If someone had told me on Opening Day that in late August, the Mets would be two games behind the Phillies and a game and a half ahead of the Marlins, I would have looked forward to the Mets playing meaningful games in September. Unfortunately, this three-team battle is not for first place, but for third place. But according to the New York Post, the Mets want to finish third "with the idea of creating a more positive perception of the Mets heading to the offseason." Even for the Mets, this is nonsense.
Heading into Tuesday night's game, the Mets are 59-69, 18 1/2 games behind the Nationals and 13 1/2 games behind the second-place Braves. The Mets are 13-29 since the All-Star break. If they continue at a similar pace and go 13-31 in their remaining 34 games, they will finish with 90 losses.
If the Mets go 72-90, it will be small consolation if the Phillies and Marlins do even worse. Last year, the Mets were 77-85. In 2010, the Mets were 79-83. The Mets will have to go 18-16 the rest of the way just to match 2011's record. Otherwise, it will be the second straight season that the Mets failed to match the previous season's lousy record.
As the Mets prepare to do battle with the Phillies and Marlins for the extremely mythical third-place trophy, let's not forget that the other two teams already wrote off the season when they were major sellers before the trade deadline.
But while the Marlins may be headed back to cut-rate franchise status, the Phillies continue to have a large payroll and the will to spend to contend. The Phillies remain a major-market team.
The Mets, meanwhile, appear to have no plans to increase their mid-market payroll.
If the Mets want to create a more positive perception in the offseason, they re-sign David Wright and R.A. Dickey and find a way to upgrade their hapless outfield.
Showing posts with label Phillies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Phillies. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
So Far, Mets Far From Least in the East
You know things are going the Mets' way when a Phillies fan in Citizens Bank Park interferes with Carlos Beltran trying to catch a ball and the call goes against the Phillies. And now the Mets have beaten divisional rivals on the road three out of four.
And you know things are topsy turvy with the Subway Squawkers when Lisa goes out to Yankee Stadium to see "JoSoMo" only to say, "oh no!" when S0 is not even so-so and the Yankees blow the lead and the game.
Look on the bright side, Lisa - at least Rafael Soriano's meltdown should put a rest to that lame nickname for the bullpen.
However, if the nickname sticks, when Pedro Feliciano comes off the DL, the Yankees bullpen should then be known as AMJoSoMo (where A.M. stands for Abused Met).
As for the Mets, it's great to see them doing the abusing for a change. Picked by some to finish last in the NL East, they've beaten the Marlins two of three on the road and have now taken the first game from the Phillies. If anyone had told me that a pitcher would get knocked out in the third inning, I would have assumed it would be Chris Young, a flyball pitcher having to deal with the Phillies' bandbox, not "greatest rotation ever" charter member Cole Hamels.
Hamels probably just had a bad night and the Phillies do have an incredible rotation, but their lineup, already shaky at times last year (like when the Mets shut them out three straight) just isn't the same without Chase Utley and Jayson Werth. Utley was supposed to start jogging later this week, but now that's not happening. Sounds like the Phillies are going to be going through the uncertainty the Mets had last year when Beltran was recovering from knee surgery.
But whomever was in the Phillies' lineup, Met starting pitchers have now given up only two earned runs over their last three starts, totaling 18 1/3 IP. And, after tonight, the Mets now have a better record than the Yankees. Lisa, you need to go to more Yankee games!
And you know things are topsy turvy with the Subway Squawkers when Lisa goes out to Yankee Stadium to see "JoSoMo" only to say, "oh no!" when S0 is not even so-so and the Yankees blow the lead and the game.
Look on the bright side, Lisa - at least Rafael Soriano's meltdown should put a rest to that lame nickname for the bullpen.
However, if the nickname sticks, when Pedro Feliciano comes off the DL, the Yankees bullpen should then be known as AMJoSoMo (where A.M. stands for Abused Met).
As for the Mets, it's great to see them doing the abusing for a change. Picked by some to finish last in the NL East, they've beaten the Marlins two of three on the road and have now taken the first game from the Phillies. If anyone had told me that a pitcher would get knocked out in the third inning, I would have assumed it would be Chris Young, a flyball pitcher having to deal with the Phillies' bandbox, not "greatest rotation ever" charter member Cole Hamels.
Hamels probably just had a bad night and the Phillies do have an incredible rotation, but their lineup, already shaky at times last year (like when the Mets shut them out three straight) just isn't the same without Chase Utley and Jayson Werth. Utley was supposed to start jogging later this week, but now that's not happening. Sounds like the Phillies are going to be going through the uncertainty the Mets had last year when Beltran was recovering from knee surgery.
But whomever was in the Phillies' lineup, Met starting pitchers have now given up only two earned runs over their last three starts, totaling 18 1/3 IP. And, after tonight, the Mets now have a better record than the Yankees. Lisa, you need to go to more Yankee games!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
The worst thing about Cliff Lee going to the Phillies
It's bad enough that the Mets will have to face a powerhouse Phillies team the next few years. But what's even worse is that the Phillies have become the kind of team star players take less money to join.
Last year, Roy Halladay signed a three-year contract extension with Philadelphia for $60 million. Halladay could have been a free agent after the 2010 season. Imagine what his market would have been. But Halladay was willing to give up future tens of millions of dollars to go to the Phillies. Now Cliff Lee has also left tens of millions of dollars on the table for a chance to play with Shane Victorino.
Most free agents end up where the most money is. But one would hope that, the money being equal, some players would prefer the Mets over other clubs. Instead, the Mets have often had to overcome a star's reluctance to join them. Flushing was reportedly "Beirut" to Jason Bay. Carlos Beltran reportedly was willing to take less money to go the Yankees. Carlos Delgado turned down a chance to play for the Mets in 2005 before the Mets traded for him the following year.
Under the new regime, I have confidence that the Mets will soon become a place where stars want to play and that Sandy Alderson and company will spend money, but do so wisely. However, I still expect that the Mets, like just about every other team, will ultimately have to outbid other clubs to get the players they want.
But it's hard to imagine players taking less money to join the Mets.
Alderson may eventually close the talent gap with the Phillies, but now he must close the likeability gap as well. As with the Phillies, the Mets need to become the kind of club that players want to join for reasons besides money.
W.C. Fields must be turning over in his grave. Who would have thought that, on the whole, star pitchers would rather be in Philadelphia?
Last year, Roy Halladay signed a three-year contract extension with Philadelphia for $60 million. Halladay could have been a free agent after the 2010 season. Imagine what his market would have been. But Halladay was willing to give up future tens of millions of dollars to go to the Phillies. Now Cliff Lee has also left tens of millions of dollars on the table for a chance to play with Shane Victorino.
