Pitching Scared

Did Tim Redding really admit to ‘Pitching Scared’? Actually, I think what he said was he was intimated and it was “kind of like pitching scared”. Is this a guy we want in the rotation- someone who admits to being intimated by the other team? Perhaps that is why his ERA is over 9.00.

The fact is, while he may have only pitched three games with the Mets, the last two have been pitiful. More than that, if you look at his career, look at the other teams he has pitched for, this is nothing new. Redding’s numbers have never been good and perhaps that is why he is such a well travelled ballplayer.

In the first inning, Fernando Tatis made an error and that led to a couple of Marlin runs. Perhaps that is excusable. After that, however, once he was out of the first inning, he game up another five runs in three more innings. This is not the work of a person who deserves to be in the starting rotation.

Yesterday was, however, all the Marlins (although that strikeout of Fernando Martinez to end the game was a BAD call. That was clearly a check swing on what the third base umpire called strike three and I got the impression the ump just wanted to get out of there). The Marlins pitched well and they hit well.

I am a strong believer that you can tell a lot about a team by how they play after a loss that ends a winning streak. In this case it was only a four game winning streak but still, it was a winning streak. Hopefully, now that the streak has come to an end, today they can start another winning streak.

Let’s Go Mets!

Pelfrey, Santos And The Castro Trade

It appears that Mike Pelfrey is establishing himself as the number 2 pitcher on the staff. Once again, after taking a little time to get going, Pelfrey is looking dominant. Unfortunately he did not get a win last night. Still, he pitched well and kept the Mets in the game. This allowed them to win it in extra innings.

I think if the Mets can pick up one more strong pitcher, they can be dominant. It would be nice to get one of the elite but the Mets, I don’t think, have enough to trade for such a pitcher. Perhaps they can get via free agency but, that assumes the truly good pitchers are not traded away during the season so other teams can get something for what they are about to lose. It also means the Mets don’t get another pitcher until the off season and I don’t want to wait that long. I still have dreams of the Mets getting Jake Peavy from the Padres, but I know that is not going to happen.

Still, it was Pelfrey’s strong performance that even allows me to think this way. Yesterday belonged to Pelfrey and to Omir Santos, who drove in both Met runs. Santos also had his place on the Mets cemented as the Mets traded Ramon Castro to the Whitesox.

I don’t mind that the Mets traded Castro. I understand the move. Still, I hope it turns out to be a smart one. While I understand the problems with Castro, he is a power-hitting catcher who has a strong arm. That should have some value on the trade market. The Mets are getting a pitcher, Lance Broadway. It is true you can never have too much pitching but Broadway does have an ERA over 5. I hope that Broadway proves this deal was a good one but I question it.

Hopefully, it all works out well for the ‘Good Guys!’

Let’s Go Mets!

Derek Lowe Thoughts

I see that Ollie had a rehab start in the minors and walked five batters in less than five innings—same old Oliver Perez. Every time I think about his pitching I end up getting frustrated that we ended up with Perez and not Derek Lowe. Lowe has done it all this season (so far). He is pitching well and the other day had a key hit.

What amazes me is a comment I heard him make about a month ago where he said he was not convinced the Mets really wanted him. I am not sure if this was done to same face somehow or it he really believes it.

I would hope Lowe does not believe this. Considering that the Mets actively pursued him and did nothing with Oliver Perez until Lowe made a decision, it seems foolish to me to even suggest that the Mets did not want him. I certainly hope that is not the reason he avoided signing with the Mets.

I feel the Mets did what they could to sign him. Maybe they could have offered another year but I can understand the hesitancy to pay for a year or two beyond what you expect to get out of him (like what the Mets did with Pedro—and maybe even Billy Wagner). But, I think it is ridiculous to suggest the Mets did not want him.

Let’s Go Mets!

Another Homerun Is Reviewed

So, the Mets sealed the deal and swept the Nationals. Certainly I am pleased about that. Santana clearly did not have his best stuff but I am not concerned about Johan. Truth is, he is known for being a slow starter. This year, he got a quick start out of the gate and now is slowing down a little. I have no doubt that soon he will kick it up a notch.

Daniel Murphy had one of those games that we all knew he was capable of having but just haven’t seemed to occur. Yesterday, he was on his game and looked good.

