Tonight in Milwaukee, Tom Glavine went for his 300th career victory. It was a highly momentous occasion, and the Mets appear to have felt the pressure. Glavine himself walked five hitters in six innings. Part of this spike in the bases on balls was due in part to Chad Fairchild's bizzare and virtually non-existent strikezone. As miniscule as the strikezone was, Glavine's insistence on throwing the ball off the plate and in the dirt helped the young Brewers team which hd obviously been instructed to swing as little as possible. Five walks, and only two hits in six innings giving up one run. Should that get you taken out of a game? I don't think so. Yes, Tom was wild, but he was effectively wild, and the Brewers were doing absolutely nothing on offense to take advantage. As Ron Darling eloquently summed up after Jorge Sosa's four pitch walk to lead off the ninth inning on what looked like a 3-0 fastball right down broadway not called for a strike, "It appears that its absolutely impossible to throw a strike in Chad Fairchild's strikezone. That's all there is to say." Yet, Willie still decided to pull a Joe Torre and take out an effective Glavine while taxing his bullpen once again. I liked Willie as a person, and he has a calming influence on the team, which is a positive attribute he utilizes as manager; but his game management skills, especially when it has come to the handling of his pitchers, have been wildly inconsistent this season. That's just how I personally feel.
Back to the offense. Well where should I begin? The Mets blew two bases-loaded one-out situations without coming away with a run. For a team that's supposed to be the class of the National League, and attempting to give their Hall-of-Fame ace his 300th win, their play has been atrocious and is thoroughly inexcusable. I'm tired of the offensive inconsistencies, and there's no reason for this to occur on a daily basis. New Met Luis Castillo made a couple nice plays defensively, but going 0-4 and blowing multiple chances to drive in runs in crucial situations will not endear yourself to passionate Met fans. Getting AT LEAST a sac fly to drive in a run is essential in these situations. This inability to drive in runners in scoring position, even in taylor-made situations like the aforementioned, is perplexing and is something that should inspire much fear in Met fans, players and personnel. This is a problem that needs to be fixed, and it needs to happen very soon. You're facing Jeff Suppan after all...someone with a below .500 record and a fastball that tops out of 87. If you can't make solid contact off him, you should not be in the Major Leagues. That's the bottom line. He isn't really that good, I don't care about his results in last year's NLCS. He's never been particularly good. But of course, the Mets have a propensity to struggle against anyone who can't reach 90 with their fastball. Throw a Little-Leaguer out there, and they may only get two runs off him in six innings. I'm not comparing Jeff Suppan to a little-leaguer of course, but let's just say he doesn't throw much harder than Danny Almonte.
I know, I know... the Bullpen has screwed up tonight, but you can't give your bullpen two runs and expect it to save the day every time out. The Mets knew the importance of this game not only because it was for Glavine's 300th win, but it was against the first place team in the NL Central in the Brewers with a chance to prove that they were TRULY the class of the NL. What they have proved once again is that neither their offense nor their bullpen (that has been quite consistent this year) can rise to the occasion...if you need help getting pumped up for the chance to give a future HOFer his 300th win, you need to have your pulse checked. I don't care how bad the umpire is (and yes, he should not be allowed to umpire another game that involves the Mets), as we enter the top of the 10th inning, the possibility of the Mets blowing this one is quite a good one. If they do go on to lose, they will have no one to blame but themselves. This is another ominous sign for one of the most inconsistent division leaders I've seen in a long time. If this team can't start taking advantage of the numerous opportunities handed to them by the atrocious National League teams day in and day out, then the Teixiera-led Braves, and Rollins-led Phillies will REALLY give them a reason to freak out...and their impotent offense won't have the "equipment" to respond.
I may be overreacting here, and it is only one game; but the Mets' inability to play a streak of solid, fundamental baseball games is something that may come back to haunt them as the season persists. I'm really nervous about this team. Let's hope they can fix whatever problems they're having quickly, or our worst fears may be realized as Met fans.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
A Team of Destiny? Don't count on it.
The New York Mets have been in cruise control for the majority of the 2007 regular season. The fact that this club has endured a myriad of injuries, and still managed to win more contests than lost while maintaining their spot as the #1 team in the NL East, and arguably in the National League in its entirety is surprising to say the least. As a diehard Met fan, the fact that this team can be thought of as the best in the National League troubles me, and solidifies the fact that the American League has to to be far superior to the National League.
