After losing the first two games to the lowly Seattle Mariners, the Mets came back to take the finale. They followed that up by pounding the Yankees 15-6 with Carlos Delgado having a good week in that one game. Unfortunately neither Delgado nor the Mets could capitalize on this.
Following those two wins the Mets have now lost the next two to the Yankees. The Yankees won the second game on Friday 9-0, pounding the Mets, getting a measure of revenge for the 15-6 loss. It is yesterday’s game, however, that bothers me. Again, we see Johan Santana pitch adequately, pitch good enough to get a win but ending up with a loss. Certainly part of the problem was the walks by Santana and part was the offense that has again decided to go on vacation (Wright, Beltran and Delgado were a combined 1 for 11).
The problem is, Santana is not an adequate pitcher, he is supposed to be among the elite. The Mets did stake Santana to a 1-0 lead but then Johan allowed the Yankees to score three runs over six innings before the Mets added one more run for a final of 3-2 Yankees. Santana allowed three earned runs over six innings. That is an ERA of 4.5 for the game. By today’s standards, those numbers are acceptable. They are clearly far from dominant.
When the Mets signed Santana, they felt this came as close as possible to ensure they would never lose five in a row or more, Santana would stop the losing streak. In 17 starts for them, Santana is 7-7 and the Mets 9-8. Again, these numbers are acceptable, they are even slightly better than what the team has done as a whole. Clearly they are not the numbers of someone believe to be the best pitcher in baseball (or at least one of them). Right now I don’t even think he is the best pitcher on the Mets. I think that distinction belongs to John Maine who has excellent numbers this year (and for his tenure as a Met) when it comes to leading the Mets to victory following a loss.
Until they prove me wrong, I will continue to say it: “This team is in sad shape and clearly not very good”.
Let’s Go Mets!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Win One, Lose One, Again
Yesterday’s day-night doubleheader against the Yankees was a microcosm of the Mets entire season so far. In the first game they looked good. They started scoring early. At first it looked like the Yanks might make this a seesaw battle but Pelfrey was able to shut them down. It was not a great performance by Mike but it was good enough and he did what he needed to do to hold them once the Mets went on the offensive.
Of course Delgado had a strong day, going three for five with two homeruns and a double and knocking in 9 runs (a Met record) with a grand slam, a three run shot and a two run double. The other six runs were knocked in by the middle of the lineup as well. While Met pitching did give up six runs, two of them scored when the Mets had already put up 11 runs or more and the job of the pitchers was to throw strikes and try and keep the game moving. It was a good game for the Mets.
This was followed by a night game at Shea. The Mets were shutout nine to nothing. Delgado went 0-2, although he did walk twice in the nightcap. The middle of the lineup went three for eight with no RBI’s. The pitching did not look good at all.
The Mets problem is consistency. They have not been able to get anything going at all this year. Sure they look good for a little while but then they look terrible. They need consistency. They need to play like we have been expecting them to play. If not, I believe it is time to break up this team.
Obviously you need to get something good but Reyes, Wright and Beltran are not sparking your offense. With Delgado on the downside of his career and Alou spending more than three quarters of the season on the DL, those guys are not the answer either.
Santana has not sparked the pitching like we believed. We thought with Johan in a Met uniform it would not only bring us a great pitcher but make those around him better. That has not been the case. Santana has been good, but not great, this season. Pedro has spent too much time on the DL and when he is not he has not been the dominant pitcher he was. Ollie is just a waste of space.
Something has to be done to show these guys just how fed up the fans are and how unacceptable their play is. At least if they had a bunch of no-name players (like the days of Doug Flynn, John Stearns, Mike Phillips and Steve Henderson, you don’t expect much and your payroll is a lot cheaper. I don’t know the answer but clearly, I think all Met fans see the problem.
Let’s Go Mets!
Of course Delgado had a strong day, going three for five with two homeruns and a double and knocking in 9 runs (a Met record) with a grand slam, a three run shot and a two run double. The other six runs were knocked in by the middle of the lineup as well. While Met pitching did give up six runs, two of them scored when the Mets had already put up 11 runs or more and the job of the pitchers was to throw strikes and try and keep the game moving. It was a good game for the Mets.
This was followed by a night game at Shea. The Mets were shutout nine to nothing. Delgado went 0-2, although he did walk twice in the nightcap. The middle of the lineup went three for eight with no RBI’s. The pitching did not look good at all.
The Mets problem is consistency. They have not been able to get anything going at all this year. Sure they look good for a little while but then they look terrible. They need consistency. They need to play like we have been expecting them to play. If not, I believe it is time to break up this team.
Obviously you need to get something good but Reyes, Wright and Beltran are not sparking your offense. With Delgado on the downside of his career and Alou spending more than three quarters of the season on the DL, those guys are not the answer either.
Santana has not sparked the pitching like we believed. We thought with Johan in a Met uniform it would not only bring us a great pitcher but make those around him better. That has not been the case. Santana has been good, but not great, this season. Pedro has spent too much time on the DL and when he is not he has not been the dominant pitcher he was. Ollie is just a waste of space.
Something has to be done to show these guys just how fed up the fans are and how unacceptable their play is. At least if they had a bunch of no-name players (like the days of Doug Flynn, John Stearns, Mike Phillips and Steve Henderson, you don’t expect much and your payroll is a lot cheaper. I don’t know the answer but clearly, I think all Met fans see the problem.
