Tag: new-york-mets

Checking in on the Arizona Fall League

Did you think baseball ended with the conclusion of the World Series? Think again. The Arizona Fall League is in full swing, with 21 games for most teams already in the books. I gave a preview of the players from our three teams that are playing in the AFL that you can read here. The league is structured so that all players can be showcased at least somewhat equally. The goal for these organizations is to get a longer look at players, whether they are top prospects or are intriguing enough to warrant a more in depth look. Listed below are the three players (one each from the Yankees, Mets and Phillies) that are having an impact and could potentially land in the Majors in 2025.

Andrew Painter has a 2.70 ERA in four AFL outings. Photo from Sports Illustrated

Caleb Durbin-New York Yankees

The 24-year old Durbin is a rarity: this is the second straight year he is spending time in Arizona. Originally a 2021 14th round draft pick of the Atlanta Braves, Durbin came to the Yankees as part of the deal that sent Lucas Luetge to the Braves. He is hoping this stint in the AFL solidifies a spot on the Yankees 40 man roster. If not, he will be exposed in the Rule 5 Draft, and most likely, a ticket out of the organization. Durbin has something the Yankees should be interested in: speed. He leads the league in stolen bases with 22 in just 18 games, this after finishing the 2023 AFL season with 21. Playing multiple positions during the Fall, Durbin also has three home runs to go along with a .393 on base percentage. For his efforts, he was named the AFL Player of the Week for the week ending October 26.

Drew Gilbert-New York Mets

Most Met fans know who Gilbert is. As the the organization’s #3 prospect according to MLB.com, he has been on the radar since being acquired from the Houston Astros for Justin Verlander. MLB.com also projects Gilbert to be playing with the big club in 2025. His AFL batting average is a pedestrian .216 but he is tied for sixth in home runs with four. However, he has scored 11 runs in 14 games and has drawn ten walks. The Mets’ outfield does have some room for Gilbert next year. Starling Marte is almost guaranteed to miss time with injury and will be in the final year of his contract. Harrison Bader and Jesse Winker are both free agents. The signs point to Gilbert’s arrival in Queens at some point, perhaps as early as Opening Day.

Andrew Painter-Phillies

Phillies’ fans are salivating at the possibility of the 6-7 right-hander in the rotation in 2025. His performance in the AFL is only ramping up those expectations. In ten innings pitched through four games, the 21-year old Painter has ten strikeouts and a WHIP of .90. His fastball has been close to 100 and he introduced a slider during his last outing. Painter lost the last two seasons because of Tommy John surgery after being taken with the 13th overall pick of the 2021 Draft. Philadelphia’s starting rotation has four locked down spots with Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez and Ranger Suarez. Should the Phillies slide Taijuan Walker back into the fifth spot, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Painter break Spring Training in the bullpen.

MLB Playoffs: Subway Series Dreams Are Far From Dead

It’s a beautiful Saturday afternoon in more ways than one. The sun is shining and for the first time in a week the temperature will hit 70 degrees. Perhaps nothing is more beautiful than knowing that the dreams of all New Yorkers are still very much alive. The Mets gave Citi Field one more party in 2024 with their 12-6 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers while the Yankees showed more resiliency with their 8-6 win over the Cleveland Guardians. We in New York get one more weekend of full baseball, one more chance to get both of our teams in the World Series, much to the chagrin of MLB executives and Fox.

Gleyber Torres has been a big time playoff performer. Photo from Sports Illustrated

First, let’s look at the easy road. The Yankees will be in the World Series. As difficult as the Guardians are as an opponent, the Yanks have proven to be just a shade better. Cleveland’s renowned bullpen, and Emmanuel Clase in particular, has faltered just enough to give New York the edge. New York’s bullpen has been a little bit better, despite Luke Weaver giving up a big home run in Game 3. Giancarlo Stanton has proven to be a playoff difference maker with his home runs in big spots. Gleyber Torres has left his regular season woes in the rearview mirror. There is a chance Carlos Rodon doesn’t pitch quite as well in Game 5 as he did in Game 1, potentially allowing the Guardians to extend the series. However, Gerrit Cole will certainly fare better than his Game 2 performance, launching his team into the World Series.

