Last Day in Aug. Nice W

I can't believe it is the END of August. So much baseball, so little time.

I am happy the way the Mets capped off the month with a W against the Fish. The play of the game, to me, was the final where Jose Reyes stuck his glove out and caught the line drive. Hustle is key.

Tomorrow will bring a whole new dynamic to the game. The September call ups. It reminds me a lot of the gym during January. Some will stick around and be good (fit), others will drop out of sight and never be seen again (binge eaters, drinkers, etc).

Saw a graphic on Sunday's game and it looked all Latino. It's going to be a blast if Jose, Al and Argenis Reyes gets into a game. This is the ultimate call: "Ball pitched by Reyes (1); it's hit up the middle and Reyes (2) gets it and tosses it to the bag for the out, caught by Reyes (3).
1) Al
2) Jose
3) Argenis.

Ah...September. We are just a step away from October, so let's make it.

Another Heilman Appearance, Another Loss....OR, HeiLLLLLLLLman

It never ceases to amaze me how much the Mets, both under the regime of Willie and Jerry continue to use Aaron Heilman. Here is another example of why some folks don't understand a hot stove will burn you.

Duaner Sanchez gives up a tying run. UGH. Hey, did anyone get the license plate of that Taxi? I want that guy to come back and do it again...(and also take out Heilman). Not their lives, just their chances for playing on the Mets.

So, Heilman comes in,,,2 Intentional BBs and then WALKS in the winning run. All on horseshit pitches.

Is it ME? Or is he THAT bad? At least with Anthony Young, there was a bit of comic relief involved. The entire team sucked.

Belt Belt Belt Beltran

Carlos was the hero tonight and it was good to see him do it with his 8th career granny. (Uh, if you are a visitor for the first time to this blog, the previous sentence is not something that is happening in West Virginia where they do that stuff...I'm talking baseball).

In the post game interview, he had a candid admission that he wasn't trying to blast a home run. He also said with regret that two years ago he was in a situation where he didn't swing or protect the plate.

If he has games like he did tonight, we will be seeing more Ws.

Speaking of Ws. Two up on the Cheesesteaks. (Kudos to Steve Somers for that attribution).

Day Off...

Lame attempt at Poetry...

Day Off For The Mets
And Me Too
I'll Continue To Bleed
Orange and Blue

Let's pick this up tomorrow.

I will end with a rhetorical question..."Where have you gone Rusty Staub?

Gaining Ground...One Grain of Sand at a Time

Earlier in my salad days as a blogger (OK, since 2006) I may have referred to the Mets taking on a Sisyphus-like journey to the top.

Yesterday was horrendous. 13 innings and then Schoenweis gives up the ghost. (He and Heilman seem to corner the market on that).

Tonight, a decisive win. The Flip of the John Kerry Flop showed up. We like when the Mets win, but to slither down the drain like last night after being a commander on the field was, well, you fill in the blank _________________

Interesting stat popped up on SNY and it showed a dramatic drop off of average for the starters in the later innings. Are we TOO focused on middle relief to notice? Hope not. Baseball may be a diamond, but you need 360 degrees of visibility.

Let's Beat The Phillies

Im Zonked. But its the bottom of the 8th and Mets relievers are on. Pedro couldn't go much.

Mets middle relief is on.

The team blew a 7-0 lead.

When the rollercoaster ride is over, I am going to unbuckle and go to Bed.

Wake me if the Mets win.

2 Solid CGs For Pelfrey

Another Nice W you've Gotten yourself into...

If Oliver Hardy was still around, he would have said that to Pelfrey tonight. He's starting to emerge as an (GULP) "Ace." This was the first time since circa 1995 that a Mets pitcher went 2 complete games and got 2 wins in a row. This was a common occurrence up until the late 60s/early 70s when pitchers were more durable. Pelfrey, as my colleague at work said today, can "eat up the innings.

Delgado was on fire and his RBI total of 6 did NOT match the translation of his last name. (I will save you all from consulting Spanish dictionaries -- it means 'skinny.')

