Preview: Mets at Nationals July 1, 2010

New York Mets (44-34) at Washington Nationals (34-45) 7:05 pm

Johan Santana (5-5 3.55) vs Livan Hernandez (6-4 3.10)

TV: SNY   Radio: WFAN

What to watch: Who would’ve ever thought Livan would be having a better season than Santana? That’s the case. But the Nationals have lost six of seven games now. Santana has lost two straight games in pitched poorly in four straight. The Mets need him to turn it around quickly.

Don’t forget to visit The Mets Report Facebook page during the game to chat with other Mets fans! Connect with The Mets Report on Twitter too.

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Mets Need Cliff Lee for the World Series?

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Cliff Lee releases a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Anaheim, California, May 28, 2010. REUTERS/Alex Gallardo (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsToday’s Water Cooler Topic: Why would the Mets even try to sign Cliff Lee when they know the Yankees will just steal him this offseason?

Ok, if you don’t already know I am a Met fan who knows entirely too many Yankee fans. Inevitably, I have to defend the Mets on a daily basis and this topic is a big one.

We’ve made it to July and are only 1.5 games out of first. This team just held it’s own against the Twins, Tigers and Yankees. Three of the top teams in the AL. The Mets are legitimate contenders.

My gut feeling is that the Mets should go all out and get Cliff Lee and not worry about losing him to free agency after the season ends. If the Mets always want to be a team that plays in the shadows of the current World Series Champions then why bother fielding a team at all? Do what it takes to win a World Series every year. That’s what that other team does. Continue reading “Mets Need Cliff Lee for the World Series?”

Mets 6 – Marlins 5 June 30, 2010

Baseball fans wait in the rain for the MLB National League baseball game between the Florida Marlins and the New York Mets in San Juan, June 30, 2010. REUTERS/Ana Martinez (PUERTO RICO - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsThe Mets barely came away from this series with one game. Jose Reyes couldn’t play tonight with a strained lower back that happened during batting practice. Once again, Mike Pelfrey didn’t have it tonight. He gave up 4 runs in 4.2 IP and a whopping 12 hits. The bullpen took over and held on pretty well. Although Francisco Rodriguez made it interesting with the winning run on base in the ninth during his four out save.

The Mets offense was decent with 10 hits and no walks. David Wright and Jesus Feliciano both had 2 hits in the game. Both of Wright’s hits were doubles off the wall and he had 2 RBI’s.

The Mets lose the series but were helped out by some shoddy Marlins defense that kept them in the game tonight. They had a ridiculous 4 errors that accounted for 2 of the Mets runs. Waiting out the rain delay was well worth getting the win tonight.

Box score

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Preview: Mets at Marlins June 30, 2010

New York Mets (43-34) at Florida Marlins (37-40) 7:05 pm

Mike Pelfrey (10-2 2.71) vs Chris Volstad (4-7 4.40)

TV: SNY   Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Mets try to avoid the sweep in Puerto Rico tonight. Pelfrey won his last start against the Twins despite not having his best stuff in his last few starts. The Marlins have lost eight of the last nine games that Volstad started. So there’s some hope for the Mets to take this one and get out of Puerto Rico on a high note.

Don’t forget to visit The Mets Report Facebook page during the game to chat with other Mets fans! Connect with The Mets Report on Twitter too.

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Johan Santana and Developing Young Pitchers

New York Mets Johan Santana (R) watches as Cleveland Indians Travis Hafner hits a pitch for a solo home run during the second inning of the Mets MLB inter-league baseball game in Cleveland, Ohio June 15, 2010. REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsMets fans are quickly realizing that the 2010 version of Johan Santana is not the same pitcher that the team traded a proverbial “bucket of balls” for back in 2008. After Santana and the Mets agreed to a 6-year, $137.5 million extension following the trade that winter, the left-handed ace went 16-7 with an ERA of 2.53. Santana had a Cy Young caliber season that year, he could have easily had 4-5 more wins, if not for a horrendous bullpen that ultimately led to that team’s demise.

Fast-forward to the present, and it is plain to see that Santana is performing like anything but an ace. Coming off an injury shortened season in 2009, the wear and tear on Santana’s elbow is certainly showing, especially coming off surgery. The 31-year-old’s velocity is down considerably, which lessens the effect of his signature out pitch, his change-up. Combine the drop in velocity of his fastball with poor location of seemingly all of his pitches recently, and you have the make-up of a very hittable and predictable Major League pitcher.

With Santana’s 2010 campaign so far in mind, it reminds us of the importance of developing young pitchers within the organization (a big-market organization, at that), so the need for acquiring high end starting pitchers down the road isn’t as great. Continue reading “Johan Santana and Developing Young Pitchers”

Video: Cliff Lee 2010 Trade Market

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Cliff Lee throws a pitch to the New York Yankees in the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York June 29, 2010. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsESPN’s Buster Olney talks about the current trade market for pitcher Cliff Lee. Although there are several teams that have Lee on their radar, Olney lists the Mets and Twins as the favorites to land him. Olney also says that the Mariners are ready to make a deal now so whoever is quickest to pull the trigger should come away with a front line starter for the second half of the season.

We’ve had some differing opinions about what the Mets should do before the deadline this year. Doug Gausepohl wrote that the Mets should forget Cliff Lee and focus on Roy Oswalt. Gabe Aguilar wrote that the Mets should trade prospects not depth for Cliff Lee and there’s a big difference.

Both make good points and we all hate to see good young players go. But the Twins didn’t come away with anything great in the Johan Santana deal. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. I think we can all point to the Victor Zambrano for Scott Kazmir deal as one that got away.

http://espn.go.com/videohub/player/embed.swf

Marlins 7 – Mets 6 June 29, 2010

New York Mets starting pitcher Hisanori Takahashi throws a pitch to the Florida Marlins during the first inning of their MLB National League baseball game in San Juan June 29, 2010. REUTERS/Ana Martinez (PUERTO RICO - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsPedro Feliciano gave it up in the bottom of the ninth after a great comeback by the Mets in the top of the inning to score 2 runs to tie it. They overcame another horrible start by Hisanori Takahashi who gave up 6 runs in 5.2 IP. All of the runs against him were scored with two outs in the third inning including a grand slam by Hanley Ramirez. There are very serious questions about Takahashi’s viability as a starting pitcher. This is his fourth awful start now this season.

The Mets offense was more than solid with 12 hits and 2 walks. David Wright had the big game going 3 for 4 and raising his average to .310. Chris Carter had a big pinch hit double in the ninth that spurred the rally that tied the game. Marlins right fielder Mike Stanton looked like a fish out of water in the field, excuse the pun. But he’s a butcher in the outfield and that helped the Mets on a couple of occasions including Carter’s double.

The Mets drop the first two games of the series and try to avoid the sweep tomorrow in Puerto Rico.

Box score

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