It won’t be easy for the Mets. Not only do they have to win consecutive road games to clinch, but they are playing against a club that has looked great while also displaying their own brand of resolve. The Dodgers were a game away from elimination in the previous round against a hot San Diego Padres team and won two straight to advance to this round. Although the Mets’ three losses look like lopsided scores, they really were in every game. A big problem has been their inability to score with runners on base. Nothing epitomizes that more than their bases loaded, no out situation in the sixth inning of Game 4. they failed to score a single run. Credit must be given to the Dodgers’ staff for working out of those jams. However, if you are a championship ballclub, your lineup needs to push runs across the plate. I really believe that the Mets hitters will turn those missed opportunities into runs. The question is, can the Met pitching keep the potent Dodgers’ lineup down just enough to get a lead to Edwin Diaz?

The Yankees will be playing at this time next week. The Mets, that is less certain. It is going to be a big hill to climb. Have faith, New York baseball fans. At this time next week, both of our teams will be preparing for Game 1 of the World Series.

New York Mets: New Territory for Matthew

Because it is just a two day turnaround for the start of the National League Championship Series, there hasn’t been much time for hype. Not much time for thoughts on the opponent. The New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers are about to clash for the right to play in the World Series. This represents the first time Matthew gets to see his baseball team play in an NLCS. He can lean on his brother and sister for solace in case the Mets’ magical ride comes to an end. If they win, then it’s only Caitlyn that can tell him what it is like to watch your team in the World Series.

Sean Manaea will take the ball in Game 2. Photo from Sports Illustrated

Matthew is ready. We had a talk about the Mets’ rotation. He thought they would use a full five man rotation. I explained that in a seven game series they only go four starters deep. That means David Peterson will most likely pitch out of the bullpen again. Kodai Senga gets the start in Game 1 ; expect to see Peterson go multiple innings right out of the gate. Sean Manaea gets the call in Game 2. After that, it is TBD. Matthew is not nervous. In fact, he is supremely confident that the Mets will win in six games. He predicts Shohei Ohtani will go 7 for 20 with two home runs. Most importantly, he says that Francisco Lindor will win the NLCS MVP.

My only piece of advice for Matthew is that he should enjoy the moment. I told him I was 8 when I watched the Yankees play in the World Series. I had some memories of those games but I didn’t stay awake for all of them. The next time I saw them play in an ALCS, I was out of college. He will be lucky enough to watch the conclusion of all the games. Cherish the next week. Celebrate the wins. Don’t give up after the defeats. Realize that win or lose, you will always remember the journey and how much fun it was.

MLB in October: More Than Just the Postseason

I get it, the Major League Baseball playoffs are a big deal. This is what every player dreams of, fighting for the chance to win a World Series. However, there are many more teams whose seasons have concluded and are now focusing on 2025. For those fans who love baseball but just can’t bear to watch the postseason without their favorite team, there is still competitive baseball being played. In fact, even the teams still left in the playoffs have a vested interest in this “other” baseball currently in action.

Austin Wells is one of many guys who have played in the AFL. Photo from Sports Illustrated

The Arizona Fall League was formed in 1992 with the purpose of giving all Major League organizations a chance to take a longer look at a certain group of prospects. The AFL consists of six teams, with MLB clubs sending seven (or more) prospects each to form the league. Play for 2024 began on October 7th and will wrap up the season with a championship game on November 16th. It also features a Home Run Derby on November 8th and an All Star Game on November 9th. The list of players to play in the AFL reads like a laundry list of All-Stars and even some Hall of Famers like Derek Jeter. Prominent current players from our respective teams that have participated include Aaron Judge, Austin Wells, Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the players from each of our teams who are getting extended paying time in Arizona. Team names of the respective AFL squads are in parenthesis.