The New York Mets have not shown me that they do not deserve to be a playoff team with their wildly inconsistent play. Of course, considering the parity of the National League in 2007, traditional notions of a "playoff caliber team" must be thrown out the window, so to speak. The Mets will typically go on a 4-game win streak, then lose multiple series in a row. I have watched about 100 of the Mets' 114 games this season so far, and the season so far has proven to have been one of the most excruiating, perplexing, and most importantly, inconsistent experiences I have ever endured as a sports fan. I know those of you Royals, Pirates, and dare I say Devil Rays fans must think I sound like a spoiled idiot to fret about a team that has one of the best records in baseball, and currently the best record in the National League. But at least you understand that your team is going to dwell in the cellar for the majority of the season, and there's no shocking disappointment felt when your team consistently falters. OK, I'm sure there's disappointment, but at least you kind of expect it, right? I almost feel that its tougher to support a team that is so up-and-down than to support one that consistently fails. But many of you could argue that I'm full of it, and that may be true; but least you Devil Rays supporters (wherever you may be) don't run the gamut of emotions every week from "what team is this?" to "finally, it looks like 2006 again...lets have a repeat of the '86 series."
As evidenced through their solid win-loss record, the inconsistent offensive production that has been put forth by the Mets throughout the season hasn't particularly hurt them throughout the first 2/3 of the season. Now, it appears that it may. Carlos Beltran --who probably best encapsulates the team's offensive inconsistency-- is the most recent of a slew of Metropolitans who have fell to the injury bug, with a strained abdominal muscle. As perplexing as his season has been, one cannot argue that having him out is a crucial blow to the team, and will only serve to worsen the team's offensive presence even more. Carlos Delgado has finally appeared to find his swing in recent weeks, but he too has been far from consistent. He'll follow up a 2 for 4 performance with a "golden sombrero." I know this is baseball, and as the adage goes: "success 3 out of 10 times gets you into the Hall," but the Mets' aren't getting that from anyone on a consistent basis. I've said it once, and I'll say it again. This inconsistent play will come back to hurt them as the season wears on. It cannot be avoided any longer. Change needs to happen for this ballclub. Why? The Braves and Phillies are two teams that have been streaking as of late, and recently improved their starting rosters. We need to keep up and make sure that their recent moves won't effect our postseason plans.
The Braves already sport a solid 1-2 punch at the top of their rotation with John Smoltz and Tim Hudson (who should probably have 15 wins instead of his 11). They recently added one of the most underappreciated and consistent bats in baseball in Texas' Mark Teixiera. The Georgia Tech grad will immediately become a fan favorite due to his local roots, and will prove to be a dangerous force in the heart of a steadily improving Atlanta batting order. The fact that Atlanta has stuck around this long without any real bonafide bats to complement Edgar Renteria and Larry Jones is a minor miracle. With the addition of this former Yellow Jacket and Ranger, I am legitamately scared of the Braves' chances coming into the home stretch. With that nutjob Bobby Cox as a manager, you never know what to expect from that ballclub as we enter the final months of the regular season. The signing of Teixiera to the Braves, along with Kevin Garnett's arrival in Boston has made this one of the more awful and bizzare sporting days in the life of a lifelong Mets and Knicks fan.
Oh, yeah...and those Phillies.
The Phillies have been playing even better baseball than the Braves as of late. They further strengthened their postseason prospects by signing White Sox 2nd baseman Tadahito Iguchi, a solid player who hits for average and has some pop in that bat. I've always liked Iguchi as a player, primarily because he's a winner. He has been a member of Japan's successful olympic teams, and was an essential component of the White Sox' 2005 world championship club. It didn't hurt that he has just hit a home run for the Phils in his second at-bat with the team. Another recent addition to the Phillies is Reds pitcher Kyle Lohse, a tough-luck starter who could prove to be a reliable option in the back of Philly's rotation. With Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins scorching hot, the Mets and Braves need to take advantage of Chase Utley being on the bench. If the Phillies can stay in contention while he's gone, they will give the Mets an even tougher run for their money upon his imminent return. That offense in that ballpark is unbelieveable, and if their pitching can show some signs of consistency, don't be surprised if the Wild Card bypasses the other two divisions in stays on the East Coast.
The Mets need to make two moves. One needs to be done in order to improve their offense, preferably a second baseman or a offensive-minded outfielder. I understand that this season's trading deadline may prove to be flatter than Paris Hilton, but the Mets need to make some sort of splash by tomorrow night in improving the offensive makeup of their club. The second should be a right handed reliever. I am a HUGE Aaron Heilman supporter, and I feel that he rarely gets his due as one of the more underrated relievers in baseball. Unfortunately, he hasn't been as sharp of late. He has been elevating his changeup, a pitch that is deadly when it's down, and resembles a Wade Boggs knuckleball when it's elevated, regardless of the arm angle. I also believe that he's been taxed, and the recent results produced by young phenom Joe Smith haven't helped the matter. A proven right-handed reliever would undoubtedly spell Heilman, and reassert the Mets bullpen as one of the best in baseball...similar to the one we saw in 2006. Unless we make some moves to improve the Mets, the 100+ game trip through the season will shift from neutral to park far sooner than all of us would like.
