Once again the Mets play like chumps and lose in Atlanta. It's pretty sad when your Ace only gives up 1 run in seven innings and you still lose the game. All I heard about before this series was how bad the Braves bull-pen was. Well, can we get a bull-pen that bad for the Mets? They certainly proved who wanted the wins more, and who had the better pen.
Someone please explain to me how the Braves can lose 3 out of the 1st 4 games this year to the Pirates, and then beat the hell out of the Mets. I'm so sick of the Mets bending over and grabbing their ankles when the Braves are the opponent. The way their playing at this point in the season, I seriously doubt they'll win a game against the Phillies this week. They can't hit. They can't field. They can't pitch. And they show no signs of life at all. It's just like last year. They think they're owed a win just because they take the field. Witless Willie hasn't learned a thing from last year. And neither has Omar. They continue to make no moves to improve the offense, and they show no sense of urgency to win.
The only player that did his part in trying to win yesterday was Santana. He pitches 7 innings and gets the loss. He also had a double in the game and drove a ball to the warning track in right field. It's pretty sad when your pitcher is the best hitter of the day. Jose is picking up where he left off last year, and Beltran is having flashbacks to the '06 NLCS game #7. David can't hit Smoltz if his mother's life depended on it. I think he now has 15 strikeouts in 30 at bats against Smoltz. And Castillo is worthless at the plate. Why he deserved a 4 year contract is beyond me. I never thought his defense was that great and he can't hit worth a damn. So of coarse Omar gives him a 4 year contract. It makes no sense to have a light hitting #2 hitter, if he continues to hit with no one on base, or can't get the ball out of the infield. For the offensive output he's demonstrated so far in his Mets career, you could have a pitcher hitting in the #2 spot. All he ever does is hit ground balls to the infield or try to bunt for a hit. Sounds like a pitcher doesn't it? While we have Castillo for the next 4 years, the Phillies have Utley. How would you rather have? I'd take Utley any day.
It doesn't bode well for a game or series when the 1st 3 hitters in the line-up are worthless at the plate. David should straighten himself out soon enough, but Castillo will only get worse, and Jose is a mystery. And while this goes on, Alou' will be on Vacation for another 5 weeks, and Delgado will continue to cost the Mets runs and wins. Why do I think that for Omar's next trick, he'll pick up Delgado's $16+ million option for 2009. Maybe because past history says he will. He'll do that instead of signing Tex. After all, why would we want a young switch-hitting power bat playing 1st base next year when we could have an old worn out, has been, who can't hit or run anymore.
Maybe some Divine happening will wake this team up before Tuesday, but I have my doubts. They're already playing as if they're owed a trip to the post-season and show no fire and attitude on the field. If this keeps up Guinness and I will be throwing chairs at our TVs and cursing Witless Willie and Omar the Village Idiot for all the things they didn't do this off season.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Maine and the Mets torpedoed by the Braves
Well it wasn't the result we as Mets fans were hoping for. But then again it's hard to be successful when the Umpires are incompetent. They blew a call in the field that everyone but them in the stadium knew wasn't an out. And the home plate Umpire had a strike zone the size of a postage stamp. I saw John throw strike after strike, and the ump called them balls. The last I knew that white thing on the ground is the plate, and if the ball goes over it while between knee high and belt high, it's a strike. Well not yesterday.
John was throwing the ball consistently in the upper 90's and that isn't a good thing. I saw 97 MPH more than once, he normally throws around 93 mph. I guess the extra day and the hype around playing the Braves had John really hopping the ball. And Guinness those 87 mph pitches were SLIDERS, not CHANGE-UPS. John throws 3 pitches, and 87 in about normal for a slider. He was behind in the count so often, that he threw mostly fastballs while trying to find the umps' strike zone. A tight strike zone doesn't effect someone like Hudson. He's a ground ball pitcher, not a fly ball strikeout pitcher. In games when John gets squeezed at the plate, he struggles with good hitters. And the Braves have a lot of good hitters. If any fly ball pitcher is forced to throw over the middle of the plate, the results generally are not good.
As bad as John pitched, the offense and bull-pen were worse. John only gave up 4 runs, and most days that should give your team a chance to win. The bull-pen gave up 7 runs, and the offense couldn't get a hit when needed. This game had none of the things needed to win a game. It had no timely hitting, the starting pitching was not good, and the bull-pen stunk up the place. Lets hope things change today. David hit into double plays and Reyes wasn't very good today either. I hope they decide to actually decide to show up today and contribute to the game. There is something about Turner Field that always causes trouble for the Mets early in the year. I believe they lost 5 of the 1st 6 games there last year. Lets all hope that Santana doesn't have the same bad luck as Maine did Saturday.