Let’s Go Mets!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Two Stadium, Day-Night
Today is another one of those day-night double headers I hate so much. It is not bad enough they are stretching out two games, what is worse about this one is, it is being played at two different stadiums. The whole thing wreaks of how can we make the most money out of all this and I really wish they would do away with it.
If, however, the Mets need to play a Day-Night double header, I certainly would love to see them win. It would be great if they followed up a win against the Mariners with going on a role, starting with the Yankees. Of course, the subway series earlier in the year saw the Mets sweep a rain shortened two game series and then start playing terrible baseball. Lets hope that does not happen again.
Right now the Mets are up six to four in the first game. It looks like it is a little bit of a seesaw battle but certainly it would make things easier if the Mets took the first game in the series as well as the first game in the doubleheader, and the only game being played at Yankee Stadium this time around.
Certainly one can hope.
Let’s Go Mets!
If, however, the Mets need to play a Day-Night double header, I certainly would love to see them win. It would be great if they followed up a win against the Mariners with going on a role, starting with the Yankees. Of course, the subway series earlier in the year saw the Mets sweep a rain shortened two game series and then start playing terrible baseball. Lets hope that does not happen again.
Right now the Mets are up six to four in the first game. It looks like it is a little bit of a seesaw battle but certainly it would make things easier if the Mets took the first game in the series as well as the first game in the doubleheader, and the only game being played at Yankee Stadium this time around.
Certainly one can hope.
Let’s Go Mets!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
I'm Not Convinced
Well, the Mets won a game. Forgive me if I am not thrilled—I’ve seen it before. The Mets lost the first two games to the worst team in baseball and then we are supposed to forget about it because they salvaged the last game in the series. The Mets keep their streak alive of never being swept at home by a last place team (of course, for many of those years, the Mets WERE the last place team so I am not sure how noteworthy that statistic is.)
The Mets jumped out to an 8-0 lead after three innings. Certainly that is encouraging. It was encouraging to see David Wright hit two homeruns after a day off and to see Reyes hit a three run shot. Still, with eight runs in the first three innings, you get greedy and want more. I believe the Mets did not have a hit after the third inning and if they did, it was only one or two.
I will believe this team is for real when they play a full nine innings like they should be doing and when they continue to play game after game like that. Otherwise, this is a 500 team at best and that is unfortunate.
On a positive note, I was happy to see that Runge is serving a one game suspension for bumping Jerry Manuel. I do not hold anything against the umpires. They work hard and get little credit. Still, if a player or manager did that to an umpire, the player or manager would be suspended. It is nice to see the same rules apply to the umpire.
Let’s Go Mets!
The Mets jumped out to an 8-0 lead after three innings. Certainly that is encouraging. It was encouraging to see David Wright hit two homeruns after a day off and to see Reyes hit a three run shot. Still, with eight runs in the first three innings, you get greedy and want more. I believe the Mets did not have a hit after the third inning and if they did, it was only one or two.
I will believe this team is for real when they play a full nine innings like they should be doing and when they continue to play game after game like that. Otherwise, this is a 500 team at best and that is unfortunate.
On a positive note, I was happy to see that Runge is serving a one game suspension for bumping Jerry Manuel. I do not hold anything against the umpires. They work hard and get little credit. Still, if a player or manager did that to an umpire, the player or manager would be suspended. It is nice to see the same rules apply to the umpire.
Let’s Go Mets!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
SSDD!
The Seatle Mariners bring the worst record in baseball to Shea Stadium and many fans are thinking two out of three or sweep and what happens? The Mariners take the first two games from the Mets and make the Mets look pitiful. I thought Monday night’s loss was bad but yesterday the Mariners just spanked the Mets all over the place. The team that has scored the fewest runs in baseball won 11-0 and in the series, they have outscored the Mets 16-2 with a 5-2 loss on Monday.
There were some things I liked. I liked the fire Jerry Manuel has. I liked the fact he stuck up for his player and got ejected from the game and I liked his candor after the game during the manager’s press conference. It is much more refreshing, as a fan, to hear a manager say, “We’ve played awful and we need to make changes,” instead of, “We are not playing up to our potential. I need to talk to Ollie but I know we will turn it around”.
Listening to Matt Yallof and Ron Darling talk after the game, Darling said something to the effect of Manuel speaking openly and candidly and if you are Oliver Perez, following Manuel’s comments, he can’t be feeling to great. Message to Darling—“Perez has been stinking it up the whole season after STEALING millions of dollars in an arbitration deal. He shouldn’t be feeling great regardless of what Manuel said!”
What I didn’t like about yesterday, beyond the fact they had no pitching and no hitting is, the fact that Manuel showed passion and got kicked out of a game, the fact that Carlos Beltran did the same thing, did nothing to spark the Mets or get them going. Hopefully it will have a positive impact even if it was not seen in yesterday’s game.
I still come back to what I’ve been saying, this team is not that good. It has nothing to do with not playing up to potential, apparently they just are not very good. They need to do something to get going.
Let’s Go Mets!
There were some things I liked. I liked the fire Jerry Manuel has. I liked the fact he stuck up for his player and got ejected from the game and I liked his candor after the game during the manager’s press conference. It is much more refreshing, as a fan, to hear a manager say, “We’ve played awful and we need to make changes,” instead of, “We are not playing up to our potential. I need to talk to Ollie but I know we will turn it around”.
Listening to Matt Yallof and Ron Darling talk after the game, Darling said something to the effect of Manuel speaking openly and candidly and if you are Oliver Perez, following Manuel’s comments, he can’t be feeling to great. Message to Darling—“Perez has been stinking it up the whole season after STEALING millions of dollars in an arbitration deal. He shouldn’t be feeling great regardless of what Manuel said!”