Most free agents end up where the most money is. But one would hope that, the money being equal, some players would prefer the Mets over other clubs. Instead, the Mets have often had to overcome a star's reluctance to join them. Flushing was reportedly "Beirut" to Jason Bay. Carlos Beltran reportedly was willing to take less money to go the Yankees. Carlos Delgado turned down a chance to play for the Mets in 2005 before the Mets traded for him the following year.
Under the new regime, I have confidence that the Mets will soon become a place where stars want to play and that Sandy Alderson and company will spend money, but do so wisely. However, I still expect that the Mets, like just about every other team, will ultimately have to outbid other clubs to get the players they want.
But it's hard to imagine players taking less money to join the Mets.
Alderson may eventually close the talent gap with the Phillies, but now he must close the likeability gap as well. As with the Phillies, the Mets need to become the kind of club that players want to join for reasons besides money.
W.C. Fields must be turning over in his grave. Who would have thought that, on the whole, star pitchers would rather be in Philadelphia?
Sunday, October 24, 2010
A great October after all
Who would have thought that October would turn out to be the best month of the year for Met fans? First Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel get the ax, then the Yankees are sent packing. And now the two-time defending National League champion Philadelphia Phillies will be playing golf while Cliff Lee and Pat Burrell are in the World Series.
Last month, I wrote how I was dreading another Yankees-Phillies World Series. The Phillies looked invincible with their H2O rotation. As for the Yankees:
The Yankees have had some ups and downs lately and there are no guarantees in the postseason, but is anyone really prepared at this point to predict Minnesota, Texas or Tampa Bay in the World Series?
And who would have predicted that both the Yankees and Phillies would miss out? It sounds too good to be true.
Now, instead of the same old tired faces in the World Series, there will be some welcome changes:
Last month, I wrote how I was dreading another Yankees-Phillies World Series. The Phillies looked invincible with their H2O rotation. As for the Yankees:
The Yankees have had some ups and downs lately and there are no guarantees in the postseason, but is anyone really prepared at this point to predict Minnesota, Texas or Tampa Bay in the World Series?
And who would have predicted that both the Yankees and Phillies would miss out? It sounds too good to be true.
Now, instead of the same old tired faces in the World Series, there will be some welcome changes:
- Instead of "the Captain" (Jeter), we'll get "the Freak" (Tim Lincecum).
- Instead of Roy Halladay making his Series debut, we'll get Vladimir Guerrero making his Series debut.
- Instead of flawed superstar Alex Rodriguez, we'll get flawed superstar Josh Hamilton.
- Instead of Cliff Lee on the Phillies or Yankees, we'll get Cliff Lee on the Rangers.
- Instead of sour Shane Victorino, we'll get smiling Cody Ross.
- Instead of no Yankee facial hair, we'll get the black beards of the Giants.
- Instead of Haley Swindal singing "God Bless America," maybe we'll get Tammy Nelson and her giant hat.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Dreading another Yankees-Phillies World Series
2009 was supposed to be a one-time thing - an annus horribilis in which the Yankees and Phillies reached the World Series while the Mets, decimated by injuries, won only 70 games. Yet here we are a year later, with the healthier Mets still likely to finish well below .500 while the Phillies and Yankees are back on track for a Fall Classic rematch.
The Phillies have won ten in a row and are 17-3 in September. They are six games better than anyone else in the National League. In a short series, nobody will be able to match their starting pitching. Roy Halladay is tied for first in the NL in wins and strikeouts and is third in ERA. Cole Hamels has a 1.89 ERA and 0.93 WHIP since the All-Star break. Roy Oswalt is 7-1 with a 1.96 ERA since joining the Phillies at the end of July.
Despite their own wave of injuries, with Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino all missing time, the Phillies are third in the league in runs scored.
So the Phillies have a great shot at getting back to the World Series for the third year in a row. They are about to win the NL East for the fourth year in a row, which will be only one fewer division title than the Mets have won in their history.
The Yankees have had some ups and downs lately and there are no guarantees in the postseason, but is anyone really prepared at this point to predict Minnesota, Texas or Tampa Bay in the World Series?
And this year, the previous round could also be very unpleasant for Met fans if the NLCS matchup features the Phillies against old Mets nemesis Bobby Cox and the Atlanta Braves.
At least the Mets won't be completely forgotten during the postseason. On October 7, the second day of the playoffs, Francisco Rodriguez is due back in court.
The Phillies have won ten in a row and are 17-3 in September. They are six games better than anyone else in the National League. In a short series, nobody will be able to match their starting pitching. Roy Halladay is tied for first in the NL in wins and strikeouts and is third in ERA. Cole Hamels has a 1.89 ERA and 0.93 WHIP since the All-Star break. Roy Oswalt is 7-1 with a 1.96 ERA since joining the Phillies at the end of July.
Despite their own wave of injuries, with Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino all missing time, the Phillies are third in the league in runs scored.
So the Phillies have a great shot at getting back to the World Series for the third year in a row. They are about to win the NL East for the fourth year in a row, which will be only one fewer division title than the Mets have won in their history.
The Yankees have had some ups and downs lately and there are no guarantees in the postseason, but is anyone really prepared at this point to predict Minnesota, Texas or Tampa Bay in the World Series?
And this year, the previous round could also be very unpleasant for Met fans if the NLCS matchup features the Phillies against old Mets nemesis Bobby Cox and the Atlanta Braves.
At least the Mets won't be completely forgotten during the postseason. On October 7, the second day of the playoffs, Francisco Rodriguez is due back in court.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Mets-Phillies: 27 up, 27 down!
I'm still waiting for that Met no-hitter, but last night almost felt like one. Throughout the game, Gary Cohen kept noting the growing total of consecutive scoreless innings. Once the Mets built a small cushion with Jose Reyes' two-run double extending the lead to 3-0, the countdown began. 25 innings down, two to go!
In the ninth inning, Francisco Rodriguez came in to face the heart of the Phillies' order - Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth. K-Rod had allowed one run in his last five appearances and had an ERA under two. The Phillie bats were ice cold. But just one home run from any of these three power hitters would end the streak. A home run with a man on base, and the Phillies were right back in the game.
As anyone who watched the 2007 and 2008 seasons can attest, the Phillies are no strangers to ruining things for the Mets at the last minute.
But not tonight. Instead, Cohen screamed out the time of the conclusion of the historic feat: at seven minutes before midnight, the Mets had shut out the Phillies three straight games!
In some ways, it was better than a no-hitter. As Metsblog noted, via Elias, it was only the third time since 1876 that a team swept three or more games from a first-place team without giving up any runs.
And best of all, it was against the Phillies.
Three shutouts, none started by Johan Santana, but two started by Hisanori Takahashi and R.A. Dickey.
So that's five out of six against the Yankees and Phillies. Amazing!
*
But before anyone starts getting carried away, thinking the Mets are only a Cliff Lee or Roy Oswalt away from the postseason, remember that this team is two games over .500 at 25-23 and still closer to last place than first. They're great at home and horrible on the road, and so far have played eight more games at home.
