Shades Of Last Year

I know that it is early in the season and there is A LOT of baseball left to play. I know the Mets will be end their season with more than three losses. I know that it does not matter who is in first place after the first week of the season, it matters who is in first place at the end of the season. And yet, this was a frustrating weekend for Met fans.

With the exception of 2006, the Braves have owned the Mets over the past decade (if not longer). The Mets had a chance to come out of this weekend having made an early statement about themselves, their pride and their expectations for the year. Unfortunately, it was the Braves who made the statement.

I confess, I actually did not get a chance to watch much of the games but I actually am glad that occurred. It appears as though the Mets are right back where they were last season, and the bullpen, once again, is a large culprit.

Saturday, John Maine did not have his stuff. I think Maine is better than any number four pitcher out there but he was hit and hit hard. The Mets got back into the game, cutting the lead to 5-4. In terms of that, lets first give Willie Randolph some credit and praise. When it was ruled that the ball Reyes hit with the bases loaded was actually caught and then turned into a double play, Randolph came charging out of the dugout. I remember thinking to myself that he had to argue the call until he got tossed. Randolph, however, to me, appeared to be calm during the argument, calm but strong and got the umpires to reverse the call, and was not thrown out of the game. I really thought this was the turning point and the Mets would end up winning the game.

The bullpen had other ideas, ended up giving up a grand slam and ultimately lost the game 11-5. Seemingly it does not matter who you are bringing in from the bullpen, they are being hit and hit hard. Sunday we got more of the same. Johan Santana pitched a beautiful game, perhaps better than the first game of the season, giving up just one run in seven innings. Unfortunately the Mets offense went to sleep and he left the game on the short end of the stick, losing one-nothing.

The Mets did ultimately score a run but not before the bullpen allowed two more Braves runs to score. As a result, the Mets lost the game 3-1. As a result, t turned into a rain shortened two game sweep of the Braves over the Mets; not by hope heading into the weekend.

Not getting the timely hitting, the Bullpen not being able to get the job done, starting pitching in question (two of the four Met pitchers have looked good so far in their brief sample this year and two have not looked so good, one of whom is now on the Disabled List), it is reminding me too much of the end of last season. The need to turn it around!

Come on guys! Let’s Go Mets!