Time For Lucas Duda to Step Up and Produce

Written by Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

On Friday afternoon, the New York Mets made a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates, shipping first baseman Ike Davis out of town in exchange for relief pitcher Zack Thornton and a player to be named later. Davis will have an opportunity to get his career back on track, as he has not been the same player since suffering an injury in 2011. For the Mets, he is no longer their problem, in turn placing a ton of trust in Lucas Duda.

Where the Mets will miss Davis the most is in the field with his glove. Davis is one of the better defensive first baseman in the MLB; Duda on the other hand leaves much to be desired. The decrease in defense at first base will be made up with an outstanding defensive outfield, as the albatross that is Duda's defense is more easily hidden at first base. But Duda will be able to make people forget about his lackluster fielding if he can hit like he is capable of doing.

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Duda will now be given every opportunity to succeed for the Mets, as he is the clear-cut starter at first base for the Amazin’s. They chose him over Davis with the expectations that he will give them more production with consistent playing time.

Mets Take Series Against Reds

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Cincinnati Reds vs. New York Mets

Series Recap, April 4^th-6^th

Results:

April 4th	Reds: 3	Mets: 4
April 5th	Reds: 3	Mets: 6
April 6th	Reds: 2	Mets: 1

The New York Mets were able to bounce back from a poor season opening series, taking two of three from the Cincinnati Reds over the weekend at Citi Field. It was a nice response for the Mets, as the opening series created more questions than answers for manager Terry Collins. It also gives them a little positive momentum as the Mets will embark on a nine-game road trip starting against the division rival Atlanta Braves.

-Positives

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After struggles in the first series, the Mets first basemen blasted the ball against the Reds. Receiving the start in the first game, Lucas Duda launched two homers, knocking in all four runs in a Mets 4-3. Ike Davis then hit a pinch-hit, walk-off grand slam in game two to give the Mets a 6-3 victory. Davis continued to hit well, going 2-4 in the series finale.

The bullpen was atrocious to start the season, but they had a solid series against a dangerous Reds offense. The Mets bullpen gave up only two runs in eight innings, both surrendered by John Lannan in 2/3 inning of work in the series opening game. Jose Valverde was able to lock down his first save of the season in the first game, also pitching a clean inning in the finale to keep his ERA at 0.00 to start the season. Kyle Farnsworth pitched 2.1 innings in the series, looking more comfortable after a rocky first appearance.

Mets Are Swept By Nationals In Opening Series of Season

Written by Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets

Series Recap, March 31^st-April 3rd

It was a rough opening series for the New York Mets, as they were handled rather easily by the Washington Nationals. It was the first time that the Mets were swept in their opening series in nine years, and it was tough to watch at times. Here are some takeaways from the three-game opening series from Citi Field.

-Positives

The Mets starting rotation, at least through one series, has been a bright spot. All three starters, Dillon Gee, Bartolo Colon and Zack Wheeler, had quality starts to begin the season. Gee was especially strong, probably the most deserving of a victory of the starters, as he retired 15 straight batters after allowing a two-run home run to Adam LaRoche. Colon and Wheeler both surrendered three runs in six innings, finishing with identical 1.50 WHIP as well. The big blemish for Colon was surrendering a homerun to the opposing starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez.

Juan Lagares was arguably the best position player the Mets had against the Nationals. No matter where manager Terry Collins put him in the lineup, Lagares produced. He hit leadoff, second and sixth, and not only did he register a hit in each game, he had at least one extra base hit in each game as well. Lagares finished the series 5-11, with two doubles, a triple and home run, and drew one walk. He scored four runs, and had two RBI as well. Lagares is in the lineup most nights because of the defense that he provides, so any addition production he gives at the plate should be viewed as an added bonus.

Andrew Theodorakis/New York Daily News

Late Inning Heroics Push Mets Past Yankees

Elsa/Getty Images

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Tuesday, May 28^th, 2013

New York Yankees vs. New York Mets

Final Score: Yankees: 1 Mets: 2

After an hour and 40 minute delay to start the game because of rain, more late inning heroics for the Mets led to another victory, as the 2-1 victory over the Yankees at Citi Field Tuesday night pushes the Mets winning streak to three.  Tonight’s game was very similar to the game Monday night as a pitcher’s duel was on once again between the team’s aces this season in Hiroki Kuroda and Matt Harvey.  The win gave Mariano Rivera the rudest goodbye that the Mets could give him, as this was the last regular season appearance he will make in Queens and resulted in Rivera’s first blown save of the season.

