I love John Maine as much as the next guy. He's a good, young, pitcher and he was a steal. But right now, he's not helping the team, and he's potentially hurting himself in the process.
It will be tough to go through the rest of the season without him, but in my mind, many good years outweigh one month of tough pitching down the stretch for a playoff berth. Please, Mets, for the good of John Maine's shoulder, please shut him down.
Call up Jon Niese, who has been struggling at AAA over his last two starts. Being him up and pitch him. Pitch Brian Stokes. Pitch anyone but Maine. It's been said that he can't technically hurt his arm any more than it is, as it's "only" a bone spur. I call shenanigans. If he's hurt, he can easily hurt it more.
He's not helping right now, so the team won't be losing anything but five innings of 100 pitch baseball. Niese, Stokes, Bobby Parnell, Ruddy Lugo...anyone. Please.
8/25/08
8/24/08
Game Recap: Astros 6 -- Mets 4
Another one slips through their fingers.
Pitching Performance
The Mets had to use seven pitchers in a futile effort against the Astros in the third game of a four game series.
Oliver Perez was one of only two pitchers to throw at least one inning, as he started and went six 1-3 innings. Perez let in three runs while on the mound, and another was charged to him after he left the game. He only let up four hits, but one of them was a two-run home run from Hunter Pence in the Astros three run fourth inning. Perez only walked one batter, and struck out eight Houstonites.
I thought Perez could pitch more, even with his 111 pitch count. Handing over the game, with the lead or not, is always dangerous. They only had a one run lead when Perez left, but by the time the seventh was done, it was all tied up.
Aaron Heilman needed only four pitches to let in the tying run in his third of an inning of work. Scott Schoeneweis, Joe Smith, and Luis Ayala put together two 1-3 innings of work. Ayala was the only reliever to stay in the game for a full inning.
Strong stuff by the latter three. Too bad it all went for naught.
Pedro Feliciano started the work in the 10th frame, and quickly gave up a solo home run to light hitting Brad Ausmus. Two outs later, he served up another dinger to another light hitter, Darin Erstad. Duaner Sanchez made the final out, retiring Miguel Tejada on a ground ball.
Nice job, Feliciano. I have no idea why he was in there, throwing to righties. They kill him to the tune of four home runs in 22 2-3 innings. That's opposed to only one home run by lefties in 23 2-3 innings.
Offensive Output
Another hot start quickly eroded into a quiet ending as the last 15 Mets were retired in order.
The Mets got on the board in the first, as usual. Carlos Beltran hit a two-run home run to left field off of Randy Wolf, plating David Wright.
The team then had the bases loaded in the bottom of the third with only one out, but were only able to push one run across, thanks to a bases loaded walk by Fernando Tatis.
Big wasted opportunity.
The Mets got another run from Beltran, as he hit his second home run of the day, of the solo variety, to left field in the bottom of the fifth inning.
And yet again, the elusive three home run game at Shea by a Met evades the team.
The Mets seem to have issues with beating the Astros this season. Glad they only have one more game against them and then it's "see ya next season!"
The Rest of the Story
I've got nothing.
Game Ball: Carlos Beltran
Pitching Performance
The Mets had to use seven pitchers in a futile effort against the Astros in the third game of a four game series.
Oliver Perez was one of only two pitchers to throw at least one inning, as he started and went six 1-3 innings. Perez let in three runs while on the mound, and another was charged to him after he left the game. He only let up four hits, but one of them was a two-run home run from Hunter Pence in the Astros three run fourth inning. Perez only walked one batter, and struck out eight Houstonites.
I thought Perez could pitch more, even with his 111 pitch count. Handing over the game, with the lead or not, is always dangerous. They only had a one run lead when Perez left, but by the time the seventh was done, it was all tied up.
Aaron Heilman needed only four pitches to let in the tying run in his third of an inning of work. Scott Schoeneweis, Joe Smith, and Luis Ayala put together two 1-3 innings of work. Ayala was the only reliever to stay in the game for a full inning.
Strong stuff by the latter three. Too bad it all went for naught.
Pedro Feliciano started the work in the 10th frame, and quickly gave up a solo home run to light hitting Brad Ausmus. Two outs later, he served up another dinger to another light hitter, Darin Erstad. Duaner Sanchez made the final out, retiring Miguel Tejada on a ground ball.
Nice job, Feliciano. I have no idea why he was in there, throwing to righties. They kill him to the tune of four home runs in 22 2-3 innings. That's opposed to only one home run by lefties in 23 2-3 innings.
Offensive Output
Another hot start quickly eroded into a quiet ending as the last 15 Mets were retired in order.
The Mets got on the board in the first, as usual. Carlos Beltran hit a two-run home run to left field off of Randy Wolf, plating David Wright.