One year ago, the Mets actually had a better record, 26-20, and were in first place.
There's a lot to be excited about - Jose Reyes is back and Mike Pelfrey is pitching like an ace. Hisanori Takahashi looks like he could be for real as well.
Let's hope the Mets can keep it up on the road, which they are going to need to do before they can truly call themselves a contender.
In the ninth inning, Francisco Rodriguez came in to face the heart of the Phillies' order - Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth. K-Rod had allowed one run in his last five appearances and had an ERA under two. The Phillie bats were ice cold. But just one home run from any of these three power hitters would end the streak. A home run with a man on base, and the Phillies were right back in the game.
As anyone who watched the 2007 and 2008 seasons can attest, the Phillies are no strangers to ruining things for the Mets at the last minute.
But not tonight. Instead, Cohen screamed out the time of the conclusion of the historic feat: at seven minutes before midnight, the Mets had shut out the Phillies three straight games!
In some ways, it was better than a no-hitter. As Metsblog noted, via Elias, it was only the third time since 1876 that a team swept three or more games from a first-place team without giving up any runs.
And best of all, it was against the Phillies.
Three shutouts, none started by Johan Santana, but two started by Hisanori Takahashi and R.A. Dickey.
So that's five out of six against the Yankees and Phillies. Amazing!
*
But before anyone starts getting carried away, thinking the Mets are only a Cliff Lee or Roy Oswalt away from the postseason, remember that this team is two games over .500 at 25-23 and still closer to last place than first. They're great at home and horrible on the road, and so far have played eight more games at home.
One year ago, the Mets actually had a better record, 26-20, and were in first place.
There's a lot to be excited about - Jose Reyes is back and Mike Pelfrey is pitching like an ace. Hisanori Takahashi looks like he could be for real as well.
Let's hope the Mets can keep it up on the road, which they are going to need to do before they can truly call themselves a contender.
Monday, May 3, 2010
State of the Mets like Johan Santana's ERA
The capper for an awful evening came at the end of the game when the newest member of ESPN's wretched announcing team, onetime Met Orel Hershiser, started talking about how the Mets "can feel good about themselves" because "they're back in the race." Joe Morgan echoed Hershiser's bizarre comments, then added that special Morgan touch: "They know they can deal with the Phillies later on."
Later on when? 2011? The Mets spent the last two weeks regaining credibility, looked like a contender Friday night with a 9-1 win over the Phillies, then threw it all away on Saturday and Sunday.
On Saturday, the Phillies put rising star Mike Pelfrey in his place. But Pelfrey was due for an off-day. And even after getting shelled, his overall year is still good enough that his ERA is 2.40.
Santana, though, had his worst day ever. His ERA jumped from 2.08 to 4.50. When Santana had his previous worst day, last June against the Yankees, a few weeks later he was headed for surgery.
As far as we know, Santana is physically fine. And he was having a very good year before tonight. But now Santana has two bad games out of five. Games in which he has given up grand slams.
Hershiser and Morgan think the Mets can feel good about themselves when Santana walks 47-year-old Jamie Moyer with the bases loaded? Last year, Francisco Rodriguez walked Mariano Rivera, then 39, with the bases full. Somewhere, Pedro Martinez and John Smoltz are each assuming a stance with a bat resting on his shoulder.
Scoring ten off Santana and six off Pelfrey would be grisly no matter how the runs were scored, but it's that much worse when the big homer each day is from my least-favorite Phillie, Shane Victorino.
To think that I was ripping Manuel a week ago for not originally having Santana scheduled to pitch against the Phillies. That's why the Mets got him. Instead, they might as well have thrown Oliver Perez out there as originally planned the way things worked out.
I criticized Manuel because I thought he was not treating the Phillies series as big games. So he pitches Santana, but then decides to sit Ike Davis and Angel Pagan for Fernando Tatis and Gary Matthews Jr.
The Davis move actually had some merit (aside from removing from the lineup the player whose addition sparked the great homestand). Tatis was 8-for-22 lifetime against Moyer for a .364 average. Moyer had held lefties to a .214 batting average this year going into the game. Tatis did hit a double off Moyer tonight.
Matthews also had success against Moyer, going 7-for-23 (.304) with two homers. But he had not faced Moyer since 2006, when he went 3-for-8. 2006 was Matthews' best year, when he hit .313 with 19 HR, 79 RBI and 102 runs. Matthews is not that player anymore, so it doesn't really matter how he hit Moyer than.
Matthews entered the game batting .156. It's not as if he's particularly good against lefties, against whom he is hitting .167.
So not only does Manuel start Matthews, he bats him leadoff.
After going 0-for-4 tonight, Matthews is now hitting .139.
Matthews should not be starting a big game. Ideally, he wouldn't start any game.
Lastly, one of the great things about the last couple of weeks was how the other teams were making the stupid mistakes for a change. Tonight, the Mets showed that they still had the capacity to be dumb when Rod Barajas did not realize how many outs there were and got thrown out at third. And then Morgan started claiming that Barajas actually thought he could make it to third on a ground ball hit in front of him as he took off from second.
There's the only bright spot from tonight - at least we don't have to hear the ESPN announcers do a Met game for three weeks.
Later on when? 2011? The Mets spent the last two weeks regaining credibility, looked like a contender Friday night with a 9-1 win over the Phillies, then threw it all away on Saturday and Sunday.
On Saturday, the Phillies put rising star Mike Pelfrey in his place. But Pelfrey was due for an off-day. And even after getting shelled, his overall year is still good enough that his ERA is 2.40.
Santana, though, had his worst day ever. His ERA jumped from 2.08 to 4.50. When Santana had his previous worst day, last June against the Yankees, a few weeks later he was headed for surgery.
As far as we know, Santana is physically fine. And he was having a very good year before tonight. But now Santana has two bad games out of five. Games in which he has given up grand slams.
Hershiser and Morgan think the Mets can feel good about themselves when Santana walks 47-year-old Jamie Moyer with the bases loaded? Last year, Francisco Rodriguez walked Mariano Rivera, then 39, with the bases full. Somewhere, Pedro Martinez and John Smoltz are each assuming a stance with a bat resting on his shoulder.
Scoring ten off Santana and six off Pelfrey would be grisly no matter how the runs were scored, but it's that much worse when the big homer each day is from my least-favorite Phillie, Shane Victorino.
To think that I was ripping Manuel a week ago for not originally having Santana scheduled to pitch against the Phillies. That's why the Mets got him. Instead, they might as well have thrown Oliver Perez out there as originally planned the way things worked out.
I criticized Manuel because I thought he was not treating the Phillies series as big games. So he pitches Santana, but then decides to sit Ike Davis and Angel Pagan for Fernando Tatis and Gary Matthews Jr.