John was throwing the ball consistently in the upper 90's and that isn't a good thing. I saw 97 MPH more than once, he normally throws around 93 mph. I guess the extra day and the hype around playing the Braves had John really hopping the ball. And Guinness those 87 mph pitches were SLIDERS, not CHANGE-UPS. John throws 3 pitches, and 87 in about normal for a slider. He was behind in the count so often, that he threw mostly fastballs while trying to find the umps' strike zone. A tight strike zone doesn't effect someone like Hudson. He's a ground ball pitcher, not a fly ball strikeout pitcher. In games when John gets squeezed at the plate, he struggles with good hitters. And the Braves have a lot of good hitters. If any fly ball pitcher is forced to throw over the middle of the plate, the results generally are not good.
As bad as John pitched, the offense and bull-pen were worse. John only gave up 4 runs, and most days that should give your team a chance to win. The bull-pen gave up 7 runs, and the offense couldn't get a hit when needed. This game had none of the things needed to win a game. It had no timely hitting, the starting pitching was not good, and the bull-pen stunk up the place. Lets hope things change today. David hit into double plays and Reyes wasn't very good today either. I hope they decide to actually decide to show up today and contribute to the game. There is something about Turner Field that always causes trouble for the Mets early in the year. I believe they lost 5 of the 1st 6 games there last year. Lets all hope that Santana doesn't have the same bad luck as Maine did Saturday.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Mets taking care of Business in Florida
If there was any doubt how the Mets would come out and play this game, those fears can be put to rest. They came out to play, and never gave the Fish any hope of winning this game.
Ollie pitched great, Figueroa was impressive in his debut and everyone chipped in offensively. Church drove his 1st home run of the season into the right field seats. David was been hitting the ball everywhere including one way back into the seats in left field. And Beltran keeps hitting doubles. One of which has a home run that was overruled and called a double. So once again the Umpires are sticking it to the Mets.
I want to take a moment to say something here and now. Everyone out there that was crying about the Milledge trade, shut up. Church is proving his value, and Schnieder is hitting and fielding better than hoped for. Church hit a 2 run home run off a left handed pitcher, and drove in another run with a single in the 9th. He had 3 hits, scored twice, drove in 3 runs, and threw out Ramirez at second to start the game. He has done nothing but contribute defensively and offensively this season so far. HoJo is showing everyone that he knows about hitting. He's passing that knowledge onto Church just as he has done with David. Schnieder is doing his part too. He had 2 RBI this game to go along with 2 walks and a run scored. Both of them have been nothing but professional this year so far.
The Mets have done everything this game that is needed for this season to be successful. They've hit the opposing pitchers hard, and not let up. They've made great plays in the field. David and Church both made highlight quality plays. They got good pitching from their starters and bull-pen. And they never gave an inferior team a chance of winning. These are all things that need to be repeated more frequently this season than last season. All too often the Mets just went through the motions last year and didn't bury teams when needed. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come.
Ollie pitched great, Figueroa was impressive in his debut and everyone chipped in offensively. Church drove his 1st home run of the season into the right field seats. David was been hitting the ball everywhere including one way back into the seats in left field. And Beltran keeps hitting doubles. One of which has a home run that was overruled and called a double. So once again the Umpires are sticking it to the Mets.
I want to take a moment to say something here and now. Everyone out there that was crying about the Milledge trade, shut up. Church is proving his value, and Schnieder is hitting and fielding better than hoped for. Church hit a 2 run home run off a left handed pitcher, and drove in another run with a single in the 9th. He had 3 hits, scored twice, drove in 3 runs, and threw out Ramirez at second to start the game. He has done nothing but contribute defensively and offensively this season so far. HoJo is showing everyone that he knows about hitting. He's passing that knowledge onto Church just as he has done with David. Schnieder is doing his part too. He had 2 RBI this game to go along with 2 walks and a run scored. Both of them have been nothing but professional this year so far.
The Mets have done everything this game that is needed for this season to be successful. They've hit the opposing pitchers hard, and not let up. They've made great plays in the field. David and Church both made highlight quality plays. They got good pitching from their starters and bull-pen. And they never gave an inferior team a chance of winning. These are all things that need to be repeated more frequently this season than last season. All too often the Mets just went through the motions last year and didn't bury teams when needed. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come.
Who's hiding the Voodoo Doll?
Once again Mets fans have bad luck jump up and slap them in the face.
