2009 MLB PREDICTIONS
Like every other baseball fan, I have a way-too-high opinion of my baseball knowledge. I'm convinced I could run a major league baseball team as well as, if not better, than the yahoos who run them now. Of course, this is all butkis cause these guys do it for a living while we are all arm-chair GMs and managers. However, a number of Fantasy Baseball Championships over the years has given me a swelled head and the fact that I have predicted three of the last five World Series winners (Boston in '04 and '07 and St Louis in '06) has convinced me that I know what I'm talking about.
Which I most likely do not.
As always I will try and not let my fanatical nature get in the way 0f my predictions. In reality I have only picked the Mets to win the world series once in the last eight years, but have picked them to make the playoffs every year since 2005.
I'm not going to get into HUGE detail here, but if anyone wants to debate my predicitons I would be very much into that. Of course these predictions are stringent on the teams staying relatively healthy except in places where the players have a history of injury (Yeah I'm looking at YOU Burnett). In other words, if any of these teams loses one or two big time players to an extended DL stay, then all bets are off.
Ok... here we go:
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
1 - Boston Red Sox
2 - NY Yankees (Wild Card)
3 - Tampa Bay Rays
4 - Toronto Blue Jays
5 - Baltimore Orioles
Why Boston at the top? Even with the Yankee's huge influx of high priced free agents I see Boston as a stronger team. I think the pitching is close but A.J. Burnett's health is always a question, Pettite struggled last season and is a questionable fourth, and Joba should be in the bullpen. The Bullpen's are the main difference where as awesome as Rivera is, the rest of that bullpen (with Joba in the starting rotation) is suspect, whereas Boston's strong bullpen got stronger over the winter when they signed Satio from the Dodgers as a set up man. The Rays are no fluke and their absence from the playoffs is due more to the Red Sox and Yankees strengths than their own weakness. The Rays have some amazing young talent in Longoria, Crawford, Kazmir, Shields and Price, but like the Yanks their suspect bullpen can be their undoing but unlike the Yanks they don't have a no-doubt closer to rely on. Of course if A-Rod misses the year due to his hip and the Rays trade for a big time closer during the season those teams might flip flop. The Blue Jays are always a few players short of a seriously contending team and injuries to Marcum and McGowen and losing Burnett to the Yankees seriously hurts this team. Roy Halladay is one of the best pitchers in all of baseball and Veron Wells is as solid a player as there is, but add in the fact that closer BJ Ryan is struggling and Toronto is looking at another decent year that goes no where. The Orioles are getting better and should actually start to look soild next year, but this year still have way too many question marks and young players needing experiance to do much.
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL
1. Minnesota Twins
2. Cleveland Indians
3. Chicago White Sox
4. Kansas City Royals
5. Detroit Tigers
This was a hard division to predict. All of these teams have serious flaws. None of them stand out in any way. In the end, the main reason I gave the advantage to the Twins? Cause they always seem to get it done. The Twins are a very soild TEAM. They are an excellent example of soild teamwork day in and day out. Yes they have to worry if Joe Mauer is sidelined for any real length of time, but overall they have some soild hitting, excellent defense and very good (if unspectacular besides their closer) pitching. The Indians have a soild closer finally in Wood and since he was healthy pretty much all of last year, maybe being in the bullpen is the best thing for him. If Wood is healthy, he becomes one of the better closers in the Majors. The Tribe have a lot of question marks like if Travis Hafner and Victor Martienez are going to return to form after both of them had nightmarish 2008 seasons. They need Cliff Lee to be close to what he was last year and need Carmona to pick it up after he stumbled somewhat last year (after a great 2007) for this team to have a chance to win the division. The difference between the White Sox and the Royals isn't as large as some people might think and the Tigers? Well, Despite having some great hitters, their starting pitching is in tatters and their bullpen isn't any better. Unless Rodney stays healthy and becomes the closer people think he can be and Verlander and Bonderman return to their pre-2007 forms, this team is in serious trouble.
AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST
1. LA Angels
2. Oakland A's
3. Texas Rangers
4. Seattle Mariners
This division would pretty much be a no-brainer of not for the fact that the Angels are starting the year without three of their starting pitchers. Lackey should be back by the end of April and should be fine. Escobar should also be back by early/mid May. Ervin Santana though? He might be out much, much longer. If Lackey and Escobar are both back and healthy in May, then this team should be fine. It has a lot of talent and Mike Socia is one of the best managers in baseball and has won world series' with less talented teams. Losing K-Rod hurts the bullpen but new Closer Fuentes is a solid one in his own right. The offense does all the little things right and though there aren't going to be a lot of home runs hit, they'll do enough to win. The A's are a mix of very young (Gallager, Cahill, Andersen) and kind of older (Giambi, Chavez, Cabrara) with a superstar thrown in (Holliday) and a hurt ace (Duchscherer). The offense could be strong and the pitching (if all goes right) could be the next coming of Zito, Hudson and Mulder in their prime. That's a lot of "ifs" though. Both the Rangers and Mariners should be improved although the Rangers have little pitching and the Mariners have little offense.
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
1. NY Mets
2. Atlanta Braves
3. Philadephia Phillies
4. Florida Marlins
5. Washington Nationals
Ok, first off, just because I have the defending World Champs ranked third does not mean I think they are going to be bad. I expect them to be able to win around 85 or so games and contend into Sept. The two things I have heard the most when looking at predictions for the 2009 season is:
A - The Phillies have almost the exact same team as last year so they should win again
B - The Mets have almost the exact team as last year so they won't win.
Ok, this makes no sense. To pick the Phillies to win the NL East because it returns basically the same team from a year ago with the exception of left fielder Pat Burrell and then say the reason the Mets will not even make the playoffs is because they did nothing to upgrade this team offensivelly is a total farce. Last year the Mets were 2nd in the NL in offense (tied with Philly)behind only the Cubs. They'll have a full year out of Murphy who most people agree is a "hitting machine" and Church will likely be healthy since his concussion issues are behind him. This will help and besides, the offense was NOT the problem last year. The bullpen was. The Mets blew 27 games last year after the 6th inning. TWENTY SEVEN. If they won just 15% of those games they would have won the division. With the MAJOR upgrade in the bullpen the Mets have seriously improved upon a team that won 89 games last year without a single reliable arm in a relief role in the 2nd half of 2008.
So, the Mets improved their bullpen with two of the best closers in the game setting up and closing and have a seriously reliable arm in Green for the 7th inning... meaning, the bullpen, which was the main reason the Mets lost at the end of the season last year, is no longer a problem. However, to claim the Phillies are going to win because they are the same as last year when they did NOT upgrade their team at ALL is being overly optomistic. First it's not really realistic to expect Lidge to do the same thing this year as he did last year and be perfect? The Phillies should expect to have at least a marginal decrease in their bullpen this year just due to the fact that being perfect after the 7th inning like they were last year is highly unlikely. The Mets were only two games worse than the Phillies last year and that was due to a bullpen that couldn't have gotten my son Tyler's 10 yr old Little League team out. The Mets improved on their biggest weakness. The Phillies did not. Add in the fact that their one true solid pitcher (Cole Hamels) has already had elbow tightness and he had a history of injury issues and that their second best relief pitcher (JC Romaro) will miss the first 50 games of the season due to suspention for testing positive for steroids, I cannot see how the Phillies are better than then Mets, world series title defense not withstanding. Yes, the Phillies offense is impressive, and they have a very good team, but it's not enough.
Forgotten in all this is a seriously improved Atlanta team who may not have a lot of power in their offense but have upgraded their starting pitching big time and have a great manager in Bobby Cox. Their bullpen is seriously talented, yet seriously fragile since both of their top bullpen arms (Soriano, Gonzalez) have spent more time on the DL the last two years than on a pitching mound. The Marlins are young and brash and talented but I think last years improbable run at the wild card was a fluke. This team is way too free swinging and the defense if not soild. They have seriously talented arms in their starting rotation though and if some of the young newcomers (Maybin, Boinifico) can put it all together quickly and Herminda ever lives up to his hype this team could contend again. The Nats are actually improved a little from last year but their pitching is a total mess. If they win 75 games Manny Acta should win manager of the year.
NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL
1. Chicago Cubs
2. St Louis Cardinals
3. Milwaukee Brewers
4. Cincinnati Reds
5. Houston Astros
6. Pittsburg Pirates
This is a basically easy division because the Cubs should (note I said SHOULD) be one of the top teams in the NL overall. They have a solid starting rotation (Zambrano, Harden, Lilly, Dempster), a decent bullpen and a rock solid offense (Soto, Rameriez, Lee, Soriano). Winning the Division shouldn't be too hard, but winning in the playoffs? Not too sure about that when you look at history, but this is a good team that can go far. The Cards, Brewers and Reds are all very close to each other. If Carpenter comes back to his old form after a mess of injuries the last two years and the bullpen can pull itself together, the Cards can push the Cubbies a little and content for the wild card. Their offense should be decent with oft-MVP candidate Albert Puljos leading hitters like Duncan, Ankiel and Ludwick. The Brewers lost Sheets and Sabathia but have gotten your hotshot pitcher Yovani Gallardo back which should ease the pain a little. A soild year from Jeff Suppan and Manny Para would give the Brew Crew the tools to contend for the wild card. The Reds have a soild base of young talent (Votto, Phillips, Bruce) and have some hot shot young pitchers (Cuerto, Volquez, Bailey) but will struggle to replace the lost offense of Adam Dunn's 40 home runs and 100 RBIs. The Astros don't have a lot to look forward this year despite a surprise run last year. The have some rock soild hitters in Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman but after Roy Oswalt and maybe Wandy Rodriquez their starting pitching is nothing to look at. The Pirates? The less said about them the better. There's a reason this team hasn't had a winning season since the early 1990s.
NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST
1. LA Dodgers
2. Arizona Diamondbacks
3. San Francisco Giants
4. Colorado Rockies
5. San Diego Padres
This is a tight division that sees each contending team have a glaring weakness. For the Dodgers simpley put, Manny give them the slight advantage. Their pitching is suspect and the offense is relying on some younger players who need to really put it together (Kemp, Ethier). For the Diamondbacks the starting pitching is strong (Webb, Haren, Garland) but the offense is way to free swinging and inconsistant. The Giants have extremely solid starting pitching (Lincecum, Cain, Lowry, Johnson, Zito) and absolutely NO offense. Hell, if Manny had signed in SF instead of LA those two teams might be reversed that's how close these teams are. The Rockies are a decent team with a lot of holes and trading Matt Holiday did not help them. Atkins, Tulowitzki and Hawpe are all decent hitter though. Their pitching is ok, but shakey and pitching in Coor Field is always an adventure anyway. The Padres have Jake Peavy and little else and Peavy is expected to be traded during the season (with the Cubs being the likely destination).
You'll notice I didn't pick a NL Wild card winner. Unlike the AL where I think it'll be the Yankees (or maybe even the Rays), the NL Wild Card could any of the following: The Braves, Phillies, Cardinals, Brewers, Red or Diamondbacks. If I HAVE to pick one, it would either be the Braves or Cards.
Showing posts with label Mets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mets. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
OH, THANK GOD
I almost died twice this weekend.
Why? Ask Billy Wagner.
Sunday night's blown save was unreal. At the time I was sitting in a Luxery Box in Citibank Park (the stadium for the Long Island Ducks) thanks to a set of tickets won by my son Tyler. We had the sliding doors open and the Ducks game in front of us, with SNY on the tv inside next to us.
Needless to say, about 12 minutes after the Ducks took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the 8th inning, the Mets blew their 2-0 lead in the 9th.
Thankfully, Joe Smith was great and Fernando Tatis came through again to propel them to a 12 inning win.
Then last night... what should have been a laugher turned into a heart attack waiting to happen.
When the score was 10-2, I made the mistake of joking to a friend "Only an eight run lead? probabally not enough."
Imagine my horror that I was almost right.
Couple of things about last night's game:
1 - Ryan Howard's hit was NOT a home run. The fam CLEARLY interfered with the ball and reached into the realm of play. The original call was correct... and why it was overturned made NO sense.
That's THREE blown calls on Home Runs that have gone against the Mets. Unreal.
2 - Betran's throw to 3rd was ill-advised, but I'm not too pissed he tried it. He has a great arm and it wasn't a horrible play (although his attidute after the game was a little annoying).
In the end, the Mets won 3 out of 4 (and almost swept the series losing a heart-breaker on Friday night) and are only 2 games back in the loss column.
My gut says they will go into the all-star break one game out of first.
In any case, good job winning those games guys... even though you almost killed me doing it.
I almost died twice this weekend.
Why? Ask Billy Wagner.
Sunday night's blown save was unreal. At the time I was sitting in a Luxery Box in Citibank Park (the stadium for the Long Island Ducks) thanks to a set of tickets won by my son Tyler. We had the sliding doors open and the Ducks game in front of us, with SNY on the tv inside next to us.
Needless to say, about 12 minutes after the Ducks took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the 8th inning, the Mets blew their 2-0 lead in the 9th.
Thankfully, Joe Smith was great and Fernando Tatis came through again to propel them to a 12 inning win.
Then last night... what should have been a laugher turned into a heart attack waiting to happen.
When the score was 10-2, I made the mistake of joking to a friend "Only an eight run lead? probabally not enough."
Imagine my horror that I was almost right.
Couple of things about last night's game:
1 - Ryan Howard's hit was NOT a home run. The fam CLEARLY interfered with the ball and reached into the realm of play. The original call was correct... and why it was overturned made NO sense.
That's THREE blown calls on Home Runs that have gone against the Mets. Unreal.
2 - Betran's throw to 3rd was ill-advised, but I'm not too pissed he tried it. He has a great arm and it wasn't a horrible play (although his attidute after the game was a little annoying).
In the end, the Mets won 3 out of 4 (and almost swept the series losing a heart-breaker on Friday night) and are only 2 games back in the loss column.
My gut says they will go into the all-star break one game out of first.
In any case, good job winning those games guys... even though you almost killed me doing it.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
GOING OUT ON A LIMB
Yep, that's what I'm going to do.
After sixty-four games, the Mets stand at a record of 31-33. They are in tied for third place with the Braves and are six and a half games out of first (behind the Phillies).
They are actually worse off in the wild card standings. They are seven and a half games behind the wild card leading Cardinals (who just lost Albert Pujlos for three plus weeks). There are
four teams ahead of them in the Wild card standing and two other teams tied with them.
To be fair, however, four of those teams (The Astros, Marlins, Pirates and The Cards) are not going to be around all season and another (the Braves) lost their best overall pitcher for the season and lost another starter (Tom Glavine) for a few weeks.
In any case, I'm going to make a baseless prediction.
The Mets are making the Playoffs.
The Mets themselves have no shown me really anything to give me this feeling... it's just a feeling.
I think this team has a huge hot streak in them. I won;t claim to know when... but this prediction comes with the feeling that they will rip off a streak in which they will win something along the lines of 21 of 30 games.
A team with Wright, Reyes, Beltran, Santana, Maine and Pedro is not an under .500 team.
Despite the fact I honestly do not think Willie Randolph is the right man for the Mets manager's job, I think this team will put in together enough to make a run and make the post season.
Mark your books. You get to come back here in October and make fun of me if I'm wrong, but somehow... for some bizarre reason... I don't think I am.
Yep, that's what I'm going to do.
After sixty-four games, the Mets stand at a record of 31-33. They are in tied for third place with the Braves and are six and a half games out of first (behind the Phillies).
They are actually worse off in the wild card standings. They are seven and a half games behind the wild card leading Cardinals (who just lost Albert Pujlos for three plus weeks). There are
four teams ahead of them in the Wild card standing and two other teams tied with them.
To be fair, however, four of those teams (The Astros, Marlins, Pirates and The Cards) are not going to be around all season and another (the Braves) lost their best overall pitcher for the season and lost another starter (Tom Glavine) for a few weeks.
In any case, I'm going to make a baseless prediction.
The Mets are making the Playoffs.
The Mets themselves have no shown me really anything to give me this feeling... it's just a feeling.
I think this team has a huge hot streak in them. I won;t claim to know when... but this prediction comes with the feeling that they will rip off a streak in which they will win something along the lines of 21 of 30 games.
A team with Wright, Reyes, Beltran, Santana, Maine and Pedro is not an under .500 team.
Despite the fact I honestly do not think Willie Randolph is the right man for the Mets manager's job, I think this team will put in together enough to make a run and make the post season.
Mark your books. You get to come back here in October and make fun of me if I'm wrong, but somehow... for some bizarre reason... I don't think I am.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
I DON'T GET IT
...I really don't. a 5 -1 lead over the Diamondbacks turns into a 9 - 5 loss. The Mets looked in total control over the first 4 innings or so. Yet Willie did it again and pulled Maine after the 5th instead of just letting the guy throw more than 100 pitches. The friggin guy is young and strong. I understand his pitch counts have been kind of high lately, but the guy can survive the occasional 125 pitch game.
Maine was a little wild, but looked solid enough that he should have still pitched the 6th. Vargas didn't look terrible, but wasn't on his game and gave up a big two-out hit to tie the game.
And the Mets, who were hitting the cover off the ball in the first three innings just plain stopped hitting after Owens left the game.
This team is bizarre. I do not know how to classify them. They should be like... eight games over .500. Instead they are three games under and in another tail-spin.
At this point, with all of the under-achieving, the team needs a change.
Something... the manager, the coaches or onoe of the higher profile players needs to be sent packing.
Something needs to shick this team in. It's become late. Time to act before it's TOO late.
...I really don't. a 5 -1 lead over the Diamondbacks turns into a 9 - 5 loss. The Mets looked in total control over the first 4 innings or so. Yet Willie did it again and pulled Maine after the 5th instead of just letting the guy throw more than 100 pitches. The friggin guy is young and strong. I understand his pitch counts have been kind of high lately, but the guy can survive the occasional 125 pitch game.
Maine was a little wild, but looked solid enough that he should have still pitched the 6th. Vargas didn't look terrible, but wasn't on his game and gave up a big two-out hit to tie the game.
And the Mets, who were hitting the cover off the ball in the first three innings just plain stopped hitting after Owens left the game.
This team is bizarre. I do not know how to classify them. They should be like... eight games over .500. Instead they are three games under and in another tail-spin.
At this point, with all of the under-achieving, the team needs a change.
Something... the manager, the coaches or onoe of the higher profile players needs to be sent packing.
Something needs to shick this team in. It's become late. Time to act before it's TOO late.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
STRANGE DAYS
The Mets are a weird team. It's hard to really define them so far this year... but despite all of their flaws (Delgado, Hielman, Perez, injuries, Willie, etc) they are only 3.5 games out of first and actually are looking pretty decent the last week.
There are a lot of things that look positive for them... Beltran starting to turn it on, the team's record in games started by Santana and Maine, the hitting and play of Reyes, Wright and Church, The continued success of Wagner, Sanchez and Shoenwiez... plus the fact that they had a stretch of 5-12 (with only the Yankee series being a good one) and are no more than 3.5 games out. Their run scored/runs given up diffiental is actually that of a much better team than their record shows and that is a good sign because it means that odds are thier record will adjust to those numbers and winning streaks are coming.
I think this team has under-achieved BIG time. I also think they have a big time hot streak in them.
I have my doubts about Willie Randolph. I think I prefer the (almost frienzied) antics of a Bobby V type manager. I'm NOT saying I want Booby V back. I liked him a lot, but I also reconize that he was always looking to put his stamp on a game and that bit the Mets at times. I'm NOT blaming the issues this year (and last) all on Willie.. but... I have my doubts about him.
