We're the Team to Beat - a Mets and Phillies Rivalry Blog
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31 July 2010
As the 2010 season for the Mets progresses, does anyone else get the feeling that they've seen this movie before? I know I have. The July 31st trade deadline has come and gone and what did the Mets do? That's right, nothing. And I get it - I didn't want to see our team give up Ike Davis, Jon Niese, Jenrry Mejia, etc. either. In spite of that sentiment, I find it frustrating that the Mets don't seem to be committed to winning. Recently, there has been some speculation that the Wilpons took a more severe financial hit in the Madoff scandal than was originally suspected, and that makes perfect sense to me.
It just seems like the Mets are never running on all cylinders. We're either getting great pitching, or a productive offense - never both at the same time. We've been seeing the ill effects of the way our bullpen was (ab)used during the first half of the season. And honestly, that's not completely Jerry's fault. What exactly was he supposed to do when we were lucky if our starters made it through the 5th inning for 2 months?
I'm just getting tired of the cycle: the Mets start out the season badly and get everyone calling for the heads of management. Then they go on a tear and make everyone believe they're going to really contend this year.... and after the All-Star Break, it all just falls apart. In June, the Mets were one of the best teams in baseball with a record of 18-8. In July, almost the exact opposite occurred as the Mets posted a record of 17-7 (not counting tonight's game which is currently tied in the 9th inning). This is the scenario a lot of Mets fans feared before the 2010 season kicked off: a team that was just good enough to keep Jerry and Dan Warthen, but just bad enough to miss being serious contenders. And that's the thing - does anyone take the Mets seriously? I don't think I can at this point, and that's sad to me. What do you guys think?
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31 July 2010
Tough debut for the Phillies big acquisition. Started off the game giving up a lead off triple to Nyjer Morgan. Left after six innings with four earned runs and the eventual loss. Roy Oswalt leads the league with the worst run support around and last night was no different. The Phillies lost 8-1 and Roy has plenty of room for improvement to say the least. A loss is a loss, they happen, no reason to worry.
Bright spots? Nice to see a Jayson Werth home run and nice to see Domonic Brown knock to more hits. Werth, DoBro, and Ibanez were the only Phillies with hits (each had two a piece).
So the streak ends at 8 and the Phillies drop a full game in the standings, but there are two most in Washington to go.
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30 July 2010
Who'd have thunk that a Phillies extra inning win would come off the bat of Wilson Valdez in the eleventh. Not only that, Ryan Howard -- one of the hottest hitters in baseball -- came up with the baseball loaded in the bottom of the tenth and a shot to win the game. Also Valdez got it done with the glove and the Phillies won 3-2 in extras. The eighth win in a row brings the Phillies to 2.5 game outs of the division and 1.5 games out of the wild card. The are cruisin' right now. Game notables:
- Cody Ransom had another strong night going 2-3
- Ryan Howard had another hitless day, 0-3, but that's fine save it for a game when we need it.
- Don't look now, but Raul Ibanez is starting to find it at the plate. Added a big home run last night.
- A nice 6 innings out of Kyle Kendrick and good work at the finish from Lidge and Contreras. Not so good out of Madson and Romero.
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29 July 2010
Final Update 3 p.m.: The deal is done, tweets Rosenthal. Piecing this together, it appears the Astros send Oswalt and $11MM to the Phillies for Happ, Gose, and Villar, with the Phils potentially adding $1MM to Oswalt's buyout but not exercising his option.
Update 1:40 p.m.: Reports are that Roy will waive his no-trade clause and come to Philly. Braves and Mets beware.
Update 11:45 a.m.: Looks as if Singleton isn't in the deal and that 12 million is overblown. Love twitter. Follow us. If this is all true and Singleton isn't included I think it's a win for the Phillies.
Update 11:30 a.m.: It appears to be J.A. Happ plus two prospects. Sources are unsure if Jonathon Singleton (considered the Phillies best hitting prospect) is part of the deal or not. Both sides are adament about his inclusion/exclusion, so we'll see who ended up budging. Also the Astros have agreed to pay approx. $12 million of the money owed to Roy through next season.
Breaking news regarding Roy Oswalt, the Phillies and Astros have reported agreed on a deal and the teams now await Roy's approval. The deal is rumored to involved J.A. Happ, Vance Worley, and two other young pitchers. Also the Astros are assumed to have agreed to eat some of the financial responsibility to aid the Phillies on the back end.
Stayed tuned for Roy Oswalt's "Decision" and for the final announcements of the deal including players and monies that will be exchanged.
