Manuel’s Musing for July 4

“I just see the struggles, and say, 'Hey, OK. We still got a shot.’”

-Jerry Manuel on the Phillies

Oliver Perez to start Wednesday; F-Mart out with knee pain

The Mets have announced that Oliver Perez will start on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

No word on what the fate is of Tim Redding, the pitcher he replaced in the rotation.

My guess: Elmer Dessens is sent down and Redding slides into the bullpen.

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Also, Fernando Martinez is “out” according to Steve Popper.  Popper writes that he will be examined by team doctors in New York on Monday.

A similar injury cost him six weeks a few years ago, says Popper.

Lineup for Game 80

Here are the lineups for today’s Mets / Phillies matchup.  No game chat today.  Get outside and enjoy the nice weather with the Mets on WFAN!

1. Luis Castillo - 2B
2. Alex Cora - SS
3. David Wright - 3B
4. Gary Sheffield - RF
5. Fernando Tatis - 1B
6. Ryan Church - CF
7. Nick Evans - LF
8. Omir Santos - C
9. Fernando Nieve - RHP

David Wright vs. team strikeouts [Chart]

David Wright leads the team with 80 strikeouts.  In second place, Carlos Beltran has 34 and Ryan Church has K’d 33 times in third place.

Obviously, most of the team has been on the disabled list, outside of Wright.  There is a correlation that he has had by far the most plate appearances (341), giving him more chances to strike out.

Still, this chart is amazing to look at.

Pagan inching closer to return

The TCPalm is reporting that Angel Pagan “feels 100 percent” while rehabbing in Port St. Lucie.

“I feel like a million bucks,” Pagan told the TCPalm Thursday. “I’ve been working out great, and I feel better than the first time when I got hurt (and came back). I’m very positive I will stay healthy this time.”

With Fernando Martinez nursing a balky knee, it would be nice to get Pagan back on the Mets to see what he can do.  I’ve always liked what Pagan brought to the team, if he just could stay healthy.

F-Mart’s second tour of duty in the majors has been no better than his first.  It’s obvious the young kid has talent, he just needs more seasoning in the minor leagues before he’s ready to contribute.

The TCPalm also updates us on Jose Reyes, who currently has no timetable to return.  They do describe him as “in high spirits,” which I guess is a good thing.

Manuel’s Musing for July 3

“We lost a lot of games in the month of June and still somehow (we) remain - we've got a chance.”

-Jerry Manuel

Game Recap: Phillies 7 – Mets 2

Livan Hernandez busted and the bats couldn’t do much of anything against Rodrigo Lopez.

Figures.

Ollie’s next stop: Unknown

Oliver Perez with the Buffalo Bisons: 5 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO

That puts him in purgatory.  It wasn’t awful, but it wasn’t “major league ready” Perez.  Though, as bad as Tim Redding was last time around, Perez might be ready to slip back into the rotation.

Oh, by the way, only half of Perez’s 92 pitches went for strikes.  Half!

Game Chat: NYM @ PHI [Game 79]

Livan Hernandez vs. Rodrigo Lopez

Join in for some game chatter and barstool banter with your fellow fans.

(Chat removed, as usual.)

The stars & stripes hats are back

Brian Costa just tweeted that the red hats that all MLB teams wore on Memorial Day are back in action tonight, and for the rest of the weekend.

Great.  This isn’t going to be confusing since the Mets are playing the Phillies…whose No. 1 color is red!!!

Sometimes, even if the message they’re trying to send it nice, MLB should think a little before making these uniform changes.