In case you misplaced monitor, or weren’t taking note of it anymore, the Mets are nonetheless on monitor to interrupt the single-season document for hit-by-pitches.
“I thought we were going to fall off the pace but now I guess we’re back ahead of it again,” supervisor Buck Showalter mentioned earlier than Tuesday’s recreation.
The Mets have been hit 75 instances of their first 110 video games, placing them on tempo to complete the yr with 110. The 2021 Cincinnati Reds are the present document holders after getting drilled 105 instances. Mets’ hitters Mark Canha, Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso and Starling Marte are all among the many 12 most-plunked within the league this yr. Showalter was requested if he has any rationalization for this painful phenomenon.
“You don’t think I’ve looked hard into that?” Showalter mentioned playfully. “[Mark] Canha came with that skill set. He’s always been one of the leaders in hit by pitch.”
Among energetic gamers, Canha ranks eighth in profession hit by pitches. Starling Marte — who’s been within the league three years longer than Canha — is all the best way up at second, trailing solely the human magnet Anthony Rizzo.
“We’ve been very fortunate that we haven’t had something be more serious than it has been,” Showalter mentioned fortunately. “What’s crazy about it is, I can count on one hand the ones that I strongly suspect were intentional. After a while, I don’t care if they’re intentional or not. Let’s fix the baseball, let’s fix the whatever.”
Of course, the Mets have been profitable at a head–spinning tempo, and that has a means of creating the opposition mad.
“It’s got nothing to do with that,” Showalter quipped. “It’s got something to do with the way that they hit, a little bit. It’s also why they’re good. That’s pretty obvious to me. Our guys don’t budge.”
Being fortunate to keep away from any severe damage from a bean ball, the supervisor additionally acknowledged that no one on his group is feeling absolutely entire at this level within the yr.
“It’s just part of the job description,” Showalter mentioned. “Last time they were 100% was the day they got out of the car [for spring training] in St. Lucie. The next time they’re 100% will probably be two or three weeks after the season, mentally, emotionally and physically.”
Amid all of the balls at their wrists, ribs, and on some scary events, heads, the Mets have remained in excessive spirits. The group chemistry is immaculate, the gamers like being round one another, and all the good emotions are solely multiplied by the continuous profitable. When requested which a part of this trip has been essentially the most enjoyable for him, Showalter shared his appreciation for his dudes’ palpable love of baseball.
“The way the guys have embraced playing the game,” he answered. “It’s been fun to watch and it’s been fun to be around them. We have a lot of guys here that, if I wasn’t their manager, I’d like to hang out with. There’s a lot of baseball players here and they really embrace playing the game a certain way.”
INJURY UPDATES
Tommy Hunter (decrease again tightness), Tylor Megill (strained shoulder) and Joey Lucchesi (Tommy John surgical procedure) are all gamers at present on the injured checklist who might, theoretically, issue into the Mets’ bullpen down the stretch.
Hunter has already given them 14.1 innings out of the pen this yr, whereas Megill equipped 41.1 pre-injury innings that have been all as a beginning pitcher.
“Tommy looks good,” Showalter reported. “I think Tommy’s going to be going out to do some rehab pitching. Megill has increased his distance and is throwing volume. He’s moving toward that [return] date.”
Lucchesi has not pitched in any respect since going below the knife final season however, importantly, throws left-handed. The Mets’ solely left-handed reduction choice proper now could be Joely Rodriguez, who has a 5.12 ERA in his 37 appearances. Showalter shared that Lucchesi “looks good” and in addition mentioned first baseman/outfielder Dom Smith (sprained ankle) is progressing properly.
PAST AND PRESENT
With 77 runs batted in getting into Tuesday’s recreation, Francisco Lindor wants 4 extra to tie a Mets’ document.
Jose Reyes drove in 81 runs in 2006, which stands because the franchise document for a shortstop. Reyes performed in 153 video games that season whereas Lindor will want a lot fewer to topple the document. With 4 extra dwelling runs, Lindor can even tie Asdrubal Cabrera for many in a single season by a Mets’ shortstop. Cabrera put 23 balls into orbit because the shortstop on the Mets’ 2016 Wild Card group.
The finest total season by a Mets’ shortstop, a minimum of based on FanGraphs’ model of Wins Above Replacement, can also be inside attain for Lindor. That distinction additionally belongs to Reyes, who has every of the highest 4. Reyes’ 2008 season (5.8 WAR) is the carrot dangling in entrance of Lindor, who confirmed as much as Tuesday’s recreation with a 4.7 mark.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com