The San Diego Padres are in town and the Mets have a chance to make a statement. They are playing a first place team from another division, perhaps the team they will see in the first round of the playoffs. They just had a very successful road trip. They acquired Jeff Connine to help strengthen the bench following the injury to Damion Easley. Endy Chavez maybe returning this week and Pedro Martinez pitched the best he has in a rehab start. Everything seems to be favoring the Mets.
How come, then, I am not as optimistic as I should be. The fact that the Mets are struggling at home, and the way they performed on the last home stand has a lot to do with it. Overall, I like our team better than the Padres. The question is how will they perform. If the Mets play like they are capable of, play the way they should be playing, then this set could be huge, and a big boost for them.
Of course, with Chavez coming back and Conine coming over, the Mets will have to send two players down and that could be a problem. I would like the Mets to Keep Gotay and Milledge in the bigs. That means that Anderson Hernandez gets sent down (and I see that happening), but they need one additional player to send back to AAA. It could be Marlon Anderson but I do not see the Mets doing that (although if you go to the Mets website and look at the depth chart, it appears as though it is being suggested the Mets will send Marlon Anderson down to make room for Conine, which means it could be Marlon Anderson and Anderson Hernandez being sent down). If not Anderson, however, or Gotay or Milledge (the two I want to keep here), it would have to be a pitcher. I am thinking with Sosa and Sele both in the bullpen, able to act as long men, they could send either Schoenweis or Mota down, but I do not see that happening. My guess is it will be either Gotay or Milledge and probably Milledge with the claim that he needs to play more. They could also release Shawn Green, but I am guessing that will not happen either.
Still, I would rather be in this position than in one where they have too many people they want to send down. I am hoping for a good series against the Padres and a good home stand.
Let’s Go Mets!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Ask And You Shall Receive
I have been saying for awhile now that the Mets needed to go on an extended winning streak and that they needed to sweep a series. They have now done that. The just swept a weekend series and the took five out of six on this road trip. Forget for a moment that the sweep came against the lowly Washington Nationals who are in last place in the NL East. Forget for a moment that while they took two out of three from Pittsburgh, the Mets gave away that last game (A six game winning streak, two consecutive sweeps and winning every game on the road trip would have been EXCELLENT). Forget for a moment the Mets let the Pirates get back in the first two games of that series but did hold on to win. Forget for a moment some of the pitching woes.
The bottom line is they did take three in a row from the Nationals and five of six on the road trip. That is really what I wanted them to do, what I think they needed to do and ultimately what they did. Once again they have pushed the lead back to five game between themselves and the second place team (it has never been more than five).
If I heard correctly on television today, since the All-Star break there have only been two occasions where the Mets have won and both the Braves and Phillies have lost. Still, if the Mets play like they are capable of doing, if they start playing well at home (still a concern, especially now as they head back to Shea), if they do what they can do and what they need to do, this team will be around come postseason. I certainly feel much better right now than I did a week ago at this time.
Keep up the good work!
Let’s Go Mets!
The bottom line is they did take three in a row from the Nationals and five of six on the road trip. That is really what I wanted them to do, what I think they needed to do and ultimately what they did. Once again they have pushed the lead back to five game between themselves and the second place team (it has never been more than five).
If I heard correctly on television today, since the All-Star break there have only been two occasions where the Mets have won and both the Braves and Phillies have lost. Still, if the Mets play like they are capable of doing, if they start playing well at home (still a concern, especially now as they head back to Shea), if they do what they can do and what they need to do, this team will be around come postseason. I certainly feel much better right now than I did a week ago at this time.
Keep up the good work!
Let’s Go Mets!
Friday, August 17, 2007
Mr. Met Goes To Washington
So, we’re in the Nation’s Capitol for a weekend series with the Washington Nationals. The Mets should be able to sweep them, but this is a team that should be able to do a lot of things and somehow they fall short.
