And for reference, Luis Ayala's October numbers.
Oh, wait. There are none.
9/8/08
Maybe losing Billy Wagner isn't all that bad
I present to you, Billy Wagner's postseason numbers. Take it as you will.
And for reference, Luis Ayala's October numbers.
Oh, wait. There are none.
And for reference, Luis Ayala's October numbers.
Oh, wait. There are none.
So long, Billy Wagner
It looks like Billy Wagner has thrown his last pitch of 2008, and well into 2009.
The fireballer will undergo the dreaded Tommy John surgery and will definitely miss the rest of this season. Next year will see a lot of rehabbing, and he may miss all of that season as well.
Hello, Francisco Rodriguez.
As bad of an injury that may be, I'm glad it happened when it did. The bullpen already has had to live without Wagner to close games, and now must get used to it as the rest of the season will be like this. We've seen what Luis Ayala can do, and while he's not lights out, he's semi-capable in that role.
It's my hunch that Wagner has thrown his last pitch as a member of the New York Mets, and probably as a closer in the major leagues as well. Should be interesting to see where he goes from here.
It'll be even more interesting if the Mets pursue K-Rod this offseason, something I thought they were on the fence about during the year. Now, they have a need and he would more than fill it.
The fireballer will undergo the dreaded Tommy John surgery and will definitely miss the rest of this season. Next year will see a lot of rehabbing, and he may miss all of that season as well.
Hello, Francisco Rodriguez.
As bad of an injury that may be, I'm glad it happened when it did. The bullpen already has had to live without Wagner to close games, and now must get used to it as the rest of the season will be like this. We've seen what Luis Ayala can do, and while he's not lights out, he's semi-capable in that role.
It's my hunch that Wagner has thrown his last pitch as a member of the New York Mets, and probably as a closer in the major leagues as well. Should be interesting to see where he goes from here.
It'll be even more interesting if the Mets pursue K-Rod this offseason, something I thought they were on the fence about during the year. Now, they have a need and he would more than fill it.
Two up, nineteen to play
I'm am far from a pessimist. I almost always see the bright side in life and generally expect the good to happen over the bad.
But I can't help myself to look at the Mets this year and think about 2007 all over again. I've been pretty vocal about forgetting about last year, putting it behind us and just moving on. Well, the Mets have made that kind of hard to do.
Thankfully, they salvaged a win last night, as Johan Santana was masterful and the offense (Carlos Delgado) found a groove. Serious talk must be had about the year Delgado is having, and if the Mets can make it into the playoffs, he may very well win the MVP.
But here the Mets stand, with nineteen games to play and a two game lead. The two teams share almost the same schedule, with all but four games coming against similar teams. The Phillies get the Brewers, the Mets play the Cubs.
So it will be a test, a test of who can beat the Braves, Nationals, and Marlins. Who can take down the NL East rivals down the stretch, something the '07 Mets failed to do.
I hate to say it, but here we go again. Here's to another crazy September, another three weeks of scoreboard watching, another 23 days of agida. Break out the Pepcid, it's time to worry.
But I can't help myself to look at the Mets this year and think about 2007 all over again. I've been pretty vocal about forgetting about last year, putting it behind us and just moving on. Well, the Mets have made that kind of hard to do.
Thankfully, they salvaged a win last night, as Johan Santana was masterful and the offense (Carlos Delgado) found a groove. Serious talk must be had about the year Delgado is having, and if the Mets can make it into the playoffs, he may very well win the MVP.
But here the Mets stand, with nineteen games to play and a two game lead. The two teams share almost the same schedule, with all but four games coming against similar teams. The Phillies get the Brewers, the Mets play the Cubs.
So it will be a test, a test of who can beat the Braves, Nationals, and Marlins. Who can take down the NL East rivals down the stretch, something the '07 Mets failed to do.
I hate to say it, but here we go again. Here's to another crazy September, another three weeks of scoreboard watching, another 23 days of agida. Break out the Pepcid, it's time to worry.
9/7/08
Game Recap: Mets 6 -- Phillies 3
Hey Phillies, put away those brooms.
Pitching Performance
Looking to save his team from a sweep and from falling into a tie for first place, Johan Santana came to play. He got into a little bit of trouble early, allowing a run in the first inning when Ryan Howard singled in Chase Utley.