What I didn’t like about yesterday, beyond the fact they had no pitching and no hitting is, the fact that Manuel showed passion and got kicked out of a game, the fact that Carlos Beltran did the same thing, did nothing to spark the Mets or get them going. Hopefully it will have a positive impact even if it was not seen in yesterday’s game.
I still come back to what I’ve been saying, this team is not that good. It has nothing to do with not playing up to potential, apparently they just are not very good. They need to do something to get going.
Let’s Go Mets!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
The Mets Are Not A Good Team!
The Mets returned to Shea Stadium, Jerry Manuel made his home debut as manager of the Mets and Johan Santana, the ace of the Mets staff, started the game. The Mets were playing the team with the worst record in baseball. This was a game the Mets should have won but they didn’t.
The bottom line is, as I have said before, the Mets just are not that good. I don’t want to hear about how the runs were unearned against Santana. The person who is supposed to be the most dominant pitcher in baseball today had the bases loaded with two outs and the pitcher at the plate, an American League pitcher who does not get to bat. Santana promptly game up a grand slam to Felix Hernandez and as far as I am concerned, there is no excuse for that.
The Mets did get Hernandez, certainly a strong pitcher by any stretch of the imagination, out of the game. It wasn’t the way you usually force a pitcher out, however. On a wild pitch, with Beltran on third base, Hernandez went to cover the plate. Beltran slid and Hernandez got spiked and was forced to leave the game. I was sorry to see him get injured but certainly I figured we could do something with the bullpen of the worst team in baseball. I was wrong. The bullpen held the Mets offense in check and we lost the first game of the home stand, the first game Manuel was managing for the Mets in New York.
Still a small sample but through six games now, Jerry Manuel has the Mets at three and three, playing 500 ball, for the team that, I believe, has the second (or maybe third) highest payroll in baseball. I said it earlier in this post, in previous posts and I’ll say it again, “The Mets just are not that good!”
I’m still pulling for them, however.
Let’s Go Mets!
The bottom line is, as I have said before, the Mets just are not that good. I don’t want to hear about how the runs were unearned against Santana. The person who is supposed to be the most dominant pitcher in baseball today had the bases loaded with two outs and the pitcher at the plate, an American League pitcher who does not get to bat. Santana promptly game up a grand slam to Felix Hernandez and as far as I am concerned, there is no excuse for that.
The Mets did get Hernandez, certainly a strong pitcher by any stretch of the imagination, out of the game. It wasn’t the way you usually force a pitcher out, however. On a wild pitch, with Beltran on third base, Hernandez went to cover the plate. Beltran slid and Hernandez got spiked and was forced to leave the game. I was sorry to see him get injured but certainly I figured we could do something with the bullpen of the worst team in baseball. I was wrong. The bullpen held the Mets offense in check and we lost the first game of the home stand, the first game Manuel was managing for the Mets in New York.
Still a small sample but through six games now, Jerry Manuel has the Mets at three and three, playing 500 ball, for the team that, I believe, has the second (or maybe third) highest payroll in baseball. I said it earlier in this post, in previous posts and I’ll say it again, “The Mets just are not that good!”
I’m still pulling for them, however.
Let’s Go Mets!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Manuel Comes To Shea
The Mets come home and open a home stand with their new manager. The road trip was successful in that they took two of three in California from the Angles and they took two of three from the Rockies. Pelfrey held his own in Colorado yesterday and the bullpen came through.
I also have been watching Jerry Manuel and for the most part, I do like what I see but clearly it is far too early to make any judgements on him as a manager of the Mets. Still, as fans we are so tempted to do that. It appears to me that right now, for every game the Mets win under him, they lose one. He lost his first game to the Angels but won the next one as well as the first one in Colorado, then he lost one, yesterday he won one… It would appear to me that right now, we are still looking at a 500 team. Randolph had them at 500 and Manuel has been at 500.
Obviously over the next two weeks, the Mets could go on a massive winning streak or a massive losing streak and everything would change but right now, it appears that despite changing managers we may well be looking at the same long terms results we have been seeing. I hope not but it could well be.
Let’s Go Mets!
I also have been watching Jerry Manuel and for the most part, I do like what I see but clearly it is far too early to make any judgements on him as a manager of the Mets. Still, as fans we are so tempted to do that. It appears to me that right now, for every game the Mets win under him, they lose one. He lost his first game to the Angels but won the next one as well as the first one in Colorado, then he lost one, yesterday he won one… It would appear to me that right now, we are still looking at a 500 team. Randolph had them at 500 and Manuel has been at 500.
Obviously over the next two weeks, the Mets could go on a massive winning streak or a massive losing streak and everything would change but right now, it appears that despite changing managers we may well be looking at the same long terms results we have been seeing. I hope not but it could well be.
Let’s Go Mets!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Right Move, Wrong Time!
So, the Mets finally fired Willie Randolph. Was it the right move. Well, based on posts I have on this blog, certainly I feel it is justified. It would have been justified at the end of last season or during the off-season; it would have been justified earlier this season; based on the overall record of the Mets, it is justified right now.
The problem is the timing stinks and makes one wonder. I have heard commentators refer to the Mets as a joke in terms of the way they handle the whole situation and if the move was designed to shake things up and show fans they want the team to be a winner, one certain has to wonder about the timing.