Why Ike Davis is Here to Stay:

Credit: CBS Sports

It has been well documented that Ike Davis has struggled mightily to start the season. Most fans, as well as reports are calling for the Mets to send Davis to AAA Las Vegas to figure what is wrong with him offensively. The problem is, the Mets have no viable options to replace Davis at first.

Looking at the big league roster, the Mets have Lucas Duda, Mike Baxter (1 game), Justin Turner and Daniel Murphy who all have played first at one time in their career. None of these options are great defensive options nor provide the pop that Davis could provide once he figures it out.

The problem with moving Duda or Murphy over to first is now the Mets are forced to find a replacement for them. Moving Duda is more logical as the Mets could recall Collin Cowgill or Kirk Nieuwenhuis the play left. Both are defensive upgrades over Duda, however both have failed to produce in the big leagues this year. So if it offensive everyone is screaming for, none of the big league options are any better.

Moving Murphy leaves the Mets in a similar situation. The Mets have Justin Turner and Jordany Valdespin could play second that are on the current roster. The minor league options are a little more intriguing. Former top propect Wilmer Flores is hitting .283/.330/.455 with 4 HRs in AAA and has 4 errors in 162 chances at second this year. They could also call up former 2008 first rounder pick Reese Havens. Havens has a trouble staying healthy and is only hitting  .237/.314/.323. If they Mets so decide to move Murphy over they are making major sacrifices on defense, something the Mets have been trying to preach all season.

In the minors the Mets are super thin at the first base position, they have Eric Campbell and Josh Stain listed on their AAA roster. Both are not very good options defensively or offensively. Very few players make the quantum leap from AA for the big leagues. Allan Dykstra is mashing at a .298/.440/.519 clip but he is 26 years old which is considered old for AA. So if the Mets were to call up someone to play first Dykstra would be the most worthy choice.

The Free Agent market does have some interesting names such as Carlos Lee and Jim Thome, but who knows if those two are even capable of playing first base at this point. However both provide the offense the Mets are desperately seeking.

Withall of the possible options listed above the Mets replacements for Davis are cannot provide the defense Davis already does nor could they match the potential offense Davis could provide if he learns to hit again.

Mets Take 1st Game of Subway Series in Pitcher’s Duel

Elsa/Getty Images

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Monday, May 27^th, 2013

New York Yankees vs. New York Mets

Final Score: Yankees: 1 Mets: 2

The Subway Series got off to a start not many people expected with the Mets taking the first of the four game series 2-1.   The Mets were able to pull the game out tonight with some late inning heroics and stellar pitching performances to stay in the winning column for the second day in a row, the first time winning back-to-back games since May 16^th-17^th.  The win improved the Mets record to 19-29, 10 ½ games behind the Washington Nationals and fourth place in the National League East while the Yankees drop to 30-20 and second place in the American League East, ½ game behind the Boston Red Sox.

Subway Series Preview

Courtesy of Yankees; Courtesy of Mets

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

New York Yankees (30-19) vs. New York Mets (18-29) Series Preview

The Yankees and Mets will be taking part in the 17^th regular season Subway Series starting tonight in a four-game series with each team getting two home games.  The first two will be at Citi Field in Queens, with the last two being in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium.  No matter how well or poorly each team is playing, this series always generates a lot of buzz throughout the baseball world and especially in New York, when the state is split in two for a couple days as everyone picks their allegiances to either squad.

Davis Comes Through In Clutch as Mets Drop Braves

Al Bello/Getty Images

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Sunday, May 26^th, 2013

Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets

Final Score: Braves: 2 Mets: 4

The Mets were able to stave off their second consecutive sweep and end their five-game losing streak with a win on Sunday Night Baseball against the rival Braves with a 4-2 victory.

It was a night of retributions for the Mets, as the biggest players in the game, Shaun Marcum and Ike Davis, came through huge for the Mets after struggling so far throughout the season.

Davis, who many people feel should be on his way to Las Vegas to play for the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate, put some of those qualms to sleep Sunday night.  Davis looks to maybe be coming out of his season long slump after going 2-3 from the plate with two RBI and one walk.