In the third, Howard got to Santana again, knocking a solo home run to deep left field. Santana ended up throwing seven 1-3 innings, scattering five hits. He walked three and struck out six, en route to his 13th win of the season.
This is why he gets the big bucks. He threw 116 pitches, 71 of which went for strikes. Can't ask for much more than that. Well done, Johan. We love you.
Pedro Feliciano and Brian Stokes combined to finish out the eighth inning. Feliciano retired Ryan Howard and Stokes got Pat Burrell on one pitch to end the inning.
Luis Ayala allowed a run in the top of the ninth, but was able to close it out without further issues. He allowed two hits, the one earned run, and struck out one.
You better like that role, Ayala. It looks like you're going to be there for the rest of the season.
Offensive Output
The Mets were down by one run before they even came to bat, but they rallied for three runs in the first inning off of Cole Hamels. Carlos Beltran put the Mets on the board with an RBI single, driving in Ryan Church, who doubled earlier in the inning. Carlos Delgado followed that up with a two-run single to center, starting his huge night.
I love when the Mets score early, but I always fear that they won't score again the rest of the game. Thankfully, that wasn't the case tonight.
In the third, Delgado continued his hot night, with a solo home run deeeeep to right field. In the fifth, Delgado continued his hot night, with a solo home run to deeeeep to right field.
Yes, I know it's the same sentence twice, with only one word changed. But hey, it works.
The Mets added an insurance run in the 8th. After a Damion Easley triple, Brian Schneider hit a sac-fly to right, pushing Easley across.
Notice Luis Castillo was MIA all day. Thank goodness.
The Rest of the Story
Both leadoff hitters went 0-5.
Delgado picked up his 100th RBI.
Game Ball: Johan Santana and Carlos Delgado.
Pitching Performance
Looking to save his team from a sweep and from falling into a tie for first place, Johan Santana came to play. He got into a little bit of trouble early, allowing a run in the first inning when Ryan Howard singled in Chase Utley.
In the third, Howard got to Santana again, knocking a solo home run to deep left field. Santana ended up throwing seven 1-3 innings, scattering five hits. He walked three and struck out six, en route to his 13th win of the season.
This is why he gets the big bucks. He threw 116 pitches, 71 of which went for strikes. Can't ask for much more than that. Well done, Johan. We love you.
Pedro Feliciano and Brian Stokes combined to finish out the eighth inning. Feliciano retired Ryan Howard and Stokes got Pat Burrell on one pitch to end the inning.
Luis Ayala allowed a run in the top of the ninth, but was able to close it out without further issues. He allowed two hits, the one earned run, and struck out one.
You better like that role, Ayala. It looks like you're going to be there for the rest of the season.
Offensive Output
The Mets were down by one run before they even came to bat, but they rallied for three runs in the first inning off of Cole Hamels. Carlos Beltran put the Mets on the board with an RBI single, driving in Ryan Church, who doubled earlier in the inning. Carlos Delgado followed that up with a two-run single to center, starting his huge night.
I love when the Mets score early, but I always fear that they won't score again the rest of the game. Thankfully, that wasn't the case tonight.
In the third, Delgado continued his hot night, with a solo home run deeeeep to right field. In the fifth, Delgado continued his hot night, with a solo home run to deeeeep to right field.
Yes, I know it's the same sentence twice, with only one word changed. But hey, it works.
The Mets added an insurance run in the 8th. After a Damion Easley triple, Brian Schneider hit a sac-fly to right, pushing Easley across.
Notice Luis Castillo was MIA all day. Thank goodness.
The Rest of the Story
Both leadoff hitters went 0-5.
Delgado picked up his 100th RBI.
Game Ball: Johan Santana and Carlos Delgado.
Billy Wagner done for the year?
Strike two on the day.
David Lennon is reporting that Billy Wagner may be done for the year.
Wagner was throwing a simulated game at Shea Stadium, but was unable to continue after only a handful of pitches, even hitting one of the batters he faced.
Lennon relays a pretty telling quote from Wagner: "That's it. I can't do it anymore."
Looks like the Mets should just settle in with the thought of not having Wagner for the rest of the season. Groom Luis Ayala for the closer role for the rest of the season and hopefully into the post-season.
The only thing that could make today worse is getting swept at home by the Phillies.
David Lennon is reporting that Billy Wagner may be done for the year.
