/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51220687/612913134.0.jpg)
Meet the Mets
The Mets lost in devastating fashion 3-0 to the Giants in the National League Wild Card game. From the start, the game was a pitchers’ duel. Noah Syndergaard was brilliant, throwing seven shutout innings and striking out 10, but Madison Bumgarner managed to best him, shutting out the Mets over all nine innings. Addison Reed took over in the eighth for the Mets and kept it scoreless, but closer Jeurys Familia surrendered the three-run home run in the top of the ninth that would ultimately end the Mets’ season.
Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue short and long, MLB.com, ESPN New York, New York Post, Daily News, Newsday, New York Times, NJ.com, NorthJersey.com, Wall Street Journal
Asdrubal Cabrera will visit a doctor today. He has been dealing with an injured knee since early August, even spending some time on the disabled list.
ESPN New York put together a primer on what to expect for the Mets this offseason, beginning with Yoenis Cespedes opting out of his contract.
For MLB.com, Tracy Ringolsby discussed the epic pitchers’ duel that was Noah Syndergaard versus Madison Bumgarner.
In the Post, Fred Kerber wrote about a surprising bright spot this season, catcher Rene Rivera. Rivera went from being jobless in April, to a starting catcher in October over the course of 2016.
Jose Reyes stated that he wants to finish his career with the Mets. After being acquired on the heals of a suspension stemming from a domestic violence incident, Reyes hit .267/.326/.443 for the Mets.
Mike Vaccaro for the Post, and John Harper of the Daily News both wrote about the postseason failures of Jeurys Familia.
David Wright is confident he will be healthy and ready for the 2017. Wright played in just 37 games this season.
Curtis Granderson made a spectacular catch in center field to keep the Mets’ season alive. Granderson was pressed into center field duty this season, as Juan Lagares got hurt, and Cespedes preferred to play left field.
Wilmer Flores will undergo surgery to fix a broken hamate bone in his hand. The injury occurred in early September while sliding into home against the Braves.
Around the NL East
The Marlins announced that they had picked up Ichiro Suzuki’s option for 2017, and have signed Martin Prado to a three-year extension. Ichiro batted .291/.354/.376 in a bench role, and Prado hit a solid .305/.359/.417.
Daniel Murphy is expected to be ready for the first game of the NLDS for the Nationals. He has been dealing with a strain of his left buttock.
Justin Klugh reviewed the Phillies’ 2016 season at MLB Daily Dish.
Talking Chop reviewed how the Braves fared at the third base position in 2016. For much of the season, the position was occupied by Adonis Garcia who hit .273/.311/.406.
Around MLB
Brad Ausmus will be returning as the Tigers’ manager for the 2017 season. Detroit finished 86-75, missing out on a Wild Card spot.
After the American League Wild Card game, Russell Martin required stitches in his picky finger after a high five gone wrong. He is not expected to miss any games.
At Fangraphs, Dave Cameron analyzed Buck Showalter’s decision to not use Zach Britton, his best reliever, in a tie game on the road.
At Deadspin, Phil Braun told the story of when he invented a newspaper in order to get press passes to watch the Braves for an entire season.
Major Leaue Baseeball’s attendance dropped 1.1% in 2016. On average, games drew 30,169 fans each game.
Commissioner Rob Manfred gave a non-answer when asked about paying minor league players a living wage. The question was in response to MLB’s support of the “Save America’s Pastime Act,” which would exclude minor leaguers from minimum wage laws.
At The Ringer, Claire McNear declared the Giants the most loathsome team in the major leagues.
This Date in Mets History
In 1969, the Mets swept finished off a sweep of the Braves to clinch their first trip to the World Series. Nolan Ryan struck out seven over seven innings, while Tommie Agee Ken Boswell contributed home runs.