RALLY PAST MARLINS TO KEEP STREAK ALIVE
The Mets don’t expect to play a meaningful game for 3½ weeks, leaving plenty of time for buildup in their probable NLDS matchup with the Dodgers.
Nothing is mathematically settled, but the biggest looming issue would appear to be homefield advantage for the bestoffive series that would begin Oct. 9.
On Monday, general manager Sandy Alderson acknowledged the benefit, from a preparation standpoint, of knowing the Mets’ likely opponent.
“I think it helps some,” Alderson said before the Mets beat the Marlins, 43, at Citi Field. “It’s not quite the same as football or basketball, where it’s matchups and schemes and game plans and things of that sort, but unless you get caught up in wanting to play one team versus another team, it probably helps a little bit, maybe focus your resources and advance scouting a little differently.”
The Dodgers began play 7 ½ games ahead of the Giants in the NL West, but 6 ½ lengths behind the Cardinals for the NL’s top seed. The topseeded team faces the wildcard winner.
The Mets hold a 9 ½game lead on the Nationals in the NL East and entered play trailing the Dodgers by a halfgame for the second seed, which carries a homefield advantage.
Alderson said he will have an ongoing dialogue with manager Terry Collins about postseason roster decisions.
Here are some of the decisions team brass is facing:
Who will be in the playoff rotation?
Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey and Noah Syndergaard are three components, with Steven Matz and Bartolo Colon the contestants for the fourth spot.
Colon has earned consider ation based on his recent performances — he had a 31inning scoreless streak until the Braves scored two runs against him Thursday — and the Mets could be intrigued with the idea of using Matz in the bullpen against the Dodgers.
As one NL talent evaluator said: “Somebody needs to get out Adrian Gonzalez. You can make that Matz’s job, whether it’s bases loaded in the fifth or a tough spot in the eighth. You tell Matz he can come in and throw 100 mph, because that’s his one batter.”
The Mets could go the other direction and start Matz if they want a lefty in the rotation. In that case, Colon would serve as insurance in long relief if a starter gets knocked out early.
The rotation alignment largely will be dictated on who has the home field. If the Mets open at home, they likely would go with deGrom, Syndergaard and Harvey in succession. If the first two games are at Dodger Stadium, the preference would be to flipflop Syndergaard (who has struggled on the road) and Harvey.
Who plays shortstop, Wilmer Flores or Ruben Tejada?
It likely will be a combination of both, but the flow of the series could largely dictate. With Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke expected to pitch the first two games, the need for Flores’ bat likely would outweigh the value of Tejada’s glove.
But deeper in the series, the Mets might want Tejada’s glove, especially if Colon — who isn’t a strikeout pitcher — receives a start.
Who assumes the key bullpen roles beyond Jeurys Familia and Tyler Clippard?
Addison Reed has emerged as a dependable setup option since arriving in a waiver deal with the Diamondbacks on Aug. 30. The veteran righthander likely will be entrusted with the seventh inning, leading into Clippard and Familia for the final two. Hansel Robles could be used in the sixth if needed.
If Matz isn’t shifted to lefty specialist, that role could be handed to largely untested Dario Alvarez. The highlight of Alvarez’s tenure with the Mets was striking out Bryce Harper last week in Washington.
Who fills out the rest of the roster?
The bench options figure to include Kelly Johnson, Juan Uribe, Michael Cuddyer, Juan Lagares and Kevin Plawecki (with Tejada or Flores). The Mets could also add Eric Young Jr. for his speed on the bases, but that might mean sacrificing a reliever and going with six in the bullpen instead of seven.
Lucas Duda started at first base Monday because Collins wants to get him ready for lefties in the postseason, leaving one to wonder if the Mets might eliminate a righty bat from the equation.
Jon Niese, who has slumped over the last month, is a prime candidate to be squeezed off the NLDS roster.