New York Yankees (Salt River Rafters): Harrison Cohen (RHP), Jackson Fristoe (LHP), Ryan Harvey (RHP), Carlos Lagrange (RHP), Luis Pacheco (RHP), Rafael Flores (C), Caleb Durbin (SS), and Garrett Martin (RF)

Cohen was 5-0 with a 1.35 ERA at three Minor League levels, finishing up by dominating at High Class A Hudson Valley. Fristoe started 12 games at Hudson Valley, pitching to a 3/79 ERA and holding opponents to a .201 batting average. Harvey signed as an undrafted free agent and started 12 games for Class A Tampa. Lagrange is 21 and is 6-7, pitching nine games total at Rookie ball and Tampa. Pacheco pitched at three different levels in 2024, finishing at Double A Somerset. Flores is only 17 and stole 19 bases 49 Rookie ball games. Durbin spent much of the year at Triple A Scranton-Wilkes Barre, posting a .394 on base percentage. Martin slugged 12 home runs at Hudson Valley.

New York Mets (Scottsdale Scorpions) : Noah Hall (RHP), Jonathan Pintaro (RHP), Jawilme Ramirez (RHP), Dylan Ross (RHP), Jett Williams (SS), and Drew Gilbert (CF)

Hall started the season with High Class A Brooklyn but was injured early and did not pitch after April 26. Pintaro, who finished with a 2.68 ERA, worked his way up the ladder in 2024, landing at Triple A Syracuse for his final start of the year. Ramirez also ended up in Syracuse at season’s end, recording a 3.58 ERA. Ross had his season wrecked by injury, pitching in only one game. Williams, the Mets’ #1 pick in 2022, hit .364 in 22 at-bats at Syracuse. Gilbert, the #2 organizational prospect, hit .205 at Syracuse.

PS-Jeff McNeil is also on the AFL roster, presumably to get at bats in anticipation of being added to the NLCS roster.

Philadelphia Phillies (Glendale Desert Dogs): Tristan Garnett (LHP), Griff McGarry (LHP), Christian McGowan (RHP), Wesley Moore (LHP), Andrew Painter (RHP), Wen-Hui Pan (RHP), Jordan Dissin (C), Otto Kemp (3B), Bryan Rincon (SS), and Gabriel Rincones, Jr. (OF)

The 6-6 Garnett climbed the ladder, ending at Triple A Lehigh Valley, and struck out 56 batters in 41 innings. McGary recorded 40 strikeouts in 30 2/3 innings at Lehigh Valley. McGowan was injured off and on, pitching in 11 games at Double A Reading. In two Minor League seasons, Moore has posted a 2.33 ERA in 70 games. Painter, the Phillies’ #1 prospect missed all of 2023 and 2024 with Tommy John surgery. Pan registered a 1.29 ERA in 14 games at High Class A Jersey Shore. Dissin registered .354 OBP between Single A and Double A. Kemp played at four different levels in 2024, with 16 home runs and a .392 OBP. Rincon struggled in 2024, spending ten weeks on the injured list. Rincones, Jr has 26 home runs in 188 Minor League games.

I will be periodically checking in on these players until the AFL seasons ends.

MLB Playoffs: Checking in on the Family Vibe

I write this in anticipation of the New York Yankees clinching their divisional series against the Kansas City Royals this evening. I’ve checked in with Ryan today who, like most Yankee fans is waiting for the bats to wake up. As far as the other two kids go, well, their series is over. The New York Mets next play on Sunday vs. either the San Diego Padres or the Los Angeles Dodgers. Unfortunately, the Philadelphia Phillies next play a game in 2025, a fact that Caitlyn is trying to come to grips with.

Giancarlo Stanton is the best Yankee in the playoffs. Photo from Sports Illustrated

I knew this would be a really hard week. Someone has to win and someone has to lose, but knowing that didn’t make it better with the realization that one of my kids would be sad. At the end of each game, no matter who won, Caitlyn and Matthew would shake hands and say, “good game” to one another. It speaks to their excellent character and their love for one another. I firmly believe that if it is the Yankees playing the Mets in the World Series, Ryan and Matthew will exhibit the same affection for one another.

On to the three teams:

Yankees: It’s amazing how much Giancarlo Stanton can disappear in the regular season only to become the Yanks’ best hitter during the playoffs. It happened in 2022 and it is happening again now. Aaron Judge is slumping once again and the barbs regarding this on Ryan’s texts continue. His confidence level is not great but he believes that with just enough offense tonight New York moves on. He might even put in a good word for Gleyber Torres if they win. Ryan will be home next weekend so it represents a great chance to get his facial expression on either a Yankee victory or a Yankee face plant.