I'm actually more concerned about the Braves than I am about the Phillies or Marlins. The Marlins are NOT for real. Sorry... but I do NOT believe it. Remember the Nationals' first year in Washington? Remember they were in 1st place going into the weekend of the All-Star break? Remember they finished FOURTH that year? That's the Marlins this year. The Phillies have an EXCELLENT offense... Utley is a total stud and Burrell looks very good this year so far. Howard and Rollins, while I do not think they will equal their massive numbers of last year, are at the tops of their positions hitting wise and with some decent personel surrounding them, I doubt the Phillies will have any major scoring droughts this year. However, their pitching is... well... it's bad. Simpley put... right now that really only have one guy in their starting five that is really a guy to worry about (Cole Hamels) and he's not only an injury risk.... he's also having a tad of an uneven stretch. However he's a gamer and as long as he's on the mound, he'll give the Phils a chance to win... but he's it. Their other "big" pitcher is Brett Myers who has NOT been very good at all this year. In fact, he seems to be having a simular problem that Oliver Perez is having, although Perez seems to be a little bit of a better big-game pitcher being able to beat the Phillies, Braves and Yankees. The bullpen HAS been good (Lidge looks reborn so far) but I don't know how long that will last with the derth of quailty starters.
The Braves scare me. Mostly if Smoltz can be healthy enough to be the close the rest of the year. If Soriano and Gonzoles come back healthy and can be what they were before their injuries then their bullpen looks very solid. Hudson has pitched like an ace and Jurgins he looked quite good. I DO think that Glavine's decent start will NOT continue in the 2nd half of the season, but I CAN see the Braves going out and getting another starter (Joe Blanton maybe?) and with the hitting the team has (Larry Jones, Texeria, Escobar, Francoeur, and McCann) they can score runs (although I expect a DL stint for Larry Jones any week now). However, if Smoltz CAN'T be healthy to close, and just ONE of Gonzo or Soriano cannot return to form, then my fears abide a little. We'll see.
With Pedro coming back today, and Alou back on Thursday, the Mets have two guys that can be BIG assets. If (and it is a big IF) these two guys can stay basically healthy the rest of the year (say only one more 15-day DL stint for each one) I think the Mets are ok and will win enough to make the playoffs. I would feel better if Delgado could have a second half of about .265 18 hr and 50 RBI, but I don't know if that's happening (prob not).
Even with that, the Mets have the tools to win the NL East (or at least the Wild card) and I think a playoff series starting three of Santana, Pedro and Maine is as good as just about ANYONE else.
They just have to GET there first.
The Mets are a weird team. It's hard to really define them so far this year... but despite all of their flaws (Delgado, Hielman, Perez, injuries, Willie, etc) they are only 3.5 games out of first and actually are looking pretty decent the last week.
There are a lot of things that look positive for them... Beltran starting to turn it on, the team's record in games started by Santana and Maine, the hitting and play of Reyes, Wright and Church, The continued success of Wagner, Sanchez and Shoenwiez... plus the fact that they had a stretch of 5-12 (with only the Yankee series being a good one) and are no more than 3.5 games out. Their run scored/runs given up diffiental is actually that of a much better team than their record shows and that is a good sign because it means that odds are thier record will adjust to those numbers and winning streaks are coming.
I think this team has under-achieved BIG time. I also think they have a big time hot streak in them.
I have my doubts about Willie Randolph. I think I prefer the (almost frienzied) antics of a Bobby V type manager. I'm NOT saying I want Booby V back. I liked him a lot, but I also reconize that he was always looking to put his stamp on a game and that bit the Mets at times. I'm NOT blaming the issues this year (and last) all on Willie.. but... I have my doubts about him.
I'm actually more concerned about the Braves than I am about the Phillies or Marlins. The Marlins are NOT for real. Sorry... but I do NOT believe it. Remember the Nationals' first year in Washington? Remember they were in 1st place going into the weekend of the All-Star break? Remember they finished FOURTH that year? That's the Marlins this year. The Phillies have an EXCELLENT offense... Utley is a total stud and Burrell looks very good this year so far. Howard and Rollins, while I do not think they will equal their massive numbers of last year, are at the tops of their positions hitting wise and with some decent personel surrounding them, I doubt the Phillies will have any major scoring droughts this year. However, their pitching is... well... it's bad. Simpley put... right now that really only have one guy in their starting five that is really a guy to worry about (Cole Hamels) and he's not only an injury risk.... he's also having a tad of an uneven stretch. However he's a gamer and as long as he's on the mound, he'll give the Phils a chance to win... but he's it. Their other "big" pitcher is Brett Myers who has NOT been very good at all this year. In fact, he seems to be having a simular problem that Oliver Perez is having, although Perez seems to be a little bit of a better big-game pitcher being able to beat the Phillies, Braves and Yankees. The bullpen HAS been good (Lidge looks reborn so far) but I don't know how long that will last with the derth of quailty starters.
The Braves scare me. Mostly if Smoltz can be healthy enough to be the close the rest of the year. If Soriano and Gonzoles come back healthy and can be what they were before their injuries then their bullpen looks very solid. Hudson has pitched like an ace and Jurgins he looked quite good. I DO think that Glavine's decent start will NOT continue in the 2nd half of the season, but I CAN see the Braves going out and getting another starter (Joe Blanton maybe?) and with the hitting the team has (Larry Jones, Texeria, Escobar, Francoeur, and McCann) they can score runs (although I expect a DL stint for Larry Jones any week now). However, if Smoltz CAN'T be healthy to close, and just ONE of Gonzo or Soriano cannot return to form, then my fears abide a little. We'll see.
With Pedro coming back today, and Alou back on Thursday, the Mets have two guys that can be BIG assets. If (and it is a big IF) these two guys can stay basically healthy the rest of the year (say only one more 15-day DL stint for each one) I think the Mets are ok and will win enough to make the playoffs. I would feel better if Delgado could have a second half of about .265 18 hr and 50 RBI, but I don't know if that's happening (prob not).
Even with that, the Mets have the tools to win the NL East (or at least the Wild card) and I think a playoff series starting three of Santana, Pedro and Maine is as good as just about ANYONE else.
They just have to GET there first.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
BAD JOB
I'm a big proponent of a baseball team being responsable for a game. When a Major League team loses, it's mostly (if not all) on the shoulders of the guys on the field. For example... Carlos Delgado's bad throw that hit Chase Utley in the back and allowed two runs to score, not to mention Jose Reyes lining up the throw in direct line with the runner instead of moving further out.
However, there are times I feel that a manager puts his stamp on a game in a way that just basically puts his team in the position to lose.
Yesterday was one of those days.
Willie Randolph made two major mistakes yesterday... and I honestly feel that in the end, the Mets lost the game as a result.
1 - He took Perez out too early. I know Perez had thrown 94 pitches and he was a little shakey walking two in the 6th... but come on... the guy has been dominate all season so far and he needs to be able to work through his "off" innings. He should have been still in there to finish the 6th and maybe even start the 7th. His ceiling should NOT be 95 pitches. He should be able to go at 110/112 at his age.
2 - In the bottom of the 7th, down 3-2, Brian Schnieder leads off with a single. Pinch hitting for Schoenwise, Edny Chavez came up. Now Endy is the best bunter on the team. In fact, I'll go as far to say he just about the best bunter in the NL. The Mets are down a run. The NEEDED to score a run there. So what does Willie have him do? Swing away. The result? A double play. Then on the NEXT PITCH Jose Reyes hits a single... which would have scored the tying run had Chavez bunted the runner over. At home, in the late innings... you ALWAYS play for the tie.
So... while the team spit the bit and lost... the manager's decisions were a direct influence on the final score. Bad job Willie.
I'm a big proponent of a baseball team being responsable for a game. When a Major League team loses, it's mostly (if not all) on the shoulders of the guys on the field. For example... Carlos Delgado's bad throw that hit Chase Utley in the back and allowed two runs to score, not to mention Jose Reyes lining up the throw in direct line with the runner instead of moving further out.
However, there are times I feel that a manager puts his stamp on a game in a way that just basically puts his team in the position to lose.
Yesterday was one of those days.
Willie Randolph made two major mistakes yesterday... and I honestly feel that in the end, the Mets lost the game as a result.
1 - He took Perez out too early. I know Perez had thrown 94 pitches and he was a little shakey walking two in the 6th... but come on... the guy has been dominate all season so far and he needs to be able to work through his "off" innings. He should have been still in there to finish the 6th and maybe even start the 7th. His ceiling should NOT be 95 pitches. He should be able to go at 110/112 at his age.
2 - In the bottom of the 7th, down 3-2, Brian Schnieder leads off with a single. Pinch hitting for Schoenwise, Edny Chavez came up. Now Endy is the best bunter on the team. In fact, I'll go as far to say he just about the best bunter in the NL. The Mets are down a run. The NEEDED to score a run there. So what does Willie have him do? Swing away. The result? A double play. Then on the NEXT PITCH Jose Reyes hits a single... which would have scored the tying run had Chavez bunted the runner over. At home, in the late innings... you ALWAYS play for the tie.
So... while the team spit the bit and lost... the manager's decisions were a direct influence on the final score. Bad job Willie.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
WELL... CRAP.
Not exactly what I (or many Mets fans) was expecting.
Rough start for Pedro and now... after leaving with a hamsting injury in the 4th... we might not have him from anywhere from two to four weeks.
Ouch.
Kind of a sloppy game hitting wise... Mets really let the Marlins off the hook a few times.
Delgado isn't looking too good at the plate.
Some nice at bats for Pegota and Schineder. church needs to tone it down a little... be more patient.
Not a terrible loss... but a game they should have won.
Here's hoping Pedro isn't TOO bad off... and that they come back and win tomorrow.
Not exactly what I (or many Mets fans) was expecting.
Rough start for Pedro and now... after leaving with a hamsting injury in the 4th... we might not have him from anywhere from two to four weeks.
