Stepping Up and Filling In

The Mets beat the Nats 6-1 last night and in impressive fashion. Last night's game saw the major league debut of Fernando Martinez. More importantly it saw Gary Sheffield and Livan Hernandez come up huge to lift the Mets to their 4th victory in 5 games. Sheff and Livan are new additions to the Mets and have been exceptional in May, where the Mets have seen too many injuries already.

I ripped Omar Minaya earlier but I will give him credit for these two guys. You can't hate everything the guy does. The Mets need to keep winning games, especially against the Nats. You wouldn't call these big wins but if the Mets lost, you could call it a big loss.

With the game 3-1, Gary Sheffield put this one out of reach with a 3 run homer in the seventh. This killer instinct of extending the lead is something that I have not seen out of the Mets. Sheff 's home run allowed Livan to go the distance and throw the Mets first complete game of the season.

Johan Santana pitches tonight and should have a field day on the mound of Citi Field against the helpless Nats. Mets need a sweep here and the bats need to stay hot and more importantly, clutch. The Mets may not have the names right now, but they are playing good baseball. Last night was evident of that. Lets see this team continue that.


In other news, Zack Greinke remains unstoppable in this 2009 campaign. He threw his 5th complete game and "raised" his ERA to 0.84. He is 8-1 with 81 strikeouts and 12 walks.
http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905264747891&c_id=kc

Adam Wainwright continues to pitch well throwing seven innings of one run ball with 9 strikeouts.
http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905264749081&c_id=stl

Tim Lincecum looked unhittable last night using his changeup to strike out 8 Atlanta Braves.
http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905274751155&c_id=sf

Max Scherzer picked up a win against the red hot Padres striking out 10. CLIP of the NIGHT!
http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905274750655&c_id=ari

Price is Somewhat Right

David Price made his 2009 debut and while his final numbers were nothing special, his stuff looked nasty. He reached 100 pitches in only 3.1 innings but did have 6 strikeouts. Price walked 5 and gave up 2 runs but was not helped by the Umpire who was squeezing both sides all night. Price said after the game he had no command and could not control any of his pitches. Well when he finds his command, Major League hitters should be very afraid when this guy is on the mound. By the way, the Rays blew a 10 run lead. Ouch!
http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905264736729&c_id=tb

The Mets are suffering from a series of injuries as Delgado, Reyes and Church are now on the DL. I would not be surprised to see Beltran join that list. He can hit but the way he was running last night, that knee looks very bad.

The only good news is that Fernando Martinez will be making his major league debut tonight. The 20 year old prospect is the best in the system and has serious 5 tool potential. Don't expect to see much but it is exciting to watch these guys.

While the Mets are putting out a scrub lineup, they are still winning games. If they can stay afloat during this storm and remain close to the Phillies on top of the division, they will be getting healthy later in the season as opposed to breaking down.

Enjoy the Game!

The Failure that is Omar Minaya, the Wilpons and the New York Mets

I consider myself smarter than the average met fan. To be honest, I consider myself smarter than most Met fans. But anyone that thinks this team has a chance to make the playoffs or rather win in the playoffs needs to wake up.

Last night proved a perfect example of what this team is. With the loss of Delgado, the Mets lineup is a borderline joke. Even with Delgado, this team was lacking a bat. Now the lineup is depleted of most of its power and run production.

Does Minaya really think that a platoon of Tatis and Murphy at first base will be enough? Does Minaya really think that the corner outfielder platoon of Sheffield, Murphy, Church, Tatis and Murphy will be enough?

It's a joke that the Mets throw out these lineups and think they can compete with these other teams. Right now the Mets lineup looks like
1. Reyes
2. Castillo
3. Beltran
4. Wright
5. Tatis
6. Sheff
7. Church
8. Shitty Catcher
9. Shitty Pitcher

That is a joke of a major league lineup. Wright is gonna walk a ton. Where is the power gonna come from? You need production from the corner outfielders and the 1st base position. This team has none of that.