On the positive side, the Mets have a good record since the All-Star break, and really since the beginning of the season as they and the Arizona Diamondbacks seem to flip-flop for best record in the National League. If I have it figured correctly, if the Mets and Diamondbacks were in the same division, the D.Backs would be a game ahead of the Mets, but that is only because they have played two more games, and won two more games than the Mets. The Mets did take two out of three in this last set and for the most part have not looked bad.
On the downside, the Mets are not winning in convincing fashion. They are scoring early and late, but not in the middle; they are letting teams get back into games; and yesterday they just gave one away. If all that matters is the won-lose record, and at the end of the season that will be the case, the Mets are not bad. If, however, we are looking for them to get momentum, then playing the way they are is not going to accomplish the goal.
It would be nice to see the Mets sweep a series. I cannot remember the last time they did that this year. It would be nice to see a winning streak of at least five games. With Washington the next team up and, fortunately for the Mets, playing in DC, perhaps this can be the start to a sweep, to a decent winning streak, to getting hot. Let’s hope so!
Let’s Go Mets!
On the positive side, the Mets have a good record since the All-Star break, and really since the beginning of the season as they and the Arizona Diamondbacks seem to flip-flop for best record in the National League. If I have it figured correctly, if the Mets and Diamondbacks were in the same division, the D.Backs would be a game ahead of the Mets, but that is only because they have played two more games, and won two more games than the Mets. The Mets did take two out of three in this last set and for the most part have not looked bad.
On the downside, the Mets are not winning in convincing fashion. They are scoring early and late, but not in the middle; they are letting teams get back into games; and yesterday they just gave one away. If all that matters is the won-lose record, and at the end of the season that will be the case, the Mets are not bad. If, however, we are looking for them to get momentum, then playing the way they are is not going to accomplish the goal.
It would be nice to see the Mets sweep a series. I cannot remember the last time they did that this year. It would be nice to see a winning streak of at least five games. With Washington the next team up and, fortunately for the Mets, playing in DC, perhaps this can be the start to a sweep, to a decent winning streak, to getting hot. Let’s hope so!
Let’s Go Mets!
Thursday, August 16, 2007
My Hat Is Staying In Place
Three cheers for Ron Darling! I missed most of tonight’s Met game (and I am kind of glad). I did turn the game on for a few minutes to get a score and saw Brian Lawrence drive in a run and take second on poor outfield play. I believe that run game the Mets a 5-0 lead and I was feeling pretty good.
After that, I had to do some work on the computer but periodically checked via the computer, how the Mets were doing. While Pittsburgh had scored some runs, it appeared as though the Mets were adding a few of their own runs and keeping a decent size lead.
For most of the evening, however, I was away from the computer and the television. I turned the game on to catch the recap. It did not sound pretty, AT ALL! Still the Mets were praising the Pirates and saying you just have to tip your cap to them.
Fortunately Ron Darling came along and set the record straight. He explained this was not one where the Pirates took it from the Mets and you need to tip your hat, no, it was one where the Mets gave it to the Pirates.
That was what I had gathered from the recap, and I was so pleased to hear a Met announcer say it. I do not know what the Met players will do, or even what other fans will do, but as for me… … MY HAT IS STAYING ON MY HEAD!! I am not tipping it to the Pirates.
The Mets did take two of three from the Pirates but they clearly should have had tonight’s game and even the wins did not exactly boost my confidence in this team.
Hopefully that will start to change tomorrow with the Nationals’ series.
Let’s Go Mets!!
After that, I had to do some work on the computer but periodically checked via the computer, how the Mets were doing. While Pittsburgh had scored some runs, it appeared as though the Mets were adding a few of their own runs and keeping a decent size lead.
For most of the evening, however, I was away from the computer and the television. I turned the game on to catch the recap. It did not sound pretty, AT ALL! Still the Mets were praising the Pirates and saying you just have to tip your cap to them.
Fortunately Ron Darling came along and set the record straight. He explained this was not one where the Pirates took it from the Mets and you need to tip your hat, no, it was one where the Mets gave it to the Pirates.