Ouch.
Kind of a sloppy game hitting wise... Mets really let the Marlins off the hook a few times.
Delgado isn't looking too good at the plate.
Some nice at bats for Pegota and Schineder. church needs to tone it down a little... be more patient.
Not a terrible loss... but a game they should have won.
Here's hoping Pedro isn't TOO bad off... and that they come back and win tomorrow.
Monday, March 31, 2008
AND SO IT BEGINS...
The Mets win today... besting the Marlins 7-2. Johan Santana looked great. Davod Wright blew the game open with a two out, bases loaded double. The Bullpen looked good. The Phillies lost. The Braves lost last night.
All is well with the universe.
Very nice game. The umpiring actually cost Santana a perfect game with calling two start balls on what should have been called three strikes to Hanley Ramirez... the umpire wasn't overly good. Also Reyes was WAY safe on his stolen base attempt. Ah well... either way the game was tight and the team looked good.
I was glad to see some VERY good at bats from Ryan Church... especially with Lastings Milledge hitting a home run and scoring the go-ahead run i the 9th for Washington today (Nats are in first place by the way with a 2-0 record!). Church hit the ball hard.. had an RBI single and was robbed of another one later in the game by a great play by Ramirez.
I liked the hustle and head's up defense that Schneider showed today. His bat is going to be a rough one to swallow at times (I'd be ESTATIC if he hit .265, but .240 is more likely) but his defense is going to be a huge plus. I'll feel better when Castro is off the DL to provide occasion pop and some solid hitting from the catcher position though.
The only one that really concerned me was Delgado. I couldn't really tell if he looked decent at the plate or not... was hard to tell. I'm hoping he gets things in line though.
I would have left Sosa in to pitch the ninth, but it looks like Willy is trying to establish definite roles for the bullpen. I guess I shouldn't be second guessing his moves one game into the season.
So Pedro goes tommorrow! Looking forward to seeing him. I expect good things from Pedro this year. I don't see why 27-29 starts should be out of the question. I expect him to hit a lull at some point where he might need extra rest... but overall I have a good feeling about his health and his role this year.
My predictions for the Mets and everyone else should be posted tonight or tommorrow. Look for it!
So the 2008 Major League Baseball season has begun and so far things are rosey.
The Mets win today... besting the Marlins 7-2. Johan Santana looked great. Davod Wright blew the game open with a two out, bases loaded double. The Bullpen looked good. The Phillies lost. The Braves lost last night.
All is well with the universe.
Very nice game. The umpiring actually cost Santana a perfect game with calling two start balls on what should have been called three strikes to Hanley Ramirez... the umpire wasn't overly good. Also Reyes was WAY safe on his stolen base attempt. Ah well... either way the game was tight and the team looked good.
I was glad to see some VERY good at bats from Ryan Church... especially with Lastings Milledge hitting a home run and scoring the go-ahead run i the 9th for Washington today (Nats are in first place by the way with a 2-0 record!). Church hit the ball hard.. had an RBI single and was robbed of another one later in the game by a great play by Ramirez.
I liked the hustle and head's up defense that Schneider showed today. His bat is going to be a rough one to swallow at times (I'd be ESTATIC if he hit .265, but .240 is more likely) but his defense is going to be a huge plus. I'll feel better when Castro is off the DL to provide occasion pop and some solid hitting from the catcher position though.
The only one that really concerned me was Delgado. I couldn't really tell if he looked decent at the plate or not... was hard to tell. I'm hoping he gets things in line though.I would have left Sosa in to pitch the ninth, but it looks like Willy is trying to establish definite roles for the bullpen. I guess I shouldn't be second guessing his moves one game into the season.
So Pedro goes tommorrow! Looking forward to seeing him. I expect good things from Pedro this year. I don't see why 27-29 starts should be out of the question. I expect him to hit a lull at some point where he might need extra rest... but overall I have a good feeling about his health and his role this year.
My predictions for the Mets and everyone else should be posted tonight or tommorrow. Look for it!
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Sick Cycle Carousel
Well it's been a few days and I feel strong enough to talk about the Mets and their historic fall from grace.
There's a lot to say... is anyone surprised?
First off, to those of you who called or emailed me about my mental and physical health on Sunday... thank you. I handled it MUCH better than I would have expected.
That in itself is a warning sign though... I got (no exaggeration) nineteen phone calls and seven emails between Sunday afternoon and Monday noontime. I guess my passion for this team is so well known by the people I have regular (or even semi-regular) contact with that everyone knew there good odds that I had a breakdown, hi-jacked a dump truck, climbed a water tower and went all Charles Whitman on central Centereach.
As I stated in previous posts, I have often taken this shit WAY too seriously... and I admit I had no less than three major meltdowns in the last two weeks of the baseball season. The night they blew two seperate three tun leads to the Marlins (including one in the bottom of the ninth) was a particuarly violent and... um... energetic outburst.
Which made me take a loooong and serious look in the mirror. In no way is a baseball game ever going to be important enough in life to elict that sort of reaction.
I actually handled the last weekend very well. At that point I realized how shot the bullpen was and that even if they had gotten into the playoffs, odds are that their pitching would not have held up enought to get very far.
So... first off, YES I am still a Mets fan... despite my black humor spouted in frustration about changing teams, there is no way this would ever happen. I bleed blue -n- orange and always will.
Second, I do NOT think this team is shot and done as presently constructed. No major overhall is needed. They do not have to rip apart the team and start with 65% new players. Changes must be made... yes. Some more drastic than others, but the main part of the should stay mostly intact. (I will get into more detail in a minute).
Third, I do not think Willie Randolph should be fired despite my insistance over the last three weeks that he should be. Getting past my initial anger... I think Willie is a good manager overall who really needs to learn how to manage a bullpen better (but hey, Joe Torre never learned and look where he's gotten the last eleven years) and he deserves a shot to lead this team next year.
This year should have never been in doubt. The team should have basically wrapped up the division back in July like they did last year. The problem was that except for the month of April and that little 12 game run or so right after the four-game sweep by Philly in Philly, there seemed to be very little urgancy to this team. They seemed to think they were so good that the division was a foregone conclusion. Well, you see what that got them. They seemed to believe their own press. Rarely is that a good thing.
The funny thing is... the Mets did not deserve to make the playoffs because of their horrible 5 -12 record down the stretch, but in reality, this team was still the best in the NL. They could/should have won 95 games or so and really could have cut through the NL Pennant rather easily.
Could've/should've. All twisted in the wind are our shattered dreams of could've/should've.
So, yeah... this team had a busload of talent... but like the teams of the eighties that finished in second place 5 out of 7 years, talent isn't enough.
As much as I freaking HATE the %#$@&^! Phillies, that team played with heart and grit and looked a LOT like last years Mets team.
That's what this year's team was missing for a huge chunk of the season. Heart and grit.
They need that back. They need to realize that you cannot turn it on and off like a switch. Maybe the Yankees of the late Nineties could, but hey... they won four freaking World Series in five years.The Mets? They have won nothing but one division and one playoff series since 2000. They have no basis acting like the top dog.
Woof, freaking woof.
The main problem with being a Mets fan (and what this season was an epitomy of) is that nasty, creeping, nagging feeling that things are about to go belly up and in the worst way possible. It's rare (ie: 1969, 1986) that a season goes just perfect. Even excellent seasons like 1988, 1999, 2000 and 2006 eneded in disapointment in the playoffs. The 1999 (which was really a better team than the 2000 squad that made it to the World Series) and 2006 teams were both great teams that really had the ability (and should have) won it all.
As a Mets fan I've fallen victim to many near misses. 1984, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1998, and 2001 all were years the Mets were right there... the playoffs in their grasp, only for it to slip away at the last moment. 1998 was particuarly bad because the Mets went into the last five games of the season leading the wild card by 1 1/2 games. They lost their final five games of the season against the Montreal Expos at home and the Atlanta Braves on the road. If they had won just ONE of those games, the Mets could have forced a three-way wild card tie. If they had won two, they would have won the wild card outright. Ironic, seeing as how the Expos became the Washington Nationals and the Nationals won 5 out of 6 games at the end of this season (while they then went and lost 4 out of 6 to the Phillies) in helping the Mets complete their collapse.
Even in 1999 the Mets almost blew it. They were swept by Philly in the last two weeks of the season and lost their wild card lead and actually needed the Brewers to take 2 of 3 from the Reds in the last weekend to finish in a tie that forced a one game playoff with Cincinnati for the wild card.
Despite this regular sick cycle of near misses and last minute disasters, I love this team. The Mets are the perpetual underdogs and always will be.
It's never easy with them. Never. Then again, either is life. Why should it be?
That's why when I hear Yankee fans bitching about firing Joe Torre and booing A-Rod and such I want to slap the shit out of them. Yankee fans have NO idea how good they have it. No team in any sport wins as much as the Yankees do. I think Yankee fans should never be allowed to bitch about their team. 26 World Championships and a shit-load of playoff appearances has spoiled their fans. It's also made many of them act like they are better than everyone else just because they follow and root for the Bronx.
Hey, it's fucking EASY to follow and root for a franchise that is always in contention and wins much more often than it loses. Staying a fan of a franchise that usually does NOT win (ie: The Mets, Cubs, and hell, even those lucky as hell Phillies) shows REAL fandom.
Ok. So... this team.
Despite things... I'm not blind. The Mets biggest problem this year was the bullpen which just plain out and out SUCKED the last six to eight weeks of the season, which was a shame because it was so damn good the first half. The inconsitancy in the offense didn't help. The manner of play without urgancy was the other largest problem.
Well, besides Willie's inability to manage the bullpen.
So... what has to change? What MUST happen for next years team to win the division again?
I have ten simple steps.
