$&#*@in' Familia, But What a Diaz

Monday nights these days are set aside for improv classes as I try to get out of my head a bit. A bit is a bit of an understatement. Improv is therapeutic that way as you have to be on your toes and ready to accept offers as they come from your fellow improvisors. There technically aren't any wrong things you can say; just say it, stop thinking. It is only wrong to throw off the rhythm and flow.

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Photo via Metstradamus

I found myself turning off the radio feed of the game just before the Mets scored their first 2 runs of their eventual 7-6 win over the Phillies on Jackie Robinson Day. At points where my attention wasn't directly needed, whether it be myself improvising or giving the respect ones on stage deserve, I saw a prototypical Mets-Phillies battle ensuing as I was checking the score on the At Bat App. It was the type of game we have gotten plenty used to these teams partaking in against one another. Back and forth, up and down, never a moment where you felt any particular relief on either side of the respective fanbases.

And I don't want to get into the Noah Syndergaard factor right now. The Phillies' ace, Aaron Nola, was pitch-for-pitch basically not as sharp as well. The biggest issue right now is the bullpen for us, other than the Jason Vargas issue.

I got out of the improv class just in time to see a runner on and no outs with Jeurys Familia on the mound in the 8th. He both did a poor job of sticking to the script as well as keeping the rhythm and flow of the scene moving with a Mets 1 run lead at 6-5. After his sensational breakout season of 2015 where, from my memory, he was the most reliably consistent closer the Mets had ever had (up until his 2nd quick pitch in a row to Alex Gordon in game 1 of the World Series) he has resorted to typical Mets closer fashion, i.e., forcing you to self-manicure with your teeth as the clippers. Whatever is going on with him, he cannot seem for one second to find the plate with any pitch he administers, lolligagging the ball every which way. When he's over the strike zone, his pitches are way too hitable, and he provides no sign he will be getting any better any time soon. At 3 years and 30 million dollars, let alone the familiarity factor of why Brodie decided to offer him the sizable contract, Familia must figure out how to get out of his head before he is a non-factor on the field but a huge factor on what we know is a tight, specific, non-altering budget the Wilpons have come up with.

In the end, however, the Mets persevered. They came up with big hits in their first extra inning game of the year to pull a much-needed division win against the Phillies in their first match with Bryce Harper in a different logo's red. We were all wondering why Edwin Diaz wasn't in there instead of Robert Gsellman in the 8th inning after Familia walked the world. Apparently the answer is they are committed to only using Diaz for 3-out saves. While I'm not sure I agree with this, Gsellman settled down in the 9th inning after walking in the winning run and WOW did Diaz deliver when he got the opportunity in extras, striking out the heart of the Phillies order to close out the game. 

Also, if the Phillies fans weren't aware of Jeff McNeil before last night, they sure as heck are now, as he collected 3 hits, 1 RBI and made 2 spectacular defensive plays.

They were able to push past the lost momentum from the Atlanta weekend and get what we hope is back on track. Lock down the series tonight and render Wednesday's day game only playing for icing on the cake.

Stay focused, but out of your head. Transition, revelation, resolution. It's a long season, but sharpen the senses now and it will make the rest of the stretch that much easier.

And please, figure out how to throw more strikes!

GET. IT. OVER.

LET'S. GO. METS.

JV, The Momentum Killer

I wasn't able to pay nearly full attention to the game last night, let alone analyze the numbers (and that isn't because of the fact the Mets were on ESPMeh.) I was, per usual, driving Lyft and forcing myself to drive before, during and after the Game of Thrones premiere when I knew I would be dropping people off and picking people up to and from, respectively, their respective Game of Thrones parties.

AP Photo - John Amis
Photo via seattletimes.com

At quick glance, it looks like the offense got stifled by a great ace counter in Julio Teheran and deGrom hasn't gotten completely back on track to his stifling Cy Young form. No matter these factors, I still point back to my points about Jason Vargas in my last post. It doesn't matter how good your top 4 starters are, and we have some pretty darn good top 4 starters. If that 5th one is a MAJOR drop off, then momentum you have gained during those 4 other games will be seriously thrown off and it may take a few games to gain it back. Unfortunately, they are going with Jason Vargas at least one more time, and it's not like we're not rooting for him to have a Natural-type turnaround albeit on the mound. We wish he were the 2nd coming of every great pitcher who ever pitched this beautiful game. BUUUUUUT...

The Mets could have seriously used a 4-game series win going into their first series against their Turnpike rivals in Philadelphia, but alas, 'twas not meant to be. They'll need their Avenger superhero Noah Syndergaard to step up and pick up the slack. 'Twill be helpful for the offense to do what they normally can do as an oppositional team in Citizens Bank, ie, KNOCK THE BALL CONTINUOUSLY OUT OF THE PARK. Will be interesting seeing the beefed up new lineup the Phillies have put together for their 2019 run.

Enjoy the game, all. And as always on April 15, Happy Jackie Robinson Day.

FLEX. THOSE. MUSCLES.

LET'S. GO. METS.

This Week's Bedford & Sullivan Podcast

Yesterday evening, I had the honor of talking some Brooklyn and its Dodgers with a couple folks who hold the former city and its team in their highest regards.

First, Billy London of Westchester and formerly of Borough Park called in to discuss his first game (which was under the lights), meeting Jackie and Rachel Robinson, and his move to Long Island in 1950.

Then, Author Bob McGee, the writer of "The Greatest Ballpark Ever: Ebbets Field and the Story of the Brooklyn Dodgers," called in to discuss living in Bay Ridge as a child down the street from Pee Wee Reese, how he came about writing a book about the ol' ballpark, and the current state of sports in Brooklyn.

A fun half hour researching for the TV series.

Enjoy.

AND LET'S. GO. METS.

Listen to internet radio with Bedford Sullivan Brooklyn on BlogTalkRadio

Thanks for reading! Follow me on Twitter @convertedmetfan. And for the latest on a Brooklyn Baseball TV Series I am developing, Like the Bedford & Sullivan Facebook page, and follow on Twitter here.

Celebrate the Holiday and Tonight's Podcast

Sure..Sure...Sure...Happy Tax Day (and BEST of luck.)


But when I think of April 15th, taxes are really that last thought that passes through my head.

Over on Rising Apple, I review the film 42 and reflect on what Jackie Robinson means to our society.

Please check it out.


At 6:30 PM EST, myself and new Site Editor Danny Abriano (Congrats, Danny) will wrap up the shorter-than-initially-scheduled Twins series, and preview the Rockies series with Hayden Kane of Fansided's Rox Pile (it's also another series where it will snow all day the first day, according to my Dad who currently lives out in Denver and will be witnessing baseball live tonight if they end up playing it.)

So, make sure you tune in at 6:30PM EST for the latest edition of the Rising Apple Report!

Rising Apple Report, Ep. 18 - Twins Series Wrapup & Rockies Preview w Hayden from Rox Pile

Here's the Song of the Day.

LET'S. GO. METS

Thanks for reading! Follow me on Twitter @convertedmetfan. And for Rising Apple twitter updates, click here.

Celebrate the Holiday

Make Jackie Robinson Day a National Holiday