Tagged: phillies

They’re gaining ground

The Mets won their second consecutive game this afternoon, beating the Nationals by a score of 1 to nothing at Citi Field. The Mets now find themselves at 5 1/2 games back of the Phillies. The Mets can gain another 1/2 game tonight if the Phillies lose. In the Mets’ last 25 games, their 16-9, a pretty respectable number for the amount of injuries they’ve had to overcome.

Jason Bay had a great game, collecting three hits for the first time since the middle of last season. Although this is a great sign, as Gary Cohen and Ron Darling pointed out during the game, he hasn’t been able to lift the ball as he has done throughout his career. Bay needs to take it slow and just collect hits. If he can get hits and raise his average, the home runs will come. Plus, hitting in Yankee Stadium this weekend could boost those power numbers. Terry Collins also added that he may bat Jason in the second slot to hopefully get him some fastballs and balls to hit with Beltran and Turner behind him.

Dillon Gee, Dillon Gee! Boy, he couldn’t have been much better today, pitching 7 2/3 innings allowing just two hits, one of which was collected by Livan Hernandez. Gee lasted 5 2/3 innings without allowing a hit. Yet again, the Mets will not have a no hitter. Dillon Gee is a good, solid starting pitcher who can get it done on the mound. Gee may not have the best stuff, but he has the ability to locate his pitches and get the job done. I think it was a mistake to put him in the ‘pen, because of how well he does when starting. He has been proving he deserves to be here. In ten career Major League starts, he has an ERA under 2.50. Can’t get much better than that.

Justin Turner has come through yet again, driving in the sole run of the game. In just over 50 at-bats this season, he has 13 RBI. He has been a key piece to this lineup and his proving himself that when the regulars come back, he needs to stay with the big club.

While Turner has been hitting the snot out of the ball, Daniel Murphy is in the completely opposite direction. He is batting below .240 and as Keith pointed out, he’s “letting the ball get too deep.”

The Mets are headed to Yankee Stadium tomorrow to start a three game series with the Bronx Bombers. The Yanks have been struggling and the Mets will avoid C.C. Sabathia. Go get ’em boys!

Mets’ pitching struggles

As I’m sitting here, watching the Mets getting creamed by the Phils and Roy Halladay in the 6th innings, I’m not very happy.  Yes, it may be because the starting pitching has sucked the last two days. 

The Mets starting pitching has been rotten the last two days, especially Mike Pelfrey.  Mike gave up seven runs last night, six of which were earned, and he couldn’t get out of the third.  Mike Pelfrey capped off his forgettable performance with a bloop that he let drop in front of the mound.  That was the correct play.  Throw to second and then to first for the double play.  Or, at least get the lead runner and then Blanton would be running the bases.  But Pelfrey threw to first, which you cannot do, and he threw it away! 

Pelfrey seems to get up tight and lose his confidence and concentration.  That cannot happen.  I mean, when you have been in the league since 2006, you need to get your head together.  I have been hard on Pelfrey, but come on.  He needs to find it quickly. 

One positive from yesterday’s game was the offense.  They came back, which was a great sign.  Just as long as the Mets fight hard and do the little things, they will be o.k.  I believe this is more important than wins in the first couple weeks. 

But, speaking of the little things, the Mets committed two errors today (so far) and Niese failed to get a bunt down, and in pro baseball, that is not excusable and that cannot happen.  Niese must be more prepared next time. 

Jon Niese gave up six runs today, and looked ‘not a so good.’  Jon had a little problem with his pitches, but he didn’t man up today.  He needed to buck up and get the guys out he needed to.  That’s the main difference between Halladay and Niese.  When Roy doesn’t have good stuff, he gets people out. 

I think the Mets need to look seriously into acquiring another arm for the rotation.  Maybe to put some pressure on them.  Yes, I’m overreacting. Once the Mets get on another streak and they start pitching well, things will be fine and I’ll be calm.  That’s what’s good about baseball.  There are games everyday. 

I’m also concerned about Lucas Duda.  He’s only got one hit and he has a tendency to slump.  I think he needs to find a way to avoid a major slump if he wants Beltran’s job next year.  Maybe the Mets should recall Evans, who I personally believed should have made it.  Scott Hairston has also been a concern.  I really thought that he would be strong, but he hasn’t so far.  It is still really though, and the Mets open at home with the Nats manana.

 

It’s a new team

The Mets put their new, revamped team to the test tonight versus the Phillies in Philadelphia.  The Mets ended up taking it to the Phillies and their fans, running the score to seven to one, and knocking out Cole Hamels in the third inning. 

Chris Young was good, really good tonight, completing 5.2 innings and allowing only one run.  He did get into a little trouble with the bases loaded, but besides that I’m impressed.  This is what the Mets wanted, and definitely needed.  Not to mention, Young had three base knocks, tying a Mets record.  He even had two hits in the same inning!  You know your having a good day as a pitcher when you get three hits, and two of the three in one inning. 