That was what I had gathered from the recap, and I was so pleased to hear a Met announcer say it. I do not know what the Met players will do, or even what other fans will do, but as for me… … MY HAT IS STAYING ON MY HEAD!! I am not tipping it to the Pirates.
The Mets did take two of three from the Pirates but they clearly should have had tonight’s game and even the wins did not exactly boost my confidence in this team.
Hopefully that will start to change tomorrow with the Nationals’ series.
Let’s Go Mets!!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Better, But Not Great!
I admit, I am very impressed with the way Moises Alou is playing. He is a great ball player and if he keeps himself injury free, he is arguably the best hitter on the Mets. I am glad the Mets have won the first two in Pittsburgh, and three in a row. Still, I feel that something is lacking.
The last two victories are on the road and I think most Met fans, myself included, want to see the Mets play well at home. Also, considering it is the Pirates, the Mets should be able to do better. The pitching lets the opposition back in the game and the Mets do not seem to put it away until late in the game.
Yesterday, for most of the game, the Mets were behind or tied. In the end they did win, but they did not do it in the most convincing of fashions. Today, they scored early and late but not in between and the bullpen tried to give away the lead.
Met announcers stated that in the end all that matters is who won the game. I hear that and understand that philosophy but I do not completely agree with it. The fact is that by winning in convincing fashion, a team can build momentum and the Mets need some momentum. The victories have not been convincing and I question if the Mets are getting any momentum for when the Mets move on to the better teams.
The other side of this, however, is with the last three wins, the Mets now have the best record in the National League. I actually think that shows how weak the National League is overall, but perhaps this will give the Mets the momentum and the fact that the games have been closer than they should have been won’t matter.
Well, I am feeling better, well enough to finish this post with…
Let’s Go Mets!
The last two victories are on the road and I think most Met fans, myself included, want to see the Mets play well at home. Also, considering it is the Pirates, the Mets should be able to do better. The pitching lets the opposition back in the game and the Mets do not seem to put it away until late in the game.
Yesterday, for most of the game, the Mets were behind or tied. In the end they did win, but they did not do it in the most convincing of fashions. Today, they scored early and late but not in between and the bullpen tried to give away the lead.
Met announcers stated that in the end all that matters is who won the game. I hear that and understand that philosophy but I do not completely agree with it. The fact is that by winning in convincing fashion, a team can build momentum and the Mets need some momentum. The victories have not been convincing and I question if the Mets are getting any momentum for when the Mets move on to the better teams.
The other side of this, however, is with the last three wins, the Mets now have the best record in the National League. I actually think that shows how weak the National League is overall, but perhaps this will give the Mets the momentum and the fact that the games have been closer than they should have been won’t matter.
Well, I am feeling better, well enough to finish this post with…
Let’s Go Mets!
Monday, August 13, 2007
Are We Supposed To Feel Better?
So the Mets won a game yesterday. As Met fans we are supposed to feel good, we are supposed to feel vindicated, we are supposed to feel like this makes a difference. I doubt Willie Randolph reads the blogs that are out there (or other higher ups in the organization) but they have got to understand that yesterday’s win does nothing to alleviate the pain. Yesterday’s victory changes NOTHING from what I posted the day before.
The Mets still cannot play well at home, they are now five games above .500 when playing at Shea. That is PATHETIC! The Mets still finished a 2 and 4 home stand, in which three of those games were against the Florida Marlins (and the other three against a team, the Atlanta Braves, the Mets have to show they can handle). The 2 and 4 home stand is PATHETIC. There starting pitching remains a MAJOR concern as once again, despite the win, Oliver Perez did not have it, did not have the good stuff we need him to have if the Mets are going to do anything. And, yes I will say it even following a 10-4 victory, the hitting still has not come around. The Mets kept letting the Marlins catch and/or pass them in terms of the runs scored until the eighth inning. Going into the eighth, the Mets had a 5-4 lead. This is UNACCEPTABLE.
As Met fans we deserve, yes I said DESERVE better. We have been loyal and suffered through the lean years and they should be rewarding us for staying faithful. If this were a bad team, I could live with it, but this team is underachieving, and that is what makes this so frustrating. They still need to find a way to turn things around. A ten game winning streak, 13 of 15, 16 of 20, some kind of streak, I guess I should specify winning streak, like that needs to happen.