Pedro's shoulder is fine, but unfortunately his Hamstring isn't. The acquisition of Santana and the maturing of Maine will now be put to the test. Until Pedro's return, John needs to become the #2 starter if Willie wants to keep the Left-Right balance to the rotation. Pedro's injury also means the Mets may now need to go with a 4 man rotation until the middle of April. That's when we as fans will be hoping El' Duque can somehow find the plate, and not give up 5 runs while doing it. And we also hope that Pelfrey takes advantage of his chance to show us what he's capable of.
This is why we as Mets fans get so mad when opportunities are not taken advantage of. That's why years like '06 and '07 can't be written off with the thought that "We'll get them next year". All too often, there is no next year for Mets fans.
Pedro's shoulder is fine, but unfortunately his Hamstring isn't. The acquisition of Santana and the maturing of Maine will now be put to the test. Until Pedro's return, John needs to become the #2 starter if Willie wants to keep the Left-Right balance to the rotation. Pedro's injury also means the Mets may now need to go with a 4 man rotation until the middle of April. That's when we as fans will be hoping El' Duque can somehow find the plate, and not give up 5 runs while doing it. And we also hope that Pelfrey takes advantage of his chance to show us what he's capable of.
This is why we as Mets fans get so mad when opportunities are not taken advantage of. That's why years like '06 and '07 can't be written off with the thought that "We'll get them next year". All too often, there is no next year for Mets fans.
Monday, March 31, 2008
The Mets Open a New Chapter
Hello everyone. I hope you enjoyed opening day as much as I did. Johan Santana, with a little help from David Wright, has sent the Mets down the path to a new season full of hopes and dreams.
Santana was all that we as fans had been hoping for. He was a stud Ace on the mound and gave the Marlins little reason to believe they were ever in the game. 7 innings, 3 hits, 2 walks, 8 strikeouts, and only 2 runs. His only mistake was a hanging change-up to Willingham that was promptly parked in the left field seats. But, I doubt anyone would complain about the 1st of many victories that Johan will bring to the Mets. His fastball was hitting between 90-94 mph, and I saw a change-up as low as 78. That's nasty. He also mixed in a good slider and pitched to both sides of the plate. All in all, I'll take starts like that any time he walks to the mound.
Johan wasn't the only star of the day. David Wright has picked up where he left off in 2007. He had 2 doubles and drove in 3 runs in the 4th inning to break open the game. He now has a 18 game hitting streak dating to last season, and seems to be comfortable at the plate already. I see a possible MVP season for him this year. Ryan Church was also good today. He saved an out with a nifty move to aviod a tag at 1st, and had a RBI single against a left handed pitcher. He also drove a ball deep to right field, and had a hit robbed from him on a great stop by Rameriz. I think he gets a bad rap about hitting lefties. Let's hope today is a sign of things to come with him. Reyes was good also. He had a couple of hits and kept his swing level. No pop-ups to the outfield for him. Beltran had 2 doubles and Castillo got on base 3 times today.
And lastly today, the bull-pen picked up where Johan left off. They struck out 3 batters and only gave up 2 hits. It was nice to see Willie keep Wagner out of the game. There are enough good arms in the pen to cover 2 innings in a non-save situation. Hopefully Billy will be used only in save situations this year. On non-save nights, the rest of the pen can hold down the fort for 2 innings a night. I think Heilman and Sosa will prove really effective at closing out games in those situations. They both have great change-ups and Sosa's slider and Arron's fastball are deadly to hitters. If Willie follows that pattern, Wagner shouldn't be tired or hurt when needed in the fall.
It was an all around good game by the Mets. Good pitching, timely hitting, good baserunning, and effective defense. If those things continue, we'll all be enjoying a banner season as Mets Fans.
Santana was all that we as fans had been hoping for. He was a stud Ace on the mound and gave the Marlins little reason to believe they were ever in the game. 7 innings, 3 hits, 2 walks, 8 strikeouts, and only 2 runs. His only mistake was a hanging change-up to Willingham that was promptly parked in the left field seats. But, I doubt anyone would complain about the 1st of many victories that Johan will bring to the Mets. His fastball was hitting between 90-94 mph, and I saw a change-up as low as 78. That's nasty. He also mixed in a good slider and pitched to both sides of the plate. All in all, I'll take starts like that any time he walks to the mound.
Johan wasn't the only star of the day. David Wright has picked up where he left off in 2007. He had 2 doubles and drove in 3 runs in the 4th inning to break open the game. He now has a 18 game hitting streak dating to last season, and seems to be comfortable at the plate already. I see a possible MVP season for him this year. Ryan Church was also good today. He saved an out with a nifty move to aviod a tag at 1st, and had a RBI single against a left handed pitcher. He also drove a ball deep to right field, and had a hit robbed from him on a great stop by Rameriz. I think he gets a bad rap about hitting lefties. Let's hope today is a sign of things to come with him. Reyes was good also. He had a couple of hits and kept his swing level. No pop-ups to the outfield for him. Beltran had 2 doubles and Castillo got on base 3 times today.
