oh the times in chicago

It has happened. The dreaded has taken place. The Mets have been swept by the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. This has not happened since 2004. That's ten years. Yeah, I don't doubt you can do the math but this was pitiful. The 4-7 Mets loss was anything but pleasant to watch. There was a small glimmer of hope when Andrew Brown hit a two-run homer in the seventh to tie the game up 4-4. Then it's almost like the lights went out in the Cubs visitors dugout. Runs given up by guys in the bullpen. The usual.

Jacob deGrom had another chance to get his first Major League win. Instead of it being taken by the oh-so-reliable Mets bullpen (sarcasm galore), Jake, Jacob, whatever he wants to be called, still has no decision. Vic Black was credited with the L. 

All this mumbo-jumbo, yes, I said that, has got me thinking...what the heck does this ball club have to do to start winning games?! There is always room improvement and my gosh do the Mets need it. In fact, they need two rooms. Maybe even three to jam in all they have to work on. And, not just win one or two out of a series but CONSTANT wins. As a true Mets fan, I do not think I've mentioned something that's impossible. I truly believe that they are capable of being a great WINNING team...again.

First, let's just talk about the elephant in the room. The number one issue for this club is hitting. It's absolutely no secret that the team is struggling immensely to get hits. The scene of Murphy, Flores, Wright, whomever it may be, grounding into a double play is becoming all too familiar. I can't even begin with Duda's strikeouts seemingly one after the other. Of course, he has his good nights where he hits a homer and he has his bad nights as well. I guess everyone does. But come on guys, this is the Majors, you should always be on! Give me the bat and I'll just go out there and do it myself! Okay, I'd never make it in the Major Leagues for obvious reasons. One, I'm a girl and two, I'd probably throw out my back if I had to swing at a hard ball coming at me at 90 miles an hour. So who am I to talk right?

We all should know now that recently the Mets fired hitting coach Dave Hudgens and replaced him with Lamar Johnson, this happening the same day former Detroit Tiger Jose Valverde was released, essentially losing his job as closer. It's been said that it takes a firing to whip these players into shape and I will not tell a lie, they were pretty good in Philly. But, how long will this last! They've fell all out-of-whack again. I'll be gray in the head by the time it's September. 

In other news, approximately an hour from the moment I am writing this, the New York Mets will begin a three game stand against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. The Giants are currently 39-21. Let me spell it out. THIRTY-NINE and TWENTY-ONE. This is going to be some series for the Metsies. Who knows? Maybe they'll surprise me with a win. Crossing fingers, toes, eyes, ears, you get the idea.