It seems that the 2018 MLB season has started very similar to most seasons in the past. The Yanks stumbled a little bit out of the gate, dealing with new players, a new manager and a handful of injuries. Then of course they rebounded, ripped off 9 straight Ws and are right back into the mix for the AL East title. Sox were feeling great early, now have quieted down a little bit.
In the other part of town the good ole Mets once again started pretty hot but since the first month is over, we are approaching the fizzle out and die phase just like every season for the Amazin’s. They briefly held a lead in the NL East, which I will admit is much stronger this year then I thought, but now that lead will most likely not be seen again. Braves and Phillies have shown they are improved and I think the Braves actually have the staying power to hang in for the whole year in that division. The Mets opening day roster looked pretty solid this year with re-signing Jay Bruce, who is a legit power hitting corner outfielder, Cespedes continues to hit bombs, and last year for Conforto was promising (hit 27 dingers) . The ToddFather at 3rd and an old A Gon at 1st.
Butttt here we are approaching mid-summer June/July time where the Mets normally fall off a cliff and soon will be out of any playoff race. Yesterday the Mets ran out one of their star pitchers Jacob Degrom. Unfortunately, Degrom got hurt.
While in the batters box…
No he didn’t make contact, run the bases or get hit by a pitch. Something much more bizarre happened. Degrom hurt himself swinging and missing. Injury via the K. Whats even stranger is the Degrom hits LEFTY. Which seems ridiculous as a right handed pitcher. Batting Lefty would obviously expose your pitching elbow to the opposite hurler and make it even more likely to get hit on your throwing elbow. What is the reasoning behind Degr0m hitting lefty?? Are you hitting .110 instead of .100 when you try righty? Do you have much more rbi’s and homers lefty instead of righty? Odds are you get out nearly every time at bat and might as well K righty and avoid injury when possible.
Also, when hitting as a righty, your left elbow can get strained more just by naturally swinging with your lead arm/hands pulling the bat through the zone. Again, why would you want your pitching elbow exposed to that?
This situation ties into the NL being a joke as well. Let’s give a free out at least every 3 innings.
First and second early on with the #8 hitter coming up? Lets walk him and get to the pitcher obviously? Perfect, nobody scores, way to get out of a tough one there. Love an auto out every time through the lineup. It’s silly.
It’s clearly why NL ERA’s can be crazy low, and any ERA under 3 in the AL is pretty much the Cy Young because they actually have full lineups with Nine pro hitters in the AL. Crazy right?
If Degrom goes down and misses a bunch of starts…. Wave Goodbye to the Mets
Once again.
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