1 - Give David Wright the "C": No one, and I mean NO ONE on this team was more stand-up and professional than Wright. While guys like Glavine, Alou, Wagner and Lo Duca rarely ducked the media and were willing to give shit to team-mates who under performed or had their head up their asses, Wright was the team spokesman and backbone. He was, without any doubt, the team MVP (and would have been the NL MVP had the Mets won the division, now it will go to Jimmy Rollins or Matt Holiday... God, I hope It's Holiday... I fucking HATE Jimmy Rollins and his arrogant smirking face... I want to smack that fucking grin right off his kisser with a fastball) and he picked up the role at age 24 that guys like Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado should have, but never did. He led, by example on and off the field. He is the team leader. Make it offical. Number 5 should be the Mets captain.
2 - Play more small ball: This team lead the majors in steals for the second year in a row. Reyes, Gomez, Chavez, Wright, Beltran, just to name a few, have loads of speed... yes I didn't see ONE squeeze playthis year. Not ONE. Do you know how many times the Mets left runners at third with less than two outs? A lot. Get Reyes to hit the ball on the ground again like he did last year and the beginning of this year. Bunt, steal, move the runners. Create runs. This team is built for it. Imagine the '85 Cardinals just with more home run power. This team should lead the NL in runs easily.
3 - Get Tony Bernazard out of the $&$%#! clubhouse: I'm convinced that Bernazard is a huge problem and creates a gap between Wille and some players and even give some players a more direct line to the GM. He shouldn't be in there. It's Willie's show... step back and let him run it.
4 - Hire Rudy Jaramillo as the hitting coach: Rick Downs wasn't the answer and while the offense did pick up after the Hojo/Rickey show came to town, it was WAY too inconsistant. Jaramillo is the best in the business. He'd be a big key to help players from falling into those maddening cycles where they can't even do the basics like hitting a fly ball to drive in a run at third with less than two outs.
5 - Make sure Ambiorix Burgos and Duaner Sanchez are healthy by spring training: Kill the Brian Bannister trade all you want, but no one was screaming when that trade was made. In fact, many people were saying the Mets had way too many pitchers like Bannister in Maine, Perez, Pelfry, etc... I was sorry we went... I liked him... but I was also excited about the potential of Burgos in the bullpen. Burgos, Sanchez, Filiciano, Hielman and Wagner is a pretty damn good bullpen if everyone is healthy. With Sosa as a long relief guy and one more new arm (Scott Linebrink? Jeremy Affeldt? How about taking a chance on Kerry Wood?) in the bullpen I honestly believe the relief corps will be in pretty good shape.
6 - Let the following go: Tom Glavine - It's obvious he was pining for Atlanta to finish his career. He was a good guy for this team at one time but that time has passed. Let him go 8-6 with a 4.21 ERA in Atlanta and retire next year as a Brave, where he really belongs. No hard feelings here at all. Glavine stepped it up at times and was a strong presence here and often came through when the Mets needed him, but he really has no place in NY anymore. Lastings Milledge - This kid has a lot of talent and I see him eventually becoming a kind of Garret Anderson type... but he is a million dollar talent with a ten cent head. I think New York will not be right for him. Trade him to the A's for one of their pitchers or to the Dodgers for one of theirs or make him one of the peices of a blockbuster trade if possible... but I think the kid needs to go. Let Gomez be the young outfielder to play next year. Mota - No one, and I mean NO ONE will accept him in a trade. He was beyond miserable... he was a perfect disaster. All you Yankee fans who screamed at Kyle Farnsworth all year? Farnsworth was fucking Mariano Rivera compared to Mota. The Mets need to send the message that constant failure will not be tolerated. Worst performance ever. Back in 2006 I never imagined I'd be more sickened by Mota than I used to be when Mel Rojas entered a game. Rickey Henderson - Ricky was great for Roger Cedano back in '99 but did anyone else notice that Reyes' gradual decent into lethartic play started not too long after Ricky came on board? I think that Ricky actually convinced Reyes that to "save himself" for the whole season he should occasionally "rest himself" during games... basically dogging it. Next year let him in spring training for two weeks as a baserunning instructor them get him the hell away from the younger players. Paul Lo Duca - This one was the toughest to list... I love Lo Duca's manner and would actually be happy if he returned, but after thinking about it I think that it makes more sense to have Ramon Castro be the everyday catcher next year and save the money. Lo Duca is a great clubhouse guy and a great stand up player. He's a guy to emulate and thank god David Wright seemed to take after him in attitude. I love the way he approaches that game, but in the end his numbers were not really very good. Save the money for pitching and give Castro, who hit better and threw out runners better, the everyday job.
7 - Keep the following: Moises Alou - He's not an everyday player anymore but the guy was just amazing when he played. You figure he'll miss at least 40 games to the DL and another 10-15 to just needing rest. Don't count on him as a regular. Put him in the Julio Franco role of mentor, big time pinch hitter and let him start twice a week. Think Bernie Williams circa 2005. I think he'd be invaluable. El Duque - Like Alou, keep him with the though that he will NOT be the guy you lean on as one of your top four starters. In fact, I love the idea of him as the long Relief guy, but have him in the mix as one of your possible number five starters and see what happens. Like Clemens I think Duque would benefit from a short season. Don't have him on the active roster till July. Marlon Anderson - Damn did this guy come through in big spots or WHAT? The Cardinals must be kicking themsleves and wondering what the hell woke him up. He was clutch for the Mets in 2005 and again in 2007. He thrives here. Keep him. Him and Alou gives the Mets a great duo to shape the bench around.
8 - Let the kids develop and start giving them definded roles: Let Mike Pelfrey and Philip Humber know that at least one of them will be a starter next year. Let them know the other will be a bullpen guy who will be groomed to be a major bullpen arm as a set up or possibily even a future closer down the line. Let them compete in spring training and get some youth into the pitching staff. Let Carlos Gomez and Rubin Gotay play. Give Fernando Martinez some big league time. Get this freaking team younger.
9 - Change the average attitude and get some "Wright" players in here: One guy who is a free agent this upcoming year that would be perfect for the Mets? Aaron Rowand. The guy freaking OOZES hustle. This is a player in the mode of a Lenny Dykstra. I would have LOVED a guy like Eric Byrnes to still be available. Andy Pettitte would be amazing for this team (even though the odds he'd decline the player option for the Yankees for '08 and sign with the Mets is roughly somewhere less than 0%) Shannon Stewart might be a good fit. How about Tori Hunter? I know if would create another Beltran/Cameron situation with two centerfielders out there, but it's a thought.
10 - Find a way to get Johan Santana, Roy Halladay or Roy Oswalt: The rumor is that all three are available for the right price. The Rumors also saythat right price is a King's Ransom for any of them, especially Santana. I don't frigging care. If healthy, Pedro will be a legitimate Number one (ok, maybe 1 - A is a better description) for the most part, and Maine and Perez are both very solid guys who would fall in the grey area between a #2 and #3 starting pitcher. I'd plan on one of the rookies in Pelfry and Hubner being a starter... but the Mets need a huge 1 -2 punch like Santana/Pedro or Oswalt/Pedro. It would cost something like Gomez, Hubner and Fernando Martinez just to start... but you know what? It would be worth it.
BONUS FANTASY INSANE IDEA - Ok, this is a crazy and ridculous idea... but how would this be for a total shocker? Bear with me for a second:
Sign Alex Rodriguez when (and we all know he will cause of Boras) he opts out of his Yankee contact.
Insane? Yep. Stupid? Maybe not so much. Think about it.
You would do one of two things after this move.
1 - Move David Wright to 2nd base or Left Field. He's athletic. He has good instincts. He has speed. It worked great for Edgardo Alfonzo. Wright has already stated he would be more than willing to move if the Mets ever wanted to sign A-Rod. A-Rod is a better fielder at 3rd. Hell, the Yanks have won with two straight lousy fielding second basemen in Soriano and Cano (c'mon Yankee fans, you KNOW they both are HORRIBLE fielders). Wright would be better at 2nd than either of them. Imagine a line up with Reyes, Wright, A-Rod, Beltran, Delgado and Alou in it.
OR
2 - Trade Carlos Delgado and move Wright to First. A team like the Dodgers, the Reds, The Padres, The Angels, The Orioles, The Blue Jays and the Rangers all could use a major upgrade at first base. Hell, How about Delgado, Hubner, and another player plus cash to the Jays for Halladay? Far fatched? Maybe.
All crazy right? I don't even know if I like the idea and I came up with it.
But wow... that line up. OUCH.
WOO HOO.
Anyway...
Ok, enough of that for now. So...
2007 PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS (yeah I'll do it anyway, even with the Mets out of it)
Red Sox vs. Angels: Rough one. Two really good teams. Problem is, the Sox have the Angels number in the same way the Angels have the Yanks number. Staff ace John Lackey is horrible against Boston lifetime. Close call... most likely the best series of the first round. Red Sox in five.
Yankees vs. Indians: Bronx fans think this is a layup. It's not. The Cards went 2-4 against the Padres and Mets each last year and beat both in the playoffs. The Tigers didn't do overly well against the Yanks last year in the regular season and you remember what happened there. The Indians are a good team and if the Yanks overlook them they'll be sorry. The Yanks also have seriously suspect starting pitching. It's Pettitte and Wang and pray for... um... err... Pong. Clemens isn't healthy and hasn't pitched well when he's been on the mound, Mussiana is highly suspect and Hughes/Kennedy are unknown rookie quantities. However, The Yanks are the overall stronger team and the suddenly strong bullpen will help although it will be interesting to see how Chamberlain does with the Joba rules tossed out the window. Yanks in five.
Cubs vs. Diamondbacks: Wow... no one saw the D-Backs comin did they? Everyone looked at the Dodgers and Padres and ignored Arizona and everyone paid for it. Webb has established himself in a league with Oswalt and Peavy as one of the best NL pitchers. The team is solid, if unspectacular. I freaking LOVE Eric Byrnes. He could play for my team ANYDAY. However, Sweet Lou and the Cubbies have some Karma flowin and I can feel it shaking in their direction. I see some big games out of Lee and Soriano and some good pitching out of Zambrano and Lilly. Dempster holds it together, if just barely. Cubs in four.
