Month: April 2011

Preview: D-Backs at Mets April 22, 2011

Arizona Diamondbacks (8-9) at New York Mets (6-13) 7:10pm

Joe Saunders  (0-2 6.32) vs. Mike Pelfrey (0-2 9.72)

TV: SNY   Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The D-Backs are playing pretty badly and just got out of the NL West basement by winning a series in Cincinnati. They don’t have much pitching but Justin Upton and Chris Young are both playing really well. Saunders had allowed 9 earned run in his last two starts over 9.2 innings.

Pelfrey has been almost as bad as Saunders allowing 7 earned runs in his last two starts over 10.1 innings. His 9.72 ERA is hideous and Pelfrey needs to do something tonight. His sub-par pitching is really killing this team for a guy that was supposed to hold down the #1 spot in the rotation until Johan Santana comes back.

Mets 9 – Astros 1 April 21, 2011

Jason Bay
Image via Wikipedia

The Mets had a confluence of events that finally led to a home win tonight. Jason Bay came off the disabled list, Terry Collins got thrown out, and David Wright started hitting again. Maybe the most important factor of the night was that Chris Capuano had a great start going 7 innings and only allowing 1 run. He lowered his ERA to 5.95 (still awful) but made some great progress tonight. Hopefully, he can get more consistent.

The Mets had some solid offense with 8 hits and 2 walks including three home runs. But they also took advantage of some bumbling, stumbling play by the sorry Astros. Mike Nickeas had his first career home run. David Wright got off an 0 for 20 schnide with a home run and Ike Davis hit his classic straight center field shot.

The only down side to the game was that Angel Pagan left with an injury after running into Justin Turner on a pop up. It looked like he might have hyperextended his elbow but I’m sure we’ll hear more over the next day or so.

Box score

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Preview: Astros at Mets April 21, 2011

Houston Astros (7-11) at New York Mets (5-13) 7:10pm

J.A. Happ  (1-2 5.79) vs. Chris Capuano (1-1 8.53)

TV: SNY   Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Astros go for the sweep tonight at Citi Field. The Mets have lost seven straight home games and could get swept by the NL Central’s last place Astros.

The good news for the Mets is that two of Happ’s three starts have been poor. The bad new for the Mets is that Capuano has been worse. Over Capuano’s last two starts he’s given up 11 runs in 11.2 innings. Not exactly a recipe for success.

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The Amazing Mets! What Fundy’s! Baseball at it’s Finest

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 08: Manager Terry Collin...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Hey Mets Fans! This is baseball at it’s finest! A 5-13 start! Worst record in baseball! But hey, the Mets do have a manager who spent all spring pushing fundamentals and all that hard work is paying off.

But let’s go back on the field and watch Carlos Beltran hit one homer after another in his quest for riches from his next team. He’s not selfish! Wink, wink… Watch as David Wright flips his helmet in amazingly accurate fashion towards the ground as he watches another homer die at the warning track or racks up another strikeout. All this while he’s thinking, “F@%$, I could be hitting 50 F’in homers in Philly!” Watch as Ike Davis attempts to show up a few more umpires after arguing balls and strikes. Watch the uncoachable Jose Reyes play the game the same way he’s played it for the last 5 years, never improving but never getting any worse either. Watch the 2nd baseman of the day screw up another double play. Check out the left-fielder of the day from double or triple AAA as they drop a ball in left field. Watch as the Mets pinch hitters bunt into double plays. Watch as Dish Network drops SNY and nobody cares.

Watch Terry Collins do more running than any current Mets player as he makes run after run to the pitching mound. No wonder Sandy Alderson needed a manager with so much energy! Check out the new Mets who, when they smell a win once a week, play it like the 7th game of a World Series. It’s April and it’s “ALL HANDS ON DECK!” Continue reading “The Amazing Mets! What Fundy’s! Baseball at it’s Finest”

Mets Bullpen Problem: More than Just Pitching

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 24: RY 24: RY ...
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There is no doubt that Terry Collins and the New York Mets staff have slim pickings when it comes to the bullpen. There are a few young guys, a few guys who have struggled, and two veterans who don’t pitch because the Mets never have the lead in the 8th or the 9th.

However, the bullpen problem isn’t just the pitchers themselves. Management and the staff deserve some of the blame too.

Can anyone tell me why Terry Collins hasn’t used Pedro Beato in a big spot yet? He continues to pitch Bobby Parnell who is giving up hit after hit (.290 BAA). It’s ridiculous! Quit using the guy! He has had one good outing this entire season so far and other than that he has been terrible. What do you think will happen, one night he will find it?

Beato, on the other hand, has been the lone bright spot in the bullpen this year. The 24 year old has the second best WHIP (Walks and Hits per Innings Pitched) in the bullpen behind Jason Isringhausen. Yet, thanks to Collins, Met fans have to deal with Bobby Parnell stinking up the show http://www.mindanews.com/buy-paxil/ every night. Continue reading “Mets Bullpen Problem: More than Just Pitching”

Astros 4 – Mets 3 April 20, 2011

NEW YORK - JUNE 23: Jose Reyes #7 of the New ...
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The Mets are finding new and interesting ways to lose games at this point with their seventh straight home loss. R.A. Dickey pitched a really good game until he gave up the go-ahead solo home run to Hunter Pence in the eighth inning. His final line is 8 IP and 4 runs. Jason Isringhausen pitched the ninth so at least K-Rod didn’t get another game finished toward his vesting option for 2012.

The Mets had some great offense going with 12 hits. Jose Reyes had 4 hits and Carlos Beltran and Daniel Murphy had 3 hits apiece. Murphy had a dramatic home run in the sixth to tie the game at 3-3. But the Mets couldn’t take the lead.

Angel Pagan got thrown out trying to score on a wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth and would have tied the game at 4-4. Reyes led off the ninth with a hit and Josh Thole popped up a bunt and Reyes was doubled off first base to, effectively, end the game. It was a new way to lose and I’m sure we’ll see many more ways to lose this season.

Box score

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Preview: Astros at Mets April 20, 2011

Houston Astros (6-11) at New York Mets (5-12) 7:10pm

Bud Norris  (1-1 5.06) vs. R.A. Dickey (1-2 3.93)

TV: SNY   Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Astros have a chance to win the series tonight with a win. Norris started the season with two poor starts but his last start against the Padres was very good going 6 shutout innings for a win.

Dickey’s last two starts weren’t very good allowing 8 runs in 11.1 innings. He also had a 1 inning relief appearance in Atlanta. He needs to be the stopper again tonight for the Mets to make sure they don’t lose a home series to the Astros.