Any you look at the rotation. Pelfrey and Maine as your number 2 and 3 is a joke. A bigger joke would be Livan and Tim Redding as your 4 and 5 starters. The bullpen is already being overworked and when it is tired and collapses in September, just blame the starters again. Besides Johan, it's a fuckin miracle when a starter can go seven innings.

Bottom line this team needs to make a deal. It cannot win with what they have right now. The Mets will realize this after getting swept in LA and hopefully Boston.

Who is Matt Harrison?

The 23 year old left hander just hurled his second complete game in a row. That does not happen too often in the majors these days if your name isn't Sabathia, Greinke or Halladay.

Harrison has won his past 4 starts and has walked a combined 2 batters in those 4 starts. He struck out 7 last night and has now lowered his ERA to 4.23. Harrison has added a cut fastball to his repertoire and has been able to get more groundballs, something that is very important to do when you pitch in Texas.

The guy he beat? Felix Hernandez when 7 shutout innings before the bullpen blew the lead. Chris Davis is starting to make believers with his walk off 2 run shot in the ninth, his tenth home run of the year.
Harrison-http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905144561595&c_id=tex
Davis-http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905144558933&c_id=tex

Mets and Yanks pick up key victories last night. Sabathia pitches another gem against the first place Blue Jays and the Mets stole 7 bases, 4 by Wright to beat the Giants.

Justin Verlander continues to be lights out, striking out 13 yesterday. He now has a league leading 69 strikeouts!
http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905144560915&c_id=det

Wandy Rodriguez continues to dazzle, striking out 11 last night in winning his 4th game of the year. His ERA stands at a cool 1.90 and his WHIP is at 1.00
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905144563945&c_id=hou

Greinke, Lincecum, Oswalt, Harang, Vasquez, Liriano, Danks, Lester and Saunders are on the hill tonight. Should be a great Friday.

Need a closer. Try C.J. Wilson for the weekend

Missing Out Again

This is the sight of what should of been a game tying home run. What happened instead was Reyes jogging up the first baseline when the ball hit the top of the left field wall instead of Reyes busting out of the box and possibly being on third base with no one out.

Did this play cost us the game? Yes and
No. A lot of things cost the mets this game. But this might be the most inexcusable of the mistakes the mets made last night. The Mets had a chance to steal another game from the "rival" Atlanta Braves, but their coasting, 2nd place, leisure, we have to much talent to play hard attitude cost them another game .

It is still early in the season but there is no difference in this Mets team than the Mets team of the last two years that blew a division lead in September and lost on the last day of the season.

I went to Citi Field for the first time yesterday and it was absolutely beautiful. By the 8th inning i was able to sneak down to the third row on the first base side. I could see everything. I could see Francouer curse out K-Rod after he was struck out on a fastball to end the top of the 9th. I could also see the lack of energy from the Mets everytime they came in the dugout after retiring the Braves in the top half of the inning.

I can't really blame the game on Jon Niese. Yes he was terrible and gave up 6 runs but lets be realistic here, its Jon Niese.

David Wright backing up on a ball that should of been a double play, instead turned into the tying run for the Braves.

J.J. Putz giving up another run in the 8th. His job is not much different from a closers. Hold the opposing team. Do not let them score. ITS THE SAME THING. And now Putz is saying he cant get his energy level up for the 8th. Sorry buddy, that's your job. You are getting paid to pitch the 8th inning. Come on now kid.

And once again the bats let us down. Another bad game for Wright at the plate. Game winning run at second with one out in the 9th and Reyes strikes out. Runner at 1st and 2nd with one out in the 10th and Tatis grounds into a double play

Then finally when the Braves take the lead in the 12th. Reyes leads off with a ball that is prolly gone in most parks. But this is Citi Field. The ballpark that leads the league in triples hit. Every Met player should know that a ball hit deep is anything but assured a home run. If Reyes busts out of the box, he could be standing on third with no one out. Instead he is on 2nd.