Phillies vs. Rockies: Gad, I hate the Phillies. This should be the Mets vs the Rockies. However, even if it was, it might not have mattered. The Rockies are firing on all cylanders and the Phils aren't playing the dregs like Washington and Florida now. The Phillies starters were doing it with mirrors the last two weeks and now that's pretty much over. The offense is great with Utley, Rowand, Rollins and Howard leading the charge, but like the Mets, this team falls into little weird inconsistant slumps and Howard is as likely to strike out three times a game as he is to hit a home run. The Rockies will ride that strong wave (that saw them go 14-1 down the stretch) through this series and the Phils will realize that the smoke and mirrors magic is gone. There's no team to collapse and hand them anything this time. Rockies in four.
Well it's been a few days and I feel strong enough to talk about the Mets and their historic fall from grace.
There's a lot to say... is anyone surprised?
First off, to those of you who called or emailed me about my mental and physical health on Sunday... thank you. I handled it MUCH better than I would have expected.
That in itself is a warning sign though... I got (no exaggeration) nineteen phone calls and seven emails between Sunday afternoon and Monday noontime. I guess my passion for this team is so well known by the people I have regular (or even semi-regular) contact with that everyone knew there good odds that I had a breakdown, hi-jacked a dump truck, climbed a water tower and went all Charles Whitman on central Centereach.
As I stated in previous posts, I have often taken this shit WAY too seriously... and I admit I had no less than three major meltdowns in the last two weeks of the baseball season. The night they blew two seperate three tun leads to the Marlins (including one in the bottom of the ninth) was a particuarly violent and... um... energetic outburst.
Which made me take a loooong and serious look in the mirror. In no way is a baseball game ever going to be important enough in life to elict that sort of reaction.
I actually handled the last weekend very well. At that point I realized how shot the bullpen was and that even if they had gotten into the playoffs, odds are that their pitching would not have held up enought to get very far.
So... first off, YES I am still a Mets fan... despite my black humor spouted in frustration about changing teams, there is no way this would ever happen. I bleed blue -n- orange and always will.
Second, I do NOT think this team is shot and done as presently constructed. No major overhall is needed. They do not have to rip apart the team and start with 65% new players. Changes must be made... yes. Some more drastic than others, but the main part of the should stay mostly intact. (I will get into more detail in a minute).
Third, I do not think Willie Randolph should be fired despite my insistance over the last three weeks that he should be. Getting past my initial anger... I think Willie is a good manager overall who really needs to learn how to manage a bullpen better (but hey, Joe Torre never learned and look where he's gotten the last eleven years) and he deserves a shot to lead this team next year.
This year should have never been in doubt. The team should have basically wrapped up the division back in July like they did last year. The problem was that except for the month of April and that little 12 game run or so right after the four-game sweep by Philly in Philly, there seemed to be very little urgancy to this team. They seemed to think they were so good that the division was a foregone conclusion. Well, you see what that got them. They seemed to believe their own press. Rarely is that a good thing.
The funny thing is... the Mets did not deserve to make the playoffs because of their horrible 5 -12 record down the stretch, but in reality, this team was still the best in the NL. They could/should have won 95 games or so and really could have cut through the NL Pennant rather easily.
Could've/should've. All twisted in the wind are our shattered dreams of could've/should've.
So, yeah... this team had a busload of talent... but like the teams of the eighties that finished in second place 5 out of 7 years, talent isn't enough.
As much as I freaking HATE the %#$@&^! Phillies, that team played with heart and grit and looked a LOT like last years Mets team.
That's what this year's team was missing for a huge chunk of the season. Heart and grit.
They need that back. They need to realize that you cannot turn it on and off like a switch. Maybe the Yankees of the late Nineties could, but hey... they won four freaking World Series in five years.The Mets? They have won nothing but one division and one playoff series since 2000. They have no basis acting like the top dog.
Woof, freaking woof.
The main problem with being a Mets fan (and what this season was an epitomy of) is that nasty, creeping, nagging feeling that things are about to go belly up and in the worst way possible. It's rare (ie: 1969, 1986) that a season goes just perfect. Even excellent seasons like 1988, 1999, 2000 and 2006 eneded in disapointment in the playoffs. The 1999 (which was really a better team than the 2000 squad that made it to the World Series) and 2006 teams were both great teams that really had the ability (and should have) won it all.
As a Mets fan I've fallen victim to many near misses. 1984, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1998, and 2001 all were years the Mets were right there... the playoffs in their grasp, only for it to slip away at the last moment. 1998 was particuarly bad because the Mets went into the last five games of the season leading the wild card by 1 1/2 games. They lost their final five games of the season against the Montreal Expos at home and the Atlanta Braves on the road. If they had won just ONE of those games, the Mets could have forced a three-way wild card tie. If they had won two, they would have won the wild card outright. Ironic, seeing as how the Expos became the Washington Nationals and the Nationals won 5 out of 6 games at the end of this season (while they then went and lost 4 out of 6 to the Phillies) in helping the Mets complete their collapse.
Even in 1999 the Mets almost blew it. They were swept by Philly in the last two weeks of the season and lost their wild card lead and actually needed the Brewers to take 2 of 3 from the Reds in the last weekend to finish in a tie that forced a one game playoff with Cincinnati for the wild card.
Despite this regular sick cycle of near misses and last minute disasters, I love this team. The Mets are the perpetual underdogs and always will be.
It's never easy with them. Never. Then again, either is life. Why should it be?
That's why when I hear Yankee fans bitching about firing Joe Torre and booing A-Rod and such I want to slap the shit out of them. Yankee fans have NO idea how good they have it. No team in any sport wins as much as the Yankees do. I think Yankee fans should never be allowed to bitch about their team. 26 World Championships and a shit-load of playoff appearances has spoiled their fans. It's also made many of them act like they are better than everyone else just because they follow and root for the Bronx.
Hey, it's fucking EASY to follow and root for a franchise that is always in contention and wins much more often than it loses. Staying a fan of a franchise that usually does NOT win (ie: The Mets, Cubs, and hell, even those lucky as hell Phillies) shows REAL fandom.
Ok. So... this team.
Despite things... I'm not blind. The Mets biggest problem this year was the bullpen which just plain out and out SUCKED the last six to eight weeks of the season, which was a shame because it was so damn good the first half. The inconsitancy in the offense didn't help. The manner of play without urgancy was the other largest problem.
Well, besides Willie's inability to manage the bullpen.
So... what has to change? What MUST happen for next years team to win the division again?
I have ten simple steps.
1 - Give David Wright the "C": No one, and I mean NO ONE on this team was more stand-up and professional than Wright. While guys like Glavine, Alou, Wagner and Lo Duca rarely ducked the media and were willing to give shit to team-mates who under performed or had their head up their asses, Wright was the team spokesman and backbone. He was, without any doubt, the team MVP (and would have been the NL MVP had the Mets won the division, now it will go to Jimmy Rollins or Matt Holiday... God, I hope It's Holiday... I fucking HATE Jimmy Rollins and his arrogant smirking face... I want to smack that fucking grin right off his kisser with a fastball) and he picked up the role at age 24 that guys like Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado should have, but never did. He led, by example on and off the field. He is the team leader. Make it offical. Number 5 should be the Mets captain.
2 - Play more small ball: This team lead the majors in steals for the second year in a row. Reyes, Gomez, Chavez, Wright, Beltran, just to name a few, have loads of speed... yes I didn't see ONE squeeze playthis year. Not ONE. Do you know how many times the Mets left runners at third with less than two outs? A lot. Get Reyes to hit the ball on the ground again like he did last year and the beginning of this year. Bunt, steal, move the runners. Create runs. This team is built for it. Imagine the '85 Cardinals just with more home run power. This team should lead the NL in runs easily.
3 - Get Tony Bernazard out of the $&$%#! clubhouse: I'm convinced that Bernazard is a huge problem and creates a gap between Wille and some players and even give some players a more direct line to the GM. He shouldn't be in there. It's Willie's show... step back and let him run it.
4 - Hire Rudy Jaramillo as the hitting coach: Rick Downs wasn't the answer and while the offense did pick up after the Hojo/Rickey show came to town, it was WAY too inconsistant. Jaramillo is the best in the business. He'd be a big key to help players from falling into those maddening cycles where they can't even do the basics like hitting a fly ball to drive in a run at third with less than two outs.
5 - Make sure Ambiorix Burgos and Duaner Sanchez are healthy by spring training: Kill the Brian Bannister trade all you want, but no one was screaming when that trade was made. In fact, many people were saying the Mets had way too many pitchers like Bannister in Maine, Perez, Pelfry, etc... I was sorry we went... I liked him... but I was also excited about the potential of Burgos in the bullpen. Burgos, Sanchez, Filiciano, Hielman and Wagner is a pretty damn good bullpen if everyone is healthy. With Sosa as a long relief guy and one more new arm (Scott Linebrink? Jeremy Affeldt? How about taking a chance on Kerry Wood?) in the bullpen I honestly believe the relief corps will be in pretty good shape.