The Mets took a weekend series from the Texas Rangers, winning two of three. The Mets won yesterday, the day the firing took place. The Mets have now won three out of four. To fire him now seems strange. The team has been inconsistent and I am sure will be on another losing streak. I think it makes sense to hold off until they lose.
In addition, the fact that the Mets finished a home stand and make Randolph fly out to the West Coast to fire him seemed unfair and actually made the Mets seem like cowards. The fact that they did it after 3am EST and after midnight out in California also makes them seem like cowards.
This team needs to get its act together from ownership on down to the GM to the new manager to the players. Hopefully the move will seem to shake things up a bit and they will respond but still, the way that it was done was about as poorly as you can handle it.
The problem is the timing stinks and makes one wonder. I have heard commentators refer to the Mets as a joke in terms of the way they handle the whole situation and if the move was designed to shake things up and show fans they want the team to be a winner, one certain has to wonder about the timing.
The Mets took a weekend series from the Texas Rangers, winning two of three. The Mets won yesterday, the day the firing took place. The Mets have now won three out of four. To fire him now seems strange. The team has been inconsistent and I am sure will be on another losing streak. I think it makes sense to hold off until they lose.
In addition, the fact that the Mets finished a home stand and make Randolph fly out to the West Coast to fire him seemed unfair and actually made the Mets seem like cowards. The fact that they did it after 3am EST and after midnight out in California also makes them seem like cowards.
This team needs to get its act together from ownership on down to the GM to the new manager to the players. Hopefully the move will seem to shake things up a bit and they will respond but still, the way that it was done was about as poorly as you can handle it.
Monday, June 16, 2008
A Split
The Rangers have come and gone and they do not play the Mets again this season. The Mets split a doubleheader and they took two of three from the Rangers. That is good. I was also glad to learn that apparently doubleheaders still exist. I am not referring to this Day-Night garbage but rather where you pay for one game and get to see two, back-to-back, they way it is supposed to be.
I also have some thoughts on the doubleheader such as, it was good to see Wagner come in and work a 1-2-3 ninth inning. It was also great to see the bullpen, after being battered around in game one, come back and do well in game two. Pedro pitched well and credit to Robinson Cancel for coming up big as a pinch hitter. It was also good to see them not give up in game one and try to comeback. They showed some fight.
On the downside, first they are leaving way too many men on base. They need to find a way to fix that. I also would have liked them to get to Gabbard. If my memory is correct based on what Met announcers said during the game yesterday, the Rangers average eight runs a game when Gabbard starts yet he only has one victory. I would have loved to have seen the Mets hit him hard.
Still, the bottom line is they won. Now lets see what happens when we head out west again.
I also have some thoughts on the doubleheader such as, it was good to see Wagner come in and work a 1-2-3 ninth inning. It was also great to see the bullpen, after being battered around in game one, come back and do well in game two. Pedro pitched well and credit to Robinson Cancel for coming up big as a pinch hitter. It was also good to see them not give up in game one and try to comeback. They showed some fight.
On the downside, first they are leaving way too many men on base. They need to find a way to fix that. I also would have liked them to get to Gabbard. If my memory is correct based on what Met announcers said during the game yesterday, the Rangers average eight runs a game when Gabbard starts yet he only has one victory. I would have loved to have seen the Mets hit him hard.
Still, the bottom line is they won. Now lets see what happens when we head out west again.
Using Bloggerwave
Since I started blogging, I have been fascinated by the number of sites available with which you can sign up, register for opportunities and get paid for posting an article, making money for blogging. When I first heard about this, I was a little skeptical but when I found out you did not have to pay to become a member of such services, I decided it was worth a try and things have worked out well.
I recently learned of a new site, bloggerwave. The seem very serious about trying to quickly establish themselves as one of the big names in the business.
Some of these sites have a number of opportunities that relate to the sports world. I am not quite sure if that is the case with bloggerwave, but I am excited to find out.
I recently learned of a new site, bloggerwave. The seem very serious about trying to quickly establish themselves as one of the big names in the business.
Some of these sites have a number of opportunities that relate to the sports world. I am not quite sure if that is the case with bloggerwave, but I am excited to find out.
Friday, June 13, 2008
An Open Thank You Letter To Billy Wagner
Billy Wagner, I want to thank you. I realize right now you are not on the “Thank You List” of most Met fans, but I feel completely vindicated by you, so Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
Yesterday, I referred to the Mets win as a minor blip, nothing to change my mind that this team actually has something. Then, Johan Santana pitches a great game and the Mets actually have a chance to win two in a row, this after I indicated that this team is dead.
Wow, the Mets had GREAT back to back starting pitching performances, possible even where the starters could have given you a complete game, but that no longer happens. Santana pitched seven innings, gave up no runs, only four hits and struck out 10. All the Met bullpen had to do was get six lousy, sticking outs before giving up four runs and the Mets claim back to back victories.
Apparently Joe Smith and Billy Wagner had other ideas. Smith gave up two runs in the eight and Wagner, now coming in at the beginning of an inning, a save situation yet still a nice lead, gave up two more runs and it was a tie game.
Normally I might think this was a wasted pitching performance by Johan Santana, but I feel differently. Had the Mets won, it would have shown signs of life and we can’t have that. The belief was that with Santana, you never lose more than four games in a row yet the Mets were able to show how, even when he is on his game and even when the bats provide what should be a comfortable margin, this team still cannot win the game.
So, Thank you Billy Wagner for proving me right, that this team is Dead, Kaput, Finished! Thank you for finding a way to blow three games in a row, all of which were games where the Mets had a ninth inning lead. Thank you Billy Wagner for all you do.
