HALFWAY HOME 7-14-2016

Here we are at the "traditional" halfway point of the season and the Mets are still in the race.  Honestly, I thought they would be in better shape in the pennant race but it is what it is. They can still make a run at the division, being only 6 games back, but don't forget the wildcard is still within their grasp.  The keys to a better second half are:

A stable bullpen

More consistent offense 

Better fundies

Stay healthy

I believe if they can accomplish these (no brainer) goals then they have have a shot at being right there when the dust settles.

They managed to take 2 out of three from the Phillies, but now the job gets tougher.  Cubs, Marlins, St. Louis, no breaks in this schedule.

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Matt Harvey has chosen to have season-ending surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome.

The surgery will be performed this week, we believe, by preeminent TOS surgeon Dr. Robert Thompson in St. Louis, Boras told ESPN.com.

Harvey said via Twitter:

"I'm extremely disappointed to learn that I'll be out for the season, but I'm relieved to have answers and get back to doing what I love"

The surgery will remove a rib that is constricting nerves and blood vessels - that travel through his shoulder - where the rib connects to the upper spine. Removing the rib creates space and alleviates the constriction, which will restore feeling in Harvey's pitching arm and fingers.

Good luck to him hope all goes well as we will need him down the road.

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Noah Syndergaard said that after the break, he is going to be like Bartolo Colon.  No, he's not going to start eating donuts and bulk up but, he will adjust his off-day work routines to keep his arm fresh and back off his bullpen work like Big Sexy does.

“I am going to take a step back, look at my routine every five days and take a play out of Bartolo’s playbook,” Syndergaard said. “He doesn’t throw bullpens, he takes it really light on his arm and every fifth day he is fresh as can be.

“I am at the point of the season where I don’t need to be throwing 30-35 pitch bullpens anymore,” Syndergaard added. “I am going to taper it back to 15-20, if that.”

Syndergaard, who left his last start Friday against the Nats with  arm/shoulder fatigue, said Monday he will just play catch before Tuesday’s All-Star Game to see how the arm is feeling . He says he will be ready to go for the Cubs series, on Monday.

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THE RETURN OF JOSE 7-5-2016

From Metsblog.com:

Jose Reyes will join the Mets and be activated on Tuesday, the team announced Monday.

Travis d'Arnaud agreed to give up his number so Reyes can wear No. 7, according to ESPN.

Terry Collins has said Reyes, 33, will likely bat leadoff when he joins the team, while getting most of his time in the field at third base.

"He's going to bring us a ton of energy," David Wright told reporters this past weekend, when asked about Reyes potentially rejoining the Mets. "I think that's something we can really use is his dynamic on the field -- his speed, his charisma, his ability."

All true, you can always use more energy.  He will also offer a veteran voice in the clubhouse in the second half of the season. I'm curious to see the type of reaction he gets tonight at Citi Field at his first at bat.  I know a lot of people do not like the move, bringing him back, but it really is a no-brainer for the Mets.  Reyes cost them nothing except money, and we get to see if he has anything left.  If the experiment fails you let him go. Simple. As far as the reaction goes, I wouldn't be surprised at anything that occurs, though I would expect a standing ovation, with a spattering of boos.  We shall see.

BASEBALL IS A CRAZY GAME 7-3-2016

Baseball is a crazy game.  Last week we took the Mets for dead, swept by the Nationals and coming home to face the best team in the league the Cubs. And what do the Mets do, they go out and sweep the Cubs, taking apart the Cubs pitching staff in two of the four games. In an amazing display of offense Wilmer Flores went  6 for 6 .  I guess home cooking revitalized the team, and maybe the infectious smile of Brandon Nimmo, a recent call up, lit a fire, whatever it was let's hope it continue thru the rest of the home stand.

If Brandon Nimmo continue to perform , I can see a toothpaste commercial in his future, don’t you?

Have a feeling the Miami Marlins will be chasing all this season.  They have a good young crew that can hit and catch the ball.  The pitching is thin but just might have enough to keep in the race.

MEET BILLY BRYK JR.

Billy Bryk Jr. 31, is the new pitching coach for the 2016 Brooklyn Cyclones.  Billy served as a pitching coach for the Frontier Greys in the independent Frontier League in 2015.  Billy comes from a baseball family.  His father, Bill, is currently a Special Assistant to the General Manager for the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Bill Sr., pitched in the minors for the Mets in 1972 for Batavia, and worked in the Pirates scouting and developing department for 16 years from 1982-1998. 

Bill Jr., worked in independent baseball from 2007-12 in different capacities and then served as a special assignment scout for the Arizona Diamondbacks in  2013 & 2014.  At the end of last season Billy signed a contract with the Lake Erie Crushers in the independent Frontier League.  About a week after signing with them, Bryk received a call from Ron Romanick, the Mets Minor League pitching Coordinator, informing him that there was two open coaching positions, one of those was in Brooklyn on Tom Gamboa’s staff.  “It got me speechless at first, because I’ve known Gambi since I was in High School when he was with the Padres with my father”.

Extended Spring Training is a long haul but, it allowed Bryk to see  what kind of pitchers the Mets had. “ Being in spring training, extended is a grueling uh, it’s a grind  every day going to the field and seeing guys you may not even have,” Bryk said.  “ The last couple of weeks I‘ve been getting more of a feel for the guys I may be able to get.”

Bryk is very happy with his staff and urges the fans to “watch everyone.” “There’s not just one guy, I would say as a whole, everyone will be refreshing to watch,” Bryk said.  Bryk did go on to explain that fans that like velocity, like he does,  should keep an eye on Merandy Gonzalez, “ he can bring it up there at 97 or 98.”   The pitchers will be on a pitch count of about 80 pitches, especially the starters.  “You”ll see more out of them the second or third time out there, “ Bryk said.

 That’s it for now until next time

KEEP THE FAITH

STAY OPTIMISTIC

AND

LET’S GO METS