Seriously, I guess the Dodgers sweep of the Phillies a few weeks ago was too much to ask of this team. Just one win this past series would have been nice...but no, the Dodgers had to go and lose all four to the Phillies.
Of course, the Mets split their series with the Astros, a team the Mets find almost unbeatable, and the Phillies picked up two games on the first place team.
I called it a few weeks back when I said the lead in the NL East will change hands three more times before the season is over. Since then, the Mets have taken over first. By the time this two game series in Philly is over, it could change hands again. That would be two times, leaving the Mets with the final push to first, if all goes according to my prophecy.
The Dodgers didn't just lose to the Phillies, they were dominated by them. To the tune of 27-5 over the four games. That's just what they need: a dominating effort to fill them with confidence. They're going to come into this short series riding high and come out to play. I don't like the looks of it for the Mets. The Philly bats seem to be back and in full swing (pardon the pun.)
Hopefully Johan Santana and Pedro Martinez can channel some Mike Pelfrey and shut down the hot bats.
8/26/08
The best way to help the bullpen: Don't let them touch the baseball
Mike Pelfrey is smart. He knows his bullpen is shaky, so the only way to help his team is to go the distance. And he nearly did so in style.
Pelfrey was two outs away from his first complete game shutout, but ex-Mets David Newhan and Ty Wiggington had to spoil the fun and score a ninth inning run. Speaking of Newhan, in the four games against the Mets this year, he went 3-8, scored two runs, had a double and a home run, and drove in two. Who would have thought he could do such things after his paltry .203 average with the Mets last year?
Either way, Pelfrey has surpassed any and all predictions I had for him. I expected him to be a good pitcher, but nothing like this. He's truly an "ace," if that term still applies to anything anymore. Looking at the staff, even without John Maine, it's a formidable task to overcome for opposing teams. Between the double-barrled aces of Pelfrey and Johan Santana, there is the usually dominany Oliver Perez, and ol' reliable, Pedro Martinez. A weak 5th starter, which the Mets won't even need in the playoffs is fine, as long as your other pitchers go out and perform, which they have.
People were all over Pelfrey last year and at the beginning of this year. He took his lumps at the major league level, but that seems to have helped him. He knows how to deal with adversity and he knows how to handle major league batters.
Keep on truckin', Pelfrey. We're all along for the ride and we're loving every minute of it.
Pelfrey was two outs away from his first complete game shutout, but ex-Mets David Newhan and Ty Wiggington had to spoil the fun and score a ninth inning run. Speaking of Newhan, in the four games against the Mets this year, he went 3-8, scored two runs, had a double and a home run, and drove in two. Who would have thought he could do such things after his paltry .203 average with the Mets last year?
Either way, Pelfrey has surpassed any and all predictions I had for him. I expected him to be a good pitcher, but nothing like this. He's truly an "ace," if that term still applies to anything anymore. Looking at the staff, even without John Maine, it's a formidable task to overcome for opposing teams. Between the double-barrled aces of Pelfrey and Johan Santana, there is the usually dominany Oliver Perez, and ol' reliable, Pedro Martinez. A weak 5th starter, which the Mets won't even need in the playoffs is fine, as long as your other pitchers go out and perform, which they have.
People were all over Pelfrey last year and at the beginning of this year. He took his lumps at the major league level, but that seems to have helped him. He knows how to deal with adversity and he knows how to handle major league batters.
Keep on truckin', Pelfrey. We're all along for the ride and we're loving every minute of it.
8/25/08
Game Recap: Mets 9 -- Astros 1
In the words of Ryan Punzalan: This kid is a stud.
Pitching Performance
Mike Pelfrey is a beast. He turned in his second complete game victory in a row, throwing nine innings of one run baseball. Pelfrey threw only 108 pitches, and needed only 18 to get through the last two innings.
He allowed six hits, two of which came in the ninth, where the Astros scored their only run. On what would have been a double down the line, Carlos Delgado made a nice diving stop on a Ty Wiggington grounder, and reached out to first with his bare hand as David Newhan trotted home.
Pelfrey was on, as he walked none and struck out six while on the bump. Only two of the Astros hits were of the extra base variety, as they hit two doubles. The other four were all singles.
He was downright nasty tonight. Another CG. Wow.
So much for limiting his innings. Unbelievable outing. I think he's the most exciting pitcher on the staff.
Offensive Output
When Deglado is hot, he's hot.
Delgado blasted a pair of three-run home runs, one in the first inning (of course) and one in the seventh. David Wright and Jose Reyes were on base for both of those homers, and obviously scored each time. The first home run went down the left field line, just staying fair to put the Mets up early. The second was crushed to straightaway centerfield, directly over the 410 sign on the wall.
Another wow. Who would have thought he would have the season that he's having after that miserable start to this season. It's going to be a tough decision for the Mets on what to do with him during the offseason.
Daniel Murphy drove in a run in the sixth inning with a sacrafice fly to center field, allowing Carlos Beltran to score.
The Mets added on in the bottom of the eigth. Ryan Church doubled to lead off the inning, and Pelfrey walked on four pitches. Reyes then tripled down the first base line, chasing Church home from third and Pelfrey all the way from first.
The most exciting man in baseball, without a doubt.
Finally, the offense scored early and often. About time the bats broke out against this team.
The Rest of the Story
I hope this becomes a theme: The game lasted just over two and a half hours.
In Pelfrey's last 25 innings, he's given up 16 hits and only four runs.
Game Ball: Mike Pelfrey and Carlos Delgado.
Pitching Performance
Mike Pelfrey is a beast. He turned in his second complete game victory in a row, throwing nine innings of one run baseball. Pelfrey threw only 108 pitches, and needed only 18 to get through the last two innings.