The Davis move actually had some merit (aside from removing from the lineup the player whose addition sparked the great homestand). Tatis was 8-for-22 lifetime against Moyer for a .364 average. Moyer had held lefties to a .214 batting average this year going into the game. Tatis did hit a double off Moyer tonight.
Matthews also had success against Moyer, going 7-for-23 (.304) with two homers. But he had not faced Moyer since 2006, when he went 3-for-8. 2006 was Matthews' best year, when he hit .313 with 19 HR, 79 RBI and 102 runs. Matthews is not that player anymore, so it doesn't really matter how he hit Moyer than.
Matthews entered the game batting .156. It's not as if he's particularly good against lefties, against whom he is hitting .167.
So not only does Manuel start Matthews, he bats him leadoff.
After going 0-for-4 tonight, Matthews is now hitting .139.
Matthews should not be starting a big game. Ideally, he wouldn't start any game.
Lastly, one of the great things about the last couple of weeks was how the other teams were making the stupid mistakes for a change. Tonight, the Mets showed that they still had the capacity to be dumb when Rod Barajas did not realize how many outs there were and got thrown out at third. And then Morgan started claiming that Barajas actually thought he could make it to third on a ground ball hit in front of him as he took off from second.
There's the only bright spot from tonight - at least we don't have to hear the ESPN announcers do a Met game for three weeks.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Defense dooms Mike Pelfrey and Mets
Mike Pelfrey's 27-inning scoreless streak and the Mets' eight-game winning streak both came to an end with the help of two popups that were in, then out of the gloves of Jose Reyes and Alex Cora.
No, Squawker Lisa, these weren't reminiscent of Luis Castillo last year in the Subway Series. They were tough plays that would have been great catches had they been made. But they were catchable, particularly the Reyes one. Had the catches been made the Mets might well have gotten out of the fourth inning without any damage. Instead, the Phillies scored six runs and ended up winning, 10-0.
So for the second day in a row, a lopsided game might well have been decided by two early defensive plays. On Friday, Jeff Francoeur and Jason Bay made the plays, Jon Niese got out of the second with only one run scored, and the Mets went on to win, 9-1. Saturday, Reyes and Cora didn't make the plays.
The Mets probably weren't going to win this game the way Halladay is pitching, but it does show how a couple of defensive plays can determine the direction of the whole game. At least this year, the Mets have generally made these plays, so they still have a split in the series with a good chance of winning the series and staying in first Sunday night with Johan Santana on the mound.
*
Squawker Lisa, I see your cat-themed Derby picks went up in smoke. But look out for my pick, Ice Box, in the Preakness.
Speaking of which, looks like Curtis Granderson may be on ice for awhile. Meanwhile, Johnny Damon, who wasn't enough of a "Super Saver" for Brian Cashman to re-sign, gets a walkoff homer the day after Austin Jackson goes 5-for-5.
And as for Javier Vazquez pitching well in a Yankee uniform, that's truly "Mission Impazible."
No, Squawker Lisa, these weren't reminiscent of Luis Castillo last year in the Subway Series. They were tough plays that would have been great catches had they been made. But they were catchable, particularly the Reyes one. Had the catches been made the Mets might well have gotten out of the fourth inning without any damage. Instead, the Phillies scored six runs and ended up winning, 10-0.
So for the second day in a row, a lopsided game might well have been decided by two early defensive plays. On Friday, Jeff Francoeur and Jason Bay made the plays, Jon Niese got out of the second with only one run scored, and the Mets went on to win, 9-1. Saturday, Reyes and Cora didn't make the plays.
The Mets probably weren't going to win this game the way Halladay is pitching, but it does show how a couple of defensive plays can determine the direction of the whole game. At least this year, the Mets have generally made these plays, so they still have a split in the series with a good chance of winning the series and staying in first Sunday night with Johan Santana on the mound.
*
Squawker Lisa, I see your cat-themed Derby picks went up in smoke. But look out for my pick, Ice Box, in the Preakness.
Speaking of which, looks like Curtis Granderson may be on ice for awhile. Meanwhile, Johnny Damon, who wasn't enough of a "Super Saver" for Brian Cashman to re-sign, gets a walkoff homer the day after Austin Jackson goes 5-for-5.
And as for Javier Vazquez pitching well in a Yankee uniform, that's truly "Mission Impazible."
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
How could Jerry Manuel plan to use Oliver Perez over Johan Santana against the Phillies?
The Mets are now a game out of first, with a big series against the Phillies coming up this weekend. Whom would you rather see pitch for the Mets on Sunday - staff ace Johan Santana or staff enigma Oliver Perez?
Before Monday's rainout, Jerry Manuel was going with Perez.
Using the same sort of rigid thinking that prompted Manuel to bat Mike Jacobs fourth because it was more important to have a lefty break up the righties than to have a major-leaguer hitting cleanup, the Met skipper did not want to skip anyone in the rotation, even with off days and pitchers of vastly different quality.
So Santana, scheduled to start Tuesday, was going to be passed over Sunday night because Thursday's off day would push back the whole rotation and make it Ollie's turn to pitch.
Monday's rainout means that both Ollie and Johan are pitching today, which gives Jerry the out to rework his rotation. Now it appears that Santana will pitch on Sunday against the first-place Phillies instead of Monday against the Reds.
But Santana always should have been pitching on Sunday. The only reason Manuel wanted Perez to face the Phillies was that he did not want Ollie to go six days between starts.
Perez has exceeded expectations so far with an ERA this season of 3.71, but his WHIP is 1.53 with the help of ten walks in 17 innings. It's not as if he's in such a groove that nobody should upset his routine.
The Yankees were willing to skip Phil Hughes until April 15, but Manuel won't skip Ollie?
Tony LaRussa managed the 20-inning game for the long haul. He did not appear to care if the Cardinals won the game because they are the heavy favorites in their division and LaRussa has no worries about losing his job.
The first week of May is way too early for a critical series, but Manuel can't pull a LaRussa this weekend against the Phillies, for his sake and for the team's sake.
Before Monday's rainout, Jerry Manuel was going with Perez.
Using the same sort of rigid thinking that prompted Manuel to bat Mike Jacobs fourth because it was more important to have a lefty break up the righties than to have a major-leaguer hitting cleanup, the Met skipper did not want to skip anyone in the rotation, even with off days and pitchers of vastly different quality.
So Santana, scheduled to start Tuesday, was going to be passed over Sunday night because Thursday's off day would push back the whole rotation and make it Ollie's turn to pitch.
Monday's rainout means that both Ollie and Johan are pitching today, which gives Jerry the out to rework his rotation. Now it appears that Santana will pitch on Sunday against the first-place Phillies instead of Monday against the Reds.
But Santana always should have been pitching on Sunday. The only reason Manuel wanted Perez to face the Phillies was that he did not want Ollie to go six days between starts.
Perez has exceeded expectations so far with an ERA this season of 3.71, but his WHIP is 1.53 with the help of ten walks in 17 innings. It's not as if he's in such a groove that nobody should upset his routine.