They are good enough to do it, they just need to collectively get off their ass and do it!!!
The Mets still cannot play well at home, they are now five games above .500 when playing at Shea. That is PATHETIC! The Mets still finished a 2 and 4 home stand, in which three of those games were against the Florida Marlins (and the other three against a team, the Atlanta Braves, the Mets have to show they can handle). The 2 and 4 home stand is PATHETIC. There starting pitching remains a MAJOR concern as once again, despite the win, Oliver Perez did not have it, did not have the good stuff we need him to have if the Mets are going to do anything. And, yes I will say it even following a 10-4 victory, the hitting still has not come around. The Mets kept letting the Marlins catch and/or pass them in terms of the runs scored until the eighth inning. Going into the eighth, the Mets had a 5-4 lead. This is UNACCEPTABLE.
As Met fans we deserve, yes I said DESERVE better. We have been loyal and suffered through the lean years and they should be rewarding us for staying faithful. If this were a bad team, I could live with it, but this team is underachieving, and that is what makes this so frustrating. They still need to find a way to turn things around. A ten game winning streak, 13 of 15, 16 of 20, some kind of streak, I guess I should specify winning streak, like that needs to happen.
They are good enough to do it, they just need to collectively get off their ass and do it!!!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
HEADS MUST ROLL!!!!
I do not know what the answer is but I know that what is going on is completely unacceptable. The Mets are supposed to be contenders but I am wondering if they are really pretenders. What I know is the following:
It is completely unacceptable for the Mets to be only four games above .500 this year. It is completely unacceptable for the Mets to have lost the first two games in this series to Florida, letting them come from behind both times. It is completely unacceptable for the Mets to have lost four out of five games to the Florida Marlins at home this year.
The way the Mets have been playing is just completely unacceptable. They need to do something to fire up the team. Perhaps Willie Randolph needs to go on a Billy Martin type tirade. Perhaps every regular needs to be benched in favor of playing the substitutes and AAA players. Perhaps Randolph, despite having good success over the past couple of years, needs to be fired, as a way of firing up the team, or maybe Omar Minaya needs to be let go, or some coaches.
The bottom line is something needs to happen to fire them up, to get the winning and to help them remember how to play at home. I do not care what it is, as long as it is something. Every Met fan should be disgusted following the 7-5 come from behind victory the Marlins had yesterday on the heels of the Marlin come from behind victory the day before, on the heels of dropping two out of three to the Braves.
Just typing this is making me sick. Hopefully they will do something that makes me feel like ending my blog entry with the standard, “Let’s Go Mets,”, but right now there performance is so lack-luster, I cannot even muster up the energy to end that way.
Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for Met fans.
It is completely unacceptable for the Mets to be only four games above .500 this year. It is completely unacceptable for the Mets to have lost the first two games in this series to Florida, letting them come from behind both times. It is completely unacceptable for the Mets to have lost four out of five games to the Florida Marlins at home this year.
The way the Mets have been playing is just completely unacceptable. They need to do something to fire up the team. Perhaps Willie Randolph needs to go on a Billy Martin type tirade. Perhaps every regular needs to be benched in favor of playing the substitutes and AAA players. Perhaps Randolph, despite having good success over the past couple of years, needs to be fired, as a way of firing up the team, or maybe Omar Minaya needs to be let go, or some coaches.
The bottom line is something needs to happen to fire them up, to get the winning and to help them remember how to play at home. I do not care what it is, as long as it is something. Every Met fan should be disgusted following the 7-5 come from behind victory the Marlins had yesterday on the heels of the Marlin come from behind victory the day before, on the heels of dropping two out of three to the Braves.
Just typing this is making me sick. Hopefully they will do something that makes me feel like ending my blog entry with the standard, “Let’s Go Mets,”, but right now there performance is so lack-luster, I cannot even muster up the energy to end that way.
Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for Met fans.
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