The team then had the bases loaded in the bottom of the third with only one out, but were only able to push one run across, thanks to a bases loaded walk by Fernando Tatis.
Big wasted opportunity.
The Mets got another run from Beltran, as he hit his second home run of the day, of the solo variety, to left field in the bottom of the fifth inning.
And yet again, the elusive three home run game at Shea by a Met evades the team.
The Mets seem to have issues with beating the Astros this season. Glad they only have one more game against them and then it's "see ya next season!"
The Rest of the Story
I've got nothing.
Game Ball: Carlos Beltran
Wallace Matthews never fails to make me angry
I don't want to be the team's excuse maker, but Wallace Matthews, the most miserable man in sports writing, is at it again.
His latest article, "Let's hope listless Mets aren't back again" does not fail to get my blood boiling.
Here's the opening line to the article:
What is wrong with this guy? Hundreds, if not thousands of people, would love to be in his shoes right now, but apparently watching baseball and writing about it for a living just makes him more upset at life.
Matthews:
Things like that are going to happen. The team will hit a slide, they'll fall into a rut. What Matthews seems to forget is that they Mets actually won Friday's game due to a strong pitching performance from their starter and their bullpen.
Instead of bashing a team that just pulled off a nice run of wins, find something real to gripe about, please.
His latest article, "Let's hope listless Mets aren't back again" does not fail to get my blood boiling.
Here's the opening line to the article:
It took awhile - well, only three innings, really - but I succeeded in finding people who wanted to be at Shea Stadium even less than I did last night. Unfortunately, they were wearing Mets uniforms.You're a journalist. You cover sports for a living. It's late August, and you're at a game with a team in first place. And you don't want to be there?
What is wrong with this guy? Hundreds, if not thousands of people, would love to be in his shoes right now, but apparently watching baseball and writing about it for a living just makes him more upset at life.
Matthews:
Yet there was no fight in this team, something we have seen time and again the past three seasons, regardless of whether the manager's name was Willie or Jerry, the venue was home or away, the opponent a contender like the Phillies or Cubs, or doormats like the Astros.Does he really expect them to win every game? The team had won 10 of their last 11, and one stinker by John Maine makes this team listless? Yes, the team was set down in order from the third inning of Friday night's game all the way to two outs in the fifth inning on Saturday's game.
Things like that are going to happen. The team will hit a slide, they'll fall into a rut. What Matthews seems to forget is that they Mets actually won Friday's game due to a strong pitching performance from their starter and their bullpen.
Instead of bashing a team that just pulled off a nice run of wins, find something real to gripe about, please.
8/23/08
Game Recap: Astros 8 -- Mets 3
Tonight was not pretty.
Pitching Performance
John Maine struggled. He lasted more than five innings for once, going five 2-3 innings. Unfortunately, he got absolutely rocked. He let in six runs and was charged with two more after he left the game. Maine let up 10 hits, and walked two, striking out four batters.
The third was not pretty, and I thought he wasn't going to make it out. The four-run inning was capped off by a Lance Berkman opposite field three-run home run.
Awful. Not good at all. His velocity was up, which was a good sign. He looked so strong in the first, but seemed to fall apart after that.
Duaner Sanchez pitched only one third of an inning, but allowed two hits, that allowed the two runs to score charged to Maine. Joe Smith and Brian Stokes combined to throw three perfect innings, striking out three Astros.
Sanchez's velocity was up, too, but it had no movement. Smith and Stokes looked nice, I must say.
Offensive Output
The bats were stagnant again, as Brandon Backe had a perfect game going through four innings.
In the fifth inning, Daniel Murphy drew a two-out walk to break up the perfect game, which was followed by a Ryan Church double, driving him in. This was Church's first RBI since returning to the Mets.
Another lull for the bats, as they were held off the board until the eighth inning. Brian Schneider continued his hot streak, smacking two-run blast to right center field, pushing Church across.
Schneider...another home run? Crazy. Too little, too late.
The Rest of the Story
Can't win 'em all, right?
Another quick game: 2:36
Game Ball: Ryan Church
Pitching Performance
John Maine struggled. He lasted more than five innings for once, going five 2-3 innings. Unfortunately, he got absolutely rocked. He let in six runs and was charged with two more after he left the game. Maine let up 10 hits, and walked two, striking out four batters.
The third was not pretty, and I thought he wasn't going to make it out. The four-run inning was capped off by a Lance Berkman opposite field three-run home run.
Awful. Not good at all. His velocity was up, which was a good sign. He looked so strong in the first, but seemed to fall apart after that.
Duaner Sanchez pitched only one third of an inning, but allowed two hits, that allowed the two runs to score charged to Maine. Joe Smith and Brian Stokes combined to throw three perfect innings, striking out three Astros.