Let’s Go Mets!
Yesterday, I referred to the Mets win as a minor blip, nothing to change my mind that this team actually has something. Then, Johan Santana pitches a great game and the Mets actually have a chance to win two in a row, this after I indicated that this team is dead.
Wow, the Mets had GREAT back to back starting pitching performances, possible even where the starters could have given you a complete game, but that no longer happens. Santana pitched seven innings, gave up no runs, only four hits and struck out 10. All the Met bullpen had to do was get six lousy, sticking outs before giving up four runs and the Mets claim back to back victories.
Apparently Joe Smith and Billy Wagner had other ideas. Smith gave up two runs in the eight and Wagner, now coming in at the beginning of an inning, a save situation yet still a nice lead, gave up two more runs and it was a tie game.
Normally I might think this was a wasted pitching performance by Johan Santana, but I feel differently. Had the Mets won, it would have shown signs of life and we can’t have that. The belief was that with Santana, you never lose more than four games in a row yet the Mets were able to show how, even when he is on his game and even when the bats provide what should be a comfortable margin, this team still cannot win the game.
So, Thank you Billy Wagner for proving me right, that this team is Dead, Kaput, Finished! Thank you for finding a way to blow three games in a row, all of which were games where the Mets had a ninth inning lead. Thank you Billy Wagner for all you do.
Let’s Go Mets!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
A Minor Blip
The Mets won a ballgame yesterday! Praise the Lord. But, don’t let this fool you. This team is dead, Kaput, finished and this is just a minor blip in an otherwise pathetic season. Wow, if they go on a five game winning streak, they will actually be a couple of games above 5oo but don’t worry, it won’t last.
Mike Pelfrey pitched the game of his life and clearly deserved a win yesterday. Thanks to Billy Wagner and Willie Randolph, that did not happen. I hate what the game has become. Pelfrey in the eight inning was showing that he was getting stronger. He was still throwing in the 90’s, including at least one pitch clocked at 94mph and one at 95.
I give Randolph credit for sending Pelfrey back out to the mound for the ninth. He clearly did it, however, with the intent of pulling him as soon as he gave up a hit. So, when the first batter singled off Pelfrey, out Willie Randolph’s sorry ass came from the Mets dugout to yank the pitcher.
I realize that this is the conventional wisdom but it is what I hate about the game. Pelfrey is showing in this game that he can handle himself, working out of the few jams he got in. At the very least, let Pelfrey go until at least one more hitter reaches base. Even if the hitter gets a homerun, you bring Wagner in to get three outs in the ninth in a one-run game and that is what he is paid to do.
And a word of advice to Willie Randolph. Please realize that Wags is a one dimensional pitcher. All he can do is give you one inning, coming in at the start of the inning (or at least without inherited baserunners). I realize he should be able to do more than be a one dimensional pitcher, but he is unable.
Fortunately the Mets pulled out a win in extra innings, thanks to Carlos Beltran but, make no mistake about it—this was not a good one, it is not one that gets the team motivated. This team is toast and little if anything has changed from the end of Tuesday night’s game to the end of yesterday’s game.
Let’s Go Mets!
Mike Pelfrey pitched the game of his life and clearly deserved a win yesterday. Thanks to Billy Wagner and Willie Randolph, that did not happen. I hate what the game has become. Pelfrey in the eight inning was showing that he was getting stronger. He was still throwing in the 90’s, including at least one pitch clocked at 94mph and one at 95.
I give Randolph credit for sending Pelfrey back out to the mound for the ninth. He clearly did it, however, with the intent of pulling him as soon as he gave up a hit. So, when the first batter singled off Pelfrey, out Willie Randolph’s sorry ass came from the Mets dugout to yank the pitcher.
I realize that this is the conventional wisdom but it is what I hate about the game. Pelfrey is showing in this game that he can handle himself, working out of the few jams he got in. At the very least, let Pelfrey go until at least one more hitter reaches base. Even if the hitter gets a homerun, you bring Wagner in to get three outs in the ninth in a one-run game and that is what he is paid to do.
And a word of advice to Willie Randolph. Please realize that Wags is a one dimensional pitcher. All he can do is give you one inning, coming in at the start of the inning (or at least without inherited baserunners). I realize he should be able to do more than be a one dimensional pitcher, but he is unable.
Fortunately the Mets pulled out a win in extra innings, thanks to Carlos Beltran but, make no mistake about it—this was not a good one, it is not one that gets the team motivated. This team is toast and little if anything has changed from the end of Tuesday night’s game to the end of yesterday’s game.
Let’s Go Mets!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
The Losing Continues
In my last post I asked, “Would the real Mets please stand up”. Unfortunately, I think they have. After losing four in a row to the last place San Diego Padres they came home to face the first place Arizona Diamondbacks. Keep in mind, the first place team is simply four games above 500. I realize that this is better than the Mets but certainly it shows the D-Backs are a beatable team.
After letting Arizona take a 1-0 lead in the top half of the first, the Mets came right back and took a 3-1 lead by the end of the first inning. The enhanced the lead to 5-1. While John Maine did not allow any more runs to score, he had trouble putting hitters away and threw a lot of pitches. As a result, he only lasted five innings.
Before the rain came, the Mets bullpen let the Diamondbacks chip away at the lead and by the time the game went into a rain delay it was all tied at 5. After the rain delay, it was all Arizona. The Diamondbacks went on to score four more runs and win 9-5.
