Matt Wise replaces Heilman as the 6th or 7th inning guy. Duaner Sanchez takes over in the 8th. Stretch Aaron Heilman to the long relief role, which will be as close as he's going to get to starting.
Make Jorge Sosa go away.
5/1/08
Two varied viewpoints and my take on both
This morning, I awoke to a ton of posts and articles in my Google Reader. After sorting through it all I found these two article, which pretty much take the extreme opposite ends of the spectrum viewpoints:
The first one, from The Coop over at My Summer Family, argues that yesterday was one game, that it happens all the time, to every team.
From The Coop:
From BMF:
Every team gets spanked at least once a season. Heck, we even lost to the Bucs in '06, almost to the same tune. I remember. I was there. It's something that happens every year to every team, and some teams more than others. The Pirates have a few good, hot hitters right now and Oliver Perez really needs to get hypnotized or something so he can focus more.
Remember that guy Brian Bannister, well he had a bad start too last night. Bannister, pitching for Kansas City (a bad team) only lasted three innings against Texas (also a bad team), allowing seven earned runs on seven hits and two walks. See, we're not alone.
On the other hand, I'm starting to get extremely fed up with Mr. Willie Randolph. I never liked his managing style, but I was willing to grant him a reprieve because my opinion really does not matter. I prefer a manager like Jim Leyland, who isn't afraid to get in the players face after a lazy or sloppy loss.
Randolph treats his players with kid gloves, as if he thinks when he yells at them, they'll cower is fear and become mired in a deep slump or preform poorly. He needs to start a bonfire under some of this team because they just don't look ready to play.
Yeah, the team is over .500, but they've been beating up on bad teams like the Nationals, and before yesterday, the Pirates. Something needs to happen, and something needs to happen quick.
I can't believe that I'm actually going to be the voice of reason here
vs.
The time is upon us - Willie's gotta go.
vs.
The time is upon us - Willie's gotta go.
The first one, from The Coop over at My Summer Family, argues that yesterday was one game, that it happens all the time, to every team.
From The Coop:
I know yesterday was horrible. A catastrophe. And the night before was a tad less worse -because though the Mets actually won, it was a game they should have easily won but did not. But think about the ekers they've won this year. They all seem like - well, at least they won. The rest of the team just looked asleep at the wheel.Brooklyn Met Fan takes a completely different side to this, arguing that he's seen enough of Willie Randolph and it's time the Mets take action and fire him.
---
My point being - look, as Mets fans, we are restless. The sky is falling. And I acknowledge they have not been better than a .500 team since last June, I do say this.
Maybe .500 is all they need to be a good team in the East.
From BMF:
For they record, this is not a knee-jerk reaction to Wednesday’s 13-1 debacle at the hands of the vaunted Bucs. I said the Mets should ax Willie after the collapse but when Omar and the Wilpons saw fit to bring him back I tried to support my team and rally behind him. But I just can’t watch these crappy Mets under perform any longer.Frankly, I agree with both of them.All the Willie apologists can keep telling themselves, “still it’s early” and “there’s plenty of baseball left”, but guess what folks– it’s not THAT early anymore.
Every team gets spanked at least once a season. Heck, we even lost to the Bucs in '06, almost to the same tune. I remember. I was there. It's something that happens every year to every team, and some teams more than others. The Pirates have a few good, hot hitters right now and Oliver Perez really needs to get hypnotized or something so he can focus more.
Remember that guy Brian Bannister, well he had a bad start too last night. Bannister, pitching for Kansas City (a bad team) only lasted three innings against Texas (also a bad team), allowing seven earned runs on seven hits and two walks. See, we're not alone.
On the other hand, I'm starting to get extremely fed up with Mr. Willie Randolph. I never liked his managing style, but I was willing to grant him a reprieve because my opinion really does not matter. I prefer a manager like Jim Leyland, who isn't afraid to get in the players face after a lazy or sloppy loss.
Randolph treats his players with kid gloves, as if he thinks when he yells at them, they'll cower is fear and become mired in a deep slump or preform poorly. He needs to start a bonfire under some of this team because they just don't look ready to play.
Yeah, the team is over .500, but they've been beating up on bad teams like the Nationals, and before yesterday, the Pirates. Something needs to happen, and something needs to happen quick.