By the way, while I won’t complain, I don’t think, based on the replay, that Murphy’s ball was a homerun. More importantly, I don’t think the umpires are handling this well. That was one I would not have even reviewed. It is slowing down the game and personally, I think, taking excitement away from the game. Moreover, it does not appear as though the umps are following the procedures, especially with the Murphy homerun, that they are supposed to use.

Of course, I was not impressed with the umpiring in this series anyway. All one has to do is look at the night before when the umpire issued a warning to both sides after the National’s pitcher threw at the Mets. After the warning, both sides hit opposing players and nothing happened. Why issue the warning then?

In terms of yesterday’s game, I have been critical about the Mets not being able to finish off a series but last night, they did.

Let’s Go Mets!

Mets Keep Winning And I'm Not Complaining!

A great game for Livan Hernandez and Gary Sheffield puts it on ice. Despite all the injuries (did you see that the Mets put Jose Reyes on the DL? Do you think they are reading my blog and got the idea from me?), the Mets continue to roll. They have now won four of their last five games.

Hernandez looked sharp on the mound and Sheffield continues to hit. Other Mets, such as Ramon Martinez, Omir Santos, Fernando Tatis and Fernando Martinez came through and the Mets look good. I realize they are only playing the Nationals but they are hurt, many regulars are out of the lineup and the Mets have had trouble beating up on the bad teams in the past. Last night, they had no difficulties and it was exciting watching Livan pitch the way he did.

Tonight the Mets have a chance to sweep. As I said in a previous post, the Mets seem to have trouble pulling out the broom. Hopefully, tonight they will be able to and can keep it going against the Marlins. It would be nice if the Mets could put together a winning streak longer than the seven games they did earlier this season.

So far, the roster moves look good and the Mets continue to impress. I hope it continues!

Let’s Go Mets!

Gary Keeps Us Rollin'

In an earlier post I objected to the Mets getting Gary Sheffield. One of the reasons I objected had to do with him vetoing a trade to the Mets many years ago (or at least making it unlikely for the Mets to continue pursuing him based on some comment he made about not trying). My feelings on this matter have not changed. I was also critical, however, of his playing prowess. The fact that Detroit let him go even though they were willing to pick up most of his salary and the fact that his Spring Training numbers were so low, led me to that conclusion. On the second issue, clearly I was wrong.

With Carlos Delgado out, it does make a huge difference having Sheffield in the middle of the lineup. He has been coming through and showing power as well as the ability to drive in runs and get key hits. The fact is, without Sheffield the Mets would have lost last night’s game and their record on the just ended road trip would be a lot worse than 5-5.

I am getting a little annoyed at the reviewing of the homeruns, however. The Mets have been involved in three consecutive games where a homerun was reviewed (or maybe it was three of their last four games). Last night, it was a Sheffield homerun that was reviewed. Personally, I did not think the ball went out of the park but it had previously been ruled a homerun by the umpires and there was no conclusive evidence (I agree with this) to indicate the umpires missed a call. Still, it was six minutes in the dugout while the homerun was reviewed. I think something has to be done to reign this is so we don’t end up with way too many homeruns being reviewed (and occasionally eliminating the momentum of the team). Still, right now, with the Mets winning these games, I’m happy!

Let’s Go Mets!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

How the game has changed. The Memorial Day doubleheader is now a thing of the past. In fact, the doubleheaders, with the exception of the day-night doubleheaders, are now a thing of the past. I wish that was not the case. It was enjoyable being able to pay for one game and watch two. It was also enjoyable watching doubleheaders, especially on holidays.

Certainly other changes have taken place over the years as well but one that sticks out in my mind now has to do with the way the game is played, specifically in terms of the closers. Forget for a moment the way relief pitching has changed, forget for a moment the way the number of innings a closer can pitch has changed and think back to when teams only had one closer.

I remember reading in a book how when the New York Yankees brought in Goose Gossage, Sparky Lyle was never the same. I actually think that was in the book Bronx Zoo. It made sense because the closer was the guy you went to and you could bring in as early as the seventh inning. Now, I think how fortunate the Mets are to have two closers (one who handles the eighth and one who handles the ninth).

If K-Rod is over-worked in a game, he can be given a rest and JJ Putz can pithc. If K-Rod develops back spasms, as happened in Boston, Putz can close out the game.

It is true that Putz was very hittable the last game in Boston. Still, I found it comforting to know that the Mets had a closer pitching the ninth.

Hopefully both JJ Putz and K-Rod will be 100% today and can help the Mets win.

Let’s Go Mets!