John Maine Rotation Spot Safe, For Now

John Maine has maintained his spot in the starting rotation despite two terrible starts to begin the 2010 season. His spot may not be secure for long.

Image courtesy of Edorf81 via Flickr

After John Maine’s 3 IP 8 ER blow up last night in Denver, there were some legitimate questions about whether he would stay in the rotation. Those questions were answered today by Jerry Manuel. Maine will remain in the rotation for now.

The beat reporters are all writing about Maine’s lengthy conversation with Manuel this afternoon in Colorado. And I think there is something admirable about sticking with your guys. I’m sure the rest of the players on the roster are happy about Maine not getting the boot so quickly. Continue reading “John Maine Rotation Spot Safe, For Now”

Preview: Mets at Rockies April 14, 2010

New York Mets (2-5) at Colorado Rockies (4-3) 8:40 pm

Jon Niese (0-1 4.50) vs. Aaron Cook (0-1 6.75)

TV: SNY   Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Mets are on a three game losing streak early in the season. Niese pitched a decent game in his first start although losing to the Marlins. Cook got knocked around in Milwaukee in his first start for 5 runs in 5.1 IP. It should be interesting to see if Jerry Manuel hits the panic button this early and shakes up the lineup.

Don’t forget to visit The Mets Report Live Game Chat during the game to chat with other Mets fans!

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Mets’ Maine May Lose Rotation Spot

NEW YORK - JULY 10: Manager Jerry Manual #53 ...
Image by Getty Images via Daylife

The Mets have to think long and hard about pulling John Maine from the rotation. But he’s had two awful starts to begin the 2010 season. And what has he done recently that he deserves any more of a chance than that? The Mets can’t allow him to put up stinker after stinker. Where’s the fast start that Jerry Manuel’s been telling us about? Maine is killing that fast start.

You may recall that I recommended that the Mets non-tender Maine last October. Clearly, that’s looking like the right move in hindsight. But that’s neither here nor there at this point.

Despite getting bombed for 3 runs in 0.1 IP last night, Fernando Nieve should take over the spot. He can lengthen out after working out of the bullpen. He was fighting Jon Niese for the last spot in the rotation three weeks ago. So it won’t take him long to be ready. It’s a no-brainer to me. Continue reading “Mets’ Maine May Lose Rotation Spot”

Rockies 11 – Mets 3 April 13, 2010

MLB: New York Mets at Los Angeles Dodgers

http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.jsThe Mets lost their third straight game to start the series in Colorado. John Maine was crushed for 8 runs in 3 IP. He had absolutely nothing and gave up 6 runs in the third inning with two outs. It’s starting to get ugly again for the Mets, not exactly the hot start that Jerry Manuel talked about all spring.

The Good – nothing

The Bad – Maine was horrible again and appears to have lost velocity; Jason Bay and Angel Pagan muffing a fly in left-center; Fernando Tatis looking uncomfortable at first base on a bad throw from Maine; Fernando Nieve giving up 3 runs in 0.1 IP

Just an awful effort from the Mets. That’s all there is to say. And I hate the live calls coming into the booth during blowouts. It’s so desperate, and  leads to Cohen and Hernandez senselessly defending their employer.

Box score

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Preview: Mets at Rockies April 13, 2010

New York Mets (2-4) at Colorado Rockies (3-3) 8:40 pm

John Maine  (0-0 7.20) vs. Greg Smith (0-1 9.00)

TV: SNY   Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Mets play their first road series of the season in Colorado tonight after losing a home series to the Nationals. The Rockies are coming off a home series win against the Padres. In 2009 the Mets were 4-3 against the Rockies. Maine has a lot of questions surrounding his ability right now after losing to the Marlins in his first start. The Mets need to start stringing some wins together quickly or there could be some changes on this team.

Don’t forget to visit The Mets Report Live Game Chat during the game to chat with other Mets fans!

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Mets 2010 Slow Start – Nats Swat Back!

New York Mets starting pitcher Oliver Perez reacts at Citi Field in New York

http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.jsSo after tearing into the Nationals on Friday night, winning by a score of 8-2, I was starting to feel upbeat. Maybe a few games against the Nats is just what this team needs to get some kind of momentum going before going on a tough, short, road trip.

Instead on Saturday, in comes Old Ollie who still resembles 2009 Ollie. No “New”, no “Improved”, just plain old Oliver Perez. Typical 4 runs in 5.2 innings and he was up there at 101 pitches before being pulled. This has been the same formula that has killed this team for the past few years. Get 5 innings from your starter and kill your bullpen. On the bright side the bullpen has performed well. How long will that last?

But that’s all okay. That’s why Jerry/Omar shuffled the rotation, to have Johan Santana follow Ollie.  Oh, they’ll swear it’s because the pitching match-ups are better but who better to follow Ollie than Santana. In theory, we would forget about Ollie’s poor performance after getting another outstanding outing from Santana.

Well, we watched that theory blow up today. Even Santana has bad days and after a 1st inning grand slam we are left to wonder, can this team ever win a series this year? Can this team beat the Nats? Can this team stay out of last? Continue reading “Mets 2010 Slow Start – Nats Swat Back!”

iPhone App Review- FanGraphs

The FanGraphs iPhone app review from David Daniels. The app displays real-time game logs and historical stats for all MLB games and players.

Courtesy of Wikimedia

I’m finding that I’m actively using this app on my iPhone when I can’t get to a TV so here’s my review – David Daniels

This app, simply called “FanGraphs“, gives you a quick update on all games being played throughout the day and in real-time. You can also get access to the same information at their website FanGraphs.com.

I notice that I tend to go to this application rather than the Internet  to get updates on any Mets games I can’t catch on TV, especially the day games I miss while I’m at work. But the app can be used to follow every game being played at any time. It’s a really great tool for those of us who get a little busy. Continue reading “iPhone App Review- FanGraphs”