The Yankees were willing to skip Phil Hughes until April 15, but Manuel won't skip Ollie?
Tony LaRussa managed the 20-inning game for the long haul. He did not appear to care if the Cardinals won the game because they are the heavy favorites in their division and LaRussa has no worries about losing his job.
The first week of May is way too early for a critical series, but Manuel can't pull a LaRussa this weekend against the Phillies, for his sake and for the team's sake.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Cole Hamels sums up feelings of Met fans
After his loss in Game 3, beleaguered Philly ex-ace Cole Hamels said of the 2009 season, "I can't wait for it to end." (See video here.)
Welcome to the club, Cole! I've done my best to enjoy this series, alternately rooting for and against both teams, but it's just not working out.
Started out on the Yankee side, but Squawker Lisa noticed I was enjoying Cliff Lee's Game 1 performance a little too much.
Rooted for Pedro Martinez in Game 2, but began to have nightmare visions of Pedro being an integral part in a Phillies title.
I've grudgingly come to accept that the Phillies also have claim to Tug McGraw, an integral part of the 1980 champions (though the Philly wordsmiths need to come up with their own catchphrase and not steal Tug's 1973 Mets' "Ya Gotta Believe"). But, unlike Tug in 1969, Pedro does not already have a ring with the Mets. So if he gets one with the Phillies, his three months in Philadelphia take on a lot more weight than his four years with the Mets.
Then in Game 3, Hamels is breezing along until he gives up a walk to Mark Teixeira in the fourth. The walk came on a 3-2 pitch that could have been called either way, and it seemed to rattle Hamels. Reminded me of when John Lackey seemed to lose focus after a similar call gave Jorge Posada a walk in Game 5 of the ALCS. Lackey went on to walk Derek Jeter and Mike Scioscia decided to pull him a batter later.
Then Alex Rodriguez hit what would be ruled a home run. It was great to see instant replay quickly revolving a controversy. Not everyone was happy with the ruling, but it is a lot better than no replay at all. Instant replay's use should be limited, but it is a positive thing.
But just when I could finally take pleasure in the Yankees' success because it was dooming the pitcher who called the Mets "choke artists" and denigrated Tampa Bay as "not being a World-Series type city," A-Rod starts making silly faces and hand gestures, telling the umps that it is a homer before they have made their decision. (After the game, A-Rod would appear to tell different stories on different networks as to whether or not he saw the ball hit the camera.)
But A-Rod did end up coming through while Ryan Howard continue to pile up the strikeouts. This time around, Hamels, the choke's on you.
Now the magic number is two, as in the World Series could end in two games, and Hamels and Met fans can begin looking forward to a "fresh start" next year.
Welcome to the club, Cole! I've done my best to enjoy this series, alternately rooting for and against both teams, but it's just not working out.
Started out on the Yankee side, but Squawker Lisa noticed I was enjoying Cliff Lee's Game 1 performance a little too much.
Rooted for Pedro Martinez in Game 2, but began to have nightmare visions of Pedro being an integral part in a Phillies title.
I've grudgingly come to accept that the Phillies also have claim to Tug McGraw, an integral part of the 1980 champions (though the Philly wordsmiths need to come up with their own catchphrase and not steal Tug's 1973 Mets' "Ya Gotta Believe"). But, unlike Tug in 1969, Pedro does not already have a ring with the Mets. So if he gets one with the Phillies, his three months in Philadelphia take on a lot more weight than his four years with the Mets.
Then in Game 3, Hamels is breezing along until he gives up a walk to Mark Teixeira in the fourth. The walk came on a 3-2 pitch that could have been called either way, and it seemed to rattle Hamels. Reminded me of when John Lackey seemed to lose focus after a similar call gave Jorge Posada a walk in Game 5 of the ALCS. Lackey went on to walk Derek Jeter and Mike Scioscia decided to pull him a batter later.
Then Alex Rodriguez hit what would be ruled a home run. It was great to see instant replay quickly revolving a controversy. Not everyone was happy with the ruling, but it is a lot better than no replay at all. Instant replay's use should be limited, but it is a positive thing.
But just when I could finally take pleasure in the Yankees' success because it was dooming the pitcher who called the Mets "choke artists" and denigrated Tampa Bay as "not being a World-Series type city," A-Rod starts making silly faces and hand gestures, telling the umps that it is a homer before they have made their decision. (After the game, A-Rod would appear to tell different stories on different networks as to whether or not he saw the ball hit the camera.)
But A-Rod did end up coming through while Ryan Howard continue to pile up the strikeouts. This time around, Hamels, the choke's on you.
Now the magic number is two, as in the World Series could end in two games, and Hamels and Met fans can begin looking forward to a "fresh start" next year.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Another reason to root against Cole Hamels
Poor Cole Hamels. Winning the World Series in 2008 and being named MVP was not special enough for him, because he had to pitch in Tampa Bay. Finally, he gets to be in a real Fall Classic:
Instead, Hamels ends up devaluing his own World Series MVP performance in 2008. After all, Hamels' only win in the series came in Tampa Bay, and we know that those games don't feel like World Series games.
And now that Hamels' road World Series games are finally on a stage big enough for his liking, Phillies' manager Charlie Manuel apparently feels like that stage is too much for Hamels, skipping over last year's MVP for 38-year-old Pedro Martinez, who was viewed as more likely to do well in Yankee Stadium.
Hamels pitched at the new Yankee Stadium in May and did pretty well. In six innings, he allowed two runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out five and got a no-decision. Except for the strikeouts, those numbers are better than the ones Pedro put up Thursday night in Game 2. But when it "felt" like a World Series game," Hamels got passed over.
Hamels has said things that devalue his own accomplishments in the past. Squawker Lisa and other Yankee fans expect me to hate Hamels because he called the Mets "choke artists" last year. But Hamels' statement hurts himself more than Met fans. It only validates our view that the Phillies did not win the division in 2007 and 2008 so much as the Mets lost it.
I don't recall anyone associated with the Mets calling the Red Sox choke artists for letting the 1986 World Series slip away. That would only diminish the never-say-die spirit of the 1986 Mets.
Besides, Hamels is right - the 2007-8 Mets were choke artists. And the only way for the Mets to shed that label will be on the field.
I look forward to seeing the Mets back in the World Series one day, and wherever it is played, I am sure it will feel like a World Series.
"It actually feels like a World Series... Tampa Bay had tremendously talented players, but it's not the World Series-type city and flair that you expect in a World Series. I grew up in Atlanta. They were always on TV. That's what you were accustomed to, that's what you thought of when you thought of a World Series.The Phillies are defending World Champions. They have been in the World Series five times in the last 30 years. That's as many as the Braves. In fact, that's as many as any other team besides the Yankees. (The Cardinals also have five World Series appearances.) As much as I hate to say it, Philly players and fans have a right to say, when you think of the World Series, think of us.Unfortunately, Tampa Bay doesn't have that type of attention. They're gonna put up some tremendous statistics and do well. But the attention you get in New York makes it feel like a World Series."