6 - Let the following go: Tom Glavine - It's obvious he was pining for Atlanta to finish his career. He was a good guy for this team at one time but that time has passed. Let him go 8-6 with a 4.21 ERA in Atlanta and retire next year as a Brave, where he really belongs. No hard feelings here at all. Glavine stepped it up at times and was a strong presence here and often came through when the Mets needed him, but he really has no place in NY anymore. Lastings Milledge - This kid has a lot of talent and I see him eventually becoming a kind of Garret Anderson type... but he is a million dollar talent with a ten cent head. I think New York will not be right for him. Trade him to the A's for one of their pitchers or to the Dodgers for one of theirs or make him one of the peices of a blockbuster trade if possible... but I think the kid needs to go. Let Gomez be the young outfielder to play next year. Mota - No one, and I mean NO ONE will accept him in a trade. He was beyond miserable... he was a perfect disaster. All you Yankee fans who screamed at Kyle Farnsworth all year? Farnsworth was fucking Mariano Rivera compared to Mota. The Mets need to send the message that constant failure will not be tolerated. Worst performance ever. Back in 2006 I never imagined I'd be more sickened by Mota than I used to be when Mel Rojas entered a game. Rickey Henderson - Ricky was great for Roger Cedano back in '99 but did anyone else notice that Reyes' gradual decent into lethartic play started not too long after Ricky came on board? I think that Ricky actually convinced Reyes that to "save himself" for the whole season he should occasionally "rest himself" during games... basically dogging it. Next year let him in spring training for two weeks as a baserunning instructor them get him the hell away from the younger players. Paul Lo Duca - This one was the toughest to list... I love Lo Duca's manner and would actually be happy if he returned, but after thinking about it I think that it makes more sense to have Ramon Castro be the everyday catcher next year and save the money. Lo Duca is a great clubhouse guy and a great stand up player. He's a guy to emulate and thank god David Wright seemed to take after him in attitude. I love the way he approaches that game, but in the end his numbers were not really very good. Save the money for pitching and give Castro, who hit better and threw out runners better, the everyday job.
7 - Keep the following: Moises Alou - He's not an everyday player anymore but the guy was just amazing when he played. You figure he'll miss at least 40 games to the DL and another 10-15 to just needing rest. Don't count on him as a regular. Put him in the Julio Franco role of mentor, big time pinch hitter and let him start twice a week. Think Bernie Williams circa 2005. I think he'd be invaluable. El Duque - Like Alou, keep him with the though that he will NOT be the guy you lean on as one of your top four starters. In fact, I love the idea of him as the long Relief guy, but have him in the mix as one of your possible number five starters and see what happens. Like Clemens I think Duque would benefit from a short season. Don't have him on the active roster till July. Marlon Anderson - Damn did this guy come through in big spots or WHAT? The Cardinals must be kicking themsleves and wondering what the hell woke him up. He was clutch for the Mets in 2005 and again in 2007. He thrives here. Keep him. Him and Alou gives the Mets a great duo to shape the bench around.
8 - Let the kids develop and start giving them definded roles: Let Mike Pelfrey and Philip Humber know that at least one of them will be a starter next year. Let them know the other will be a bullpen guy who will be groomed to be a major bullpen arm as a set up or possibily even a future closer down the line. Let them compete in spring training and get some youth into the pitching staff. Let Carlos Gomez and Rubin Gotay play. Give Fernando Martinez some big league time. Get this freaking team younger.
9 - Change the average attitude and get some "Wright" players in here: One guy who is a free agent this upcoming year that would be perfect for the Mets? Aaron Rowand. The guy freaking OOZES hustle. This is a player in the mode of a Lenny Dykstra. I would have LOVED a guy like Eric Byrnes to still be available. Andy Pettitte would be amazing for this team (even though the odds he'd decline the player option for the Yankees for '08 and sign with the Mets is roughly somewhere less than 0%) Shannon Stewart might be a good fit. How about Tori Hunter? I know if would create another Beltran/Cameron situation with two centerfielders out there, but it's a thought.
10 - Find a way to get Johan Santana, Roy Halladay or Roy Oswalt: The rumor is that all three are available for the right price. The Rumors also saythat right price is a King's Ransom for any of them, especially Santana. I don't frigging care. If healthy, Pedro will be a legitimate Number one (ok, maybe 1 - A is a better description) for the most part, and Maine and Perez are both very solid guys who would fall in the grey area between a #2 and #3 starting pitcher. I'd plan on one of the rookies in Pelfry and Hubner being a starter... but the Mets need a huge 1 -2 punch like Santana/Pedro or Oswalt/Pedro. It would cost something like Gomez, Hubner and Fernando Martinez just to start... but you know what? It would be worth it.
BONUS FANTASY INSANE IDEA - Ok, this is a crazy and ridculous idea... but how would this be for a total shocker? Bear with me for a second:
Sign Alex Rodriguez when (and we all know he will cause of Boras) he opts out of his Yankee contact.
Insane? Yep. Stupid? Maybe not so much. Think about it.
You would do one of two things after this move.
1 - Move David Wright to 2nd base or Left Field. He's athletic. He has good instincts. He has speed. It worked great for Edgardo Alfonzo. Wright has already stated he would be more than willing to move if the Mets ever wanted to sign A-Rod. A-Rod is a better fielder at 3rd. Hell, the Yanks have won with two straight lousy fielding second basemen in Soriano and Cano (c'mon Yankee fans, you KNOW they both are HORRIBLE fielders). Wright would be better at 2nd than either of them. Imagine a line up with Reyes, Wright, A-Rod, Beltran, Delgado and Alou in it.
OR
2 - Trade Carlos Delgado and move Wright to First. A team like the Dodgers, the Reds, The Padres, The Angels, The Orioles, The Blue Jays and the Rangers all could use a major upgrade at first base. Hell, How about Delgado, Hubner, and another player plus cash to the Jays for Halladay? Far fatched? Maybe.
All crazy right? I don't even know if I like the idea and I came up with it.
But wow... that line up. OUCH.
WOO HOO.
Anyway...
Ok, enough of that for now. So...
2007 PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS (yeah I'll do it anyway, even with the Mets out of it)
Red Sox vs. Angels: Rough one. Two really good teams. Problem is, the Sox have the Angels number in the same way the Angels have the Yanks number. Staff ace John Lackey is horrible against Boston lifetime. Close call... most likely the best series of the first round. Red Sox in five.
Yankees vs. Indians: Bronx fans think this is a layup. It's not. The Cards went 2-4 against the Padres and Mets each last year and beat both in the playoffs. The Tigers didn't do overly well against the Yanks last year in the regular season and you remember what happened there. The Indians are a good team and if the Yanks overlook them they'll be sorry. The Yanks also have seriously suspect starting pitching. It's Pettitte and Wang and pray for... um... err... Pong. Clemens isn't healthy and hasn't pitched well when he's been on the mound, Mussiana is highly suspect and Hughes/Kennedy are unknown rookie quantities. However, The Yanks are the overall stronger team and the suddenly strong bullpen will help although it will be interesting to see how Chamberlain does with the Joba rules tossed out the window. Yanks in five.
Cubs vs. Diamondbacks: Wow... no one saw the D-Backs comin did they? Everyone looked at the Dodgers and Padres and ignored Arizona and everyone paid for it. Webb has established himself in a league with Oswalt and Peavy as one of the best NL pitchers. The team is solid, if unspectacular. I freaking LOVE Eric Byrnes. He could play for my team ANYDAY. However, Sweet Lou and the Cubbies have some Karma flowin and I can feel it shaking in their direction. I see some big games out of Lee and Soriano and some good pitching out of Zambrano and Lilly. Dempster holds it together, if just barely. Cubs in four.
Phillies vs. Rockies: Gad, I hate the Phillies. This should be the Mets vs the Rockies. However, even if it was, it might not have mattered. The Rockies are firing on all cylanders and the Phils aren't playing the dregs like Washington and Florida now. The Phillies starters were doing it with mirrors the last two weeks and now that's pretty much over. The offense is great with Utley, Rowand, Rollins and Howard leading the charge, but like the Mets, this team falls into little weird inconsistant slumps and Howard is as likely to strike out three times a game as he is to hit a home run. The Rockies will ride that strong wave (that saw them go 14-1 down the stretch) through this series and the Phils will realize that the smoke and mirrors magic is gone. There's no team to collapse and hand them anything this time. Rockies in four.
Friday, September 21, 2007
I'm Too Tired for This. I'm Done.
The previous post was written when the Mets still had a 7-4 lead. Over the next 15 odd minutes I watched WIllie Randolph make bad decision after bad decision. Last night's game was lost for four reasons:
1 - Feliciano was taken out after one batter. He is a strike out pitcher and the Marlins are a free swinging team. Feliciano should have been allowed to at the LEAST pitch to the next batter.
2 - After a lousy bunt attempt in the top of the 10th, Willie did not have Gomez try and steal second. Gomez has been called "the fastest runner on the Mets" more than once, but was held until there was 2 outs and 2 strikes before he was sent. He should have been stealing within the first five pitches of the Gotay's at bat.
3 - Sosa was kept in to pitch the bottom of the 10th despite having a fairly horrible ninth inning. I would have rathered have Aaron Sele pitch the 10th. Sosa didn't even get an out before surrending the winning run.
4 - The Mets continue to pitch to Cabrera. This is reaching Pat Burrell proportions. The fucking guy beats us in almost every at bat. STOP FUCKING PITCHING TO HIM.
The fun and joy I used to have for baseball has been sucked out of me. It's not just that they are losing... it's the horrible way they're playing and are managed. It's not fun and I don't know if it's going to be fun for me anymore... at least not this year. Maybe I'll feel different in a few days, but as for now I'm not following this team anymore this year. I can't. Every game feels like a fucking knife in the chest. They cannot protect a lead so watching them consistantly blow three and four run leads is a nightmare. I'm done for this year. For all I know they'll win the whole fucking thing. Hell the 2000 Yankees, 2005 White Sox and 2006 Cardinals all played HORRIBLE baseball at the end of the season and all three almost blew their leads and all three recovered to win the world series those years... so maybe that will happen for the Mets... but if it does... I can't say I'll be watching cause this just isn't fun anymore.
And when a game makes me feel the rage I felt last night, it's time to let that game go.
The previous post was written when the Mets still had a 7-4 lead. Over the next 15 odd minutes I watched WIllie Randolph make bad decision after bad decision. Last night's game was lost for four reasons:
1 - Feliciano was taken out after one batter. He is a strike out pitcher and the Marlins are a free swinging team. Feliciano should have been allowed to at the LEAST pitch to the next batter.