Maine is out and that is another hole that needs to be filled. Sept 1 is a few days away, but with a series against the rival Phillies, the art of being careful and playing strategic is a must.

Let's Go Mets! (See ya at the ballpark)

Thanks Aaron Heilman -- FOR BLOWING IT!

Whenever Aaron Heilman comes into a game..WATCH OUT! Today, against the Astros, the Mets were up and he pitches to two batters and allows the game to be tied. Is that consistent? With him, yes. Is it tolerable? No. Seems like Guillermo Mota - AGAIN.

Heilman was booed so loudly today, it was to the extent where he felt like crawling under a rock. And, as a die hard Mets fan, I wish he would. Aaron, please Hibernate from Opening Day to the Last game of the World Series. Just find something to do -- in the off season.

Resilliancy

It is the 8th inning and the Stros are ahead 8-3, but the Mets haven't folded. I see a bit of a rally and this is something that needs to carry us forward if we want to go ape in post season.

Phils won today, so let's kick it.

Sorry for the short posts of late...work, Olympics, etc...

Im going to the game tomorrow...Hope to have some fun stuff.

Shut Outs. Come From Behind Wins. First Place. Am I Dreaming?

Another quality win tonight and this can be attributed to good ball.

Baseball is an IRONIC game. Opposing pitcher Roy Oswalt retires something like 15 straight batters and still loses. Johan was brilliant again and is showing the investment is solid. No Runs-AGAIN.

Box Score

Berkman was shut down and the 'Stros, who have been playing solid ball of late, were quiet.

Good to see Ryan Church back. Isn't it interesting that 3 Mets were on the field that were recently Nationals? Ayala, Church and Schneider.

Wright's Double in the 9th

Turned the game on late, 4-4 and its the 9th. The way wright smacked the ball to the outfield is the kind of momentum we need - especially on a day like today.

As a track and field aficionado as well, I felt burned the US teams in the 4 x100 relay dropped the Baton. Mets, please pick it up.

Addendum - It is always nice to knock the ball around on Mike Hampton!

Start Printing #34 Jerseys

Pelfrey has pitched well and I think after today's performance, you will be seeing kids and adults donning #34 shirts.

Let's face it. He's part of the future. He has confidence and shut down the Braves - EASILY.

I am ordering mine -- if you have a "L" on hand, I'll make it fit me.

Is It 1986 -- or 2006 again? A Come From Behind Win!

Sorry for the short posts. Been caught in the Olympic fever (110 degrees at least!).

Fear not, I am still watching the games.

Much needed come from behind win. This is the same drive and fight we had in 06.

Keep it up. Need to hold the lead in the standings.

Over and Out.

Today's Loss - A Come From Behind Win for the Bucs is Like.....

Getting a balloon as a child at the zoo and then letting go of it and wondering why you don't have it anymore. Losing an easy gift.

Metsies - How many times do I have to tell you that you can't afford to be sloppy.

Live by this Motto: Bring you "A" game even against the "Z" teams."

Typo - it is now Johan SAINTana

Brilliant performance today by J0-San. These are the kind of games you long for - 9 complete innings. 113 pitches with 85 of them strikes and no free passes. Did I mention anything about Shut-out? (His fifth career).

Box Score

Yes. I realize it was the Pirates, but this is the type of performance that should be coming regularly.

Long day today, so I will be brief. I was glad to be part of Johan's first complete game a few weeks ago against the Cardinals.

Back tomorrow.

Pelfrey - A Star (well, As conveyed by Text Messaging!)

First...glad the Mets held on to a shaky lead against the Pirates tonight. It was the start of a mini-melt, but something we were able to hold off. Thanks Jerry Manuel for being logical.

Now, on Saturday morning around 8 am, I got a text message from MAC who is an occasional contributor --but not that often this year -- AHEM, MAC, love your columns when you step in for me.

So, it turns out he is in Kentucky on biz and I am guessing its an hour behind us. Anyway, for someone to THINK about my blog THAT early on a Saturday, how could I shy away from his comment.