David Wright was locked in at the plate, collecting four hits with a double and two RBI.  It had been nearly two years since David had four hits in one game.  David’s only at bat without a hit was in the first, striking out with runners on second and third with no one out.  But, heck, I would take this game anyday.  This is a really good sign for Dave and Mets fans.  It is obvious he has worked hard this winter on reducing his strikeouts and being more productive with two strikes.  Although he did K in the first, it was on pitch that had late break outside. 

The Mets will face Joe Blanton and the Phillies tomorrow with Mike Pelfrey pitching for the good guys.

Bye the way, Cole Hamels is now 2-9 versus the Mets in his career.  Cole was 0-4 last year against us and he isn’t off to a good start this year.   

The rivals

The Mets will be taking on their National League East foes tomorrow at Citizens Bank Park.  Getting the ball for the Mets is going to be Chris Young, while Cole Hamels pitches for the Phils.  Of course, the Mets will get to see the wonderful north east weather for the first time in seven weeks. 

It will be interesting to see Chris Young pitch tomorrow.  It’s probably too much to be asking for, but I expect Chris to be good.  I mean, I really like him and think he was a really good, cheap pick up by Sandy Alderson.   Just as long as he can remain healthy, he can be an effective pitcher.  You would think that Chris would be k-ing guys all over the place because of his size, but he really doesn’t strike out many.  The Mets need to solid defensively tomorrow.

The Mets had Cole Hamels’s number last year, as did many teams.  Hamels didn’t pitch well versus anyone in particular, but I expect him to rebound.  The Mets are pretty good versus lefties, especially David Wright. 

The weather tomorrow looks as though the rain with halt around 6 p.m, perhaps only delaying the game.  Sunny weather is expected the next few days, which is a plus, but it’s not Florida.   

How ’bout Those Mets!

The New York Mets will be in Philadelphia tomarrow night to take on the second place Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.  And yes, thats right, the Phillies are in SECOND place, behind who? Those Amazin’ Mets!

The Mets finished up a 9-1 homestand Wednesday, only the third time in their history have they accomplished that feat at home.  Tey have won 7 in a row and are 0.5 games ahead of the Phils. 

The Mets have been playing amazin’ baseball throughout their last 10 games.  They have had a great, and I mean great ERA for starting pitchers.   ERA: Below 2.00!  Cant believe it.  They are  really showing the critics that they are what we thought they were.  Of course, for the exception of, who else Ollie Perez being the only bad spot.

The Mets’ offense has been clicking.  Jason Bay is out of his slump, spraying the ball around the field for extra base hits and his first NY Met homer.  He has also flashed the leather.  From what I have seen, Bay has speed and a great glove.  I especially enjoyed his diving catch (though I did hold my breath, waiting for him to come up lame).  He has really been a spark.

David Wright struggled in the beginning of the win streak, but has since been lighting it up, drawing walks and hitting the ball really well.  He has sparked the Mets the last 2 days versus the Dodgers.  Angel Pagan also did get off his slump with a 2-run triple. 

John Maine showed promise yesterday, K-ing 9 in 6 innings while working through trouble. 

The kid Ike Davis has given the Mets a jolt.  He has hit a monster home run and has been spraying the ball which is good to see. He also has a great glove, something Tatis and Jacobs both lacked. 

The bullpen has also been great.

Many have said that this is a fluke, but I disagree.  Though its early, they are taking advantage of the others teams mistakes instead of allowing them to get away with it like last year.  This is a sign of a good team.  Just because the Cubbies, Bravos, and Dodgers have been struggling doesnt mean they dont have tough hitters.

Kudos to BIG PELF on his amazing pitching lately.  Who could have seen this coming?

The Mets will be in Philly the next 3 games, starting tomarrow night on WPIX.

Lets Go Mets!!!

Reyes, K-Rod, and the Phillies

Jose Reyes will start the 2010 MLB season on the Disabled List.  I’m glad that the Mets are not rushing him back, but I hope the Mets dont get off to a bad start. 

Francisco Rodriguez has left the team to got to Venezuela.  He is going home because of a personal matter and should be back for Opening Day.

It looks like the Phillies are getting a taste of the Mets’ luck. JC Romero, Joe Blanton, and Brad Lidge are all on the DL.  Boy, as a Mets fan, Im glad they are facing what we have.

Mwahahaha!

Good Luck Mets…Opening Day is Monday

The Stretch Run

The Mets have a tough stretch run coming now after their much needed day off.  After losing 2 of 3 to Milwaukee which included Santana blowing up after a walk to the pitcher and Fernando M. falling on his face.  The Mets went to play the Bucs where they had to come back from a 5-0 deficit.  They then went to Philly and got absolutley murdered.  Livan wasn’t effective and neither was Nieve.  Johan pitched well, but the offense was in disappearence.  Now, The Mets need to face Joe Torre’s Dodgers with Oliver Perez’s return looming.  And that could spell disaster.  After that, the Cincinatti Reds roll in for a 3 game series before the break.  Will the Amazins be out of it by then, will they be closer to first, we’ll have to wait and see.