Time for Mets to Start Executing
Postponements have wreaked havoc on hopes of falling into a routine, but Mets have to find their rhythm soon
The Mets are finally going to play some baseball on Tuesday — two games, in fact — when they welcome the Phillies into Citi Field for the delayed start to their four-game set this week. At least we hope…
A fall back into a routine would presumably be a welcome change for the Mets, as they’ve now fallen victim to an opening series postponement (Nats’ COVID-19 outbreak), a rain-induced suspension on Sunday, and a complete rainout on Monday, all occurring less than two weeks since MLB’s official Opening Day.
That’s not ideal for baseball players, a group notoriously labeled as “creatures of habit”. On Monday, Mets manager Luis Rojas lamented the lack of the ability to replicate game-speed situations with the hopes of staying fresh while stuck in idle.
Unfortunately, these are the breaks, especially during April in the Northeast. With rain in the forecast again for the series-finale matinee versus Philadelphia on Thursday and snow — yes snow — expected this weekend versus the Rockies, whatever even-keel the Mets might find over the next two days could be left hanging in the cool Colorado breeze come this Friday.
The Mets not finding their collective groove as a whole over their first five games could plausibly be a byproduct of scheduling changes, but that’s an assumption that we won’t make.
What we will harp on is this ball club’s ability to rediscover its form, both as 26 individuals and as a team. We’re keeping it positive here, baby.
Respective reversion to the norm is coming for every guy in that clubhouse. Over the course of 162 games, there’s no other way for that cookie to crumble.
Sure, some players will underperform and some will exceed expectations. But two dozen guys don’t turn into Roberto Alomar in 2002 overnight and completely lose their ability to do their jobs.
They’ll be OK. A century-plus of professional baseball says so.
Most of the focus has been on the Mets’ offensive woes thus far, and with just cause. Lost wins in April always have the potential to grow into glaring missed opportunities in September. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
Stranding the code-approved occupancy of a local dinette or small downtown apothecary on the basepaths is not and will never be a formula for success.
If this team wants to compete, as they were constructed to do, they’ll need to remedy these deficiencies. Quickly.
Last week, as things began to come unglued for Michael Conforto after his respectable 3-for-10 start to the season, the Mets’ de-facto captain was genuine in his assessment of what needs to be done.
“We’ve got a lot of talent and that’s great, but we’ve gotta go out there and execute.”
That was last Wednesday. Since then, the Mets picked up a hit-by-win and let a Jacob deGrom gem slip away, both games much closer than they should have been due to inefficiencies with men on base, and they haven’t got another chance to right themselves since.
There’s too much talent here for this group not to find their way. Good times ahead, friends. LFGM.
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