Instead, Hamels ends up devaluing his own World Series MVP performance in 2008. After all, Hamels' only win in the series came in Tampa Bay, and we know that those games don't feel like World Series games.
And now that Hamels' road World Series games are finally on a stage big enough for his liking, Phillies' manager Charlie Manuel apparently feels like that stage is too much for Hamels, skipping over last year's MVP for 38-year-old Pedro Martinez, who was viewed as more likely to do well in Yankee Stadium.
Hamels pitched at the new Yankee Stadium in May and did pretty well. In six innings, he allowed two runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out five and got a no-decision. Except for the strikeouts, those numbers are better than the ones Pedro put up Thursday night in Game 2. But when it "felt" like a World Series game," Hamels got passed over.
Hamels has said things that devalue his own accomplishments in the past. Squawker Lisa and other Yankee fans expect me to hate Hamels because he called the Mets "choke artists" last year. But Hamels' statement hurts himself more than Met fans. It only validates our view that the Phillies did not win the division in 2007 and 2008 so much as the Mets lost it.
I don't recall anyone associated with the Mets calling the Red Sox choke artists for letting the 1986 World Series slip away. That would only diminish the never-say-die spirit of the 1986 Mets.
Besides, Hamels is right - the 2007-8 Mets were choke artists. And the only way for the Mets to shed that label will be on the field.
I look forward to seeing the Mets back in the World Series one day, and wherever it is played, I am sure it will feel like a World Series.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Predictions for the nightmare World Series
Don Fehr had a chance to close out his tenure as head of the Player's Association on a positive note - by teaming up with Bud Selig to cancel the World Series one more time.
Unfortunately, Fehr let down the baseball public yet again. So here we go with predictions:
Unfortunately, Fehr let down the baseball public yet again. So here we go with predictions:
- A-Rod will have a great Series, but will not win MVP.
- Pedro Martinez will pitch well, but I agree with Squawker Lisa that Brad Lidge will blow the game.
- Jimmy Rollins will do well because he loves sticking it to New York.
- Johnny Damon will do well enough that the Yankees will want to bring him back next year.
- Nick Swisher will be benched for at least one game.
- Jayson Werth will be much better known by the end of the Series.
- Cliff Lee will have a better Series than CC Sabathia.
- If Joe Girardi goes to a three-man rotation, he will regret it. Start Sabathia on three days rest if you want, but have Chad Gaudin start Game 5.
- If Brett Favre's return to Green Bay goes into overtime Sunday afternoon, Fox will delay the start of Game 4.
- Mayor Bloomberg will sit next to Kate Hudson in the stands to maximize his time on camera.
- Bud Selig will fulfill his wish to have a World Series game played in daylight hours by setting all stadium clocks five hours behind.
Alternate viewing choices for the disgruntled Met fan
Armageddon is here. For those of us looking for something else to watch on TV tonight, here are some options:
8 p.m. NBC - Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins From Outer Space. Once again, someone has stolen my idea for a screenplay. If you can't figure out if the Yankees are the monsters and the Phillies are the aliens or if it is the other way around, you can watch the program again at 8:30.
8 p.m. ABC - It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Met fans got a rock.
8 p.m. IFC - The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The 1974 original, described as "young adults encounter a demented family of butchers." A travel guide for Yankee fans with tickets to a World Series game in Philly.
8 p.m. CMT - Are You Smarter Than a Fifth-Grader? Job fair for openings on the Mets' medical staff.
9 p.m. SNY - Darryl Strawberry Golf Tournament. As if we needed reminding that the Mets are out playing golf while the Yankees and Phillies are in the World Series.
8 p.m. NBC - Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins From Outer Space. Once again, someone has stolen my idea for a screenplay. If you can't figure out if the Yankees are the monsters and the Phillies are the aliens or if it is the other way around, you can watch the program again at 8:30.
8 p.m. ABC - It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Met fans got a rock.
8 p.m. IFC - The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The 1974 original, described as "young adults encounter a demented family of butchers." A travel guide for Yankee fans with tickets to a World Series game in Philly.
8 p.m. CMT - Are You Smarter Than a Fifth-Grader? Job fair for openings on the Mets' medical staff.
9 p.m. SNY - Darryl Strawberry Golf Tournament. As if we needed reminding that the Mets are out playing golf while the Yankees and Phillies are in the World Series.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Subdued Philly celebration even worse than wild one
We knew it was coming, but the Met fan's October got a lot worse last night.
I couldn't watch most of the Philly clincher last night, but I did end up watching the celebration. It could have been a lot worse - I saw an interview with Pedro Martinez, but not one with Shane Victorino. And TBS got booed.
But the more I think about it, the less I like the fact that the celebration seemed relatively subdued. The Phillies acted like they have been there before. And they have - three division titles in a row, a World Series last year and a championship last year.
The Phillies franchise had only been to the World Series twice before 1980 and had never won. Now they have been there five times in the last 30 seasons, with two championships and a chance to make it three.
The Phillies are no longer a downtrodden franchise enjoying a day in the sun. They are a dominant team with the players to keep it that way for a long time.
It was only 2 1/2 years ago that Jimmy Rollins stirred up controversy by proclaiming the Phillies the "team to beat" in the NL East. Now the only controversy would come if a Met dared to utter that statement.
The Phillies are the team to beat, both in the division and in the league. And if Brad Lidge continues to hold up, maybe in all of baseball.
I hated them less when they were the scrappy underdog.
***
The Phillies are the first National League team to win back-to-back pennants since the 1995-6 Atlanta Braves. So the last time an NL team returned to the World Series to defend their title, they were facing a Yankee team that was back in the Fall Classic after what for the Yankees was a lengthy absence, trying to end one of the longest title droughts in Yankee history.
Will 2009 be a repeat of 1996? We shall see.
Also, in 1996, the Mets won 71 games, one more than this year. Toward the end of the year, they hired Bobby Valentine. Just sayin'.
I couldn't watch most of the Philly clincher last night, but I did end up watching the celebration. It could have been a lot worse - I saw an interview with Pedro Martinez, but not one with Shane Victorino. And TBS got booed.
But the more I think about it, the less I like the fact that the celebration seemed relatively subdued. The Phillies acted like they have been there before. And they have - three division titles in a row, a World Series last year and a championship last year.
The Phillies franchise had only been to the World Series twice before 1980 and had never won. Now they have been there five times in the last 30 seasons, with two championships and a chance to make it three.
The Phillies are no longer a downtrodden franchise enjoying a day in the sun. They are a dominant team with the players to keep it that way for a long time.