Phillies: Well, Caitlyn’s greatest fear came true. A regression from World Series in 2022 to NLCS in 2023 to NLDS in 2024 materialized in the most painful way possible. Now she is convinced they will lose in the Wild Card round next year and then miss the playoffs for the next ten years. I told her that as long as Bryce Harper is around, that will not happen. She doesn’t want them to win the division next year given the track record of division winners in the divisional round. I countered that the Mets were the best team in baseball since June 1. The first goal any team makes is win the division. All is not lost in 2024. I told her to pay attention to the Phillies’ prospects in the Arizona Fall League.

Mets: I suspect that Matthew would have celebrated a little bit more had the Mets beaten a team other than the Phillies. He said that he felt bad for Caitlyn as he knows what she is feeling. With that said, he is amped for Sunday. He would like the Dodgers to beat the Padres Friday as he believes San Diego is the better team. It’s a good thing there is no school Monday as Game 1 will begin at 8:15 PM EST. I think for as long as the Mets are in the playoffs, he can breeze past his bedtime to watch the finish of each game. Just think, the last time the Mets made it this far, he was 4. It’s now official: everyone in my family will have seen at least one League Championship Series with their favorite team playing.

New York Mets: Despair, and Then, Elation

I knew they could do it.

Even at 2-0 in the top of the 9th inning, I held fast to the belief that the New York Mets would find a way to steal victory away from the Milwaukee Brewers. I said all during the day and I saw no reason to change my mind. Actually, my faith was made stronger when Devin Williams was only given the final inning as opposed to coming in the game in the top of the 8th. More on that later. Anyhow, as you can imagine, once Jake Bauers and Sal Frelick went deep in consecutive at bats, it was doom and gloom in the Lynch household. Even the mild mannered wife raised her voice in disgust at the sight of Milwaukee celebrating their display of power.

OMG they did it again. Photo from Sports Illustrated

As for Matthew……

Let’s just say he did not take it well. Growing up, Matthew was very hard to console after a loss, even a seemingly innocent one at the beginning of May. The zenith of this was that game in Washington in 2019 when the Mets took a 10-4 lead into the 9th inning only to lose 11-10. Come on, Met fans you know which one I am talking about that. Even non-Met fans remember that. In any event, as he got older Matthew calmed down quite a bit, taking each loss in stride. As I’ve mentioned previously, he went to Game 3 of the Wild Card round in 2022 and though gloomy, was nowhere near the fire breather he was three years prior to that. Maybe it was the stakes of the game last night. Maybe it was how the game unfolded. Maybe it was the thought of a series defeat after working so hard to get that point. THAT Matthew returned last night, but in a different way. He was more measured and though there was an outburst, it was limited to a couple of words. He did send out a very long text to our group chat, letting us all know what he thought of the Brewers, their fans and the fact he wasn’t alive the last time the Brewers made the World Series.

And then…..

Pete Alonso took control. His three run home run sent us into a frenzy. Again, the mild mannered wife showed emotion, this time of a different kind. And Matthew repeated “Oh my goodness, oh my goodness” about 20 times in succession while jumping up and down repeatedly. He was reminded that it was late and his grandmother was sleeping downstairs. He would later tell us he was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. Matthew was over the moon and I couldn’t have been happier for him. He and his team deserved to play another series. I think while watching the final out he was thrilled but also relieved. Who knows what kind of teasing he would have gotten from his Yankee friends at school had the Mets lost.

Back to me. I will admit that I got nervous once the Brewers took the lead. I thought manager Pat Murphy would go to Devin Williams to get the final six outs. You know, bring in your best guy immediately to close the deal. Instead, Freddy Peralta retired the Mets in order in the 8th and Williams was summoned for the 9th. Let this be the final lesson to all Major League managers. You are going to get burned when you continuously play Reliever Roulette. It very nearly happened on Tuesday when the Tigers removed Tarik Skubal after six dominant innings. It struck Pat Murphy and the Brewers last night.

As for the Lynch House, these next seven days will be………….challenging.