The New York Mets have not shown me that they do not deserve to be a playoff team with their wildly inconsistent play. Of course, considering the parity of the National League in 2007, traditional notions of a "playoff caliber team" must be thrown out the window, so to speak. The Mets will typically go on a 4-game win streak, then lose multiple series in a row. I have watched about 100 of the Mets' 114 games this season so far, and the season so far has proven to have been one of the most excruiating, perplexing, and most importantly, inconsistent experiences I have ever endured as a sports fan. I know those of you Royals, Pirates, and dare I say Devil Rays fans must think I sound like a spoiled idiot to fret about a team that has one of the best records in baseball, and currently the best record in the National League. But at least you understand that your team is going to dwell in the cellar for the majority of the season, and there's no shocking disappointment felt when your team consistently falters. OK, I'm sure there's disappointment, but at least you kind of expect it, right? I almost feel that its tougher to support a team that is so up-and-down than to support one that consistently fails. But many of you could argue that I'm full of it, and that may be true; but least you Devil Rays supporters (wherever you may be) don't run the gamut of emotions every week from "what team is this?" to "finally, it looks like 2006 again...lets have a repeat of the '86 series."
As evidenced through their solid win-loss record, the inconsistent offensive production that has been put forth by the Mets throughout the season hasn't particularly hurt them throughout the first 2/3 of the season. Now, it appears that it may. Carlos Beltran --who probably best encapsulates the team's offensive inconsistency-- is the most recent of a slew of Metropolitans who have fell to the injury bug, with a strained abdominal muscle. As perplexing as his season has been, one cannot argue that having him out is a crucial blow to the team, and will only serve to worsen the team's offensive presence even more. Carlos Delgado has finally appeared to find his swing in recent weeks, but he too has been far from consistent. He'll follow up a 2 for 4 performance with a "golden sombrero." I know this is baseball, and as the adage goes: "success 3 out of 10 times gets you into the Hall," but the Mets' aren't getting that from anyone on a consistent basis. I've said it once, and I'll say it again. This inconsistent play will come back to hurt them as the season wears on. It cannot be avoided any longer. Change needs to happen for this ballclub. Why? The Braves and Phillies are two teams that have been streaking as of late, and recently improved their starting rosters. We need to keep up and make sure that their recent moves won't effect our postseason plans.
The Braves already sport a solid 1-2 punch at the top of their rotation with John Smoltz and Tim Hudson (who should probably have 15 wins instead of his 11). They recently added one of the most underappreciated and consistent bats in baseball in Texas' Mark Teixiera. The Georgia Tech grad will immediately become a fan favorite due to his local roots, and will prove to be a dangerous force in the heart of a steadily improving Atlanta batting order. The fact that Atlanta has stuck around this long without any real bonafide bats to complement Edgar Renteria and Larry Jones is a minor miracle. With the addition of this former Yellow Jacket and Ranger, I am legitamately scared of the Braves' chances coming into the home stretch. With that nutjob Bobby Cox as a manager, you never know what to expect from that ballclub as we enter the final months of the regular season. The signing of Teixiera to the Braves, along with Kevin Garnett's arrival in Boston has made this one of the more awful and bizzare sporting days in the life of a lifelong Mets and Knicks fan.
Oh, yeah...and those Phillies.
The Phillies have been playing even better baseball than the Braves as of late. They further strengthened their postseason prospects by signing White Sox 2nd baseman Tadahito Iguchi, a solid player who hits for average and has some pop in that bat. I've always liked Iguchi as a player, primarily because he's a winner. He has been a member of Japan's successful olympic teams, and was an essential component of the White Sox' 2005 world championship club. It didn't hurt that he has just hit a home run for the Phils in his second at-bat with the team. Another recent addition to the Phillies is Reds pitcher Kyle Lohse, a tough-luck starter who could prove to be a reliable option in the back of Philly's rotation. With Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins scorching hot, the Mets and Braves need to take advantage of Chase Utley being on the bench. If the Phillies can stay in contention while he's gone, they will give the Mets an even tougher run for their money upon his imminent return. That offense in that ballpark is unbelieveable, and if their pitching can show some signs of consistency, don't be surprised if the Wild Card bypasses the other two divisions in stays on the East Coast.
The Mets need to make two moves. One needs to be done in order to improve their offense, preferably a second baseman or a offensive-minded outfielder. I understand that this season's trading deadline may prove to be flatter than Paris Hilton, but the Mets need to make some sort of splash by tomorrow night in improving the offensive makeup of their club. The second should be a right handed reliever. I am a HUGE Aaron Heilman supporter, and I feel that he rarely gets his due as one of the more underrated relievers in baseball. Unfortunately, he hasn't been as sharp of late. He has been elevating his changeup, a pitch that is deadly when it's down, and resembles a Wade Boggs knuckleball when it's elevated, regardless of the arm angle. I also believe that he's been taxed, and the recent results produced by young phenom Joe Smith haven't helped the matter. A proven right-handed reliever would undoubtedly spell Heilman, and reassert the Mets bullpen as one of the best in baseball...similar to the one we saw in 2006. Unless we make some moves to improve the Mets, the 100+ game trip through the season will shift from neutral to park far sooner than all of us would like.
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