It was only 2 1/2 years ago that Jimmy Rollins stirred up controversy by proclaiming the Phillies the "team to beat" in the NL East. Now the only controversy would come if a Met dared to utter that statement.
The Phillies are the team to beat, both in the division and in the league. And if Brad Lidge continues to hold up, maybe in all of baseball.
I hated them less when they were the scrappy underdog.
***
The Phillies are the first National League team to win back-to-back pennants since the 1995-6 Atlanta Braves. So the last time an NL team returned to the World Series to defend their title, they were facing a Yankee team that was back in the Fall Classic after what for the Yankees was a lengthy absence, trying to end one of the longest title droughts in Yankee history.
Will 2009 be a repeat of 1996? We shall see.
Also, in 1996, the Mets won 71 games, one more than this year. Toward the end of the year, they hired Bobby Valentine. Just sayin'.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Yankees-Phillies: Facing the fear
I don't even want to think about the looming prospect of a Yankees-Phillies World Series, but Squawker Lisa is all too pleased to do so, and she has rounded up a host of responses from my fellow Met bloggers on how we would deal with such a grim event.
Who will we root for? Will some of us leave the country, or at least the Northeast?
Check out Lisa's "Met Fans Face Their Worst Fear: A Phillies-Yankees World Series" here.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Here's something to squawk about - are you rooting for Dodgers or Phillies?
Here's an argument for our readers - which team are you rooting for in the NLCS - the Dodgers or the Phillies? Although I want to stick with my karma on not rooting for a potential team for the Yankees to face in the World Series, I like the idea of chanting "Go Phillies," just to tick off Met fans. Besides, do you know how insufferable Joe Torre will be if he makes it to another World Series? I'm officially neutral, but put it this way - I'm sorely tempted to root for the Phillies!
At any rate, it might be an even more intense argument than the one going on TV ratings!
What do you think? Tell us about it!
At any rate, it might be an even more intense argument than the one going on TV ratings!
What do you think? Tell us about it!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
The Melkman - and A-Rod - deliver as the Yankees walkoff in style
For most of yesterday's game, I didn't have much hope for a Yankee victory. As I expected them to, they did very little against J.A. Happ, while Andy Pettitte gave up five runs. And given that it was the FOX Game of the Week, which the Yanks usually lose, it didn't look good. The biggest excitement of the game up until that point was FOX misidentifying John Mayberry Jr.'s dad in the stands after Mayberry's first career homer.
But I had a good feeling in the ninth inning that the Yanks were going to do something against Brad Lidge. Down by two in the ninth, up against a big name closer? That was the same scenario against Joe Nathan last week, and we all know how that turned out! So I was not surprised that the Yankees won, or that Alex Rodriguez and Melky Cabrera were the heroes.
Before the game, friend of the Squawkers Larry Milian interviewed me on South Florida's WTFL 640. I talked on the radio about how Alex Rodriguez did the opposite of his so-called stat-padding reputation this season, where he's only had a few hits this year, but nearly every one has been critical to the game. And whaddaya know, he goes 1 for 4 today, with that one hit a game-tying homer.
And how about Melky Cabrera? Three walkoff hits in two months? Amazing!
Anyhow, the ninth inning was something else. Off to watch that walkoff celebration again!
What did you think of today's Yankee game? Leave us a comment!
But I had a good feeling in the ninth inning that the Yanks were going to do something against Brad Lidge. Down by two in the ninth, up against a big name closer? That was the same scenario against Joe Nathan last week, and we all know how that turned out! So I was not surprised that the Yankees won, or that Alex Rodriguez and Melky Cabrera were the heroes.
Before the game, friend of the Squawkers Larry Milian interviewed me on South Florida's WTFL 640. I talked on the radio about how Alex Rodriguez did the opposite of his so-called stat-padding reputation this season, where he's only had a few hits this year, but nearly every one has been critical to the game. And whaddaya know, he goes 1 for 4 today, with that one hit a game-tying homer.
And how about Melky Cabrera? Three walkoff hits in two months? Amazing!
Anyhow, the ninth inning was something else. Off to watch that walkoff celebration again!
What did you think of today's Yankee game? Leave us a comment!
Yankees may have lost, but at least Johan Santana gave Kevin Youkilis the what-for
Yes, Squawker Jon, I know my Yankees didn't hold up their share of the Yankees-Mets alliance this weekend, and your team did. Sorry about that. But give me this - I had more faith in your Mets than you did. I predicted that your team would win last night, and thought they had a 50/50 chance to win the series. You, on the other hand, figured the Sox would sweep the Mets!
Too bad my Yankees prediction - that they would continue their winning streak Friday - didn't come true. And I kind of figured that early in last night - make that very early in last night. After Jimmy ("The Team to Beat") Rollins hit a homer off A.J. Burnett's very first pitch of the night, I didn't expect the evening to end well.
I do like Rollins an awful lot, though. In addition to his skills as a ballplayer, he's got a great personality, he's not afraid to speak his mind, and he loves to make predictions:
Did notice how Burnett hit Chase Utley and the homer, and then Brett Myers hit Derek Jeter. Aside from all the fans wearing Phillies red in the Stadium seats, what struck me was how intense the game was, even with two teams that don't have any sort of rivalry.
And it's a funny thing - it's not so enjoyable to see all those home runs when it's the other team hitting them! Everybody talks about right field being a homer haven, but what disturbs me more is how many balls get hit to center. How many balls got hit into the black in the old ballpark - maybe 25 in 30+ years? And how many got hit in the area in front of that? Not many. Seems like a lot this year.
Hmmm, maybe the Mohegan Sun Sports Bar is the problem. Wouldn't that be a kick in the head, if it turns out that building that monstrosity is the cause of all the homers?
Anyhow, it was a rough night - when Chien-Ming Wang only giving up six hits and two runs in three innings is considered progess, that's not a good thing. And I expect a loss today, because it's a pitcher - J.A. Happ - that the Yanks have never seen.
At least there was one great highlight of the night that literally had me cheering. Too bad it came in the Mets-Red Sox game. When Kevin Youkilis got hit by one of Johan Santana's pitches - it looked like an accident to me - Youk did his usual yippy "Don't you know I am" thing. Then Santana looked like he told Youkilis to go drink a nice steaming cup of "Shut the bleep up"! Good stuff. I've watched the clip three times already!
What did you think of last night's games? Leave us a comment!
Too bad my Yankees prediction - that they would continue their winning streak Friday - didn't come true. And I kind of figured that early in last night - make that very early in last night. After Jimmy ("The Team to Beat") Rollins hit a homer off A.J. Burnett's very first pitch of the night, I didn't expect the evening to end well.
I do like Rollins an awful lot, though. In addition to his skills as a ballplayer, he's got a great personality, he's not afraid to speak his mind, and he loves to make predictions:
Unfortunately, his prediction, unlike mine, actually came true!Rollins, who hit his 29th leadoff homer, envisioned leading off on Thursday.
