Ran Into Oblivion

I’ve been confident all year in the Mets. Even after a bad loss this season I’ve generally thought that the Mets would get through it and be all right when the season is over. Monday’s 11-4 loss to the Nationals doesn’t necessarily change my mind completely, but I’m starting to get the Tang ready for the bunker.

Noah Syndergaard with a 4-0 lead should be automatic. But let’s face it, he was lucky to get through the first two innings as he never looked right. Then in the third, he gave up five runs thanks to some madness on the basepaths (Syndergaard and Travis d’Arnaud are not a good combination except for opposing runners who have two reasons to get great jumps) and then left the game after 71 pitches. He was still hitting 100 on the gun, but his off speed stuff was akin to the poop emoji that the kids like to use. Now usually, even after an ace has a bad inning, 71 pitches is low enough for the manager to roll the dice and have him at least get to five innings, especially with the tattered bullpen that the Mets have. But he gave way to Sean Gilmartin, who gave away the game. That was the first hint.

After the game, there was a report that Syndergaard, like Steven Matz, has a bone spur in his elbow. It makes sense because it’s the slider that hurts Matz, and it sure as heck looked like it was the off-speed stuff that Syndergaard was getting killed on. Syndergaard denies it, for what it’s worth.

Had same thing with Carlos Delgado. Got tipped off he needed hip surgery. He denied it to my face. Then it was announced day or two later.

— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinMedia) June 28, 2016

Robin Williams had a bit where he talks about his cat going up against the wall and then realizes the curtain is teflon. That’s what the Mets season seems to be right now. We know the season was thrown up against the wall, as most seasons are at some point. But now with Matz’s elbow and Syndergaard’s elbow and blowing a 4-0 lead in one fell swoop, the Mets are realizing that the curtains are teflon and their claws can’t prevent them from slipping to the ground. If these bone spurs are going to keep Matz and Syndergaard from throwing their off speed stuff, then the Mets have bigger problems than not being able to hit or not being able to hold runners on base. Hitting can improve. Baserunners can be neutralized by Rene Rivera. Bone spurs, however, don’t just evaporate into thin air as much as the Mets medical staff wants to believe.

I’m worried. It doesn’t usually happen this late in the season, but it’s now June 28th and I’m officially and legitimately worried.

Today’s Hate List

1. Ben Revere
2. Bones
3. Jayson Werth
4. Bryce Harper
5. Anthony Rendon