DiComo is drained, after all, however not too drained to tackle a number of fan questions. He sat down Monday for an hour-long Reddit AMA, or Ask Me Anything. Here’s a sampling of the questions he fielded. (Some components have been barely edited for readability, and the total Reddit AMA might be discovered here.)
If Jeff McNeil returns, how will he be utilized? Would he change Jose Iglesias or be extra of a bench participant and pinch-hitter?
It actually relies on how he appears to be like, but when he resembles the McNeil of previous, I believe second base would grow to be one thing approaching a platoon. Before you guys get all up in arms, sure, Jose Iglesias deserves to start out and would in all probability proceed to take action towards some right-handers. But he’s additionally 34 years previous and beat up bodily a bit. Two or three off-days over the course of the postseason might assist all events concerned.
What do you assume the percentages of McNeil being added to the NLCS roster are if the Mets advance? And in that case, who will get dropped? I’m assuming it might be Luisangel Acuña however simply need to hear your ideas on it.
I wouldn’t name it a positive factor, however I do assume there’s a really actual probability McNeil is added. He simply must see dwell pitching sooner or later over the subsequent 5 days. Acuña would certainly more than likely be the roster casualty. He’s barely performed as is, and McNeil’s presence would quash any alternative for further reps.
Walks, which had been a problem all yr for Mets pitchers, have plummeted precipitously in September/October. Was there one thing that led to this alteration? Or are the pitchers all simply hitting their stride on the proper time?
I do not assume while you speak about pitching staffs there’s ever a one-size-fits-all reply. All I can say is credit score to pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, who’s performed a powerful job with this workers as a complete. It's a distinct story for every pitcher. Also do not low cost the function of Francisco Alvarez, who missed your entire month of May — statistically, by far the worst month of the season for this workers. Alvarez is without doubt one of the finest pitch framers in baseball, which helps maintain the stroll fee in test.
Who do you assume on the group can be most important to breaking out and persevering with this Mets run?
You might make an argument for the significance of nearly anybody within the Mets' lineup. But in case you pressure me to select one, I'm selecting Brandon Nimmo. His streakiness is so excessive that if he actually will get scorching — like scorching scorching, as he was in June — he might carry this group. Nimmo does not get sufficient credit score for how good a hitter he's when he is going nicely. His ceiling is extraordinarily excessive.
Some broadcasters have been referring to the Game 1 in Atlanta as one of many best common season video games not simply in our franchise's historical past, however within the fashionable historical past of the game. Would you agree with that evaluation?
I'm unsure I've personally seen a greater one. Of course there have been some unbelievable video games throughout the continent over the previous 100 years, together with some I've in all probability by no means heard about and by no means will. But in fashionable historical past, what's been higher? The one that stands proud for me is Rays Game 162 in 2011, once they erased a 7-0 deficit and Evan Longoria walked it off towards the Yankees to ship Tampa Bay to the playoffs.
When you get video games that good and that vital on the finish of a season, it is exhausting to check one towards one other. At that time, the video games nearly grow to be like artwork. Let's simply agree that the Mets' win over the Braves was within the 99th percentile of regular-season video games all time. Hard to argue towards that.
Which win by the Mets impressed you probably the most this week/yr?
It’s simple to say the Atlanta recreation, however for me, it is in all probability Wild Card Game 3. That recreation was misplaced. The Mets have been useless. Done. Going house for the winter. The incontrovertible fact that they one way or the other got here again to win it anyway was legendary.
Don't get me incorrect, the Atlanta doubleheader was insane. But the Mets might have misplaced that recreation and nonetheless made the playoffs fairly simply by profitable Game 2. They weren't backed into fairly the identical nook they have been in Milwaukee.
Shoutout additionally to the Bowden Francis recreation in Toronto. That's one the Mets would have misplaced 1,000 occasions out of 1,000 again within the day. Their capability to win it now actually made an announcement about them.
What is Kodai Senga's more than likely utilization sample for the remainder of the playoffs?
Think about it like Spring Training. … He’s simply going to stretch out because the month goes alongside. Three innings and 45-50 pitches in NLDS Game 5. … Four innings and 60ish pitches for his first NLCS begin. … By the time the Mets attain the World Series, in the event that they make it there, he ought to be approaching a world by which he can go 5-6 innings and 90-plus pitches. These days, that is a full starter's workload.
Do you view this Mets group as overachieving, and in that case, what can we do in 2025 to have this be an expectation relatively than a pleasing shock?
Yes and no. It's been a wonky season. The Mets underachieved for eight weeks, then overachieved for about the identical period of time. They've performed steadier baseball since midsummer, however they’re additionally a distinct membership with a totally rebuilt bullpen. Top to backside, this can be a higher 40-man roster than it was in April.