And lastly today, the bull-pen picked up where Johan left off. They struck out 3 batters and only gave up 2 hits. It was nice to see Willie keep Wagner out of the game. There are enough good arms in the pen to cover 2 innings in a non-save situation. Hopefully Billy will be used only in save situations this year. On non-save nights, the rest of the pen can hold down the fort for 2 innings a night. I think Heilman and Sosa will prove really effective at closing out games in those situations. They both have great change-ups and Sosa's slider and Arron's fastball are deadly to hitters. If Willie follows that pattern, Wagner shouldn't be tired or hurt when needed in the fall.
It was an all around good game by the Mets. Good pitching, timely hitting, good baserunning, and effective defense. If those things continue, we'll all be enjoying a banner season as Mets Fans.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Omar and Willie strike again
Once again in their infinite wisdom, Omar and Willie have discarded a perfectly good young player in favor of an old worn out has been names Tatis. I hope he can at least hit his weight.
If you haven't heard by now Willie and Omar had something against Ruben Gotay. This has been talked about by others in the media, and their treatment of him is baffling. In one breath they praise him, and the next they kick him to the curb. And to make matters even worse, the Braves picked Gotay off the Waiver wire. So now there are 3 former Mets players [Lo Duca, Milledge, Gotay] on 2 different division rivals with points to prove. Why do I have a feeling that Gotay will be playing for the Braves next week when the Mets come to town? I bet he's got a huge axe to grind on Willie's forehead. The way Willie and Omar treated him caused Gotay to actually cry after finding out he hasn't wanted. How can a young guy who led the team in pinch hits not have a place on the team?
Regardless of what Guinness says, Gotay wasn't a defensive liability. He always worked hard and was a good bat off the bench. He would never have been as good as Castillo or Reyes, but he wouldn't be any worse than Easley backing up the infield positions. Remember, both his knees are good, and he doesn't bounce throws to 1st base like Reyes. Even the guys on all the SNY shows were wondering what this was all about. It's just another example of Omar and Willie putting their personal feelings before the teams needs.
The 1st and most glaring example of this is their handling of the 5th spot in the rotation. How is Pelfrey ever going to succeed and gain confidence when his bosses have no confidence in him? As soon as Hernandez came to camp hurt, and was unable to pitch, he should not have been even considered for the rotation. Why does an old, broken down, over the hill, has been get a free ticket to the rotation? But then again, Omar and Willie were thinking of getting Livan in NY instead of Santana. As soon as Hernandez had to change his delivery, they should have named Pelfrey the starter. If you remember, when there was nothing said about the 5th spot, and El Duque wasn't throwing, Mike was mowing the batters down like crazy. As soon as Omar started running his mouth saying Duque was a starter, Mike started pitching worse. How many times can someone have their heart stomped on by management before they start quiting on the team? How long before they start wondering if they would get out of the minors quicker with another team? How long before they start hoping for a trade to a team that actually wants them to pitch? Want examples? Bell, Bannister, Ring, Linsicum, Owens, ect.
Now we can add Gotay to the list of P.O.'d ex-players who will come back to bite the Mets. Just wait and see what happens this year. Somehow I doubt it will be pretty.
If you haven't heard by now Willie and Omar had something against Ruben Gotay. This has been talked about by others in the media, and their treatment of him is baffling. In one breath they praise him, and the next they kick him to the curb. And to make matters even worse, the Braves picked Gotay off the Waiver wire. So now there are 3 former Mets players [Lo Duca, Milledge, Gotay] on 2 different division rivals with points to prove. Why do I have a feeling that Gotay will be playing for the Braves next week when the Mets come to town? I bet he's got a huge axe to grind on Willie's forehead. The way Willie and Omar treated him caused Gotay to actually cry after finding out he hasn't wanted. How can a young guy who led the team in pinch hits not have a place on the team?
Regardless of what Guinness says, Gotay wasn't a defensive liability. He always worked hard and was a good bat off the bench. He would never have been as good as Castillo or Reyes, but he wouldn't be any worse than Easley backing up the infield positions. Remember, both his knees are good, and he doesn't bounce throws to 1st base like Reyes. Even the guys on all the SNY shows were wondering what this was all about. It's just another example of Omar and Willie putting their personal feelings before the teams needs.
