that the quickest way to get the ball to first was to keeping coming across the bag, spin to get as much power as possible behind the throw, and fire to first. Believe or not, this play is taught to middle infielders of all ages. The idea is that by coming across the bag and spinning, the fielder would get out of the way of the slide and get the ball to first with as much velocity as possible. Tejada correctly tried this play, but as he finished his spin, Utley was right on top of him. The spin did not put him in a bad position, but rather it put him in the correct position at the wrong time. Even with a perfect feed to Tejada, he likely still would have spun, and if he didn’t spin, he still would have probably broken his leg because Utley was clearly aiming for Tejada. Maybe Tejada would have gotten the throw off, but he still would have been taken out by Utley and we would still be having this argument. The only way Tejada would have avoided that slide was to either jump over Utley as he ran to right field and forfeit the double play, which was not an option on that critical play. Turning his back to the runner did not put him in a bad position, simply playing the game of baseball with an out of control runner did.

    3.  “Tejada never touched the bag, so Mets fans need to stop complaining. It’s irrelevant.”

Um I guess you’ve never heard of the “neighborhood play.” Which this play certainly was despite what MLB may say. The throw did not pull him off the bag. Tejada never had any intention of making 100% sure he touched second due to the fact he thought he would be protected by the neighborhood rule. In trying to turn a double play, the middle fielder does not need to technically touch second so that he could get out of the way as quickly as possible and protect himself against the slide. Well that didn’t happen because Utley slid so late. 

a.       “Ok but they wouldn’t have turned the DP anyway. Kendrick was going to beat it out.”

Ehhh… you can’t prove that. And if every double play that wasn’t turned was reviewed, many many many calls would be overturned because middle infielders are taught to not worry about touching second, just be close. That was Tejada. He was maybe an inch away, maybe. If that is not in the “neighborhood” of second, then Mr. Rodgers did not teach me the correct meaning of that word. 

ALSO: The ump called Utley out. Utley never touched second, ever. After the review, they decided to reward Utley the bag even without touching the bag. Was Tejada supposed to tag Utley or touch second with a broken leg after he had already been told Utley was out and time had been granted time to treat his injury?? Was he supposed to assume that there could be multiple outs by one guy?? I am still very upset about the decision to give a guy a base who technically could be called out for 3 wrong doings: out because of obstruction, out at second on the neighborhood play, and out on giving himself up on the play after never touching second and heading to the dugout. 

Final points: David Wright, one of the most respected, even keeled players in the league was not happy whatsoever about the play. That says something, a man who rarely argues and always "takes the positives out of the negatives" could not find a single positive from this play. The fact is, Utley slid late and broke the Mets' starting shortstops leg. He has rightfully been suspended but that is only to cover the fact that the umps screwed the Mets and ultimately cost them the game. I can't say the Mets would have won the game but we certainly would not have lost it in the 7th. The Dodgers got a giant reward for an illegal play. That is why Mets fans are so upset. Get it? Got it? Good. And if you don't, you're blind. Sorry.

Well you can't change the past and so it is time to move on and overcome adversity. Good luck to both teams and let controversy stay out of the rest of the series and let the best team win. #LGM #WinForRuben #HappyHarveyDay 

-A crazed, die hard Mets fan

Postseason Baseball, Finally

NY Mets Strategy Guide

So the Mets are FINALLY back in the Postseason for the first times since 2006. This year has been as more successful than most fans could have ever imagine, but we Mets fans are greedy. We want a pennant and not just the NL Pennant, but the World Series Pennant as well. There is no reason why this roster can't win it all, but some things certainly do need to go right for it to happen. The most important thing that needs to happen for this World Series run to be a reality is for Terry Collins to use a good strategy. During the season, he made some questionable moves, but I could always find ways to defend his decision making. In the playoffs, those moves cannot take place. I hope TC sat down with his staff this week and decided on a strategy that plays to or strength and hides our weaknesses. I have some suggestions. Before I tell you my ideas, I must say that I am an "old school" guy when it comes to baseball. I am only 19, but I have followed and played baseball all my life. Through my experiences, I have learned that I prefer the old school style of thinking to the new, stat driven style. I especially think this way during the playoffs considering the fact that sample sixes are much smaller, so averages don't mean much. So, without further ado, here is my suggested strategy guide for the NY Mets.

