When Littell runs into trouble, he doesn't seem to be able to get out of it.
Would you believe that with one out in the 4th, Littell had been more efficient than Holmes? Even after that first walk, was one double-play pitch away from completing 4 innings at something like 55 pitches.
Then the walks, and the error, and another 25 pitches before he got out #2.
The only good I can see from tonight is that neither Littell nor Vivas is really a piece of the puzzle.
Before the season started I made a rather obvious comment. But it still holds. The Nats offense depends on Wood and Abrams. When they are going good, they score lots of runs, and when they aren't, the offense goes cold as well.
There's something wrong with Littell as coming into this season he had a 5.4% walk rate for his career, much better than the league average now he can't throw a strike when he needs to. He's never had overpowering stuff but excellent command is what made it possible for him to navigate lineups. Unless he gets his command back he will be hit hard for the rest of the season.
I'm hoping it's just that he was signed so late. That said, I do think that will no longer be a legitimate explanation if nothing changes after another couple starts.
As one who was happy they signed him, I will be really disappointed if he can't fix whatever is causing his struggles.
Ummm. Can they send him to Rochester to work things out? Maybe see whether Cornelia can find the plate? Still not sure why they have both Tena and Vivas.
Ugh…I was afraid the Mets, with Soto back in the line-up, would get healthy by feasting on Nationals’ pitching….hopefully I’m wrong and today was the aberration not the norm…it gives me nightmares as in 2024, a similarly struggling Mets team swept the Nats in 4 in DC and rode to the NLCS…
Littell has been a bum but another loss falls pretty squarely on Vivas for one play with an utter lack of concentration. That’s at least twice now, have there been more? I’m so out on him, if he had more of a positive rep I’d be more forgiving but ask any fanbase of a team he’s played for and they all say the same thing.
Hoping this chalks up to just first game post-day-off, sheesh
Unfortunately this felt like watching the Nats of the past few years.
Too much so
"...In the end, it was Littell who gave. And gave. And gave some more" I love Mark's writing!
Given what happened to the Red Sox staff after a laugher, I am not sure the Mets should be too content with their feel good game...
When Littell runs into trouble, he doesn't seem to be able to get out of it.
Would you believe that with one out in the 4th, Littell had been more efficient than Holmes? Even after that first walk, was one double-play pitch away from completing 4 innings at something like 55 pitches.
Then the walks, and the error, and another 25 pitches before he got out #2.
The only good I can see from tonight is that neither Littell nor Vivas is really a piece of the puzzle.
Before the season started I made a rather obvious comment. But it still holds. The Nats offense depends on Wood and Abrams. When they are going good, they score lots of runs, and when they aren't, the offense goes cold as well.
There's something wrong with Littell as coming into this season he had a 5.4% walk rate for his career, much better than the league average now he can't throw a strike when he needs to. He's never had overpowering stuff but excellent command is what made it possible for him to navigate lineups. Unless he gets his command back he will be hit hard for the rest of the season.
I'm hoping it's just that he was signed so late. That said, I do think that will no longer be a legitimate explanation if nothing changes after another couple starts.
As one who was happy they signed him, I will be really disappointed if he can't fix whatever is causing his struggles.
We all saw what happened to Corbin. Took awhile for everyone, especially the team, to realize it wasn’t a mirage but a new normal.
Ummm. Can they send him to Rochester to work things out? Maybe see whether Cornelia can find the plate? Still not sure why they have both Tena and Vivas.
He's been in the majors since 2018. Highly unlikely he has any options at this point.
Thanks. My knowledge of options is limited. Not sure owners want to send $7M down the drain quite yet.
Ugh…I was afraid the Mets, with Soto back in the line-up, would get healthy by feasting on Nationals’ pitching….hopefully I’m wrong and today was the aberration not the norm…it gives me nightmares as in 2024, a similarly struggling Mets team swept the Nats in 4 in DC and rode to the NLCS…
Somehow I don't think an opener would have made any difference tonight.
4-8 with our “prized” pitching free agents. Maybe we’d be better off pitching Parker, Alvarez and Cornelio
Littell has been a bum but another loss falls pretty squarely on Vivas for one play with an utter lack of concentration. That’s at least twice now, have there been more? I’m so out on him, if he had more of a positive rep I’d be more forgiving but ask any fanbase of a team he’s played for and they all say the same thing.
Agree that Vivas should be let go. What is the upside, I don’t see it.
The offense has gone silent the last few games. I hope it's not a trend.