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29 July 2010
This is something that shouldn't have to be said, but this is Philadelphia, so it must be said. Bleacher Report has a great "Rules for Phillies Fans" article about Domonic Brown's arrival. It's a must read to keep the kid's time with the big club in perspective. He's the future, so we'd best not spoil him in the present. Here are the rules, abide by them, or else:
1. Any references to Domonic Brown must be preceded or immediately followed by the descriptor “22-year old”.
Only six out of the 750 players on MLB rosters are younger than the Phillies much anticipated call-up.
2. Phillies fans may not proclaim the beginning of “The Domonic Brown era”.
If a Phillie with 548 home runs does not have an era named for him, perhaps it is premature to assign this tag (and the expectations that it carries) to a player with one career extra-base hit. And by the way, included in the rule against “era” references is an edict prohibiting anyone from designating Dom Brown as a savior
3. Fans absolutely may not boo, grumble, or otherwise voice displeasure toward Domonic Brown at any time this season.
Whether this is a two-week stay or a potential post-season call-up, the absolute longest that you would have to exercise restraint will be approximately three months. You can do it, Philly fans!
4. Do not create, or even consider any Domonic Brown Fan Groups.
There are to be no Dom’s Bombs, Brown’s Clowns, or any other groups based on first grade rhyming patterns [at this point in his young career].
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29 July 2010
Normally I'm completely against the first name syllable, last name nicknames, but it works in such harmony for Domonic Brown. DoBro just rolls so nicely together and is a great fit from the "bro" times that we're living in. Officially, I'm a huge fan of traditional baseball nicknames like:
- Bob "The Heater from Van Meeter" Feller
- Pud "The Little Steam Engine" Galvin
- Willie "Hit 'Em Where They Ain't" Keeler
- Ted "The Splendid Splinter" Williams
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29 July 2010
This makes is a little less exciting then when I first heard about the Roy Oswalt trade. It doesn't look so much fun on paper. Stop it right now David Murphy, you're killing my buzz here. And you didn't mention we got Philipe Aumonte and that deaf outfielder!
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29 July 2010
The Phillies are reportedly targeting Blue Jays super-utility man Jose Bautista and have scouted a ton of Blue Jays games in the process. If you don't know, Bautista leads the majors in home runs with 30. He's also fourth in the AL in walks and tops in outfield assists despite playing a multitude of positions. Basically Jose Bautista is having the year of his life.
And that is exactly why the Phillies shouldn't trade for him. Paying the premium for a guy who's having a career year at age 29 is never a good idea. Not only that, before 2010 he's never hit more than 16 home runs in a full season and he's got 30 through July! How often do guys like him come around and then fall off the face of the planet the next season? He's only on a one-year contract, but why pay the all-star price to bring him in when he's never played at this level before? If the Roy Oswalt deal goes through I doubt the Phillies will trade prospects for him, but you never do know.
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29 July 2010
What a way to face expectations for the Phillies rookie call-up. Domonic Brown found success during his first game in the show to the tune of two hits, a double, two RBIs and two runs scored. In a night where the Ryan Howard donned the Golden Sombrerro (four strikeouts), the rest of the offense stepped up all around him:
- Jayson Werth: 3-4 w/ three runs scored, two doubles
- Raul Ibanez: 2-3 w/ a run scored and two walks
- Carlos Ruiz: 3-4 w/ three RBIs, two doubles and a run scored
On the mound, Roy Halladay was everything and more, just as we've become accustomed to. Complete game, nine strikeouts, one earned run (when the game was in hand), only 114 pitches. The Doc just goes out and dominates, night in and night out. It's a shame that he's got a 12-8 record to show for it. He's in the league top-10 for wins and losses and it has only to do with lack of run support at times. Say what you want about the team not keeping Cliff Lee (I certainly have), but choosing Roy over Cliff was entirely the right move.
That's seven straight for those keeping track at home. Joe Saunders and Kyle Kendrick face off tonight, we'll see what Kendrick has left in the tank after his strong performance last time out. Also, be on your daily Roy Oswalt look out, a deal is apparently imminent which I will post on shortly.
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28 July 2010
Honestly I was completely flabbergasted when I saw Mets logo's on the front page of ESPN.com. Why in the hell would do something so foolish? Then it was obvious, Ron Artest and some weird looking guy are going to talk about New York baseball and do some rapping. Phew, I thought David Wright got traded or something hilarious like that. The Mets are almost in fourth place, is that front-page newsworthy?
