Tagged: chris capuano

Pelfrey struggles, Mets begin Subway Series part II

The Mets lost to the Detroit Tigers yesterday afternoon by a score of 5 – 2.  While the Mets didn’t sweep the Tigers, they did win the series.  The Mets have won their last three interleague series versus Oakland, Texas, and Detroit.  These last three series have put the Mets above the .500 mark, and 5.5 games back in the wild card race. 

I’ve been super impressed with the Mets the last week, week and a half.  They’ve shown that they have what it takes to stay in the hunt for the playoffs.  All the Mets need to do is keep playing well pitched, solid baseball.  If they can do that, they can make the playoffs.  They can’t worry about what the other teams are doing, just what they are doing. 

The Mets’ offense lately has been super, scoring loads of runs over the last four of five.  Yes, the Mets only scored two runs yesterday, but they still were in the game and had opportunities.  No, you won’t score double digit runs every night.  There will be days where you just can’t get that run in.  Its incouraging though, because they have had opportunities and were in the game the whole way.  Unfortunately, Pelf wasn’t on his game last night and wasn’t effective.

That’s been the problem.  Pelfrey just cannot remain consistant over an extended period of time.  He has shown time and time again that he has the stuff to be a top of the line pitcher, but he cannot remain on task mentally and he then falls behind hitters and let’s the game get away.

If only Mike had the mental toughness of someone like Dillon Gee.  If Mike could get that mentally tough, he would be a dominant pitcher. 

Mike was that pitcher the first half of the 2010 season.  If he can find a way to get back there, that would change the Mets’ rotation completely.  But unfortunately, I don’t see that happening.  He is just too much of a head case.  Maybe not like A.J. Burnett, but he is a head case.

And for that reason, when or if Johan Santana comes back, Mike Pelfrey has to be the odd man out.  Of the five current starters in the rotation: Mike, Chris Capuano, R.A. Dickey, Dillon Gee, and Jon Niese, Mike has been the least effective.  It’s obivous that R.A., Jon, and Johan will be in the rotation.  The three that would be competeing for two spots would be Mike, Dillon, and Chris.  Chris has been very effective this season and because he’s a lefty, he’s a valuable option to have in the rotation.  in regards to Dillon, he has been way to effective to take out, so he’s almost sure to remain.

So, it’s not between Chris Capuano and Mike Pelfrey.  I would pick Mike to be out, but some people may make the case to take out Capuano because he’s a lefty and could be vaubale in the ‘pen. 

Whatever is done, the Mets need to do what’s best for the team to win.  Maybe that’s cutting ties and trading Pelf in season or in the offseason.  I don’t know, but whatever happens, the Mets can’t afford to risk ruining this potentially positive season. 

Speaking of pitching, Jon Niese was cleared by doctors regarding his rapid heartbeat and will start tonight versus that Yankees.  The will be toe-ing the rubber against Ivan Nova for the Yankees. 

Gee stays, Carrasco goes

The Mets won their fourth straight game today, sweeping the D-Backs and finishing this homestand with six wins and four losses.  The Mets rebounded nicely from a near sweep at the hands of the Astros. 

I’ve been impressed by the Mets’ home run totals lately at the stadium.  David Wright hit two home runs today, and Ike Davis along with Bay hit homers yesterday.  Ike had three bombs, and I mean bombs during the homestand.  Ike proved once again he has sheer power and that he is now a force in the N.L. East along with Heyward, Utley, and Ryan Howard.  On MetsBlog.com, the discussion was brought up about the dimsensions of the Mo’s Zone.  It probably wouldn’t be a terrible idea, but I hate changing the stadium once it’s been open.  And, I really don’t know why either.  But, if they did have a shorter fence, Carlos would have had to homers today. 

By the way, I love the name Gary Cohen gave the left field wall: The Great Wall of Flushing.

Dillon Gee pitched very well, yet again yesterday.  He did allow four runs, but only two were earned and he was affected by a Daniel Murphy error and an Ike Davis dropped pop up in foul ground. 

Sandy Alderson announced that the Mets have optioned D.J. Carrasco to AAA Buffalo in order to retain Gee.  Chris Young is going to return Tuesday to pitch versus the Nats in Washington, D.C. 

I will be sick if the Mets put Gee in the bullpen.  There is too much changing of roles in today’s game.  Just leave the guy where he has been effective and where he is comfortable.  Why mess him up by switching him from a starter to a reliever, then back to a starter.  If he can’t be in the rotation, send him to AAA and bring him up when a spot opens back up. 

Another option could be to put Chris Capuano in the bullpen, where he has pitched before.  That seems to be more logical, to me atleast.  The only dilemma is that he pitched great last time out. 

Mets split squad games

The Mets played a split squad series today versus the Atlanta Braves.  I haven’t had much time to blog today, so here are some quick notes.

  • The Mets won their home game, 7-4, and tied their second game at 3-3 in Orlando, FL.
  • Chris Capuano was lights out, pitching over five scoreless innings.  That also included striking out four out of five batters in a row.  With the Mets re-assigning Boof Bonser and sending Dillion Gee to AAA, it looks like he will be a viable starter and he’s a benefit because he is a southpaw.
  • Scott Hairston did it again, driving in three runs and hitting a triple. 
  • Willie Harris went yard and Nick Evans had a good day with the bat.
  • Oliver Perez let up four runs in less than one inning.  He walked one, a batter who was lefty, and non of his pitches were close.  It needs to end, NOW.  This can’t keep going on.  Even Dan Warthen, Ollie’s supporter, appears to be fed up.  Although Sandy Alderson wasn’t at the game, Jeff Wilpon was, which is encouraging of you are rooting against Perez.