Turns out as you may know, last year and a little bit of this year, I said that Pelfrey sucks and the Mets should get rid of him. This leopard has changed his spots. Not only do I think he is a core member of the pitching staff, I actually believe, just by watching his motion and composure, he is a legit superstar for years to come. As cited earlier in a post (hey, I'm too lazy to find it now -- its close to midnight -- that when he ditched the mouth guard, Pelfrey was a pitcher).

What I feel foolish about was I didn't stick with him in my fantasy league after his last start. That will sure change.

So, MAC, while its late for me, I hope you are up awaiting this post and feel that I rectified my old position. You can't teach an old dog new tricks, but MAC got me to change my opinion faster than a politician visiting two diverse audiences an hour apart.

Pelfrey for Prez!

Another Day, Another Win

The title of the blog is something I wish was said more often, but that is something we need to keep up going forward.

The main thing is the Mets are in first by a game and a half as I write this. (Phils are tied, 0-0 in the 6th.

It's been a roller coaster, but if the boys in blue can beat these tomato can teams over the next few, the confidence and momentum will carry against the red hot 'Stros.

Back tomorrow.

W over W

Win over Washington. Make it 3 - Uh...A Sweep.

This is the kind of ball we need to play.

Something perplexed me. Heilman, 9th inning, 2 out, 3-2 - what happens? Aw come on, its easy. You don't have to be Kreskin to guess. Yup. Batter gets on.

Omar, fish or cut bait. We don't want another ineffective pitcher.

Right On Target!

12-0. What does this mean? How many eggs? How many broken? It could very well be.

Sarcasm aside, the Mets did what they SHOULD have been doing to many of the weak teams they faced. Trouncing 'em in the hallways, taking the entire opposing team's lunch money and then splurging the found booty on a white elephant item.

The right guys were putting up the numbers and hopefully this will continue.

Oh, and I tried to listen, but couldn't hear Paul LoDuca repeat his comment after he left the Mets and went to the Nationals. It was akin to "I can't wait to face the Mets! We'll see them 14 times in '08!" Pssssst. Someone just tapped me on the shoulder and whispered that Paul LoDuca was cut a few weeks ago. OH WELL!

Now, we have to do some more decisive winning against the DC and PITT teams in the coming days. If Philly waivers, first is a grain of salt away.

Casey Stengel Was Right

"Can't anybody here play this game?"

Bases loaded, then the ONLY run comes when Damion Easley is plunked on the coconut allowing David Wright to score.

Am I remiss in the fundamentals of hitting?

Well, the score is 4-3 Mets as I am about to finalize this sentence...

Mets' Youth is Answer to Their Woes

All --
I'm taking a day off from writing today (can't stomach it after seeing the Mets pen give up 6 runs today to the lowly Pirates). I dispatched a long time business colleague and fellow Mets fan to utter some logic in this time of bullpen confusion.

by Mark Tordik

Okay, so the Mets didn't sweep the Marlins on Sunday. [Editors Note: Nor did they play up to the level of the Sisters of Charity "B" team against the Pirates on Monday in a make-up game].
We have to give Josh Johnson a lot of credit. He is a big time pitcher although he's still relatively inexperienced. It's a waste of time to analyze Pelfrey's performance since the Mets' bats did nothing to keep pace with the offensively-charged Marlins.

Going back to Game 2 of this series, Murphy and Evans were nothing short of awesome. It is always exciting to see our young talent get called up in August and September every season. Two years ago, Mike Jacobs hit 10 HRs in something like his first 100 ABs. He's a jerk anyway, especially with what he did to Brian Stokes who got his first major league hit in as many ABs -- Jacobs tossed the ball over the Mets dugout and into the stands. Delgado and Mets officials needed to act fast to get the ball back. This was no accident -- the Marlins team was angered by a stong start by the Mets in which they scored four runs in the first inning.

Anyway, back to the young Mets talent. Another minor leaguer who has been getting some blog buzz is Valentino Pascucci who has hit 25 HRs this season for the New Orleans Zephyrs (AAA).