He allowed six hits, two of which came in the ninth, where the Astros scored their only run. On what would have been a double down the line, Carlos Delgado made a nice diving stop on a Ty Wiggington grounder, and reached out to first with his bare hand as David Newhan trotted home.
Pelfrey was on, as he walked none and struck out six while on the bump. Only two of the Astros hits were of the extra base variety, as they hit two doubles. The other four were all singles.
He was downright nasty tonight. Another CG. Wow.
So much for limiting his innings. Unbelievable outing. I think he's the most exciting pitcher on the staff.
Offensive Output
When Deglado is hot, he's hot.
Delgado blasted a pair of three-run home runs, one in the first inning (of course) and one in the seventh. David Wright and Jose Reyes were on base for both of those homers, and obviously scored each time. The first home run went down the left field line, just staying fair to put the Mets up early. The second was crushed to straightaway centerfield, directly over the 410 sign on the wall.
Another wow. Who would have thought he would have the season that he's having after that miserable start to this season. It's going to be a tough decision for the Mets on what to do with him during the offseason.
Daniel Murphy drove in a run in the sixth inning with a sacrafice fly to center field, allowing Carlos Beltran to score.
The Mets added on in the bottom of the eigth. Ryan Church doubled to lead off the inning, and Pelfrey walked on four pitches. Reyes then tripled down the first base line, chasing Church home from third and Pelfrey all the way from first.
The most exciting man in baseball, without a doubt.
Finally, the offense scored early and often. About time the bats broke out against this team.
The Rest of the Story
I hope this becomes a theme: The game lasted just over two and a half hours.
In Pelfrey's last 25 innings, he's given up 16 hits and only four runs.
Game Ball: Mike Pelfrey and Carlos Delgado.
Luis Castillo up in place of John Maine; Mets have three second basemen?
Well this makes no sense.
With John Maine on the DL, it made it much easier for the Mets to bring Luis Castillo back from his extended stay on the disabled list.
This leaves the Mets with Castillo and Argenis Reyes, who can pretty much only play second base, and Damion Easley, who can play first, second and left. Too bad Daniel Murphy and Nick Evans are seemingly entrenched in left, and Carlos Delgado is playing well at first.
Way too clogged. Someone has to go to add an arm for a few days. Sorry Argenis, but I think you have to head to the minors for a few days. The Mets need another arm out of the bullpen, I think.
With John Maine on the DL, it made it much easier for the Mets to bring Luis Castillo back from his extended stay on the disabled list.
This leaves the Mets with Castillo and Argenis Reyes, who can pretty much only play second base, and Damion Easley, who can play first, second and left. Too bad Daniel Murphy and Nick Evans are seemingly entrenched in left, and Carlos Delgado is playing well at first.
Way too clogged. Someone has to go to add an arm for a few days. Sorry Argenis, but I think you have to head to the minors for a few days. The Mets need another arm out of the bullpen, I think.
John Maine to the DL; Likely done for season
Sometimes, when you speak, people listen.
Obviously, the Mets didn't read my post this morning and decide to listen to me, but this is a good move for the team and John Maine.
Maine will hit the DL with a bone spur in his shoulder, and may miss the rest of the year. He is already scheduled to have surgery in the offseason, so this is a good idea all around. Yes, I think the staff is going to miss him, but I think they will be able to patch together his starts down the stretch.
After that, if the Mets make the playoffs, they can run with a four man rotation without a problem.
Smart move by the Mets. It seems they've learned to be very cautious with injuries since Ryan Church's concussions.
Update, 4:59 pm: Tejesh, from Mets Prospect Hub, relayed some info on Maine. According to him, Omar Minaya said Maine is not necessarily shut down for the season.
Now that's just silly to me. When are you going to bring him back, the playoffs? No way would I ever bring a guy off the DL to work in the playoffs, unless he looked completely dominant in any "rehab" assignment.
Obviously, the Mets didn't read my post this morning and decide to listen to me, but this is a good move for the team and John Maine.
Maine will hit the DL with a bone spur in his shoulder, and may miss the rest of the year. He is already scheduled to have surgery in the offseason, so this is a good idea all around. Yes, I think the staff is going to miss him, but I think they will be able to patch together his starts down the stretch.
After that, if the Mets make the playoffs, they can run with a four man rotation without a problem.
Smart move by the Mets. It seems they've learned to be very cautious with injuries since Ryan Church's concussions.
Update, 4:59 pm: Tejesh, from Mets Prospect Hub, relayed some info on Maine. According to him, Omar Minaya said Maine is not necessarily shut down for the season.
Now that's just silly to me. When are you going to bring him back, the playoffs? No way would I ever bring a guy off the DL to work in the playoffs, unless he looked completely dominant in any "rehab" assignment.
What I would like to own from Shea Stadium
So with the Shea Stadium seats going on sale for much more than I earned all summer, I was wondering what else they would sell from the stadium.
Here's a list I compiled of items I'd like to see for sale:
Here's a list I compiled of items I'd like to see for sale:
- The toilets/urinals. It only makes sense to have those porcelain thrones put up for sale. I'd like to own a urinal from Shea. It'd be so fitting.
- The Azek Trimboard sign. It'd look dashing over my bed.
- That giant Dunkin' Donuts cup. I want to fill it with real ice coffee and go for a swim.
- The piece of cement with Tommy Agee's home run marker. Actually, I think they should give that to Agee's family or put it into Citi Field, where the distance marker would be the same.
- Pieces of the foul pole. Something they could cut up and sell in small pieces, like 1x1 foot sections. Everyone could have a piece.
- Dirt. A vial of dirt. $5. Come on, Mets, don't overcharge me for dirt.
Shut down John Maine NOW
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.
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.
8/24/08
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
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