Once again, good pitching can always neutralize good hitting. But the Mets still have to score to win. David Wright, other than his one hit in Game 1, was non-existent. Travis d'Arnaud had a great Game 3, in fact, all of his hits came in that game. And he did hit the game-tying sac fly. But he has been a non-factor. And Lucas Duda...well...he set a record for most strikeouts in a Division Series.
If the Mets have any chance of making it to the Fall Classic, they will have to be able to match the Cubs and start to hit a little more. They struck out 57 times in the five-game series. Yes..I know...I know...they were up against Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke. And yes...I know...I know...that everyone thinks that they are the reincarnation of Drysdale and Koufax. But the fact is...they strikeout against EVERYONE.
One other observation...I know the Mets have given up on some people who have turned out to be stars elsewhere. They have a history of doing that. Can you say "Nolan Ryan?" But Justin Turner...batting clean-up for a Dodgers team that has some legitimate hitters on their roster...and going 10 for 19 with some clutch hits...and making some great plays at third base...did the Mets miss the boat on him? Or is he just like another Mets castoff, Marco Scutaro, who was nothing more than a utility player for the Mets but became a real servicable and productive player away from New York?
It seems like the Mets have destiny on their side. But then, I seem to remember that the Cubs were supposed to win the World Series in 2015. At least that's what Marty McFly was surprised to find out. So I guess we will find out which team was truly meant to be in the World Series. And we will also find out if the team built for and with pitching will outlast the team built for and with power.
