Early morning madness -- 5/29

Here are some random thoughts as I wake up on this fine Thursday morning...

I hate to be "that guy" but just remember how inconsistently this team has played all year, I'm not ready to call this the team's "turning point" and declare them ready to go. Every time this team has shown the slightest bit of promise, they've turned around and looked hapless the next few games before flaring up another brilliant effort just to string the fans along.

Yes, last night's win was emotional and wonderful, as they had to battle back mutliple times, but let's see how the next 11 play out.

*****

Fernando Tatis couldn't catch up with a fastball at all last night, but came through in the end with a 2-run double. When it counts...

*****

The bullpen has been absolutely stellar over the past few days. I'm excited to see Carlos Muniz (probably tonight) pitch. They've been lights out, and Aaron Heilman looked especially good, striking out the first four batters he faced.

12 games: 1-0

Game 1: Mets 7 -- Marlins 6 (12 innings)

Record in the 12 games: 1-0. 11 left to play.

TSTDIA: Mets 7 -- Marlins 6 (12 innings)

Fire, hunger and fight. This team showed all of them as they battled back, twice, to beat the Marlins and take the series over the first place Marlins.

Ya gotta believe!

Reyes' on base streak

Jose Reyes lead off the bottom of the first inning with a ground rule double to left field. Including tonight, Reyes has now been on base for the 28th straight game.

To me, it really doesn't seem like it. Everyone keeps talking about Reyes being in a funk when he's tearing it up and getting on base. The only reason we haven't heard anyone singing his praises is his miserable play in the field.

Reyes just stole third base and just scored on a Luis Castillo home run (I know!). Reyes is creating chances for the Mets, consistently. Let's celebrate his efforts instead of tearing him apart for plays in the field. Or at least let the two cancel each other out.

Still shaking

See this lineup? It's exactly the same tonight.

All the notes are the same too. Thank you for making tonight easy, Willie Randolph.

12 games: 0-0

The Mets next off-day is Monday, June 9th. Between now and then, the Mets will play 12 games. I feel the Mets season will be determined, for bettor or for worse, when these handful of games are complete.

The Mets play one game against the Marlins, then welcome the Dodgers for four, then head out west to play the lowly Giants for three and the even lowlier Padres for four more.

I can almost guarantee if the Mets go can't go 6-6 with these next 12 games, Willie Randolph will be a goner. I could be wrong, but we shall see.

12 games: 0-0.

Still feels like a loss; 12 games to determine the season

I woke up this morning feeling bitter about a Mets loss last night.

It didn't hit me until I started my morning ritual of browsing through all the articles published while I was asleep.

You know the team is in a funk, when even after a nice win with your ace on the mound and a bunch of bench players driving in the runs, you wake up the next morning and it still feels like they're losing. Because they are.

Obviously, you can't make a call where this team is going after one game, especially one where they really didn't play too well, and thanks to some clutch performances, they barely squeaked out a win.

The next Mets off day is Monday, June 9. Twelve games from here until that off day, one of which is supposed to feature Pedro Martinez back on the bump. I'm going to keep track of the next 12 games, see how they do, and make the call after that.

Build off the win, guys.

TSTDIA: Mets 5 -- Marlins 3

The bench comes through and they don't call him the stopper for nuthin' as the Mets win for only the second time in nine games.

The Mets won. What do we do now? I'm not quite sure how to react.

Johan is doubly good

Johan Santana just hit his fourth double of the year. Here's a little tidbit pointed out by my good friend Ryan P. on Mets Lounge:

Santana has tied the amount of doubles with Luis Castillo.

Santana has 4 doubles in 22 ABs.
Luis Castillo has 4 doubles in 143 ABs.

Santana also has more doubles than Moises Alou (43 ABs).

That's a good sign.

Shake it up

Lineup for Mets vs. Marlins tonight:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Damion Easley
RF Fernando Tatis
C Ramon Castro
LF Nick Evans
LH Johan Santana

Carlos Delgado hits the pine to "clear his head." To me, it should read like "ween into sitting on the bench more." Ryan Church is home after seeing a neurologist. Hope this game ends in nine innings (or less).

I'm worried about Church. Heck, I'm worried about the whole team. Very worried.