PORT JEFF, NY – Happy Friday! We have a lot to discuss. Let’s dive in: Celtics On Verge, Where is Aaron Rodgers? The Mets Have a Chance?
Celtics On Verge
The Boston Celtics are one win away from another championship after going up 3-0 on the Dallas mavericks in the NBA finals. Even without former Knick Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics did not miss a beat. Not even one minute after the game had started, Dallas went on a 9-2 run, but Boston immediately answered with a knockout blow, going up by as many as 20 in the second half. The Mavs were able to make a game of it, but i don’t think anyone really thought Dallas would beat the best team in basketball.
Where is Aaron Rodgers?
If you had not heard, the Jets signal caller has been absent from OTAS, citing that something was ‘very important’ to him being the reason why he was not there, head coach Robert Salah seemed to understand why Rodgers was not there. however, in one man’s opinion, no other team in the NFL or maybe even in sports needs a culture change then the New York Jets, this starts with the Rodgers, last season A-Rog said “all the stuff that has nothing to do with football” needs to leave the building, yet he is not there entering a crucial season not only for gang green, but for him! Coming off an Achilles tear, who knows if he will ever be the same player he once was, for him to miss the start of OTAS may not seem like much of a big deal, but with a team who is in desperate need of a fresh start, Rodgers not being there sends a bad message.
The Mets Have a Chance?
We have reached the point in the season where I let my optimism probably get the better of me, but as they say “There’s a reason they play the games.” If the Mets think they have an outside chance at the last Wild Card spot, here are three things they must do to give themselves a legit chance:
1) As much as it pains me to say, it may be time for the Mets to permanently bench Jeff McNeil. McNeil is one of my all-time favorite Mets. He’s given us some cherished moments – like winning the first batting title since Jose Reyes in 2011. He inked a team-friendly 4-year deal to stay a met for presumably the rest of his career. Since then, he has regressed, badly. A .300 hitter is now an automatic out. Veteran infielder Jose Iglesias has proved a nice spark off the bench and should get the bulk of the playing time at 2B.
2) Cut ties with Adam Ottavino, another Met who saw a lot of success in the previous two seasons but regressed badly and cannot be trusted in late-game situations. Rookie RHP Dedniel Nunez has been a fantastic find and should see an increased role.
3) Last but certainly not least, the Mets MUST embrace their future, this means Mark Vientos (who is currently in the big leagues) must play every day. In London the Mets sat Vientos in favor of Brett Baty. Inexcusable. Christian Scott, who is currently in AAA, should be here tomorrow. I understand trying to keep his innings in check but, if you’re serious about trying to fight back into a Wild Card spot, call up Scott and DFA Jose Quintana.
That’s it for me, come back tomorrow for the always-entertaining Aristotle “Mugsy” Sakellaridis.
Speaking of entertaining:
