We were fortunate the NL East was pretty mediocre as a whole in 2021. Barring major injuries to the teams ahead of them, it will take a lot for the Mets to overcome the Marlins, Phillies, and Braves.
Official Around Baseball 2023 Thread
- Thread starter Heyward
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We were fortunate the NL East was pretty mediocre as a whole in 2021. Barring major injuries to the teams ahead of them, it will take a lot for the Mets to overcome the Marlins, Phillies, and Braves.
Nerfherders
Well-known member
The bar was pretty low in 2021. The Braves were the only team in the NL east to end above .500. If the Mets did the same they will probably have to win at least 96 games - that's a 64-29 finish. The Braves would then need to finish at 50-41.
CyYoung31
Shift Leader
Phillies finished over .500.
WaitingFor2017
Well-known member
Phillies are actually sending Wheeler out there today in Oakland. I'm surprised they didn't somehow fill in the space today and saved him for our matchup on Tuesday since he does well against Atlanta.
Braves will see Suarez, Nola and Walker in Philadelphia.
Braves will see Suarez, Nola and Walker in Philadelphia.
cajunrevenge
Well-known member
The Mets are the Wile-E-Coyote of the division. If the Mets make a run it will only be to break their fans hearts.... yet again.
Naw he’ll come crashing down
msstate7
Well-known member
Hopefully Tuesday
UNCBlue012
Well-known member
This is a streaky team, and I bet we’ll see that all season long as the team marches towards 95+ wins.
They started 25-11, then went 7-12, and now they’re on a 14-3 streak.
They started 25-11, then went 7-12, and now they’re on a 14-3 streak.
Didn't that bad streak coincide with fried and Wright going down within a few games? Took a bit to get the pitching straightened out after that.
UNCBlue012
Well-known member
it did. To be fair, I don’t know that the pitching is really all that straightened out. It’s just making it work. The offense should be good, no matter what, but the Braves badly need Fried to return to form and for Strider to figure his stuff out. I hope Kyle returns but I’m not confident he does, or does so effectively.
It's extremely generous to think we'll get anything out of Wright. Shoulder issues are big. Killed Avery's career. Ended Smoltz's.
With Fried, we can only hope the rest works. Because resting a tight forearm didn't work out for DeGrom.
With Fried, we can only hope the rest works. Because resting a tight forearm didn't work out for DeGrom.
WaitingFor2017
Well-known member
If you took out the 7 Braves-Marlins games, the Braves and Marlins would have the exact same 40-25 record.
In reality, the Braves should be 7-0 against Miami this year, but AJ.....
In reality, the Braves should be 7-0 against Miami this year, but AJ.....
UNCBlue012
Well-known member
Fried’s “seems” to be less of an issue than many thought, but we’ll see. With Atlanta crushing, I’d give him a little extra rest and hope he can be the guy in August on. Agreed on Wright. If he does return, I’m guessing he becomes a long-inning threat who can start here and there, which I’m fine with.
UNCBlue012
Well-known member
That was the only game this season where I lost my **** (I’m growing up, I suppose). Such a brutal loss that thankfully didn’t cripple the team at all.
Not that it changes your point, but Smoltz was 40 anyways. Seems like maybe just being old ended his career.
Yep - come playoff time, we are gonna need ace pitching - because that’s what we will be facing.
If we don’t have three good starters, this winning a hundred games and having best offense in baseball will be wasted. Fried +Strider +Elder works.
But no Fried and it looks bleak. ESPECIALLY if Strider continues his sophomore slump.
Problem of course is we don’t really have a brinks truck of MiLB prospects to unload for a rental.
Perhaps AJSS becomes him. Perhaps Soroka finds it. Perhaps Kyle comes back in fine form.
Perhaps ….
Hudson2
Well-known member
Grissom for Giolito and a bullpen arm would do the trick. Grissom will never get a chance here so it’s time to sell while he has value.
Where though? I'm not seeing much top level starting pitching around the NL right now among contending teams. The Cubbies and the Pads probably have the best rotations outside of us and neither one seems particularly likely at this point to make the playoffs. Dodgers aren't getting much beyond Kershaw and Gonsolin (who is more similar to Wright/Charlie). Same for the Giants. I guess the DBacks have Gallen and Merrill as legit top of the rotation guys.
Maybe things will change, but the only other contending team with real formidable starting pitching in the NL right now look to be the Marlins. Especially if Alcantara can regain his previous form.