Sanchez's velocity was up, too, but it had no movement. Smith and Stokes looked nice, I must say.
Offensive Output
The bats were stagnant again, as Brandon Backe had a perfect game going through four innings.
In the fifth inning, Daniel Murphy drew a two-out walk to break up the perfect game, which was followed by a Ryan Church double, driving him in. This was Church's first RBI since returning to the Mets.
Another lull for the bats, as they were held off the board until the eighth inning. Brian Schneider continued his hot streak, smacking two-run blast to right center field, pushing Church across.
Schneider...another home run? Crazy. Too little, too late.
The Rest of the Story
Can't win 'em all, right?
Another quick game: 2:36
Game Ball: Ryan Church
Luis Castillo will not return tonight
Luis Castillo has asked out of tonight's game and will not be activated from the DL.
This can be taken one of two ways: On one hand, this could be taken as a sad move, where he just wants to keep sitting and collect his money. I don't think that's the case, as I think (hope) it's more likely that he's just doesn't feel ready and feels bad that he'd be taking the spot of another player, and for the good of the team, he'll continue to work his way back.
At least Argenis Reyes gets to stick around.
Update, 5:51 pm: Here's an update from Rod Boone over at Newsday:
This can be taken one of two ways: On one hand, this could be taken as a sad move, where he just wants to keep sitting and collect his money. I don't think that's the case, as I think (hope) it's more likely that he's just doesn't feel ready and feels bad that he'd be taking the spot of another player, and for the good of the team, he'll continue to work his way back.
At least Argenis Reyes gets to stick around.
Update, 5:51 pm: Here's an update from Rod Boone over at Newsday:
According to Manuel, because the team is playing so well Castillo did not want to affect the team chemistry. So he won't be activated today and there's no telling when. Manuel said it wasn't a health-related issue and Castillo will travel with the team to Philly. He will be activated before the rosters expand Sept. 1.Valiant move, Castillo. I like this. A lot.
Listen to Live from Mickey Mantle's
I must say, this was awesome. I pop in around the five minute mark.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
8/22/08
Game Recap: Mets 3 -- Astros 0
A pitching duel on paper actually translated to one on the field.
Pitching Performance
Johan Santana has now thrown 16 shutout innings in his last two starts. Earning his money yet? Santana scattered eight hits through his seven stanzas of work tonight, walking only one and striking out five. He threw 121 pitches, otherwise I think he would have stayed in the game for all nine.
Santana faced a little trouble in the second, when he had runners on second and third and one out. He got a ground ball and then struck out Roy Oswalt to end the threat. He only worked one 1-2-3 inning, and that came in the fourth inning. Other than that, he had runners on in every inning.
Perfect Santana tonight. Absolutely outstanding. I can't sing his accolades anymore than I already am just by showing you his numbers. He's something special. Anyone miss Carlos Gomez and the other Twins?
Aaron Heilman threw a perfect eighth inning, striking out one. Luis Ayala earned the save, also working a perfect inning, as he struck out two 'Stros before getting old friend David Newhan to ground out to end the game.
Is it too soon to say the bullpen looks good lately? Because it has. Again, whatever the Mets did to adjust Ayala's arm angle seems to be working. I don't like the way it looks, as he looks like he's throwing a shot put or heaving the ball across the plate, but it's working and that's all that matters.
Offensive Output
A big hand must go to Oswalt, who threw a complete game but still was tagged with the loss. Eight innings for the man with the tractor, only allowing four hits and walking none. He struck out six Mets.
The Mets scored another first inning run, as Jose Reyes singled to lead off the game, and moved to second on a wild pitch. Argenis Reyes sacrificed him over to third, and David Wright eventually drove him in with a single of his own.
I love Reyes as the table setter. He's the perfect player for that role as he has the ability to get on base a lot and can even crack a few homers to start the game if he's in a groove. The Mets lead the majors with first inning runs, and I couldn't be happier.
The other Mets runs came in the second inning, before Oswalt settled in. Ryan Church singled in his first at bat after a looooooooong time off due to his concussions and migraines. He wasn't on base very long, as Brian Schneider cracked a two-run home run to left field a few pitches later.
Schneider seems to be getting a little toasty. He's found his home run swing.
The Rest of the Story
After the second inning, the Mets were set down in order in the: third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth.
Oswalt needed only 102 pitches to get through his eight innings.
Daniel Murphy is now batting a putrid .380 on the year.
Game Ball: Johan Santana and Roy Oswalt
Pitching Performance
Johan Santana has now thrown 16 shutout innings in his last two starts. Earning his money yet? Santana scattered eight hits through his seven stanzas of work tonight, walking only one and striking out five. He threw 121 pitches, otherwise I think he would have stayed in the game for all nine.