Jerry Manuel elects to play for the tie and bunts Castillo, getting Reyes to third. I'm sorry Jerry but when you have used all your pitchers and its the last game on the homestand against the Braves with your big bats coming up, you play for the win. Instead we have a runner at third with one out. Beltran strikes out on three pitches. And Sheffield goes down looking to end the game.

Maybe I missed something else but this was a pretty disappointing loss. This team plays with no urgency or heart. Reyes is too talented to play with his head out of the game. Wright will turn it around. Beltran has always played the game with a lack of heart but his talent carries him. The only two true gamers on this team are Johan Santana and Frankie Rodriguez. You would go to war with these guys. No one else on this team plays with that fire.

The Mets have a 10 game round trip. They can use this to prove something different to their fans or this will be another talented Mets team that fails to reach the post-season for the 3rd consecutive time.

Monday Afternoon Edition

Great weekend of Baseball like always! Some of the Highlights:




Sabathia Line: 9IP, 0ER, 4H, 1BB, 8K




Alex Rodriguez returned to the Yanks in a big way with his first swing being a three run home run. I think the bigger story is C.C. Sabathia throwing a complete game gem.


A-Rod: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905084470019&c_id=nyy
C.C.: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905084481839&c_id=nyy

Across town, the Mets swept the Pirates for their third sweep in a row and seventh win. Good pitching and clutch hitting are carrying the team, something that it lacked in April. On Saturday, Carlos Beltran became the first player to put a ball in the second deck in left field. http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905094485647&c_id=nym

The Florida Marlins took 2 out of 3 from the Rockies and Hanley Ramirez went 9/13 on the weekend to raise his average to .348. Last week, Hanley battled .533 with 16H, 11R, 4HR, 7RBI and 3SB
http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905084476787&c_id=fla
Also Josh Johnson continues to pitch well this year throwing 8 innings of 1 run ball.
http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905104499051&c_id=fla
Equally impressive was Jorge De La Rosa striking out 12 Marlins. Its not often De La Rosa's name will make the highlight reel but he was great Saturday Night.
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905104499053&c_id=col

In Cleveland, the Detroit Tigers put on a pitching clinic throwing back to back shutouts Friday and Saturday. Verlander and Edwin Jackson were the stars as the Tigers swept the Tribe this weekend.
Verlander: http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905084482991&c_id=det
Jackson: http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905094498483&c_id=det

The Astros swept the Padres behind good pitching from Wandy Rodriguez, Moehler and Oswalt. Carlos Lee carried the offense going 8/12 with 6 RBI in the series.
Wandy: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905084482979&c_id=hou
Lee: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905104510405&c_id=hou

On Saturday, Joe Saunders out dueled Zack Grienke to beat the Royals 1-0 nothing in a game that was finished in 2 hours and 5 minutes
Saunders: http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905104499017&c_id=ana
Grienke: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905104499049&c_id=kc
And if you haven't seen this play by Torii Hunter yet, this is the best play of the year so far to preserve the game for the Angels
http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905104513507&c_id=ana

Since returning on May 1, Joe Mauer has batted .485 with 3HR and 10RBI and helped the Twins take two out of three from Seattle. He takes this one opposite way off King Felix
http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905094491653&c_id=min

The Reds took two out three from the Cardinals with strong pitching from Cueto and Harang and a power surge from Jay Bruce.
Harang: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905094498211&c_id=cin
Bruce: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905104501763&c_id=cin
And in case there was any doubt about who the best hitter in the league is, Albert Pujols hit his league leading 12th HR of the year.
http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905104503111&c_id=stl

John Danks rebounded from his shaky start to strike out 10 Rangers in 6 innings.
http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905094496769&c_id=cws
He GOOOONE. GAAAAAS!