No Party Like a Lynch Baseball Party

It took all the way until game 161 but all three teams in the Lynch household have made the playoffs. The New York Mets’ incredible 8-7 victory against the Atlanta Braves in Monday’s opening game was one for the ages. It is too bad I was stuck at work missing arguably the most exciting game of the year (thank goodness for MLB At Bat). For the second time in three years, it will be a playoff party in our house with the Mets, New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies all playing in the postseason. Though the Mets lost early two years ago, Matthew was lucky enough to attend game three with my sister, Kathleen. Despite the loss, he called it the greatest sporting event he has witnessed. Playoff baseball does that to you.

Francisco Lindor‘s 9th inning home run made it a Lynch Playoff Party. Photo from SI.

This isn’t going to be about predictions. Instead, I am going to gauge the confidence of the kids in the house on how they feel their respective teams are going to do over these next six weeks.

Yankees: I don’t think Ryan is very confident about this group. There have been too many scars from playoffs past to change his mind about 2024. He expects the same same script as 2022: no clutch hitting. We both agree the American League is set up for the Yanks to make the World Series. Anything less than a World Series appearance this year would be a huge failure, one that I haven’t seen in at least a decade. It might be on par or surpass the 2010 ALCS loss to the Texas Rangers. Though Ryan has seen plenty of playoff series for the Yankees, they have never gotten back to the heights of the 2017 ALCS, a Game 7 loss……..pre Aaron Boone.

Mets: I don’t know how you can top what we saw in Atlanta. I kept getting texts from Matthew that shows the emotion baseball can provide. He went from running around the living room with joy in the top of the 8th inning, calling Edwin Diaz a bum in the bottom of the 8th inning to having no words after Francisco Lindor’s home run in the 9th inning. But he has also been educated in the woes that comes with the territory if being a Mets’ fan. He does think they will beat the Milwaukee Brewers in three games. I think that will give him great joy and he will call it a successful season. Of course, a series win over the Brewers sets up an NLDS match with…..the Phillies.

Phillies: The Hunt for Red October makes its third consecutive appearance. Caitlyn’s big fear is this: the Phillies lose in the NLDS this year after making the World Series in 2022 and the NLCS in 2023. The National League is so much harder than the American League in that any one of the six teams has a chance to win it all. She is a Nervous Nelly during regular season games; with playoff games she paces around enough to complete a marathon. There will be lots of talking to the TV and out loud to anyone who will listen (usually me). As far as her confidence level goes, she believes this is the year it all comes together.

The Atlanta Braves: the Common Enemy

If it’s a Sunday in September, then you know it’s an important day on the baseball calendar. It is September 29, so it is the final day of the regular season. The final two playoff positions come down to three different teams so it will be indeed a wild day. Two of our three teams, the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies are comfortably in the playoffs. The third team, the New York Mets, are limping into Game 162 as one of those three teams fighting for the last two postseason berths. What most likely awaits them is a trip on Monday to visit one of the other teams they are fighting and the team both Caitlyn and Matthew can’t stand: the Atlanta Braves.

Matt Olson and the Atlanta Braves: Public Enemy #1. Photo from Sports Illustrated

Yes, the Braves. I don’t think there is a Mets’ fan in the world that believes the trip down south is going to end well. It seems like forever that the Braves have continually haunted the Mets. Even Matthew, despite being 13, knows the scars. After all, it was 2022 when the Mets needed to win only one game in Atlanta to win the National League East. Instead they were swept and then proceeded to lose the Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres. It was earlier this week when Atlanta’s Spencer Schwellenbach sent New York into a possible, fatal tailspin by throwing seven innings of one run ball. In 2022, Matthew actually went to Game 3 of that Wild Card round and though that was a bitter loss, the constant pounding of the Mets by the Braves has worn the kid down.

As for Caitlyn, you would think she looks down on Atlanta. The Phillies have beaten down the Braves in both the 2022 and 2023 divisional round. I actually think she dislikes them even more than Matthew does. Perhaps it starts with the fact that despite beating the Braves that last two years in the playoffs, Atlanta has finished ahead of them in the division. There is also Marcell Ozuna whose checkered history includes a battery and aggravated assault charge for allegedly hitting his wife as well as his DUI arrest. Of course, the Braves also employ Orlando Arcia, the man who, after Game 2 of last year’s NLDS mocked Bryce Harper with the immortal phrase, “atta boy Harper’. I do believe she is nervous about potentially facing that team a third consecutive season in the playoffs, all the more reason for her dislike towards them.