Val Pascucci should be starting in LF for the Mets. Evans should split time with Tatis in RF and Daniel Murphy should be starting every game for the Mets at second base (he played 3B in the minors and should be able to make the switch) while Castillo continues his rehab. I don't want to ever see Damion Easley start a game for the Mets. He should always be used for PH.

Here is what the Mets lineup needs to look like if they are to challenge the Phillies and take the NL East:

• 1B - Carlos Delgado/Nick Evans
• 2B - Daniel Murphy/Luis Castillo
• SS - Jose Reyes
• 3B - David Wright
• C - Ramon Castro (when healthy, of course)
• LF - Valentino Pascucci
• CF - Carlos Beltran
• RF - Fernando Tatis/Nick Evans (if Church comes back healthy, then I'd give him the nod to start against righties only)

Note: I left Argenis Reyes off the list since he hasn't shown enough power and hitting ability. Murphy should be getting the time there. After all, Murphy has a .500 batting average. As for Nick Evans, he started slow batting .179 on July 12, but has been on a hot streak and is now hitting at a healthy .263.

In terms of pitching, the Mets need to bring up southpaw pitcher Jonathan Niese NOW. His ERA at New Orleans is 2.37. (FYI -- Brian Stokes' ERA at AAA is 4.41). He needs to come up ASAP along with teammate Tony Armas who is sporting a 2.54 ERA.

The Mets' future is bright but only if they can embrace the future and give these young kids a shot.

Editors Note: Mark, I thank you and even though I should be neutral as a moderator, I'll compromise and be succinct... "Ya darn right!"

Sunday, DUD-ddy Sunday

Box Score

What a bad day to spend an afternoon watching the Mets get trounced by the Marlins. The only consolation that came from this is that Hanley Ramirez went 0-for-5.

Pelfrey was off and walked everyone. In fact, people were foregoing trips to Lourdes because they saw they may have a chance at walking if they faced Pelfrey. I'm selfishly mad because I picked him as a spot starter in my fantasy league and he hurt my ERA and WHIP.

Serves me right.

Makeup game against the Pyrites tomorrow. Next few must all be wins as we are facing "tomato cans."

Some Candid Insight from a Pitcher I Was Not Too Fond Of...

Listening to the radio today on WFAN, and John Franco was on. Now, for those who know me, I am not a fan of his as a pitcher and thought he was way overrated. Blew too many easy games too.

In any sense, he waxed philosophical and candid about the 2008 Mets. He stated the team does not have a true leader, a stand up guy who can rally everyone and spark the team. He thinks David Wright could be the one, but at 25, may be too young and won't have the respect of older players. Franco, I agree.

Another point he made...

I am paraphrasing his quote, but it was along the lines of, "I don't think the Mets show up to play hard every day. You would think that after what happened last year, they would be consistently hungry. Against teams with bad records like the Astros and Padres, they come in with a mighty attitude and they aren't dominating, so they play a less casual game."

Franco, you may not have hit the strike zone from 60'6" at the right time, but this is an accurate call.

And, another thing, the schedule coming up is soft. After the Marlins series, 8 games against the Pirates and the Nationals...Lord help me if they go worse than 7-1.

Hooked The Fish

Ollie was dead on tonight and nary a shaky performance. He still gives up a lot of walks, so if you are in a fantasy league, your WHIP goes up without fail.

Great news...a shut out and the Mets get closer to first. Box Score...What is most remarkable is that Aaron Heilman went two hitless innings, striking out three and, yes, you ARE reading this right, earned a save.

Next up on things we thought were impossible, Rex Reed chasing girls. (This will happen before Mike Hampton goes "injury"-free

The Heilman Express

Can you believe the guy who mars all the win Opps for Johan Santana actually stepped in and got the win today in a see saw of a game. Aaron Heilman who should be on Waivers....Pssst. Mets - you missed the boat with Chad Bradford who just got picked up by the Devil Rays...and Livan Hernandez too! Why not put Aaron on the wire and see who bites? Think of it as putting out junk at the garages sale.