The Braves took two out of three from the Phillies behind a great start from Vasquez and the return of Brian McCann
Vasquez: http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905094495219&c_id=atl
McCann: http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905094488511&c_id=atl

ESPN: Lowe vs. Santana is must watch TV. Enjoy!

Thank You Johan

Once again Johan Santana pitched an absolute gem for the Mets last night. And again the Mets almost spoiled it managing only one run last night off two hits against Chan Ho Fucking Park. I cant criticize too much because they won but this team needs to start hitting the ball, especially against scrubs like Chan Ho Park. As a Met fan, you worship Santana and here is why.
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905074454791&c_id=nym

Other good starts include:

Jake Peavy- 12 strikeouts but Padres shut down by Jon Garland!
http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905074454987&c_id=sd

Roy Halladay- Second pitcher to six wins. Getting the support when he doesnt need it.
http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905074455023&c_id=tor

Props to Ubaldo, Parra and Harden too.

Justin Upton hits two last night. Kid is starting to show.

And finally there is Manny. Not going to say too much because I don't know the full story but it sucks to see this. I thought he just tested positive for marijuana but maybe not. As a fantasy owner of Hudson and Either, this does not help me.

Full Day Monday's

It's always great to have a full slate of games on a Monday. A ton of great pitching performances, so i am going to give my top 10 of the night.

1. Zack Greinke- Another outstanding outing and an unbelievable start to the season. Greinke is 6-0 with a 0.40 ERA. The only two pitchers to start a season with numbers like this are Fernando Valenzuela and Walter Johnson. His command and his breaking stuff is making him un-hittable right now. White Sox batters are not even close with their swings. Highlight of the night.
http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905054423497&c_id=kc

2. Jon Lester- The Redsox will need Lester to pitch like this, especially against the Yanks if they are gonna win the AL East. That division has 4 legitimate contenders (assuming the Rays call up David Price and demote Andy Sonnanstine.) Lester had great movement on his breaking stuff and got six of his strikeouts with the Yankees looking. Had one bad inning in the 5th.
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905054424785&c_id=bos

3. Fransisco Liriano- His slider was devastating tonight. I really like this guy and he has the ability to be one of the best in the game. I mean he was a couple years ago.
http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905054423501&c_id=min

4. Ryan Dempster- Another solid start from a Cub. Great movement on his fastball, changeup and curve. Also the Giants are not very good.
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=4423997&c_id=chc

5. Aaron Harang- Regaining the form he had a couple years ago when he broke out with the Reds. The location on his fastball tonight was excellent. Marlins will K and he got 9 of them.
http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=4425239&c_id=cin

6. Josh Johnson- Peter Gammons calls him the third best pitcher in the NL and predicted a Cy Young from the 25 year old flame thrower. Another great start from Josh.
http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905054425237&c_id=fla

7. Paul Maholm- A top draft pick in 2003, Maholm has finally come into his own this year and his having a stellar start to 2009. Has 3 wins and a sub 3 ERA for the Pirates

8. Joe Saunders- Another lefty with great location tonight. Right now carrying the Angels staff which has suffered tragedy and injuries with the starting rotation
http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=4425213&c_id=ana

9. John Maine- As Andrew Smith said, a very gritty start from Maine tonight. For a guy that has struggled since his injury in 2008, he showed something tonight bouncing back from one bad inning and 6 walks to pitch a solid game, striking out 8 and getting the win.

10. Felix Hernandez- Did not have a great start tonight, ending his scoreless inning streak. But he still had 9 strikeouts and I love watching this guy pitch.

Both Beltran and Tex hit two last night. New York fans like that. Tex from both sides of the plate and Beltran with a runner on each time.

And From the Grand Slam Department:
Ryan Howard http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905044417049&c_id=phi

Highlights From Sunday May 3rd

Great day in baseball on Sunday.

