The Mets Should Fire Luis Rojas

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I’m not writing this with any glee. I’m writing this because this is where the team is at in this pennant race. If there’s one thing that’s been wrong with the Mets is the manager Luis Rojas‘ feel for pitching changes. Most everyone knew that the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers would give the Mets a lot of trouble. But in their 11 losses to them, seven were by one run, and Rojas cost them some games during that stretch, one that may have long-term ramifications.

Case in point, Taijuan Walker was pitching a two-hitter against Giants. He gave up one run, a home run to Kris Bryant. In the seventh inning, Walker was in there on a low pitch count, and he’s rebounded from some bad starts, so things looked good. First, there was a misplayed ball by Jonathan Villar at third base. Javy Baez really should be there, and Villar should be a backup, but that’s on the manager too. Then there was a bloop hit that Michael Conforto tried to dive to get it was in no man’s land. Rivera started to come from the dugout, and that’s when Walker held out his arms like “why?”. Aaron Loup came in and Brandon Crawford knocked a double in the gap and the Giants took a 3-2 lead. Walker was disgusted. He only threw 74 pitches, and he threw his Gatorade cup.

The Mets can’t worry about what’s left to pay Rivera. He should be shown the door for living and dying with too many “fringe” players and not playing his stars enough, like Francisco Lindor getting a day off after his first game back from a lengthy absence. The Mets don’t try to play small ball even though they have some fast players and some who can make good contact. Rivera harps on them whiffing on fastballs instead of telling them to shorten up their swing and manufacture some runs to support the pitching staff. The Mets are ranked 27th in steals. The Mets are ranked 30th in sacrifice flys, and Lindor leads the team with five bunts, tied for 15th in baseball. The fans were justified in chanting, “FIRE ROJAS”.

The Mets are 7.5 with Jacob deGrom getting closer and Noah Syndergaard throwing rehab innings. A different manager, a different voice is needed.

Hire Mike Scioscia, he managed Team USA in the Olympics and took a silver medal. He has the pedigree, and he probably can fix the black hole behind the plate too.

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NL Wildcard Race

I’m still bullish on the Cincinnati Reds even though they lost their mid-game closer, Tejay Antone. Their hitting is still solid. Nick Castellanos is back and homering again, and Joey Votto has decided he’s now going to hit home runs, and that could put them over the top. Votto has hit 28, and he should surpass his career-high of 37. His 82 RBI are his most since 2018 when he hit 100. Don’t count out the Reds.

The San Diego Padres have pitching issues. They fired their pitching coach, Larry Rothschild, who is getting long in the tooth. Ben Fritz took over and he has to gain two games in the standings to catch the Reds. The Dodgers and Giants are safe.