Now, I could make excuses for the Mets including that the rain took them out of their rhythm, that it is only one game, that it was just a couple of pitchers who did not perform well, that they were playing a first place team, etc. It is all nonsense. The Mets did not get it done. After scoring five runs in two innings, the Mets failed to score again. The pitching was poor and the Mets have now lost five in a row for the second team this season.
Ladies and Gentlemen (and Met fans), the reason is simple. The Mets are not that good. They are overrated and even the supposed big names on that team are not as good as we would like to believe. It looks like 2006, some players had career years and now, once again, we are doomed for a season (or more) of mediocrity.
So, at this point, I am hoping for a stretch where they are playing over their heads so many for a few games, they can give the fans something to cheer about.
Let’s Go Mets!
After letting Arizona take a 1-0 lead in the top half of the first, the Mets came right back and took a 3-1 lead by the end of the first inning. The enhanced the lead to 5-1. While John Maine did not allow any more runs to score, he had trouble putting hitters away and threw a lot of pitches. As a result, he only lasted five innings.
Before the rain came, the Mets bullpen let the Diamondbacks chip away at the lead and by the time the game went into a rain delay it was all tied at 5. After the rain delay, it was all Arizona. The Diamondbacks went on to score four more runs and win 9-5.
Now, I could make excuses for the Mets including that the rain took them out of their rhythm, that it is only one game, that it was just a couple of pitchers who did not perform well, that they were playing a first place team, etc. It is all nonsense. The Mets did not get it done. After scoring five runs in two innings, the Mets failed to score again. The pitching was poor and the Mets have now lost five in a row for the second team this season.
Ladies and Gentlemen (and Met fans), the reason is simple. The Mets are not that good. They are overrated and even the supposed big names on that team are not as good as we would like to believe. It looks like 2006, some players had career years and now, once again, we are doomed for a season (or more) of mediocrity.
So, at this point, I am hoping for a stretch where they are playing over their heads so many for a few games, they can give the fans something to cheer about.
Let’s Go Mets!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Would The Real Mets Please Stand Up
So, just who are the New York Mets? I can’t seem to figure that out. Just when you think they have righted themselves, the run into trouble. Just when you are ready to give up on them, they right themselves. This is frustrating.
They had a good home stand and then took two of three from the last place San Francisco Giants. From San Fran, it was on to San Diego to play the lowly Padres. The Mets have now lost the first three of a four game set.
The Mets website has an article titled “Mets hope Pedro can salvage Game 4”. I read this and laughed. I understand where the headline comes from but the Mets troubles in San Diego has not been the pitching. They have now lost all three games by identical scores of 2-1.
This is a team that is supposed to be capable of hitting. This is a team playing a much weaker opponent yet in 28 innings of baseball (extra inning game yesterday), the Mets have scored three runs. It is not a pitcher they need to salvage game four, rather it is the hitters who need to wake up so they can leave San Diego with a victory.
Even winning this afternoon means they had a 3 and 4 road trip. They played the two worst teams in the NL West and are leaving with a trip under 500. As I said, I am confused as to the identity of the Mets. If they are the pennant contender then start playing like that consistently. If they are an overrated team then play consistently like that. I’ll still cheer for them and follow them but I won’t get my hopes up. It is the back and forth that is just really difficult to deal with.
Let’s Go Mets!
They had a good home stand and then took two of three from the last place San Francisco Giants. From San Fran, it was on to San Diego to play the lowly Padres. The Mets have now lost the first three of a four game set.
The Mets website has an article titled “Mets hope Pedro can salvage Game 4”. I read this and laughed. I understand where the headline comes from but the Mets troubles in San Diego has not been the pitching. They have now lost all three games by identical scores of 2-1.
This is a team that is supposed to be capable of hitting. This is a team playing a much weaker opponent yet in 28 innings of baseball (extra inning game yesterday), the Mets have scored three runs. It is not a pitcher they need to salvage game four, rather it is the hitters who need to wake up so they can leave San Diego with a victory.
Even winning this afternoon means they had a 3 and 4 road trip. They played the two worst teams in the NL West and are leaving with a trip under 500. As I said, I am confused as to the identity of the Mets. If they are the pennant contender then start playing like that consistently. If they are an overrated team then play consistently like that. I’ll still cheer for them and follow them but I won’t get my hopes up. It is the back and forth that is just really difficult to deal with.
Let’s Go Mets!
Ryan Church
My latest question is, why isn’t Ryan Church on the disabled list? He has missed three games in a row and will be sitting out today. He has missed something like nine of the last 18 games yet he remains on the team roster.
I, like many Met fans, have come to appreciate Ryan Church and recognize the talents he brings and the energy with which he plays the game. All the more reason to put him on the DL. The man is experiencing new and different symptoms. Put him on the DL, let him head back to New York and lets get the problem diagnosed.
By doing this it would allow the Mets to have another bat available but more importantly it would allow Church to recover. Ryan appears to be a gamer and plays on one speed. All the more reason to have him checked out.
I suppose this could be psychological (ALTHOUGH I DON’T THINK SO) and if that is the case then it gives him a chance to get right. I would think, however, this is VERY REAL. So, at the very least you give him some time away to get some rest. Hopefully you find out what is wrong with him and you treat it. I would not be surprised if the treatment for a concussion is rest. Whatever it is, first and foremost for Church’s benefit let’s get him taken care of.
I do hope to see Ryan back in the lineup soon, playing like he has been. That is the Met fan in me. The humanitarian in me says, “Ryan, for your sake, I hope you feel better soon”.
