Category: Pitching

Santana and Wagner Aren’t Clutch

Today’s post by Baseball Analysts examines the concept of pitchers being clutch. Of course, we’ve all talked about which hitters are clutch but I’ve never seen an analysis of which pitchers are clutch.

Surprisingly, Johan Santana and Billy Wagner are both on the list of the least clutch pitchers. I definitely haven’t noticed that about Wagner although he usually starts the ninth inning so there are no runners on for him to inherit. It’s easier to start an inning rather than come in with men on, or in scoring position.

Time will tell about Santana. I didn’t watch him everyday with Minnesota, so this season will be my first to see him pitch frequently

Johan Santana Brings Mets To Different Level

This is a must-read column from ESPN’s Jayson Stark, especially for everyone that boo’d Santana at Shea last week.

“There’s not too many players or pitchers in this game that can single-handedly bring your team to a different level,” said Mets third baseman David Wright, whose four-hit evening had a little something to do with the outcome, too. “But Johan is one of them.”

Billy Wagner’s Comedy

Bart Hubbach of the New York Post writes that after last night’s game in Philadelphia Billy Wagner had some comments about the rude reception he received from the Philly crowd:

“They were booing so loud, I thought Schoeneweis was running in with me,” Wagner, an ex-Phillie, said of the reaction he received from the crowd during his ninth-inning appearance.

It’s good that they can joke about Schoenweiss being the target of frequent boo birds. Schoenweiss doesn’t put smiles on Mets fans faces but that comment from Billy made me laugh.

Duaner Sanchez is Back!

Mets reliever Duaner Sanchez is back on the roster today. Carlos Muniz was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans to make room for him. It’ll be interesting to see how Willie uses him. I suppose he’ll need to build some trust that he can get outs consistently. Hopefully, before long he’ll be back to his old (really old) role as the eighth inning set up man, and move Aaron Heilman up to the seventh inning.

Pedro Martinez Return Delayed

Omar Minaya told the Post today that Pedro Martinez isn’t expected back until mid-May at the earliest and possibly into June. Martinez is recovering from a hamstring strain and the Mets want to be especially cautious with the fragile former Cy Young winner. Read the full story at the Post.

"Where's Pedro" sign at Yankee Stadium
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“Desperate” Mets, Figueroa Make Sportsline Front Page

CBS’ Scott Miller writes about the Mets “desperate” search for starting pitching. Read the column at CBS Sportline.

Miller always has a negative slant against the Mets but it’s hard to dispute his take on the Mets rotation right now. Signing Claudio Vargas is really scraping the bottom of the pitching barrel.

Duaner Sanchez May Stay In Minors

MLB.com reports that Duaner Sanchez may stay at Triple-A New Orleans for a few more days. His arm is being evaluated on a daily basis after pitching back to back days on Friday and Saturday. Willie Randolph had this to say on the topic:

“When you get a guy like him throwing the way he was throwing before he hurt himself, and you put him into your bullpen, it’s definitely going to be a domino effect as far as helping the whole bullpen,” Randolph said. “Anytime you can put a fresh arm out there, a quality arm, it sets everybody up better. It just injects a certain energy into your bullpen. I’m hoping that’s the case.”

Hopefully, we’ll see Sanchez back sooner than later. It’s tough watching Jorge Sosa, Aaron Heilman, and Scott Schoenweiss. We need some new faces coming out of the bullpen.