Phillies 6 – Mets 4 May 27, 2011

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 24: RY 24: RY ...
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The Mets were playing from behind for most of the game but they managed to get the lead 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh, only to give it back in the top of the eighth. This game was characterized by a nice start by Chris Capuano and some sloppy play in the field. Capuano went 6 innings and only allowed 1 earned run on 78 pitches. He was efficient and had 8 strikeouts and only 1 walk.

The Mets offense had 14 hits and 2 walks but they left 10 runners on base. Once again, Justin Turner was on fire going 4 for 5 with an RBI and he’s just hitting shots from line to line.

The sloppy play in the field was capped by Daniel Murphy allowing a ground ball to get past him in the ninth inning. It would have been the second out and prevented the lead run from scoring. It wasn’t scored an error but Murphy should have made the play. It seemed to open the flood gates for the rest of the inning.

Box score

Preview: Phillies at Mets May 27, 2011

Philadelphia Phillies (31-19) at New York Mets (23-26) 7:10pm

Roy Oswalt (3-2 2.77) vs. Chris Capuano (3-5 5.36)

TV: SNY              Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The first place Phillies arrive in town for the first time this season with a 1 game lead in the division over the Marlins. The just took three of four games from the Reds in Philly and are probably thinking they can take this series in New York.

Oswalt has made 7 starts this season and the Phils are 3-4 in those starts although he’s pitched well and should have 6 wins by now. He’s allowed 2 runs or less in 6 of 7 starts so it won’t be easy tonight.

Capuano, on the other hand, got hit by the Yankees in his last start for 6 runs in 5.1 innings. He’s had some good starts but mostly against second division teams. He’s the kind of starter that gets eaten alive by teams with a good offense.

Mets Select David Einhorn as Minority Owner

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 26: Bud Selig, commissio...
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The Mets honed in on the hedge fund guys right from the start as a particular sector of people that have enough disposable cash to make an impact on the Mets organization. David Einhorn is making a $200 million investment in the Mets as a minority owner with, apparently, no say in running the team. He’s satisfied to leave the daily operations to “The Schmuck” and his offspring.

There are several takes on this story that have been delved into all over the Internet. But the angle that I’m most interested in is that Einhorn is another one of Bud Selig’s cronies that has been placed within the Mets organization.

It’s a well known fact that Fred “The Schmuck” Wilpon and Selig are close. But over the last year Selig has effectively placed Sandy Alderson as the team’s GM and now Einhorn as the minority owner. Einhorn was born in Jersey but moved to Milwaukee as a child and has been there ever since. He even grew up as a neighbor of Selig’s.

You can hear the full conference call that Einhorn had with reporters below. But it’ll probably leave you dissatisfied. He really doesn’t say much since the deal hasn’t been consummated. Maybe it’s better to have Selig running the Mets now? The Schmuck certainly hasn’t been winning championships in the last 25 years. So maybe it’s time that we give Selig a chance to turn the Mets into winners again.

David Einhorn conference call

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Cubs 9 – Mets 3 May 26, 2011

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 08: Starting pitcher R.A...
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The Cubs took the series with a win today in Chicago as the Mets head home to face the Phillies this weekend. The story of this game is that R.A. Dickey was injured in the third inning running over to cover first base. He collapsed and was helped off the field with an apparent leg injury.

Pedro Beato and Pat Misch followed Dickey and both got smoked by the Cubs for a combined 7 runs in 2.1 innings and the game was over.

On offense, Daniel Murphy finally heated up on a chilly day going 3 for 4 and raising his season average to .261.

Box score

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Preview: Mets at Cubs May 26, 2011

New York Mets (23-25) at Chicago Cubs (21-26) 2:20pm

R.A. Dickey (2-5 4.71) vs. Carlos Zambrano (4-2 4.88)

TV: SNY              Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Mets and Cubs play the rubber game of the series before the Mets head home to face the Phillies. Dickey’s last start at Yankee Stadium was very good and got him his first win since his season debut. But he hasn’t been consistent this year at all. So there’s no telling what to expect today in Chicago.

The Cubs are 7-3 this season in games that Zambrano started. He hasn’t been very consistent either this season. He is sporting his lowest WHIP in three years though in an attempt to be come back from a couple of miserable years.

Mets 7 – Cubs 4 May 25, 2011

NEW YORK - MAY 12: Carlos Beltran #15 of the ...
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The game was called because of rain with two outs in the top of the seventh. It was foggy and windy to start and then the rain was really coming down hard in the later innings. The game didn’t start well for the Mets or Dillon Gee. He was hit hard for 4 runs in the bottom of the first inning and I was wondering if he was going to make it to the second inning. He settled down surprisingly well and managed to get through all 6 innings without allowing another run. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a pitcher look that bad to start and then settle down so well.

The Mets got lucky after Gee’s bad start to face some awful Cubs pitching. In 6.2 innings they had 12 hits and 5 walks. Carlos Beltran had a double and even a triple, if you can believe that! The Cubs pitching looked completely amateurish tonight.

The Mets and Cubs will play the rubber game of the series tomorrow before the Mets head home to play the Phillies.

Box score

Preview: Mets at Cubs May 25, 2011

New York Mets (22-25) at Chicago Cubs (21-25) 8:05pm

Dillon Gee (3-0 3.44) vs. Casey Coleman (2-3 6.03)

TV: SNY              Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Mets will try to shake off last night’s beating at the hands of the Cubs. Gee has been very good in four of his five starts this season. His last start against the Nationals was the best so far. He went 7.2 shutout innings allowing only 2 hits.

Coleman has been really up and down this season in his seven starts. In his last start in Florida he threw 5.2 shutout innings allowing 4 hits and 5 walks. But he’s been hit very hard in other starts so you never know what you’ll see from the 23 year old right hander.