4/30/08
Mets seating chart to Arizona
I was lucky enough to acquire the Mets seating chart for their trip to Arizona.
Here's where the players and staff will sit as they head to Phoenix.
Don't ask me how I got it, because I'd have to make you disappear.
I know people.
I know people.
Interview at Phillies Flow
I was asked by Erik Grissom to participate in a quick little Q&A on the Mets for his excellent Phillies blog, Phillies Flow. You can find my interview here.
"Really advanced scouting," as he calls it. Good stuff.
"Really advanced scouting," as he calls it. Good stuff.
Game Recap: Pirates 13 -- Mets 1
Where to begin? The Mets got absolutely trounced by the Pirates, to the tune of 13-1. Oliver Perez had one of his terrible starts, the type that Mets fans have gotten way too used to.
Perez only lasted 1 2-3 of an inning, giving up five runs while on the bump, and having another two charged to him after he left the game. Of the seven runs Perez allowed, only two were earned due to a Luis Castillo fielding error. Perez walked one in the first, and only faced four batters. In the second, it was an entirely different story.
12 Pirates came to the plate in the second, and only three of them picked up a hit. Perez walked four in the inning, and allowed five runs before being removed for Nelson Figueroa. Figueroa allowed a single to the first batter he faced, allowing two runs to score, both charged to Perez.
No comment.
OK, I'll comment. Honestly, it just does not look like he's focused. Maybe the delay hurt him, but he just looks lost on the mound. He fools with his mechanics, which must bother the living heck out of the coaching staff. I'm far from closing the book on him for this season, but on the track he's running so far, it looks like it's going to be a long season and an even more interesting offseason for him as he most likely tests the free agency market. Good luck Scott Boras.
Figueroa allowed a RBI single in the fifth inning for the only run charged to him. Jorge Sosa pitched the sixth, allowing five runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out one. Sosa was on the wrong end of two errors in the field, one by David Wright and the other by Angel Pagan.
Figueroa pitched because he was skipped in the rotation yesterday, due to the rainout. Not a great performance, but decent when you look at the situation. This is probably Sosa's last day in a Mets uniform for a while, as Matt Wise could be activated by Friday. Again, when Sosa is on, he's great, but that occurrence has become more and more rare this season.
The Mets broke up the shutout in the bottom of the sixth inning as Carlos Beltran walked to lead off. Ryan Church followed that up with a double to center field, driving in Beltran all the way from first. Carlos Delgado picked up the only other Mets hit today, singling in the fourth inning.
Church is the bright light amongst the dark. That last sentence is not supposed to sound like some religious banter, but after this game, some Mets should consider it.
Pedro Feliciano turned in a scoreless inning, allowing one hit. Aaron Heilman pitched a perfect eighth and ninth, striking out one batter.
Poor Heilman. The one day he turns in a six up-six down performance, the Mets are down by two touchdowns (without the extra points).
The Mets committed three errors in the game, allowing nine unearned runs to score.
Numbers: Mets: 2 hits...Pirates: 12 hits...Walks: 16 combined...Strikeouts: 15 combined...Perez: 55 pitches, 28 for strikes...40 Minutes: Time the game was delayed due to a water main break, courtesy of the construction on Citi Field...Team LOB: 10...Xavier Nady: 3-3, 2 BB, 3 RBI, 2 runs...
Game Ball: Church
Perez only lasted 1 2-3 of an inning, giving up five runs while on the bump, and having another two charged to him after he left the game. Of the seven runs Perez allowed, only two were earned due to a Luis Castillo fielding error. Perez walked one in the first, and only faced four batters. In the second, it was an entirely different story.
12 Pirates came to the plate in the second, and only three of them picked up a hit. Perez walked four in the inning, and allowed five runs before being removed for Nelson Figueroa. Figueroa allowed a single to the first batter he faced, allowing two runs to score, both charged to Perez.
No comment.
OK, I'll comment. Honestly, it just does not look like he's focused. Maybe the delay hurt him, but he just looks lost on the mound. He fools with his mechanics, which must bother the living heck out of the coaching staff. I'm far from closing the book on him for this season, but on the track he's running so far, it looks like it's going to be a long season and an even more interesting offseason for him as he most likely tests the free agency market. Good luck Scott Boras.
