May

13

Nats take Opener with Ease

May 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment

When pitching and defense isn’t solid it makes winning pretty tough, even against the last place Nats. The Mets actually out-hit the Nats, but it’s the timely hits that count, and the errors that kill you.

Figueroa didn’t pitch well and Sosa was even worse. Pitching and defense is the name of the game - if you can’t do those two things well you can forget about winning.

On a positive note Beltran continues to stay hot going 2 for 5 with an RBI, and Damion Easley took charge of the offense, powering a homer directly over center field, against the wind - pretty impressive. He was 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs.

Is it just me or do you like the Mets lineup better with out Castillo?

Maine is on the mound today and I’ve been loving the way he’s been throwing, so I’m pretty psyched. I look forward to his starts more than Santana, probably because he’s the underdog. The Mets should run away with this one today.

Posted by Trey Coppola


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May

11

Weekend Recap

May 11, 2008 | 1 Comment

Lots of positive signs for the Mets (19-16) as they took two of three from the Reds to open the home stand, putting them three games over .500.

The Mets got solid starts from Santana (W4-2) , Pelfrey (L2-3), and Perez (W3-3). Both Pelfrey and Perez looked better than they have in previous starts. Pelfrey couldn’t seem to find a groove but he kept the Mets in the game, and went six in game two. Unfortunately, is was Sanchez and Wagner who gave up the five runs to make it 7-1. Wagner I am not concerned about, but Sanchez’s lack of speed worries me. He has definitely lost a few mph on his fastball; hopefully the more he throws the better he’ll get. Shoulder surgery is tough to come back from so you can’t expect an immediate return to his old ‘06 form.

Perez, especially needed a strong outing today. It’s tough with him though because he is extremely inconsistent, and one good start doesn’t mean he’s back on track. There really is no track for him. It’s a crap shoot with Perez.

The Mets hit the ball well in this series scoring 21 runs in total. The offense was lead by Beltran and Church who had back to back homers today. Beltran, 8 RBI for the series is looking good at that plate. He’s taking better cuts, and more importantly he’s driving in runs. Church - can’t say enough about how nice of an addition he is both at the plate and in the field. He leads the Mets in both homeruns (7) and batting average (.321).

Delgado, batting in the seventh spot in game one and game three looked pretty good. I think Willie found a new home for him - for now. Delgado was 4-7 combined in the two games he batted seventh. I like that Willie is switching it up. A little change is good for this lineup - keeps them on their toes. Complacency seemed to be a problem last year for these guys and at this point it’s the last thing they need.

Tomorrow the Mets open their series against the last place Nationals. This is an important series because the Mets are playing with some momentum right now and should be able to take this series no problem. This would be a nice time for them to get on a little hot streak.

Posted by Trey Coppola


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May

9

Rain Out + New Site Features

May 9, 2008 | 1 Comment

Well, looks like tonight’s game will be made up tomorrow as part of a day-night doubleheader.

First Game: 1:10p - Johan Santana vs. Matt Belisle
Second Game: 7:30p - Mike Pelfrey vs. Bronson Arroyo

Since the Mets haven’t been on for a few night’s in a row now I have had some free time, and as some have probably noticed I have been working on some upgrades to the site.

New Features:

Spotlight Players: After every game I will post two players I feel had the most impact on the game - either positive or negative.

News & Headlines: Latest on the Mets and all of the Majors.

Polls: Overall fan opinion.

Recent Comments - Easy to see recent comments without having to open a post.

Comment Icons - Now you can upload an icon that will appear next to your comment. I have already uploaded mine and I want you guys to do it too! It’s fun - I know I’m dork, but whatever…

I hope you like the new features, and if you have feedback or would like to see more things added to the site please let me know. I’m always trying to make your experience on the site fun and informative.

Posted by Trey Coppola


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May

7

Mets Pound on Penny

May 7, 2008 | 1 Comment

The bats came alive for the Mets this afternoon as they beat up on the Dodgers 12-1. Penny, tagged with ten earned runs in just 4.2 innings.

Willie switched up the lineup today giving Delgado, Alou, and Schneider a rest. I like this strategy. I would rest these guys more often. You can’t let the bench get stale. Plus changing it up when your team is in a rut is smart.

How about Pagan’s catch? That was crazy. I would say he really wanted that ball… I love the hustle and drive Pagan brings every time he’s in the lineup. Great pick-up for the Mets.

Again Churchy Boy comes up big. He continues to stay hot, and I continue to say I want him batting fourth. He’s the best hitter on the team right now. Wright is due to get hot again though - he’s just too good not to.

The big story though - Johnny Maine. Finally a strong start (8.1IP 4H 1R 2BB 4K). I would say that is the best start we have seen yet from any of our starters. Eight innings - that is like a dream. I’m happy for Maine and hope he’s feeling good about himself. He’s our number two right now, and that is an important role.

3-3 on the whole for the road trip. I’ll take it. Tomorrow a day off, then a seven game home stand, and then the YANKS!

Posted by Trey Coppola


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May

7

Inside the Park Homer - Difference in 5-4 Loss

May 7, 2008 | 8 Comments

Another morning I wake up to see the Mets lost. This time it was an inside the park homer by DeWitt that put the Dodgers up 5-4. I am almost happy I can’t stay up for these games. It saves me the aggravation.

The Mets seemed to have control of the game early on, but as soon as they got up a couple runs Figueroa gave one back. I know Figueroa started the season off strong, but eventually the guy is going to get exposed. It’s obvious. He isn’t that good and pitching continues to be the bigger issue for the Mets. Figueroa only went 5 innings, giving up 8 hits, 4 walks, and 5 runs. Again walks and hits per innings pitched was high. It’s tough criticizing this team every day, but at this point there isn’t much to applaud.