Starting Pitches: USE THEM and ABUSE THEM (to an extent)
There is no doubt that the strength of this team is its starting pitching. deGrom, Syndergaard, and Harvey have all proven time and time again that they are premier, top of the line, pitchers who will battle until the last out. Each pitcher has gotten adequate rest at the end of the season, so now its time to push them. You might be asking, "but what about their heath??" Every extra pitch thrown is a risk, but its a risk the Mets need to take. If a pitcher blows out his arm now, it is very possible that he could have done early next season, but our pitcher have very clean mechanics and so I don't see it happening. Now I am not saying that we should push them to 120+ pitchers but they should be pushed until they get "tired." Look at the velocity to get an idea of when they need to be pulled. Also, let's say that the Mets somehow jump out to a 5+ run lead early, DON'T PULL THE STARTER. Let him go until he gets tired. DON'T rely on the bullpen. This is a pet peeve of mine. And this brings us to my next point...

The Bullpen: STAY AWAY
It is no secret that our bullpen is our weakest link. Now our entire bullpen isn't too bad, but the middle relievers have struggled ever since Blevins got hurt. For this reason, our starter need to get through 6 innings. This way we can get the ball to Reed, then Clippard, and finally Familia. The deeper the starters go, the better. Now I know Clippard struggled late in the season, but I am certain it was because he was tired. This past week off most likely did some good for him. I am confident he will be fine when used in this series. I am less confident in Reed, but I am OK with using him in the seventh inning, but if he gets into trouble, who do we look for to get out of the inning? I say Goeddel. I like him and thought he has been overlooked. People to avoid in these high stress situations include Bartolo and Jon Niese. Bartolo should only be used to start a new inning. Jon Niese will probably be used to get lefties out, but I don't like that idea. Niese vs Gonzalez scares me, especially with people on base. I wish Gilmartin made the roster because he at least has experience coming out of the bullpen. Now if a righty is up in a high stress situation, bring in Robles for one MAYBE two batters, but no more than that. Basically, be very cautious with him. Actually, be cautious will all of the relievers. If Clippard gets in trouble, bring in Familia for a multi-inning save. We know he can do it. Also, utilize lefty, lefty and righty, righty match-ups but not until the 7th inning or later. I'd rather get beat early in the game, rather than later.

The Infield: Let Them Be
The infield in the NLDS will likely include Wright, Tejada, Murphy, and Duda. Why not Flores? Well he was sick the last week of the season and struggled down the stretch while Tejada it pretty well and played good defense as always. I am okay with TC's decision to play Tejada. I would do the same considering the fact that defense is very important in the playoffs. I know Wilmer has improved throughout the year, but considering all the circumstances this is the right move. Our current line-up doesn't desperately need Flo's "big bat" like it did earlier in the season. And its not like his bat won't be used. He will be used to pinch hit late in virtually every game. Wally Backman, his AAA manager, said Flo has a "clutch bat." I think most Met's fans would agree so look for him to bat with the go ahead run on base. Look for the rest of the infield to play the whole game. TC may pinch hit for Duda against tough lefties, but I hope he doesn't. I want Duda taking every at bat possible. His bat can single handily change a game. Murphy is another guy I don't want to see pinch hit for and I doubt he will be.

The Outfield: Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
Well center and right field are pretty set in stone. Cespedes will of course be in center and Granderson in right. Left field is going to be a platoon with Cuddyer vs lefties and Conforto vs righties. I guess I am okay with this, but Cuddyer has not had a good season at the plate. So, as soon as he meets righty out of the Dodger's bullpen, pinch hit with Conforto. I don't care if the Dodgers counter with a lefty. This kid is always having quality at bats and will no doubt battle against any pitcher thrown at him. I also like his defense over Cuddyer late in games. Speaking of defense, Juan Lagares will be used primarily for his defense in the 8th an 9th inning if the Mets have the lead. He will pay center and Cespedes will move to left. Unfortunately, this takes Conforto out of the lineup, so this strategy should only be used when the Mets are ahead, not even when it is tied. Also, Lagares should not take a single at bat against a righty. I like Lagares, but he needs to develop some more and the postseason is not the time for that. Likewise, Kirk Nieuwenhuis should not take an at bat against a lefty. Basically, Juan and Kirk should be used very sparingly in specific situations. I consider them more back-ups rather than bench players because they should only be used if there is an injury or maybe in certain pinch running situations late in the game.

