The Real Truth

I know this series sucked, trust me. I still believe it’s the exception and not the norm, and were this the playoffs we’d have found a way to win, and hold the leads. Wagner and El Duque are not usually going to pitch like this.

This is the NL East race, pictured here in mid-September.

If you don’t have something nice to say..

I still trust Willie, I do. It’s only the regular season, but I wish they’d played more to step on their throats. They’ve hit a little downswing offensively which is understandable after a two week stretch on fire, but the bullpen has been unable to make anything stick.

The Phillies won’t catch up, but you can’t let them sweep either. Even the four games, while it doesn’t sound like much, is enough for the division. Willie has some hard decisions ahead of him about postseason rotations and bench players, but he’s got an equally hard and much more important one in finishing out this bullpen. We’ll get some September call ups, and Willie has to be looking for some extra bullpen help. Someone needs to play well, so Willie can pull the “I can’t leave this guy off the way he’s throwing” justification for not putting Mota on the postseason roster. Honestly the Mets need to do some cost analysis and realize that the extra postseason money that they’ll make from the team going further into the playoffs is more than enough to pay off Mota’s contract.

Tomorrow I’ll be watching the game at the Ziegler theatre with the Mets at the Movies promotion they’ve been promoting for a couple of weeks. I have no idea what to expect, but hopefully it’ll be fun to see the Mets on the screen like that. Look for me, I’ll be the one with the Mets hat.

Quick Word

Everyone else has already gushed over last nights game, so I’m just going to highlight a few things that I liked, and could help in the playoffs.

1. Beat a Cy-Young candidate pitcher.

2. Beat a Hall Of Fame bound Closer.

3. Staged multiple come from behinds RBIs

4. Beat a former Met, Heath Bell, and didn’t let a former Met, Mike Cameron, beat us.

Oh, and this was in the Press Pass notes for today’s game. I think it’s a little silly..at least wait a couple of games.

Good Luck Charm: Since the birth of John Ricco’s daughter, Olivia, the Mets are 1-0.”

John Ricco being the assistant general manager.

Pedro and the Padres

The Friars come to town this week, followed by the Dodgers. I’m planning on being at Wednesday’s game and my usual Saturday game for game numbers 24 and 25 on the season. That’s more than Carl Pavano. This team is finally playing with some fire and energy, winning six of their last seven. I expect them to continue this stretch through these next two teams, who may be playoff contenders, but are not in the Mets class. More importantly, I think they’ll win more games than the Phillies and Braves over this six game stretch, bringing their division lead to at least six before they go play both of those two teams.

Jeff Conine is on his way, and I really could care less. I hope this isn’t a statement on how Delgado is feeling overall, because despite his 2007, I’d rather Delgado at first any day. Castro and Lo Duca healing up is another thing I’m waiting for, despite Mike Difelice doing as well as he is doing. Lo Duca was upset that he went on the DL in the first place, so I expect him to come back healthy and angry, which I suspect is when he’s at his best. Pedro Martinez is climbing the ladder, and I expect he’ll be here before we know it. He’s itching for the competitive baseball of the major leagues, and even though by the time he gets here we may be already putting the finishing touches on the division, I expect that competitive fire to come through in the playoffs.

Endy Chavez could be back as early as tonight. As far as bench impact players go, he’s a good one. He’s a fan favorite too, and maybe his reappearance is all the Mets need to start winning at home again. I’d love to finally break the 4-win plateau with some crushing victories at home over the Padres. I’d even be there for the 5th one should the game go well tonight, and with John Maine on the mound looking to redeem himself after a couple of iffy starts, I expect tonights game to be a good clean win.

Down the Stretch

I wrote an article recently about a team’s transfer from old stadium to new ballpark. In it I mention the Home Run Apple. I’ve heard of a campaign to move the actual apple from Shea to Citi, and I thought about it a bit, and I don’t quite agree.

Recently brought to my attention was a campaign to keep the home run apple when the Mets move to Citi Field. Whenever a Mets player hits a home run at home a red apple rises out of a black top hat, lit up to display the Mets logo on the front. I’ve been talking about this for a while, but I don’t want the old apple at the new Shea. I want a new apple, a fresh apple, and most importantly, a real apple. An apple with the newness of Citi Field. A digital apple would just be a disgrace.

John Maine just looks tired, as I watch this second game of the Pirates series. He’s struggled through five innings, and I imagine he’s done. With the Mets up 5-3, at least he has a shot at a win. This would be game three in a row, on the way to trying to finally top their season-high four game winning streak. Hopefully the Mets can find a way to get a little more of a lead in the division, allow them to rest Maine and Perez, rather than risk burning them out.

