Episode 1195: Season Preview Series: Mets and Rays

### Interstitials

Benny and the Jeffs, "Effectively Wild"* The Bees, "(This is for the) Better Days"

## Summary

*In their final team-preview podcast of 2018, Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about a new podcast-inspired song, the Scott Kingery, Ketel Marte, and Christian Vazquez extensions, Ben’s partially listener-inspired research about catcher offense, a Devil Rays close call, and whether the ball is juiced in MLB The Show, then preview the 2018 Mets (28:47) with MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, and the 2018 Rays (1:08:35) with CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson.*

## Topics

* Was the Mets Spring Training a success because the rotation is healthy?
* Is there anything holding Noah Syndergaard back?
* What should we expect from the starting rotation?
* What is your and the organizations organization's level of faith in Adrian Gonzalez?
* How do all the outfield pieces fit together?
* Is Amed Rosario overwhelmed?
* Is this the year Kevin Plawecki takes the catcher position?
* What is holding back Brandon Nimmo from being an all star?
* What has stood out from the managerial change?
* What is the outlook for David Wright?
* What are the Mets looking forward to with Michael Conforto?
* Can the Mets add this season?
* What were the Ray's trying to do this offseason?
* How has RJs opinion of the Ray's changed?
* Have the Ray's trades not worked?
* What are the Ray's going to do with the 5th starter spot.
* Why have the Ray's not traded Chris Archer?
* What is the Ray's payroll going to look like going forward?
* Is the Ray's offensive lineup suboptimal?
* Has Blake Snell matured or is his control still questionable?
* Will Brendan McKay be a two way player?

## Interstitials

* Benny and the Jeffs, "Effectively Wild"
* The Bees, "(This is for the) Better Days"

## Banter

* The new podcast inspired song
* Scott Kingery extension and some other extensions
* Impact of the defense of the catcher on the offense of the catcher.
* What happens if an entire baseball team dies?
* Is the ball juiced in the Show?

## Notes

* “I’ve never had any interest in the Grammy’s but now I do let's get this song some awards” - Jeff
* Scott Kingery got an extension before playing a game at major league level.
* CSAA - Called strike above average (on baseball prospectus)
* The catchers have a better CSAA than other positions.
* Catchers seem to have an advantage against pitchers they have been batterymates of in the past.
* Tyler Flowers has the second highest OPS vs Chris Sale (4.000).
* Tyler Flowers says that catching a knuckleball pitcher effects you at the plate hitting, and the numbers check out for him.
* There is an insignificant change statistically overall between catchers offense when catching a knuckleball pitcher.
* The Devil Ray's had a close brush with tragedy flying into Kansas City.
* The ball is juiced in the video game “MLB The Show ‘18”.
* “It will continue to be a story until the Mets prove they are not" - Anthony on the perception of the injury prone Mets pitching staff.
* “Matt Harvey is the total wildcard of the situation” - Anthony
* Anthony thinks Matt Harvey is now just a mid to low rotation guy.
* The plan for Adrian Gonzalez was a stopgap until May, now they will need him more, and thinks first base is the Mets one glaring flaw.
* “The Mets are what they are in the outfield” - Anthony
* Anthony thinks Amed Rosario can be a post hype sleeper.
* Kevin Plawecki will decide his own fate at the plate.
* Brandon Nimmo needs to add power and some defensive ability.
* “Tactically the difference will be night and day" - Anthony on the managerial change.
* Anthony thinks the Mets will win 88 games.
* RJ stopped being a fan with the James Sheilds trade.
* 60 % of the players on the Ray's have been acquired by trade (MLB average is 35%).
* The Ray's just haven't gotten the right price for Chris Archer.
* RJ thinks Blake Snell will emerge as a front line starter.
* Rj thinks its unlikely that Brendan McKay is a 2 way player, and thinks people will be disappointed in his career.
* RJ thinks the Ray's will win 79 games this year
* Mallex Smith was the only hitter with a lower average exit velocity than Billy Hamilton.

## Links

* https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/effectively-wild-episode-1195-season-preview-series-mets-and-rays/
* https://www.facebook.com/groups/effectivelywild/permalink/1643758639077648/?comment\_id=1643842999069212&reply\_comment\_id=1644042225715956&comment\_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R9%22%7D
* https://www.theringer.com/mlb/2018/3/26/17162840/three-theories-on-catcher-plate-performance
* https://www.theringer.com/mlb/2018/3/27/17166834/mlb-the-show-18-digital-ball-juiced-home-runs
* http://www.banishedtothepen.com/2018-season-preview-series-index/