The Catchers: Or should I say catcher
Travis d'Arnaud should and will start every game. Plawecki is only there as back-up in case of injury. He should not be looked at to pinch hit. I do enjoy the way Plawecki calls the games and so I hope he plays a role in pregame meetings of the pitchers and catchers as they decide their strategies.

Utility Player(s): Use Kelly
Kelly Johnson is a professional hitter, so use him against lefties. He is also a good fielder so if needed, leave him in the game. With that being said, I wouldn't use him at second because that means you are taking Murph's bat out of the lineup. So, left field or even right would be the most likely spot he would play. I don't consider Cuddyer a utility player becasue I don't want him to play first because that would mean Duda would be out of the lineup.

The Lineup: My lineups are pretty basic, relying on left, right, left, right, as far down the lineup as possible. Versus righties I may consider moving Duda to 4th Cespedes to the 3 hole, Murph to 2 and Wright to 5. I declined to do this because I want Wright to get as many ABs possible. Although another option I would consider is Murph at 2, Wright 3, Duda 4 and Cespedes 5. It all depends on gut instincts mixed with player stats vs specific starters.

      vs Lefties
1. Granderson- RF
2. Wright- 3rd
3.Murphy- 2nd
4. Cespedes- CF
5. Duda- 1st
6. Cuddyer- LF
7. d'Arnaud- C
8. Tejada- SS
9. Pitcher

    vs Righties
1. Granderson- RF
2. Wright- 3rd
3. Murphy- 2nd
4. Cespedes- CF
5. Duda- 1st
6. Conforto- LF
7. d'Arnaud- C
8. Tejada- SS
9. Pitcher

Well there you have it, my strategy guide for the NY Mets. Sure this is in depth but the last thing i want TC to do is over-manage. He has said that he cares less about lefty, righty match-ups in the playoffs and I am glad about that. On top of that, I hope he lets the lineup be and doesn't randomly hit and run or tell Duda to steal. Play the way that got us here, with our starting pitchers and big hits from our regulars.

The Mets certainly have their work cut out for them, but I believe in them. Ya Gotta Believe and LET'S GO METS!

-A crazed, die-hard fan

Why the warm weather?

So a lot of people have been wondering about why today (and even yesterday) was so warm compared to recent temperatures. So I took this as a perfect opportunity to write about a simple type of weather pattern that I have recently learned about in my intro to meteorology class. Basically, what we have experienced is a mid-latitude cyclone. The name tells exactly what it is. It is a weather pattern that spins in a counter-clockwise direction (cyclonic direction) around an area of low pressure (the big, red L's you see on whether maps) in the mid and high latitudes. This type of weather pattern develops along a polar front which separates cold polar air and warm subtropical air. The convergence of these two different types of air causes a Low to develop. This, in turn, leads to the spinning of the system with a warm front on the right/bottom side, and a cold front on the left/upper side (see image "b- frontal wave" below). Rain showers typically form in front of the warm front and thunderstorms typically form along the cold front.

The warmth felt yesterday and today (depending on where you're located) is because the warm front pushed through and we are in a warm sector of air. Here, in Kentucky, today has been very windy and temperatures was at their highest this morning. This is because the cold front from the mid-latitude cyclone was pushing through.  Further south, in Georgia, the cold front is actually passing through as I type and with it will bring cooler temperatures along with it.

Eventually the mid-latitude cyclone will dissipate. Simply put, the cold front moves faster than the warm front, thus it eventually catches up to the warm front which cuts-off the cyclone.

This image shows the process of how a mid-latitude cyclone develops and dies. The more proper, meteorological term for this is cyclogenesis.

The image below shows more closely how the cold and warm front flows and the warm sector of air on the south side of the Low.

Some things that may help you understand a little bit better:
1) A cold front is the leading edge of a cold air mass. Typically, active weather forms along this front.
2) A warm front is the leading edge of a warm air mass.
3) A "Low" is where there is an area of lower pressure of air which basically means the air is less dense. Because the air is less dense, air flows toward, or converges, at the low pressure. The atmosphere likes to be in balance, so air typically flows from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure in order to balance the atmosphere out.

***My explanation is a very simplified version of what happens. Some of the information is not "technically" correct because atmospheric processes are very complicated and hard to explain with the little knowledge I have (and patience to type it all out).

I hope you learned something!