They need to address the bullpen a little too, and I’m afraid big contracts in the likes of Mota and Schoeneweis will prevent them from figuring out what would be best. They’ve got a guy or two down in the minors like Willie Collazo who I wouldn’t mind seeing. Joe Smith has only thrown five innings since going down; it might be time to bring him back up too. Jorge Sosa has pitched well out of the bullpen, maybe that’s a gem that we can count on where we weren’t expecting it.

Pedro threw his second rehab outing, did well, felt good, and continued on his path towards returning. It seems likely that he’ll be back in a couple of weeks, and maybe can provide that spark and energy that’s been so lacking so far. It’s going to be a fun night when he returns, and it’ll also be the night he gets 3000 strikeouts.

The Mets have just over six weeks remaining, and hopefully they can put behind this so-so season by coming on strong and playing like the playoff team they almost certainly will be.

Brave Woes

We got the one game, which of course is less than optimal. However, we retain a comfortable four loss lead in the division. This was a much more important series for them than for us. Had the Mets won two, the Braves would be six back and in trouble. Now they’re not as much in trouble, but like they have for the past three months, they’ll be playing a series this weekend for third place.

Worry-warts are saying that this is the same old Mets team, struggling against the Braves. I think differently. That particular struggle was put to rest last year. The reason the Mets are 4-8 against the Braves this year is precisely that they’re not that good. The flip side is that the Braves know that the Mets are the team to beat, and they don’t seem to have any sort of struggles in playing the Mets. While the Mets see the Braves as just one of the teams they have to hold off, the Braves see these games as must wins. The Braves know that they have to beat the Mets to get to the top, and they play these games appropriately.

The Braves have to play this games this hard, because they’re not that good. They know they need to get through the Mets to win the division, because even winning what they have against the Mets, they’re not in first. If the Mets had even split these 12 games with Atlanta, I’d probably be discussing resting players already. All is not lost though. The Mets have two options that they can very easily take. The first is to start playing like they’re capable, beating teams left and right, starting with the Marlins this weekend. If they play strongly, there is no way the Braves can catch up. The other option is to play the six remaining games against the Braves hard, and put the distance between them that way.

The Mets have the capability to play well, and to win this division. They are easily the best team in at least the East, if not the whole league, and when they play well no one else has much of a chance.

The Land of the Free, and the Home of the Mets

Here come the Braves. Literally, not figuratively, though if the Mets play badly this week it could be both.

In some of the time I spend in the Hot Foot Bleachers, I mentioned once that this upcoming series is a lot bigger for Atlanta then it is for the Mets. I was laughed at, but it still holds true. The Braves are four and a half games back, which means the best they could reach is two losses behind the Mets with a sweep. If the Braves win the series, which is what I’m sure they’re setting out to do, that puts them four losses back. Three and a half games back with only 48 left to go is what the Braves are aiming for. This isn’t a threat to the Mets; the Braves have been hovering around three and a half for a while now, unable to really put on the pressure. They’ve flirted with third place more than first place.

That said, the Mets still should go out there and win this series at home. They need to brush them back with the attitude of “What? You’re still here? This is our division now, check in again sometime next decade.” They can do this; they just won series against the two contenders in the Central division, they won a seven game road trip against the West division contenders. It’s time to show the Braves that there aren’t any contenders in the East division, only a repeat champion.

I have heard no word yet on if Willie Randolph is going to pitch his pitchers on normal rest next week, taking advantage of the day off to get Maine to pitch Thursday against the Braves instead of Friday against the Marlins. It would be the right move to get the best pitcher in the rotation to pitch against the team currently sitting in second place in the division.

I want all the Braves fans to be thinking about one thing Thursday night; the Friday preseason Falcon game against the Jets.

Seeya Next Year Brewers

The season is now two thirds over. I’m not going to bother doing projections, as that doesn’t matter anymore. The home stretch has arrived, and the Mets are in first. All that matters from now until October first is how well they play. Now how well, or badly, they played. I still strongly believe the Mets are better than the Phillies or Braves, and we now have 54 games left and the Braves and Phillies are playing with a four loss handicap.

The Mets again haven’t been playing like last year, and I really think it’s time for people to forget about last year. Not to quite 2005 or anything, but next year is now. This isn’t the same team as last year, but that’s not a bad thing; the Mets didn’t win last year. They had a rough middle, and have only gradually recovered from that. They’re only as far in first place as they were on June first before they went into their tailspin. They’re winning though. They find ways to win when it matters, even when they aren’t playing at their best. People predicted they’d have a tough stretch against the Dodgers and Padres, and they won four of seven. Sure that’s not terrific, but it’d win the NLCS against either of those teams. This Milwaukee and Chicago trip is supposed to tough too, but they beat the Brewers two of three and four of six despite Oliver Perez pitching weakly and Brian Lawerence starting today. The only game they squandered was Glavine’s attempted 300th win and it took the Brewers 13 innings to get their only win of the series.

