3/23/08

Weather may be an issue

El Duque and Mike Pelfrey are set to square off against the St. Louis Cardinals today, as they battle for the 5th spot in the rotation. It is raining in Port St. Lucie right now, and looks like it's going to rain the rest of the day.

There was a comment from Matt Tracy on the last post that stated:
People still don't know what went on behind closed doors before duque's last start, so to already start assuming he is going to throw slow today is not a real good assumption.

Who knows, maybe he was told to slow it down the other day because of something to do with his routine, pitching schedule, whatever. Maybe they said since you are throwing a real game next, throw slow now and fast then? You never know.
Maybe if the Mets were just getting him back before a postseason start, I could see this. You know, trying to mask his ability and speed. But before a spring training start just doesn't make sense to me.

The coaching staff would want to evaluate El Duque as much as possible before giving him the green light to make his first spring training start, don't you think?

I think that El Duque and his career are running on fumes, trying anything to speak into the rotation. Today will be the tell all. Hopefully El Duque can prove me wrong and solidify the 5th spot, but I just don't see that happening.

Happy Easter to all those celebrate, and enjoy the game if you're able to catch it. I'll be back later with a game recap.