Niese flirted with history on Easter Sunday.
The first series of the season could not have gone better for the Mets. Following the Misery and Malaise of the offseason, and the inauspicious Pre-Season, the Metropolitans swept their late 20th century nemesis, the Atlanta Braves, to start the season 3-0. So what can we take away from the first 3 games of the season?
Hitting
We learned David Wright is still David Wright. He drove in a run in each game of the series. On Saturday, he hit an opposite field home run over the 398 sign in right-center field, clearing both the new wall and the old wall. It was like one of those movies where the mentor archetype says, “See David, you didn’t need shortened fences, the power was within you all along.”
We also learned Lucas Duda can crush good major league pitchers. On Saturday, he hit 2 homers: one versus nasty RHP Jair Jurrgens, and one against the generally reliable reliever Chad Durbin. This being his first major league season, we may not see this all the time from Duda, but it certainly shows his power potential.
And we learned Ike Davis still has trouble with curve balls. Before he suffered the well-chronicled freak ankle injury in 2011, Davis did a good job of laying off the hook in the dirt. This weekend, in particular against Tommy Hanson, he allowed the curve to eat him for lunch. He’ll have to learn to lay off that pitch if he wants consistent success this year. He’s bound to see more slop, especially with the currently anemic Jason Bay hitting behind him.
Pitching
We learned Johan Santana can still pitch like an ace, even after over a year missed with shoulder surgery. He was dominant on Opening Day, even with a sub-90s fastball. He still needs to ramp up his stamina, considering that he seemed to lose command and velocity after about 75 pitches.
We learned not to underestimate Frank Francisco based on his Spring Training performance. Francisco ripped off 3 consecutive saves during the series, and became the first Mets closer to save his first 3 games with the Mets.
We may learn that Mets pitchers had their success because of the Braves relatively weak lineup. Freddie Freeman and Brian McCann are the only sure things in Atlanta’s starting 8. Jason Heyward has yet to fulfill his potential, and Mets-bane Chipper Jones missed the series with an injury. But for now, the pitching staff looks better than expected.
Fielding
We learned to remain weary of the Mets’ defense. Lucas Duda appeared to lose a ball in the sun in the 7th inning of game 3, resulting in an error, and an unearned run for Jon Niese (Niese had held the Braves hitless through 6 before being touched up in the 7th). And Daniel Murphy didn’t turn a double play he probably should have, but he did well to avoid an injury (baby steps, people).
The Mets face Davey Johnson and the Nationals next. Let’s see what we’ll learn from that series.
8 comments
srt
4/9/2012-8:31am at 8:31 am (UTC -4)
David Wright looks like the David Wright of old. Good to see.
With the turn around for several positions the defense is indeed going to be an adventure.
- We saw Duda apparently lose a ball in the sun.
- Later during that game we saw Duda and Kirk almost crash into each other catching a fly ball out there. Duda caught the ball but the center fielder should be controlling that OF. At least they were both there to catch the ball instead of neither of them.
- Saw Cedeno and Tejada almost collide on a pop up as well
SP and BP looks very good so far.
Ike, as you mentioned, not so good. Here’s hoping he works out the kinks sooner rather than later. I had thought those last 3 ST games where he hit a HR in each was encouraging but he hasn’t looked good at the plate so far.
Stickguy
4/9/2012-9:16am at 9:16 am (UTC -4)
the D is a work in progress. And it isn’t just individuals not being good or experienced (Duda). Even guys that are good at fielding need some time to work together to get comfortable with each other. Kirk, Cedeno, Tejada are all quality experienced defenders at their positions. Just not used to each other!
DW is a wonderful thing to see.
And Ike? He is never, ever going to see a FB this season that isn’t a waste “show me” pitch. No reason to, unless he figures out how to lay off the slop and just take 3 walks per game! And stop whining about every pitch, otherwise every ump will give him the Glavine as a Brave expanded strike zone treatment.
Oh, we also learned not to read too much into ST. Just look at the respective records of the 2 NY teams in the spring and regular season!
I would also say that contrary to what some posters on certain sites insist, it was possible to replace the K Rod high wire act for a hell of a lot less than 17.5 million.
Ceetar
4/9/2012-9:37am at 9:37 am (UTC -4)
Ike supposedly has good numbers against curveballs, Hanson is just one of those guys that owns him.
Keith is in love with Wright’s form at the plate.
Bay’s generally played an averageish, but solid, LF. looked bad so far defensively. But hey ,leads the league in sac-flies!
kingman 26
4/9/2012-9:43am at 9:43 am (UTC -4)
Ike looks bad; like the league has him figured out already. And starting the season off by whining and annoying yet another ump is really not good.
But overall, other than that, everything has either been at or far exceeded expectations.
Wright simply looks as though he is healthy and that perhaps the beaning effects have finally worn down.
Too early to judge the pen, as the Braves’ offense may not actually even exist.
But Johan’s health and Niese’s presence, along with Wright’s bat, are simply huge.
Great, great way to start the season.
Now, if we can just get a waiver from the league to allow Duda to DH…
oleosmirf
4/9/2012-11:23am at 11:23 am (UTC -4)
3 games….
Also doesn’t help that he has Luis Castillo batting behind him…
Prismo
4/9/2012-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
Ike just needs to re-adjust to the league.
Don’t give up on him after 3 games, returning from surgery.
oleosmirf
4/9/2012-10:01am at 10:01 am (UTC -4)
Things we learned this series.
1) Santana is healthy and can be effective although stamina will be an issue (at least early on).
2) David Wright is back to his old ways.
3) The bullpen will be improved and Rauch will be our 8th inning guy.
4) Ronnie Cedeno will be brought in for defense most games.
5) Why the Mets love Mike Nickeas so much
6) Jason Bay will never be a productive player again.
7) The new dimensions were a great idea from every aspect.
gategem
4/9/2012-11:52pm at 11:52 pm (UTC -4)
What I learned about baseball has taken many years and not three or four games. Last year the Orioles started the season appearing to be a young team that finally came together. Their pitching was exemplary. However, by the end of the season it was the same old, same old. As Kiner would say players and teams eventually, like water, will seek their own level. Or to quantify it they will regress to their mean. So just enjoy it while it lasts. It’s a long season.