I, like many Met fans, have come to appreciate Ryan Church and recognize the talents he brings and the energy with which he plays the game. All the more reason to put him on the DL. The man is experiencing new and different symptoms. Put him on the DL, let him head back to New York and lets get the problem diagnosed.
By doing this it would allow the Mets to have another bat available but more importantly it would allow Church to recover. Ryan appears to be a gamer and plays on one speed. All the more reason to have him checked out.
I suppose this could be psychological (ALTHOUGH I DON’T THINK SO) and if that is the case then it gives him a chance to get right. I would think, however, this is VERY REAL. So, at the very least you give him some time away to get some rest. Hopefully you find out what is wrong with him and you treat it. I would not be surprised if the treatment for a concussion is rest. Whatever it is, first and foremost for Church’s benefit let’s get him taken care of.
I do hope to see Ryan back in the lineup soon, playing like he has been. That is the Met fan in me. The humanitarian in me says, “Ryan, for your sake, I hope you feel better soon”.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Santana's Tough Lose
Last night was a difficult lose in a number of regards. First, anytime the Mets lose a game when Johan Santana is on the mound, it is tough. Obviously a pitcher is not going to go the entire season without a lose but this is historically his time of year and when he is on and the Mets lose, it is tough. While he could have done some things differently, giving up one earned run in six innings, in my book, is being on.
Losing two games in a row to the lowly Padres is tough. The Mets took two out of three from San Francisco and they needed to keep it going in San Diego. They haven’t. The fact that the Mets’ hitting is anemic, that they have scored two runs in the past 18 innings against the Pads is a problem.
I find it troubling that after the Mets clawed out a run to give Santana a 1-0 lead, the next half inning Santana allowed two runs to score. A quality pitcher like Santana has got to shut it down after being given a lead, at least for the next half inning. It is true that only one run was earned and that it was after Santana had to run the bases, going station to station. It is also true it occurred after Santana was hit in the pitching shoulder, so I am not sure how it all plays out. Still, Santana did not do what he needed to do.
Certainly being hit in the pitching shoulder is a concern and I am also concerned but Santana came out after six innings. He had only given up one earned run and I do not think it was time to take him out. I do not know if this was Randolph being catious, Randolph feeling Santana had enough or his pitch count was too high, or Randolph taking him out because his shoulder was hurting. Regardless, I am concerned.
So, the Mets need to move forward. In order for the trip to be successful, they need to be above 500 against the Giants and Padres. I would have liked five or six games but they need to win at least four of seven. Hopefully, that will happen but I am a little concerned with Oliver Perez on the mound tonight. Hopefully he bounces back from back to back difficult starts.
Let’s Go Mets!
Losing two games in a row to the lowly Padres is tough. The Mets took two out of three from San Francisco and they needed to keep it going in San Diego. They haven’t. The fact that the Mets’ hitting is anemic, that they have scored two runs in the past 18 innings against the Pads is a problem.
I find it troubling that after the Mets clawed out a run to give Santana a 1-0 lead, the next half inning Santana allowed two runs to score. A quality pitcher like Santana has got to shut it down after being given a lead, at least for the next half inning. It is true that only one run was earned and that it was after Santana had to run the bases, going station to station. It is also true it occurred after Santana was hit in the pitching shoulder, so I am not sure how it all plays out. Still, Santana did not do what he needed to do.
Certainly being hit in the pitching shoulder is a concern and I am also concerned but Santana came out after six innings. He had only given up one earned run and I do not think it was time to take him out. I do not know if this was Randolph being catious, Randolph feeling Santana had enough or his pitch count was too high, or Randolph taking him out because his shoulder was hurting. Regardless, I am concerned.
So, the Mets need to move forward. In order for the trip to be successful, they need to be above 500 against the Giants and Padres. I would have liked five or six games but they need to win at least four of seven. Hopefully, that will happen but I am a little concerned with Oliver Perez on the mound tonight. Hopefully he bounces back from back to back difficult starts.
Let’s Go Mets!
Friday, June 6, 2008
Pelfrey
The Mets lost a tough one yesterday, by a score of 2-1, but they were in the game until the end. It was the second consecutive game where the line on Pelfrey looks good. Unfortunately, the line is only part of the story.
It was great to see Pelfrey able to pitch out of jams and only give up one run. I honestly believe that means he is learning. Still, as Met announcers pointed out, only Pelfrey’s fastball was working yesterday. Obviously a starting pitcher is not going to be able to succeed with one pitch, although he did Yesterday. Hopefully it will all come together very soon for Mike.
Let’s Go Mets!
It was great to see Pelfrey able to pitch out of jams and only give up one run. I honestly believe that means he is learning. Still, as Met announcers pointed out, only Pelfrey’s fastball was working yesterday. Obviously a starting pitcher is not going to be able to succeed with one pitch, although he did Yesterday. Hopefully it will all come together very soon for Mike.
Let’s Go Mets!
An Aquarium
I am curious how many of you have every felt that because you follow the Mets, you need to do something to relax yourself. I supposed a diehard fan of any team might feel this way but somehow, it seems to be greater as a Met fan, at least that is my perception
I have heard from some of my friends that an aquarium can be very relaxing. They explain that for some reason fish, and live coral, have a calming effect. Perhaps being able to get various types of fish, coral, rocks and other dry goods would benefit many Met fans. Add free shipping to it and it gets even better.
