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