2 - After a lousy bunt attempt in the top of the 10th, Willie did not have Gomez try and steal second. Gomez has been called "the fastest runner on the Mets" more than once, but was held until there was 2 outs and 2 strikes before he was sent. He should have been stealing within the first five pitches of the Gotay's at bat.
3 - Sosa was kept in to pitch the bottom of the 10th despite having a fairly horrible ninth inning. I would have rathered have Aaron Sele pitch the 10th. Sosa didn't even get an out before surrending the winning run.
4 - The Mets continue to pitch to Cabrera. This is reaching Pat Burrell proportions. The fucking guy beats us in almost every at bat. STOP FUCKING PITCHING TO HIM.
The fun and joy I used to have for baseball has been sucked out of me. It's not just that they are losing... it's the horrible way they're playing and are managed. It's not fun and I don't know if it's going to be fun for me anymore... at least not this year. Maybe I'll feel different in a few days, but as for now I'm not following this team anymore this year. I can't. Every game feels like a fucking knife in the chest. They cannot protect a lead so watching them consistantly blow three and four run leads is a nightmare. I'm done for this year. For all I know they'll win the whole fucking thing. Hell the 2000 Yankees, 2005 White Sox and 2006 Cardinals all played HORRIBLE baseball at the end of the season and all three almost blew their leads and all three recovered to win the world series those years... so maybe that will happen for the Mets... but if it does... I can't say I'll be watching cause this just isn't fun anymore.
And when a game makes me feel the rage I felt last night, it's time to let that game go.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
I Seriously Cannot Take This...
I'm starting to wonder if Willie Randolph has any clue what-so-ever on how to run a bullpen.
The Mets blew a 3 - 0 lead tonight, but managed to rally for four runs in the top of the ninth for a 7 - 4 lead. For some reason Billy Wagner is not available so Pedro Filiciano started the bottom of the ninth. He gave up a single to the first batter... and Willie pulled him.
WHAT THE FUCK!?!?
Why the hell did he pull one of his best relief pitchers after ONE batter?
I swear... I like Willie a lot... but he's a HORRIBLE decision maker when it comes to the bullpen. HORRIBLE.
The last week has been like a fucking nightmare. The Mets can't seem to win or even play decent and the Phillies can't lose and look like the 1998 Yankees.
God, I need to get a hypnotist to hypnotise me into not caring about baseball... These fucking Mets are going to be the death of me... seriously.
I'm starting to wonder if Willie Randolph has any clue what-so-ever on how to run a bullpen.
The Mets blew a 3 - 0 lead tonight, but managed to rally for four runs in the top of the ninth for a 7 - 4 lead. For some reason Billy Wagner is not available so Pedro Filiciano started the bottom of the ninth. He gave up a single to the first batter... and Willie pulled him.
WHAT THE FUCK!?!?
Why the hell did he pull one of his best relief pitchers after ONE batter?
I swear... I like Willie a lot... but he's a HORRIBLE decision maker when it comes to the bullpen. HORRIBLE.
The last week has been like a fucking nightmare. The Mets can't seem to win or even play decent and the Phillies can't lose and look like the 1998 Yankees.
God, I need to get a hypnotist to hypnotise me into not caring about baseball... These fucking Mets are going to be the death of me... seriously.
Monday, September 03, 2007
Vote for Pedro
He's got skills... you know... nunchuck skills, computer skills, pitching skills...
Pedro looked very good today. Would have looked even better had Alou not misplaced that ball in the first inning into a double... but no matter...
So... he looked very good and retired nine in a row at one point. Obviously not like the "old" Pedro... but that Pdero is gone. I'll take the 2005 version quite happily thank you.
Phillies lost again. The lead is back up to five. Only 24 games left which makes the Mets magic number eighteen. Yes, it's the first week in september... time to start figuring out magic numbers.
Crisis averted. I figure the Mets should be able to go about 16 - 8 in their last 24 games, which would give them 93 wins. They have three left with the Braves and three left with the Phillies, but also have 13 games with the Marlins and Nationals.
Hopefully Orlando Hernandez is going to be fine... add in a healthy Pedro and I like the rotation going into the playoffs.
He's got skills... you know... nunchuck skills, computer skills, pitching skills...
Pedro looked very good today. Would have looked even better had Alou not misplaced that ball in the first inning into a double... but no matter...
So... he looked very good and retired nine in a row at one point. Obviously not like the "old" Pedro... but that Pdero is gone. I'll take the 2005 version quite happily thank you.
Phillies lost again. The lead is back up to five. Only 24 games left which makes the Mets magic number eighteen. Yes, it's the first week in september... time to start figuring out magic numbers.
Crisis averted. I figure the Mets should be able to go about 16 - 8 in their last 24 games, which would give them 93 wins. They have three left with the Braves and three left with the Phillies, but also have 13 games with the Marlins and Nationals.
Hopefully Orlando Hernandez is going to be fine... add in a healthy Pedro and I like the rotation going into the playoffs.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
SWEEPING SUCCESS IN THE HOUSE OF HORRORS
...aaaaaaaaand that's three.
Wagner made it a little interesting, but held up a great performance by Glavine, and another clutch hit from David Wright.
Way for the Mets to take advantage of a miscue by Braves shortstop Escobar to let Jose Reyes get on base on what should have been an out. Wright hit a home run two batters later and that was the difference in the game.
Nice. I said it all last year and I will say it again. I love David Wright and I don't care who knows it.
Big... BIG strike out of Texiera by Heilman in the 8th. I STILL think that if Heilman pitchesd the 8th inning of thursday's game the Mets win and they would be 6 up on The Phils instead of four.
So, after being just totally smacked by the Phils, the Mets played a unreal three games in Atlanta. I'm really thinking at this point that the four game sweep forced this team to take a long look at themselves and realize it was time to pick up thepace.
The Braves and Phillies now will face each other in Atlanta for three games. This is good. The Phillies can pretty much knock the Braves out of the playoff picture overall with a sweep. The Braves could serverly damge the Phils chances with a sweep. In the end, I'd like to see the Braves win 2 out of 3 and hope the Mets take 2 of 3 from the Reds. That would basically put the phillies 6 games out and the Braves 6 1/2 games out and pretty much make the magic number about 18.
So, I surevived the weekend and the Mets righted a seriously shakey ship. Good job all around.
...aaaaaaaaand that's three.
Wagner made it a little interesting, but held up a great performance by Glavine, and another clutch hit from David Wright.
Way for the Mets to take advantage of a miscue by Braves shortstop Escobar to let Jose Reyes get on base on what should have been an out. Wright hit a home run two batters later and that was the difference in the game.
Nice. I said it all last year and I will say it again. I love David Wright and I don't care who knows it.
Big... BIG strike out of Texiera by Heilman in the 8th. I STILL think that if Heilman pitchesd the 8th inning of thursday's game the Mets win and they would be 6 up on The Phils instead of four.
So, after being just totally smacked by the Phils, the Mets played a unreal three games in Atlanta. I'm really thinking at this point that the four game sweep forced this team to take a long look at themselves and realize it was time to pick up thepace.
The Braves and Phillies now will face each other in Atlanta for three games. This is good. The Phillies can pretty much knock the Braves out of the playoff picture overall with a sweep. The Braves could serverly damge the Phils chances with a sweep. In the end, I'd like to see the Braves win 2 out of 3 and hope the Mets take 2 of 3 from the Reds. That would basically put the phillies 6 games out and the Braves 6 1/2 games out and pretty much make the magic number about 18.
So, I surevived the weekend and the Mets righted a seriously shakey ship. Good job all around.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
No Runs, No Luck, No Sense...
Ouch.
That's all I can say after last night's Mets/Phillies game.
The Phillies have won TWO games now that they had no business winning. The Mets can't get out of their own way... and the bizarre interferance call that erased the tying run in the 9th was brutal. Tough to say if the call was fair. I'm obviously biased but I did not think Anderson was out of the basepath.
Right now this team is lying down and letting three straight barely average pitchers DOMINATE them. The Phillies starters outside of Cole Hammels (who is on the DL) is a joke. Their bullpen outside of Brett Myers and MAYBE Flash Gordan is a joke.
Yet the Mets haven't really scored any runs in three games.
Today's game now becomes a MUST win. To be seven games up less than a week ago and see that number reduced to two if they lose tonight might be something the team cannot recover from, especially since they have to go into Atlanta where them never seem to play well and where the Braves have completely shuffled their picthing rotation so that Smoltz and Hudson (two pitchers who have pretty much killed the Mets all year) will face them.
It's gut-check time guys. No screwing around. Win this afternoon and two out of three in Atlanta and the Crisis is averted. Lose tonight and lose two out of three in atlanta and things are in full crisis mode.
No more reteric. Just win.
Ouch.
That's all I can say after last night's Mets/Phillies game.
The Phillies have won TWO games now that they had no business winning. The Mets can't get out of their own way... and the bizarre interferance call that erased the tying run in the 9th was brutal. Tough to say if the call was fair. I'm obviously biased but I did not think Anderson was out of the basepath.
Right now this team is lying down and letting three straight barely average pitchers DOMINATE them. The Phillies starters outside of Cole Hammels (who is on the DL) is a joke. Their bullpen outside of Brett Myers and MAYBE Flash Gordan is a joke.
Yet the Mets haven't really scored any runs in three games.
Today's game now becomes a MUST win. To be seven games up less than a week ago and see that number reduced to two if they lose tonight might be something the team cannot recover from, especially since they have to go into Atlanta where them never seem to play well and where the Braves have completely shuffled their picthing rotation so that Smoltz and Hudson (two pitchers who have pretty much killed the Mets all year) will face them.
It's gut-check time guys. No screwing around. Win this afternoon and two out of three in Atlanta and the Crisis is averted. Lose tonight and lose two out of three in atlanta and things are in full crisis mode.
No more reteric. Just win.
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