The Cubs are the hottest team in baseball right now, so we’ll see how the Mets handle them. Maybe facing a tough hot team will spark them to be hot themselves. The Mets have actually been getting better with runners in scoring position, with runners on third, and with two outs. They have some injuries, but no one’s going to be out all season. Beltran, Pedro, Lo Duca will all probably be back and very healthy by the playoffs. Really healthy. Beltran will probably be able to rest all his sore muscles while on the DL, Pedro will return nice and healthy and stronger than ever. Lo Duca will return, and hopefully these days off will also help him be productive. Plus I think Willie finally realizes what a commodity Ramon Castro is, and hopefully will use him more appropriately.

I was getting a little down earlier last month with the way the Mets seemed to be playing, but I feel good now. I see a lot of good in the Mets future, and I can’t wait to get my playoff tickets. As for the Braves and Phillies? Well maybe the Falcons or Eagles will still be in it this October.


T Minus 30 days and Castilling

A lot happened today in Metland, and it was full of good tidings. The Mets today acquired Luis Castillo from the Twins, for basically no one. Two minor leaguers I’d never heard of, and probably won’t be missed. Luis Castillo is a good consistent player that will fit well here, and although it limits Gotay, I’m pretty okay with it. Although I’m getting the feeling that Ruben Gotay is this year’s Endy Chavez.

Pedro Martinez had another session today, and said he’s pitching Wednesday night for Class A. Provided he does actually make this start, it’s definite, not just hopeful, that Pedro will be back with the Mets in September. He has to be added to the roster 30 days after his first start, which puts him there by September first and should get him a couple of starts before the playoffs.

Of course, Luis Castillo is only hitting .254 with runners in scoring position, but hopefully he can work on that. He can add some consistency to the Mets lineup, by batting second. Plus once Beltran returns it’ll be three switch hitters at the top of the lineup. Will make opposing managers think twice before looking for match-ups.

The Mets aren’t playing badly as of late, despite a mere split with the Nationals. Look for them to play well again this coming week, against Milwaukee and the Cubs. Should be a fun week, as both those teams are struggling for the lead in the Central division.

On an opposing note, I’m not worried about the Braves and Teixeira. Sure he’ll be good, but I really don’t think it’ll be the difference the Braves need to close the gap. I think both Castillo, and the resurgence of Delgado, who’s had a great July, will hold them off.

Smith, Delgado, Pelfrey and the trading deadline

At first I was a little upset that Joe Smith got sent down. I know he’s been struggling as of late, but I still think he’s a good pitcher. I’ve gotten over it though, and I hope he can work on some adjustments down in AAA that will aid the Mets down the stretch. I feel the Mets need a reliever and contract situations make that tough, so if Joe Smith could be a solid playoff contributor, it would go a long way.

The trading deadline is approaching, and while I feel like we need a move, I’m not quite sure exactly what it should be. There are a lot of underachieving parts on this team, and it’s a tough spot to figure out which parts are going to come around, and which could use a backup or replacement. Should we get a decent reserve infielder that can spot Delgado at times? Do we need another decent outfield bat? Another reliever? I don’t relish Omar Minaya’s job this year, he’s got a lot of tough choices. I have faith in him though, based on what he’s done so far.

Mike Pelfrey is getting the start tonight, a game in which I’ll be in attendance. I have a strange feeling he’ll be good. He managed to pitch himself onto this team in the spring against expectation, and he is in that situation again tonight. With Sosa no longer exceeding expectation, I feel like Pelfrey could steal his spot with a gem tonight. Hopefully he’ll only be keeping it warm for Pedro, but until Pedro’s throw a game or two, It’s hard to talk about him.

Carlos Delgado is hitting .333 this July. He’s got a .394 OBP this month. Hopefully this is a turning point for him. Whatever the struggles were early, he’s looking like he might start turning it around for real. If he plays well the rest of the way, I don’t care what happened early this year. Maybe he just struggled to get into his groove, but we’re in first place, and if he keeps playing well, it’ll stay that way.

This team isn’t playing great, but that doesn’t mean they can’t. Almost everybody is having a poor season, and that just means that they all are capable of playing better. Better than four games up in the division is a good thing, and I expect that at least some of the underachievers will step it up down the stretch and in the playoffs. It’s going to be a successful year, I can feel it.