Santana faced a little trouble in the second, when he had runners on second and third and one out. He got a ground ball and then struck out Roy Oswalt to end the threat. He only worked one 1-2-3 inning, and that came in the fourth inning. Other than that, he had runners on in every inning.
Perfect Santana tonight. Absolutely outstanding. I can't sing his accolades anymore than I already am just by showing you his numbers. He's something special. Anyone miss Carlos Gomez and the other Twins?
Aaron Heilman threw a perfect eighth inning, striking out one. Luis Ayala earned the save, also working a perfect inning, as he struck out two 'Stros before getting old friend David Newhan to ground out to end the game.
Is it too soon to say the bullpen looks good lately? Because it has. Again, whatever the Mets did to adjust Ayala's arm angle seems to be working. I don't like the way it looks, as he looks like he's throwing a shot put or heaving the ball across the plate, but it's working and that's all that matters.
Offensive Output
A big hand must go to Oswalt, who threw a complete game but still was tagged with the loss. Eight innings for the man with the tractor, only allowing four hits and walking none. He struck out six Mets.
The Mets scored another first inning run, as Jose Reyes singled to lead off the game, and moved to second on a wild pitch. Argenis Reyes sacrificed him over to third, and David Wright eventually drove him in with a single of his own.
I love Reyes as the table setter. He's the perfect player for that role as he has the ability to get on base a lot and can even crack a few homers to start the game if he's in a groove. The Mets lead the majors with first inning runs, and I couldn't be happier.
The other Mets runs came in the second inning, before Oswalt settled in. Ryan Church singled in his first at bat after a looooooooong time off due to his concussions and migraines. He wasn't on base very long, as Brian Schneider cracked a two-run home run to left field a few pitches later.
Schneider seems to be getting a little toasty. He's found his home run swing.
The Rest of the Story
After the second inning, the Mets were set down in order in the: third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth.
Oswalt needed only 102 pitches to get through his eight innings.
Daniel Murphy is now batting a putrid .380 on the year.
Game Ball: Johan Santana and Roy Oswalt
Luis Castillo to return tomorrow
Groan!
Luis Castillo is scheduled to return tomorrow, as the Mets will be back at "full strength" for the first time in a while.
I know the Mets are paying this guy $25 million, but I honestly think the team would be a lot better off cutting this guy loose. Damion Easley and Argenis Reyes have done more in his absence than Castillo ever could. Reyes even reminds me of Castillo, with his slap swing. He's like the younger, more capable version of him from years well past.
I have to guess that A-Rey is the guy getting the short end of the stick, and heading back down to the minors for eight days. Nick Evans and Daniel Murphy are working too well in left field lately.
The Mets will welcome back Ryan Church tonight with open arms, but welcome Castillo back with a shifty smile and a polite shake of the hand tomorrow.
Luis Castillo is scheduled to return tomorrow, as the Mets will be back at "full strength" for the first time in a while.
I know the Mets are paying this guy $25 million, but I honestly think the team would be a lot better off cutting this guy loose. Damion Easley and Argenis Reyes have done more in his absence than Castillo ever could. Reyes even reminds me of Castillo, with his slap swing. He's like the younger, more capable version of him from years well past.
I have to guess that A-Rey is the guy getting the short end of the stick, and heading back down to the minors for eight days. Nick Evans and Daniel Murphy are working too well in left field lately.
The Mets will welcome back Ryan Church tonight with open arms, but welcome Castillo back with a shifty smile and a polite shake of the hand tomorrow.
Wiffle ball: The greatest sport ever
Here's a snippet of one of my posts from Union:
I’d like to start off by making sure everyone understands that it is spelled “W-i-f-f-l-e,” not “whiffle.” Wiffle is the official name, the yellow bat and white ball, the greatest sport ever invented.
I can honestly say, outside of soccer, I think I’ve played Wiffle ball more than any other sport, ever. I’d like to believe I’m a decent pitcher since I can strike out most of my friends on a fairly consistent basis, but there are some people that are miles ahead of me.
Take a look at some of these pitches. The movement on these are absolutely insane.
I was just clocked by some crappy boardwalk radar gun as throwing a real baseball 55 mph (yeah, I know, that sucks). I imagine my wiffle ball moves somewhere in the 30-40 mph range due to it’s weight, but the key is not the speed, but the movement.
My favorite pitch is my “changeup+”. It’s a changeup because...Read the rest of my post over at Union...
Live at Mickey Mantle's
I'll be appearing on "Live from Mickey Mantle's" tonight, joining host Joe Janish from Mets Today.
Listen by clicking this button...
The show runs from 6-8 pm, and I should be on between 6 and 6:30.
Listen by clicking this button...
The show runs from 6-8 pm, and I should be on between 6 and 6:30.
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