"I kind of said it would nice to do, first time at Yankee Stadium, my first swing, you know, be a home run. I prayed on it. Prayers get answered," he said.
Did notice how Burnett hit Chase Utley and the homer, and then Brett Myers hit Derek Jeter. Aside from all the fans wearing Phillies red in the Stadium seats, what struck me was how intense the game was, even with two teams that don't have any sort of rivalry.
And it's a funny thing - it's not so enjoyable to see all those home runs when it's the other team hitting them! Everybody talks about right field being a homer haven, but what disturbs me more is how many balls get hit to center. How many balls got hit into the black in the old ballpark - maybe 25 in 30+ years? And how many got hit in the area in front of that? Not many. Seems like a lot this year.
Hmmm, maybe the Mohegan Sun Sports Bar is the problem. Wouldn't that be a kick in the head, if it turns out that building that monstrosity is the cause of all the homers?
Anyhow, it was a rough night - when Chien-Ming Wang only giving up six hits and two runs in three innings is considered progess, that's not a good thing. And I expect a loss today, because it's a pitcher - J.A. Happ - that the Yanks have never seen.
At least there was one great highlight of the night that literally had me cheering. Too bad it came in the Mets-Red Sox game. When Kevin Youkilis got hit by one of Johan Santana's pitches - it looked like an accident to me - Youk did his usual yippy "Don't you know I am" thing. Then Santana looked like he told Youkilis to go drink a nice steaming cup of "Shut the bleep up"! Good stuff. I've watched the clip three times already!
What did you think of last night's games? Leave us a comment!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Met fan must root for Yankees and against Red Sox
It's been a miserable week. The Mets have lost four in a row with only six runs scored. Carlos Delgado undergoes surgery and is out at least two months. Jose Reyes is hurt and who knows when he will be 100%. Alex Cora fills in ably for Reyes, only to tear ligaments in his thumb. The Mets commit five errors in one game and conjure up memories of 1962. And one of the team's few bright spots, Carlos Beltran, is maligned on national TV by a buffoon.
Now this bad week is about to get even worse. This weekend, I will find myself rooting for the Yankees and against the Red Sox. I generally root for the Red Sox in the American League, though it seems that many Red Sox fans lump the Mets in with things from New York that they do not like. And they probably wouldn't enjoy SNY's celebration of all things 1986.
But Red Sox fans have celebrated two titles since the Mets last won. And when I think of Mets-Red Sox, I think of the massacre of 2006 and the downfall of Pedro Martinez, who returned triumphantly to Fenway with a 7-4 record and a 3.01 ERA, only to give up eight runs (six earned) in three innings. We didn't know it at the time, but after only a year and a half with the Mets, it was the beginning of the end for Pedro.
The Yankee series figures to be a nightmare either way. If the Phillies win, the Mets fall further behind. (I'm conceding the series at Fenway - I just hope the Mets don't get swept as in '06. Go Johan!)
If the Yankees win, we'll probably hear Jimmy Rollins, who, in the June issue of Playboy, predicted a Phillies-Yankees World Series, praise the Yankees as the only good thing to come out of New York, while Cole Hamel calls them the New York team that can make it to the Fall Classic without choking.
If the Yankees celebrate after the game with a pie in the face of the player who gets the game-winning hit, Shane Victorino will probably praise the celebration as tasteful and ask for the recipe for the pie.
Met fans, will you root for the Yankees against the Phillies? Yankee fans, will you root for the Mets against the Red Sox?
Friday, May 1, 2009
Mets don't throw it away vs. Phillies
It's great to see a Mets-Phillies game in which it's the other team that starts Chan Ho Park and later runs itself out of a potentially big inning. How disrespectful is it for the Phils to schedule Park against the Mets not just tonight, but also next week, while not scheduling Cole Hamels to face the Mets at all.
That would be like Johan Santana missing both this series and the one next week at Citi Field, while Oliver Perez faces the Phillies twice. Oh wait, that actually is happening. But at least Ollie does have a great track record against the Phils, and tonight the Mets were able to win despite a so-so start from Mike Pelfrey.
But it was the Phillies' adventures on the basepaths in the sixth that showed it was the Mets' night.
Despite the new bullpen, the Mets have blown so many big leads this year that 7-3 did not seem safe, especially in Philadelphia. And especially when Jose Reyes threw wildly to third with two on and one out in the bottom of the sixth. The bases were about to be loaded with the heart of the Phillies' order coming up.
But in this game, it was the Phillies who screwed up, as Greg Dobbs started heading for third while Chris Coste was already there, creating a series of rundowns that resulted in Coste being tagged out at home for the second out. So when Shane Victorino flied out, the inning was over, rather than Chase Utley coming up with Ryan Howard on deck.
It really did seem like the sort of game the Mets would have blown last year. Instead, it turned into a good way to start the first series against the defending champs.
Not so good was both Luis Castillo and Carlos Delgado missing the game with injuries. While Alex Cora and Fernando Tatis filled in well, if Delgado has to go on the DL, the Mets will face the consequences of Omar Minaya's aging, injury-prone bench and lack of ready replacements on the farm.
At least Fernando Tatis is showing he deserves more playing time. Tatis had two hits tonight and is hitting .370.
And Jerry Manuel had a good night as well. After Tatis got his two hits, Manuel did not pinch hit for him with Gary Sheffield.
That would be like Johan Santana missing both this series and the one next week at Citi Field, while Oliver Perez faces the Phillies twice. Oh wait, that actually is happening. But at least Ollie does have a great track record against the Phils, and tonight the Mets were able to win despite a so-so start from Mike Pelfrey.
But it was the Phillies' adventures on the basepaths in the sixth that showed it was the Mets' night.
Despite the new bullpen, the Mets have blown so many big leads this year that 7-3 did not seem safe, especially in Philadelphia. And especially when Jose Reyes threw wildly to third with two on and one out in the bottom of the sixth. The bases were about to be loaded with the heart of the Phillies' order coming up.
But in this game, it was the Phillies who screwed up, as Greg Dobbs started heading for third while Chris Coste was already there, creating a series of rundowns that resulted in Coste being tagged out at home for the second out. So when Shane Victorino flied out, the inning was over, rather than Chase Utley coming up with Ryan Howard on deck.
It really did seem like the sort of game the Mets would have blown last year. Instead, it turned into a good way to start the first series against the defending champs.
Not so good was both Luis Castillo and Carlos Delgado missing the game with injuries. While Alex Cora and Fernando Tatis filled in well, if Delgado has to go on the DL, the Mets will face the consequences of Omar Minaya's aging, injury-prone bench and lack of ready replacements on the farm.
At least Fernando Tatis is showing he deserves more playing time. Tatis had two hits tonight and is hitting .370.
And Jerry Manuel had a good night as well. After Tatis got his two hits, Manuel did not pinch hit for him with Gary Sheffield.
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