From our Atlanta Braves fan Contributer: Nate Grefe

Watch as Prince absolutely crushes this ball. Not having a stellar start to the year, but he shows his power here. Few people in the majors can hit the ball this hard:
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=4400523

Verlander had a great day too. Averaging an 11-inch drop on the curveball and hitting 99 on the fastball. Dominating:
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=4404891

Gotta rep the Braves rookie, he's got all the tools and is showing consistent improvement:
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=4368677

More Stuff worth checking out

Carl Crawford- Six Steals!!!!
http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905034406847&c_id=tb

Johnny Cueto- Another great outing from this kid. Having a stellar start to the season
http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905034404887&c_id=cin

Chad Billingsley- His 5th win of the year. Nasty stuff and I just like hearing Vin Scully
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905034408725&c_id=la

And from the Grand Slam Department
Derrek Lee- Another moon shot. Two appearances in a row on the blog.
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905034403687&c_id=chc

Highlights From Saturday May 2nd

Dan Haren- I'm not gonna call this guy underrated but for how good he is, there is simply not enough people talking about this guy.
http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905024396795&c_id=ari

Ted Lilly-Some nasty stuff this game. Not a good day for Jeremy Hermida. Those breaking balls had some real bite.
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=4387109&c_id=chc

Adam Jones- One of the best young hitters in the game. Having an MVP like start to the season.
http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=4381533&c_id=bal

Aaron Hill- One of the many hitters on the Blue Jays having a fantastic start to the season. I hope these guys can keep it up. Very clutch home run here and also had a game winning single in the 11th.
http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905024386653&c_id=tor

Derrek Lee- He absolutely crushes this ball.
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=4383587&c_id=chc

Justin Upton- The kid is 21 years old and is starting to come into his own this season. He just sweats talent. The amount of raw power he has at this age is scary. Give him two years and he will be one of the best hitters in the game.
http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=4392981&c_id=ari

Quick Thoughts on the Mets Game
1. Jose Reyes has been lost at the plate to start the season
2. Sean Green has pitched poorly all season. I know you don't bring in your closer in a tie game on the road but this might of been one of those situations you do it.
3. Granted they lost, the Mets showed some fight this game which I have not seen all season.
4. Stick a fork in Ollie, he is done pitching in the majors for now. I think he can go down to the minors for a month and figure it out. But for now, do not let him anywhere near a major league pitching mound.
5. Minaya-Instead of spending 15 million on Perez and Cora, don't you think Derek Lowe would of been a great fit for this rotation?

Thoughts and Highlights

Jake Peavy- Everything was working for him tonight
http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905024380935&c_id=sd

Randy Johnson- Win number 297! Doesn't have the fastball but that slider was vintage
http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905024380923&c_id=sf

Grand Slams
Ryan Theriot
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905014366081&c_id=chc

Evan Strongoria
http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200905014373163&c_id=tb

Ollie already sucking out there in Philly. If he cant pitch well there, he is useless. I cant wait till Derek Lowe and Ollie Perez face off against each other. Doubtful that will happen, hopefully Manuel will never let this guy start again! What a joke!

Joakim Noah

From Contributer Jack Colicchio

"Most people know that for the series, Noah is averaging 10.7 points, 12.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.2 blocks a game, and 0.9 steals a game shooting 51% from the field and 70% from the line. All in 40 minutes of work.

But did you know he's got a PER of 17.3, leading the team? Maybe.

But here's what's interesting. The team's offensive efficiency when he's on the court is is 125 points per 100 possessions. Team leading.

The team's defensive efficiency when he's on the court is 106. Second only to Tyrus, who puts up a 104.

His efficiency differential is a whopping 19 points, leading the team, with no player even approaching him.

He's not playing well. He's playing amazingly."

Sports Center Encore of Bulls Celtics Series- Some of the greatest basketball games I have watched.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4122628&categoryid=2459788

Highlights from April 30th.

Matt Garza- this guy is an average pitcher at best but does have the stuff to have nights like this.
http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=4364625&c_id=tb