Figueroa allowed a RBI single in the fifth inning for the only run charged to him. Jorge Sosa pitched the sixth, allowing five runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out one. Sosa was on the wrong end of two errors in the field, one by David Wright and the other by Angel Pagan.
Figueroa pitched because he was skipped in the rotation yesterday, due to the rainout. Not a great performance, but decent when you look at the situation. This is probably Sosa's last day in a Mets uniform for a while, as Matt Wise could be activated by Friday. Again, when Sosa is on, he's great, but that occurrence has become more and more rare this season.
The Mets broke up the shutout in the bottom of the sixth inning as Carlos Beltran walked to lead off. Ryan Church followed that up with a double to center field, driving in Beltran all the way from first. Carlos Delgado picked up the only other Mets hit today, singling in the fourth inning.
Church is the bright light amongst the dark. That last sentence is not supposed to sound like some religious banter, but after this game, some Mets should consider it.
Pedro Feliciano turned in a scoreless inning, allowing one hit. Aaron Heilman pitched a perfect eighth and ninth, striking out one batter.
Poor Heilman. The one day he turns in a six up-six down performance, the Mets are down by two touchdowns (without the extra points).
The Mets committed three errors in the game, allowing nine unearned runs to score.
Numbers: Mets: 2 hits...Pirates: 12 hits...Walks: 16 combined...Strikeouts: 15 combined...Perez: 55 pitches, 28 for strikes...40 Minutes: Time the game was delayed due to a water main break, courtesy of the construction on Citi Field...Team LOB: 10...Xavier Nady: 3-3, 2 BB, 3 RBI, 2 runs...
Game Ball: Church
I'm sorry John Maine
As the Mets get spanked by the Pirates, I bring you some sad news for John Maine.
Jennifer Aniston has been romantically linked to John Mayer.
She's got the wrong John! Mr. Maine loves you more. Never give up though, Maine, you never know what could happen.
Jennifer Aniston has been romantically linked to John Mayer.
She's got the wrong John! Mr. Maine loves you more. Never give up though, Maine, you never know what could happen.
Water main break delays game
A water main break near Shea Stadium has delayed the start of the Mets / Pirates April 30th game until 1:50 p.m.
I'm not kidding.
I'm not kidding.
Schneider out of the hospital
Bart Hubbuch is reporting that Brian Schneider has been released from the Hospital for Special Surgery after being treated for a staph infection in his thumb.
Schneider may be able to return to the Mets lineup within the next few days, but Hubbuch points out he still might land on the DL if the Mets want to activate Moises Alou by Friday. If Schneider goes on the DL, Gustavo Molina would be able to stay on the team while Alou can join the team for the first time this season.
I don't want to hurry Schneider, as Raul Casanova and Molina have been decent behind the plate, but Brian, if you could get back to the team ASAP, I know the pitching staff misses you.
Schneider may be able to return to the Mets lineup within the next few days, but Hubbuch points out he still might land on the DL if the Mets want to activate Moises Alou by Friday. If Schneider goes on the DL, Gustavo Molina would be able to stay on the team while Alou can join the team for the first time this season.
I don't want to hurry Schneider, as Raul Casanova and Molina have been decent behind the plate, but Brian, if you could get back to the team ASAP, I know the pitching staff misses you.
Game Preview: Pirates @ Mets -- 4/30
The Mets wrap up April with a day game against the Pirates today, a 1:1o p.m. start.
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
1B Carlos Delgado
LF Angel Pagan
C Gustavo Molina
SP Oliver Perez
Perez vs. Tom Gorzelanny
Perez, an ex-Pirate, has pitched against Pittsburgh three times, posting a 0-2 record through 14 innings, with an ERA of 5.14.
Gorzelanny has appeared in three game against the Mets, also going 0-2, with an ERA of 10.45
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
1B Carlos Delgado
LF Angel Pagan
C Gustavo Molina
SP Oliver Perez
Perez vs. Tom Gorzelanny
Perez, an ex-Pirate, has pitched against Pittsburgh three times, posting a 0-2 record through 14 innings, with an ERA of 5.14.
Gorzelanny has appeared in three game against the Mets, also going 0-2, with an ERA of 10.45
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