Game Preview: Mets at Braves [Game 89] July 17, 2009

braves logoNew York Mets (42-46 Road: 17-26)  at Atlanta Braves (44-45 Home: 22-21) 7:35 pm

Mike Pelfrey (7-4 4.47) vs. Jair Jurrjens (7-7 2.91)

TV: WPIX Radio:  WFAN

What to watch: Pelfrey’s last start against the Reds was very good going 7 innings and giving up 3 runs. But he’s been up and down going 2-2 in his last four starts. Jurrjens is a tough luck 2-2 in his last four starts as well. But he only gave up 9 runs over 27 innings in those games. The Braves will retire Greg Maddux‘ number 31 prior to the game. At least the Braves show some respect to their great former players. I hope the Mets front office is watching the ceremony. They could learn something about how to run a top-flight franchise.

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 July 2009 Injuries: F-Mart, Beltran, Reyes, Delgado, Maine

Flickr photo courtesy of Keith Allison
Flickr photo courtesy of Keith Allison

The list of Mets injuries is still pretty long and includes some of the players that are key to the team having a successful season. Omar Minaya had a review of player statuses with reporters yesterday prior to the Mets return from the All-Star break in Atlanta.

Fernando Martinez: Out 6-8 weeks. He had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Carlos Beltran: He had another MRI during the All-Star break. He still has a significant bone bruise in his right knee. Team medical staff still hasn’t cleared him to begin jogging.

Jose Reyes: He’s running lightly and hitting. Reyes could be back by the end of July

John Maine: He threw live batting practice yesterday. The plan is to get him into rehab games within the next 10 days and back with the Mets by the end of July.

Carlos Delgado: He’s been hitting lightly. The plan is still for him to return in August.

The injury situation is so bad that I see it hampering the Mets motivation to make a big trade this month. There’s so much uncertainty about how these critical players will perform during this season that it doesn’t make sense to unload big prospects to make a run this season.

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Braves 5 – Mets 3 July 16, 2009

This game felt like Mets-Braves games of years recently past. Oliver Perez had a pretty good start, keeping the Mets in the game. He went 6 innings giving up 3 runs and left with the game in a tie. The bullpen came in a let the game go. Then the Mets couldn’t put up any offense after the fourth inning. And of course, Chipper Jones was the one to hit the tie-breaking RBI single in the seventh inning.

Bobby Parnell was terrible again giving up 2 hits to the two batters he faced. Pedro Feliciano and Pat Misch threw some gas on the fire as well.

The Mets only had 6 hits and 3 walks in the game. As usual, they only had 1 hit after the sixth inning.

The Mets drop the first game of the four game series in Atlanta.

7.16.09

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Game Preview: Mets at Braves [Game 88] July 16, 2009

braves logoNew York Mets (42-45 Road: 17-25)  at Atlanta Braves (43-45 Home: 21-21) 7:10 pm

Oliver Perez (2-2 8.78) vs. Derek Lowe (8-7 4.39)

TV: SNY Radio:  WFAN

What to watch: The Braves come out of the All-Star break after going 4-3 in their last two series’ against the Cubs and Rockies. Lowe hasn’t been pitching that well, going 1-4 in his last five decisions. Perez had a decent comeback game from “injury” against the Dodgers pitching 5 innings and giving up 2 runs. Perez is 6-4 with a 3.46 ERA in 14 career starts against Atlanta. It’ll be interesting to see how Jeff Francoeur and Ryan Church perform against their former teams in this series. I have the feeling that both will want to put on a show.

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 2009 All-Stars Ready For Action

IMG_0295Three Mets are in St. Louis today for the mid-season festivities. David Wright will be starting at third base and hitting sixth in the National League lineup. Francisco Rodriguez is in the bullpen and it’ll be interesting to see where he gets into the game. In my mind, he should pitch the eighth inning. Trevor Hoffman should get the ninth, despite the fact that he was added because Jonathan Broxton couldn’t make it because of injury.

The Mets have asked Charlie Manuel, the NL manager, not to use Johan Santana unless it’s an emergency. So don’t plan on seeing Santana unless the game goes to extra innings. Santana just pitched on Saturday and threw seven innings against the Reds. I’d be thrilled if he didn’t make it into the game tonight at all for the Mets sake. He’s too important to risk in an exhibition game.

Of course, Carlos Beltran would have been starting in center field but he’s recovering from a bone bruise to his leg.

Enjoy the game tonight. I know that I will be. Sure, it’s an exhibition but the National League could sure use a win. It’s been a long time and the Mets could use home field advantage in the World Series this year. Right?

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