Wagner was throwing a simulated game at Shea Stadium, but was unable to continue after only a handful of pitches, even hitting one of the batters he faced.
Lennon relays a pretty telling quote from Wagner: "That's it. I can't do it anymore."
Looks like the Mets should just settle in with the thought of not having Wagner for the rest of the season. Groom Luis Ayala for the closer role for the rest of the season and hopefully into the post-season.
The only thing that could make today worse is getting swept at home by the Phillies.
Game Recap: Phillies 6 -- Mets 2
Uh-oh. Here we go again?
Pitching Performance
Pedro Martinez got rocked. He lasted only four innings, allowing seven hits and six earned runs. Two runs came in the second inning, one via a sacrifice fly and another from an RBI single. The fourth was a disaster for Pedro, as he let up four runs in the inning. Three of those runs came when Pedro let up a three-run blast to Greg Dobbs.
Not pretty. Not pretty at all. All that hubbub about skipping the Milwaukee series to work with his trainer didn't seem to work, at all. Oy vey.
From there on out, the bullpen was magnificent. Six pitchers combined to throw five shut out innings, allowing only two hits and two walks, while striking out four.
One day, the bullpen shows up, the starting pitching is awful. Another day, the starter is on and the bullpen blows it. Make up your minds!!
Offensive Output
The Mets only managed two hits off of Jamie Moyer.
When will this man retire?
They did manage to scratch two across, on RBI doubles by David Wright an Carlos Beltran in the bottom of the 8th inning.
Too little, too late.
The Rest of the Story
8:05 pm, ESPN. Mets must win.
Mets are still one game up on the Phillies.
Game Ball: Bullpen.
Pitching Performance
Pedro Martinez got rocked. He lasted only four innings, allowing seven hits and six earned runs. Two runs came in the second inning, one via a sacrifice fly and another from an RBI single. The fourth was a disaster for Pedro, as he let up four runs in the inning. Three of those runs came when Pedro let up a three-run blast to Greg Dobbs.
Not pretty. Not pretty at all. All that hubbub about skipping the Milwaukee series to work with his trainer didn't seem to work, at all. Oy vey.
From there on out, the bullpen was magnificent. Six pitchers combined to throw five shut out innings, allowing only two hits and two walks, while striking out four.
One day, the bullpen shows up, the starting pitching is awful. Another day, the starter is on and the bullpen blows it. Make up your minds!!
Offensive Output
The Mets only managed two hits off of Jamie Moyer.
When will this man retire?
They did manage to scratch two across, on RBI doubles by David Wright an Carlos Beltran in the bottom of the 8th inning.
Too little, too late.
The Rest of the Story
8:05 pm, ESPN. Mets must win.
Mets are still one game up on the Phillies.
Game Ball: Bullpen.
Mets cracking down on theft of Shea Stadium items
An article ran in the Daily News today about how both the Mets and Yankees are treating their final home stands as if it was a World Series game. The police will be out in full force in an attempt to thwart thieves as they try to make it out of the stadium with some stolen souvenirs.
The 'Ropolitans has reported a few stories on fans trying to smuggle out pieces of seats before. The Daily News relays the fact that three fans have been arrested at Shea this year for exactly this reason.
I wonder how many people have successfully stolen something, outside of free mustard packets, this season.
I'd love to get just something from Shea. Obviously, I don't have $869 to spend on a pair of seats, but I want something to remember her by. A few weeks ago, I picked a few items I'd like to have from Shea. I still think pieces of the foul pole would be the cheapest and most memorable item.
Good luck, NYPD, you're going to need it. I guarantee we'll be seeing more stories of people getting arrested as they try to steal some items, and some of people who were successful in their efforts.
The 'Ropolitans has reported a few stories on fans trying to smuggle out pieces of seats before. The Daily News relays the fact that three fans have been arrested at Shea this year for exactly this reason.
I wonder how many people have successfully stolen something, outside of free mustard packets, this season.
I'd love to get just something from Shea. Obviously, I don't have $869 to spend on a pair of seats, but I want something to remember her by. A few weeks ago, I picked a few items I'd like to have from Shea. I still think pieces of the foul pole would be the cheapest and most memorable item.
Good luck, NYPD, you're going to need it. I guarantee we'll be seeing more stories of people getting arrested as they try to steal some items, and some of people who were successful in their efforts.
