An off-day for the Cubs, and I’m getting ready to watch the Mets and Giants, because I am a glutton for punishment and I want to see old friends Kris Bryant and Javy Báez playing (ope, before I could push publish, the Giants already took a 2-0 lead on, what else, a Kris Bryant homer). Tonight’s is the finale of the series in New York, with the Giants already having won the first two.
That’s been the course for the Mets for a very long time, who have dealt with a whole lot of injury issues – most notably would-have-been-MVP Jacob deGrom – and who have absolutely cratered since mid-June:
On 6/16, the Mets had a 35-25 record.
Since then, they’re 26-40, which is the worst record in the NL East.
Here are the records of the NL East teams since 6/16:W-L GB
ATL: 38-23 —
PHI: 30-30 7.5
WAS: 24-36 13.5
MIA: 23-36 14
NYM: 26-40 14.5— Ed Leyro (@Studi_Metsimus) August 26, 2021
For all intents and purposes, a team that was a long-time division leader – they were up 5.0 games at one point – is now hopelessly out of playoff contention. And that after doing at least a little buying at the deadline, bringing in Báez and Trevor Williams from the Cubs.
Honestly? I feel a little bad for them. Or at least their fans. Or maybe it’s only for Javy Báez, who is hitting just .196/.260/.370 (75 wRC+) since the trade, who also was injured, and who is being constantly ragged on by various folks who aren’t as accustomed to the highs and lows you get with him.
And who this week has gone sports viral twice for the wrong reasons. A hilariously bad swing:
This swing by Javy Baez 😬 pic.twitter.com/WwTrwyFOuG
— MLB Errors (@mlberrors) August 24, 2021
And a terrible baserunning decision:
Interesting base running strategy by Javier Báez … pic.twitter.com/lRzGOf36QS
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) August 25, 2021
Since we’re on the topic of Báez and things that aren’t great, I hate this, too:
Javier Baez had played in 162 games since the start of the 2020 season entering tonight.
Baez’s numbers in those 162 games: .227/.270/.431, 222 K, 25 BB.
— Kyle Glaser (@KyleAGlaser) August 26, 2021
It’s all unfortunate for Báez as he heads toward his first go at free agency, where I have a hard time imagining a huge contract being there for him. I tend to think a lot of teams are going to try to talk him into taking a prove-it deal so that he can reset his market when there are fewer top-tier shortstop options. Maybe that’s the route he goes.
Either way, I’ll root for a better end to his season, starting tonight against Bryant and the Giants, even if the Mets are toast.