I was thinking yesterday that every team gets hot - right? Well, maybe the timing will be just right for the Mets and they’ll pull it together at the end of the season. A reverse from last year - Wouldn’t that be nice? I feel like I am just waiting and waiting. I know this team is capable, but when it’s going to happen is the magic question.

Posted by Trey Coppola


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May

6

The Long Ball Hurts Perez

May 6, 2008 | 1 Comment

These west coast games that start at 10p are just too tough for me to watch. It’s sometimes nice to wake up to a surprise, but not this morning.

In last night’s 5-1 loss to the Dodgers Perez gave up all five runs, including three homers. I was happy to see he went six innings, but of course I was more disappointed to see another poor start from Perez. It doesn’t help that the Mets didn’t hit. Wright and Church each had two strike-outs a piece which is a killer considering they are at the top of the order. The Mets left 13 men on. It was a bad combination of pitching and hitting, hopefully today they come out swinging.

It’s crazy how this team is so day to day. They seem incapable of pulling together a winning streak.

Posted by Trey Coppola


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May

4

Mets add finishing touch in the 9th

May 4, 2008 | 5 Comments

Mets take 2 of 3 in Arizona, winning today’s rubber match 5-3. Santana 6IP, 6H, 4BB, 8K, and 1R. It was a decent outing, but I still expect more. Walks are like hits, when your walks and hits combined are 10 in 6 innings that isn’t that great. I have to be honest - I am not all that impressed with Santana so far. I’m being critical only because of the expectancy level I think the majority of us have for him. Personally I expected the guy to come in and dominant the NL. He’s winning games and giving his team a shot every time he takes the mound so you can’t complain. He’s definitely a professional pitcher - I am just not seeing a dominant pitcher.

This was a good game for the Mets. They showed some heart winning in the ninth, and the bullpen did a solid job. Once again Billy Wagner earned a save. This is seventh save on the season. To be honest I am happily surprised.

The Mets head to LA tomorrow where they’ll take on the Dodgers in a three game series. The Dodgers, who won their previous eight games up until today have been playing well. Perez will take the mound and who knows? Hopefully he can gain his composure and give us a solid start.

Posted by Trey Coppola


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May

4

Pitching, Pitching, Pitching

May 4, 2008 | 1 Comment

As is the usual story with any major league team, pitching failed the Mets yesterday. The Mets lost to Arizona 10-4, but the game was within reach up until the bottom of the eighth.

It was Carlos Delgado who got the Mets within 1 run in the top of the sixth with a 3-run shot. That was a big homer for Carlos and it looked like the Mets were on their way to a victory. Pelfrey, came out after 5 innings. He didn’t have any of his stuff working, and when you give up 9 hits, and 4 walks in just 5 innings it’s not a good sign. It’s frustrating because at this point there is no excuse for Pelfrey. He has been given plenty of opportunities. He has good stuff, but he’s just not consistent.

The bullpen, including Sosa and Heilman held the Dbacks scoreless. But, it was Duaner Sanchez who came in the eighth and gave up 5 runs to put the Dbacks up 6. Sanchez has been great so far this season and in my opinion was due for a bad outing. As great as he has been, he’s coming off a shoulder injury and clearly isn’t throwing as hard as he used to. He is still effective though, just had a bad game.

Today at 4p it’s Santana vs. Haren. This should be a good matchup, but I still expect Santana to dominate the Arizona lineup.

Posted by Trey Coppola


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May

3

Mets Kick Off Road Trip with Big Win

May 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment

In last victory over the Dbacks John Maine went 6 innings, struck out 6, and walked two. He was having some control problems, and he couldn’t seem to get his breaking ball over, but he had a lot of life on his fastball.

I think that was the first time I saw Maine hit 94-96mph on a consistent basis. Maine seemed to be frustrated with himself around the fourth - fifth inning. I am imagine his control and pitch count was bothering him. Unfortunately today pitchers have to deal with the added pressure of “pitch count”. Obviously he wants to go deep, but if his pitch count is up he knows he can forget about it. Watching John get pissed in the dugout when I thought his stuff looked good tells me he’s putting too much pressure on himself. Relax kid - You’re throwing well, and sometimes you find your groove a little later.

The Mets welcomed Alou back last night, and in his first at bat he had an RBI single. The lineup is much stronger with his bat. With the addition of Alou, Willie moved Church to the two hole and it payed off. Church 2-4, 1HR, and 2RBI is on fire right now. I would still like to see him bat cleanup. When Alou is in the lineup I would have Beltran bat second. Carlos takes a lot of pitches, and has good speed. I am also taking into account how he looks at the plate as of late. Ordinarily Beltran can hit for power, but lately he’s been hitting a lot of ground balls and line drives, while Church seems more the power guy. I know managers typically don’t like to mess with their lineups, but in this case I would tweak the lineup when it makes sense and go with whose hot.

Tough match up for Pelfrey this afternoon as he takes on Arizona’s Ace Brandon Webb. Last night was a good win though, so I am hoping the Mets carry that momentum through and beat the Dbacks in a close match. It all depends on Pelfrey. He needs to a strong outing.

Posted by Trey Coppola


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Apr

30

Blow Out

April 30, 2008 | 3 Comments

It’s bottom of the eighth, and there is no coming back for the Mets. It’s 13-1. I feel like they should have called the mercy rule in the fifth. Not much to say - Ollie had nothing, couldn’t even last two innings. The joke is he only gave up two earned runs, but by the end of the inning it was 7-0. He issued plenty of walks, five in total. Ollie had no control today - put the Mets right out of it…

Posted by Trey Coppola


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