9/6/08
Mets scrap Saturday game, plan doubleheader tomorrow
Mets Blog is reporting that today's match up of the Mets and the Phillies has already been canceled.
I heard rumors of a 1 pm and 8 pm doubleheader tomorrow, but I'll keep you updated.
Update: The games will be at 2:15 pm and 8:05 pm. Tickets to today's game will be honored for tomorrows early game.
On a more personal note, they also canceled all the flag football games at school. Shucks.
I heard rumors of a 1 pm and 8 pm doubleheader tomorrow, but I'll keep you updated.
Update: The games will be at 2:15 pm and 8:05 pm. Tickets to today's game will be honored for tomorrows early game.
On a more personal note, they also canceled all the flag football games at school. Shucks.
Game Recap: Phillies 3 -- Mets 0
That was no fun. (I'll keep this short and sweet.)
Pitching Performance
Mike Pelfrey pitched very well. He allowed an unearned run in the first inning, and a two run home that Ryan Church almost caught in the top of the seventh. He allowed only four hits, walked two, and struck out four.
He did not deserve the loss, but the Mets offense was stifled last night by a dominating performance from Brett Myers. Pelfrey is still so surprising. I didn't think he'd be half of what he is right now this season.
Brian Stokes, Ricardo Rincon, and Duaner Sanchez all pitched, each retiring every batter they faced and tallying two K's.
Love the Stokes.
Offensive Output
Brett Myers was ON. Eight innings, three hits, only two walks, while striking out 10 Mets.
The Mets threatened in the bottom of the ninth against Brad Lidge, but were unable to push anyone across.
Daniel Murphy went 2-4, with a double, as he was the only Met to tally multiple hits. David Wright, Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran also had hits for the Mets. Wright and Beltran's each were of the two-bagger variety.
It's one game, so don't get all up in arms. The Mets just have to come back today (or probably tomorrow due to rain) and win the next two.
Game Ball: Mike Pelfrey.
Pitching Performance
Mike Pelfrey pitched very well. He allowed an unearned run in the first inning, and a two run home that Ryan Church almost caught in the top of the seventh. He allowed only four hits, walked two, and struck out four.
He did not deserve the loss, but the Mets offense was stifled last night by a dominating performance from Brett Myers. Pelfrey is still so surprising. I didn't think he'd be half of what he is right now this season.
Brian Stokes, Ricardo Rincon, and Duaner Sanchez all pitched, each retiring every batter they faced and tallying two K's.
Love the Stokes.
Offensive Output
Brett Myers was ON. Eight innings, three hits, only two walks, while striking out 10 Mets.
The Mets threatened in the bottom of the ninth against Brad Lidge, but were unable to push anyone across.
Daniel Murphy went 2-4, with a double, as he was the only Met to tally multiple hits. David Wright, Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran also had hits for the Mets. Wright and Beltran's each were of the two-bagger variety.
It's one game, so don't get all up in arms. The Mets just have to come back today (or probably tomorrow due to rain) and win the next two.
Game Ball: Mike Pelfrey.
9/5/08
Pelfrey's innings count
Mike Pelfrey will open the series against the Phillies tonight, and according to this New York Times article, Dan Warthen "will be one of the more fidgety people in the Mets’ dugout."
The article outlays the research by SI columnist Tom Verducci, where he found that if a young pitcher, under the age of 25, has his innings count rise by more than 30 innings from one year to the next, he will most likely suffer an injury or suffer from decreased performance the next season.
While I know the Mets have been worried about his inning count for a while, they also just let him throw back to back complete games. They can't be too worried.
The Mets should take a page out of the Yankees notebook and start Pelfrey in the bullpen next season.
The article outlays the research by SI columnist Tom Verducci, where he found that if a young pitcher, under the age of 25, has his innings count rise by more than 30 innings from one year to the next, he will most likely suffer an injury or suffer from decreased performance the next season.
The 30-inning threshold is an indicator rather than a hard-and-fast rule, Verducci said. And there are exceptions, like Detroit’s Justin Verlander, who followed a 56-inning increase from 2005 to 2006 (when he won 17 games and the American League Rookie of the Year award) by going 18-6 with a nearly identical E.R.A. in 2007.So it's not all bad.
While I know the Mets have been worried about his inning count for a while, they also just let him throw back to back complete games. They can't be too worried.
The Mets should take a page out of the Yankees notebook and start Pelfrey in the bullpen next season.
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