The 1st and most glaring example of this is their handling of the 5th spot in the rotation. How is Pelfrey ever going to succeed and gain confidence when his bosses have no confidence in him? As soon as Hernandez came to camp hurt, and was unable to pitch, he should not have been even considered for the rotation. Why does an old, broken down, over the hill, has been get a free ticket to the rotation? But then again, Omar and Willie were thinking of getting Livan in NY instead of Santana. As soon as Hernandez had to change his delivery, they should have named Pelfrey the starter. If you remember, when there was nothing said about the 5th spot, and El Duque wasn't throwing, Mike was mowing the batters down like crazy. As soon as Omar started running his mouth saying Duque was a starter, Mike started pitching worse. How many times can someone have their heart stomped on by management before they start quiting on the team? How long before they start wondering if they would get out of the minors quicker with another team? How long before they start hoping for a trade to a team that actually wants them to pitch? Want examples? Bell, Bannister, Ring, Linsicum, Owens, ect.
Now we can add Gotay to the list of P.O.'d ex-players who will come back to bite the Mets. Just wait and see what happens this year. Somehow I doubt it will be pretty.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Gary Cooper is packing the Heat and Slinging hot lead.
Last summer I starting comparing John Maine to Gary Cooper in the movie High Noon. Like Gary Cooper, John is quiet and unassuming while going about his job. But he also shows no fear, and isn't afraid to challenge people when the need arises. At times last year when no one else wanted to pick the team up, John would go out and face the bad guys alone and put them in their graves. Well, he's back this spring and he looks even nastier. And he's packing a fastball that doesn't quit.
I've always like John since his call up in July of '06. I frequently catch flax from e-mailers to the local sports talk radio program because of my praise of his efforts and results. But there's no denying his talent and heart. He has been the best pitcher this spring, and is almost unhittable. He's been even better than Santana and Pedro. His fastball has been in the mid 90's and his slider and change-up have improved greatly from last year. In 6 games this spring, John has pitched 25.1 innings, given up 5 runs, 17 hits, 5 walks, and has 28 strikeouts. And most of those hits and runs came in his 1st start. After today's game, his ERA is a tiny 1.78. He should have 1 more start before the season opener, but he's already pitching like it's mid-season. I don't care what anyone says, John is poised to become the Mets version of Josh Beckett. At this point in his career, John is actually a better pitcher than Josh was. The only thing lacking is a World Series MVP and Ring. As long as John Stays healthy, he'll be a force in the league for years to come.
The Mets would be wise to sign him this off season to a long term [5 year] contract. I believe he'll be pushing Johan all season for the most wins and the most strikeouts. Although I believe Johan will win out in the end, it should be fun to see them go back and forth all season. Pedro may be the #2 starter, but in all reality John is the second best pitcher on the staff. Although Willie has set the rotation as Johan #1, Pedro #2, Perez #3, Maine #4, and someone besides El' Duque as the #5, It more to do with balancing the rotation then setting it by merit. I'm itching for the season to start, and can't wait to see John get the national recognition he deserves.
Now I know Guinness may not agree with me on some of my statements regarding John, but what about the rest of you? Am I out in left field, or is Gary Cooper ready to prove me right?
I've always like John since his call up in July of '06. I frequently catch flax from e-mailers to the local sports talk radio program because of my praise of his efforts and results. But there's no denying his talent and heart. He has been the best pitcher this spring, and is almost unhittable. He's been even better than Santana and Pedro. His fastball has been in the mid 90's and his slider and change-up have improved greatly from last year. In 6 games this spring, John has pitched 25.1 innings, given up 5 runs, 17 hits, 5 walks, and has 28 strikeouts. And most of those hits and runs came in his 1st start. After today's game, his ERA is a tiny 1.78. He should have 1 more start before the season opener, but he's already pitching like it's mid-season. I don't care what anyone says, John is poised to become the Mets version of Josh Beckett. At this point in his career, John is actually a better pitcher than Josh was. The only thing lacking is a World Series MVP and Ring. As long as John Stays healthy, he'll be a force in the league for years to come.
The Mets would be wise to sign him this off season to a long term [5 year] contract. I believe he'll be pushing Johan all season for the most wins and the most strikeouts. Although I believe Johan will win out in the end, it should be fun to see them go back and forth all season. Pedro may be the #2 starter, but in all reality John is the second best pitcher on the staff. Although Willie has set the rotation as Johan #1, Pedro #2, Perez #3, Maine #4, and someone besides El' Duque as the #5, It more to do with balancing the rotation then setting it by merit. I'm itching for the season to start, and can't wait to see John get the national recognition he deserves.
Now I know Guinness may not agree with me on some of my statements regarding John, but what about the rest of you? Am I out in left field, or is Gary Cooper ready to prove me right?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)