As for Ryan, the Braves mean nothing to him. There is no Yankees-Braves rivalry until they potentially meet in the World Series. But since his brother and sister don’t like them, he is not a fan, either. A Lynch nightmare scenario does exist in 2024. The Braves can prevent the Mets from making the playoffs, beat the Phillies in the National League playoffs and beat the Yankees in the World Series. If that scenario plays out, the Lynch family won’t be taking a road trip to Atlanta any time soon.

Can the New York Mets Get Off the Floor One More Time?

Well, that game stunk. Matthew lost faith quickly and though I tried to be positive, the effort seemed futile. The New York Mets dropped the first game of their critical three game series against the Atlanta Braves by a score of 5-1. Luis Severino did not have it, pitching with traffic all game and surrendering four runs in four innings. At one point, Mathew called him a bum, an understandable but clear overreaction to a guy who has given the Mets plenty of solid outings in 2024. With five games to go and the playoffs not a guarantee, can the Mets rebound one last time in 2024?

Carlos Mendoza will not let the team be the same old Mets. Photo from NY Post

Despite being one game in front of the Braves, New York faces a daunting five days. First, they must find a way to beat the best pitcher in baseball on Wednesday. Chris Sale is 18-3 and on his way to the National League Cy Young Award. He faced the Mets once already this season, on July 25, pitching 7 1/3 innings and allowing two runs. The Mets would win in 10 innings by a score of 3-2. He has pitched 24 innings in September and has allowed only three earned runs. Yikes. If the Amazins’ can’t win on Wednesday, they will be tied with Atlanta going into Thursday’s game which, if the weather holds true, will be rained out. So that means they will be tied with the Braves heading into a weekend series in Milwaukee against the Central Division champion Brewers. Meanwhile, Atlanta gets to host the free-falling Kansas City Royals. If the two teams are tied for the final spot after Sunday, guess what? Game 163 against one another with a second showdown in five days with Chris Sale. Not appetizing to say the least.

If this is truly not the same old Mets, the Mets that would have been buried by July 1, then they will find a way to beat Chris Sale and the Braves to go back up by two games. Nothing about 2024 has screamed LOL Mets. At 11 games back they rallied, after the brutal loss on that August Sunday in San Diego, they dusted themselves off and kept winning. Even the recent injury to MVP candidate Francisco Lindor hasn’t slowed them down. However, should they fall short of the playoffs, this season will almost feel like a waste. It really would be the same old, LOL, lovable loser Mets. That’s not happening. I feel like the page truly has been turned for the organization with an owner that will spend money and stability at the top of the front office.

Prediction for Wednesday, September 25: New York Mets 6 Atlanta Braves 3

Embracing Pennant Chase Baseball

It is sad that the Major League Baseball regular season is ending in less than two weeks. 60% of the teams in the league will not be playing in October. Our daily routine over the last six months of checking box scores and Quick Pitch highlights will conclude, leaving a void until the Spring. Fortunately, for the fans in our house, there is so much more on the line and as we continue more intense scoreboard watching over the next 12 days. All three of our teams are in playoff position yet we still check the other teams that are in direct competition with our teams to see where our playoff seeding is.

Aaron Judge leads the Yankees to another AL East title. Phot from Sports Illustrated

We have Ryan checking in on the Orioles to see if the Yankees can finally put some distance between them and win the American League East. Spoiler alert: the race is over. Matthew is making sure the Mets continue to stay ahead of the Braves while also eyeballing the second wild card spot as the Diamondbacks have entered another September swoon. Caitlyn is anxious for the Phillies to claim the best record in baseball while also rooting for the Dodgers and Braves to lose every night. Two teams are comfortably in playoff spots while the third is making life easier for their fans. It is indeed a fun time of year, even though one of us is 140 miles away. This is a far cry from last year when both the Yankees and Mets missed the playoffs and Caitlyn had playoff baseball all to herself.

Baseball is so much better when all three of our teams make the playoffs as was the case in 2022. Competitive baseball in September helps us cope with the start of school and the end of warm weather. For at least two kids, the season will have a bitter ending. Here is hoping one of them will be smiling when the last out of the 2024 season is made.