Who is this aforementioned Jody Gerut? He is 5-for14 in the series against the Mets and 3 (1-2-3) of those are Home Runs. To the Mets, they pronounce it to rhyme with "Babe Ruth"

A series against the Fish and on Sunday, it's Billy Wagner Bobble Head day. Can't wait. (The broken ones have heads that don't move - they are on the disabled list).

The paragraphs tonight are somewhat non-sequetirs. Go ahead, make your own transitions.

Loss to Padres Means...

Sometimes you are the priest...
Sometimes you are the altarboy...

You don't have to do much deducing here...

Look at the Box Score

Aaron Heilman -- Is he For REAL?

Another "fasten your seat belt" performance from Aaron "Enola Gay" Heilman. Gees, he keeps dropping these bombs and rattling the hell out of us fans.

Mets were up by a good 6-2 margin when Mr. GiveItUp, well, gave up a 3 run king kong to the world famous Jody Gerut (Box Score).

It is just baffling beyond the permissible pale of comprehension how a team keeps putting out the bait for hitters to hit. Heilman is just bad. He gave up a surprisingly low 9 HRs this year -- last two were a 3 and 4 run numbers.

Each day, the Mets pitching staff seems to erode like a glacier in Hades. Maine. Wagner. Away. Heilman (should be put away) and Duaner "Hey Taxi" Sanchez is not Ole Reliable.

I'm tired of sounding like an old washerwoman, but this pitching is just bad. I can remember in the early 90s when the Mets just reeked of solid starters.

OK Omar, dig up some goodies from the minors or work the wavier wire...

NOTES: Seems like some of the position rookies are doing well. There are less of them than last year, but Nick Evans and Dan Murphy and pitcher, Eddie Kunz are nice surprises. Let's cultivate them and not burn em out.

And, a special shout out for Fernando Tatis...GO GET EM AGAIN, EffTee!

Pound the Pods

3 Game series coming up with the woeful Padres who beat the woeful Mets in a sweep earlier this year.

Ironically, we should all be praying to the padres before the Padres prey on the Mets.

A lot of weak arms in the hurling ranks...Duaner, Billy, Maine...

On the other side, the Phils and the Marlins are going to rock it out. Let's hope for a mathematical luck. A sweep with the Mets to gain 1 1/2 and the other two to lose...

Back tomorrow.

Stros Pull Another W Away from the Mets

Baffled. Plain Baffled is all I can say about the loss today: Box Score

Mets kept leaving men on base and the Houston Astros were able to capitalize and have a 4-0 easy walkover win. We are not fighting hard and this is war. Especially when the Fish and Phils are close to first as well.

Day off on Monday. Typical Wash Day as they used to say. Let's hope we wash out the Ls and fold and hang some Ws.

Maine is on the DL, Wagner is hurt...Oh, get this. He says he felt this way since the Florida Series...Thanks Billy. Secrets like these are not welcome.

Wagner. Heilman. Reminds Me of John Franco Blowing Games...

The first 8 innings of tonight's game were great. Not much to chirp about. Santana was pitching well and held the fort down - but alas, he doesn't collect a W. Start sending the "Thank You" Notes to Billy Wagner and Aaron Heilman.

Wagner had every opp and reason to beat his old team, but for some odd reason, kept letting batters from the 'Stros reach base. And, alas, they tie it. Not a line item in the job description of a closer. Worse yet, Heilman comes in the 10th and gives the game away.

Take a close look at the box score, especially the men left on base (LOB). Mets have a baker's dozen - which is bad, but the 'Stros have a quarter of a century -- and they STILL win.

A friend of mine commented to me after the game, "Wagner got a free pass...Heilman needs to go to triple A." I agree, but I would send Heilman to another team and let them deal with it.

Now's the time where I get a bit snarky..."See Omar, you should have been pulling triggers and flipping switches the last week of July..."

Giving the Gophers Away

Its only the fifth inning as I watch tonight's game against the 'Stros, but Pedro has given up 3 runs - ALL HRs. Not good. This shows that the opposing team has him figured out.

Let's see what the rest of the game brings... (Box Score)