Fortunately they have been playing well, even though they lost yesterday. Still, it seems that even some of the wins can be exhausting. Then following Oliver Perez pitch, or Mike Pelfry and you really feel like your heart is in your mouth (or how ever the expression goes).
When I first started following the Mets, I hoped that in and of itself would be relaxing. Now I realize how foolish I was to think that. As I said before, being a diehard supporter of any team is exhausting but the Mets seemed to have perfected it.
Bring on the Salt Water Fish!
Let’s Go Mets!
I have heard from some of my friends that an aquarium can be very relaxing. They explain that for some reason fish, and live coral, have a calming effect. Perhaps being able to get various types of fish, coral, rocks and other dry goods would benefit many Met fans. Add free shipping to it and it gets even better.
Fortunately they have been playing well, even though they lost yesterday. Still, it seems that even some of the wins can be exhausting. Then following Oliver Perez pitch, or Mike Pelfry and you really feel like your heart is in your mouth (or how ever the expression goes).
When I first started following the Mets, I hoped that in and of itself would be relaxing. Now I realize how foolish I was to think that. As I said before, being a diehard supporter of any team is exhausting but the Mets seemed to have perfected it.
Bring on the Salt Water Fish!
Let’s Go Mets!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Keep It Going
It appears as though the Mets are rolling. I hope I am not jinxing it but for the first time in a long time, they are playing like they are hungry. They do not appear to be giving up. They are showing they can beat you a number of ways. They can beat you early but getting the quick lead or they can beat you late, by coming back. They can beat you with their hitting and they can beat you with their pitching. They seem to want it and I hope they continue to play that way.
They have now won seven of nine and this is the kind of streak I talked about earlier. They need to show after a loss here or there, they can bounce right back and get on a winning streak. I would like to see this extended to something like 16 of 20 or 20 or 25, that would go a long way but right now, seven of nine is great. I would also like to see the Mets beating up on first place teams too, or contenders. True they did beat the Marlins but most of the victories have been against poor teams. Still, you need to beat those guys as well.
It was great to see Pedro pitch well on Tuesday and Maine continued the winning streak yesterday. It would be great to see Mike Pelfrey get a win tonight and have him get on something of a winning streak for himself, for games he has started.
Right now it looks good.
Let’s Go Mets!
They have now won seven of nine and this is the kind of streak I talked about earlier. They need to show after a loss here or there, they can bounce right back and get on a winning streak. I would like to see this extended to something like 16 of 20 or 20 or 25, that would go a long way but right now, seven of nine is great. I would also like to see the Mets beating up on first place teams too, or contenders. True they did beat the Marlins but most of the victories have been against poor teams. Still, you need to beat those guys as well.
It was great to see Pedro pitch well on Tuesday and Maine continued the winning streak yesterday. It would be great to see Mike Pelfrey get a win tonight and have him get on something of a winning streak for himself, for games he has started.
Right now it looks good.
Let’s Go Mets!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Send Ollie to Triple-A
The Mets had a successful home stand taking two of three from the first place Marlins and then three of four from the Los Angeles Dodges. It was exciting to see the Mets get it done in a variety of ways. In a 3-2 victory, the Mets were trailing 2-0 for most of the game and then showed they had some late inning magic, scoring three runs in the eighth. In a 6-1 victory, the Mets took an early lead and then added to it. The team is showing some signs of life.
Then came the West Coast trip, the visit to California. Then came Oliver Perez. It does not matter that the Giants are a pathetic team who can’t hit to save their lives. It doesn’t matter that Oliver Perez went out west ahead of the team so he could get plenty of rest. Oliver Perez gave up six runs in one-third of an inning. That means for the day, his first inning ERA was 18.00 and his ERA for the game was 162.00. And some arbitrator really gave this clown Millions of dollars during the off-season?
I know the Mets already sent Carlos Muniz to AAA to make room for Pedro (who starts tonight) but I think they should have sent Ollie down for a couple of weeks to make a statement. That is not going to happen, so it means we have to hope. Randolph obviously was not impressed with Perez (was anyone) and hopefully his visible disgust and displeasure will help Ollie turn it around.
The Mets can still do what they need to do, win at least four of seven on the road, hopefully five or more. Still, if they play better than 500 on the road, with their play of late, we as fans should be happy. Usually teams that play well at home and 500 on the road are teams that go tot he pennant. So, the Mets can still accomplish what they need to on the trip but Oliver Perez certainly did not help them with the awful lose.
Let’s Go Mets!
Then came the West Coast trip, the visit to California. Then came Oliver Perez. It does not matter that the Giants are a pathetic team who can’t hit to save their lives. It doesn’t matter that Oliver Perez went out west ahead of the team so he could get plenty of rest. Oliver Perez gave up six runs in one-third of an inning. That means for the day, his first inning ERA was 18.00 and his ERA for the game was 162.00. And some arbitrator really gave this clown Millions of dollars during the off-season?
I know the Mets already sent Carlos Muniz to AAA to make room for Pedro (who starts tonight) but I think they should have sent Ollie down for a couple of weeks to make a statement. That is not going to happen, so it means we have to hope. Randolph obviously was not impressed with Perez (was anyone) and hopefully his visible disgust and displeasure will help Ollie turn it around.
The Mets can still do what they need to do, win at least four of seven on the road, hopefully five or more. Still, if they play better than 500 on the road, with their play of late, we as fans should be happy. Usually teams that play well at home and 500 on the road are teams that go tot he pennant. So, the Mets can still accomplish what they need to on the trip but Oliver Perez certainly did not help them with the awful lose.
Let’s Go Mets!
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