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And So It Begins

Written by Matt Ryan | 29 April 2010

It's that time again, as the first place Mets travel to Philadelphia this weekend for the first installment of the 2010 WTTB Series.  I will be in attendence on Friday and Sunday, and I'm bracing myself for all kinds of abuse.  And as long as I don't come battered and bruised (or thrown up on), I'm all for it.  I love this rivalry, and I'm excited to see it renewed. 

It's really hard to not get excited for this weekend.  The Phillies are struggling, the Mets are dominating, and for the first time in over a year it feels good to be a Mets fan.  I keep trying to remind myself that it's only April, but this upcoming series has a different feel to it.  To be honest, this series is much more important for the Mets than the Phillies.  Despite their struggles, the Phillies are the class of the National League (I have no problem admitting that), and as long as they add some servicable bullpen arms they will be fine.  But for the Mets, this series is critical for the fanbase.  Were the last 10 games a fluke?  We will soon find out. 

More than anything I'm excited to see if the rivalry returns to its pre-2009 level.  I spent pretty much all day listening to Philly sports radio, and based on what I heard there's no doubt this rivalry remains as hot as ever.  The Philly guys spent all day ranting about how much they hate the Mets, New York, and anything that is good in the world.  And they still do it with the same lack of professionalism that just wouldn't happen on New York radio.  But that's a story for a different day. 

From a baseball standpoint, I feel like the Mets should be able to take 2 out of 3, simply based on the pitching matchups, (courtesy of ESPN New York):

Friday: LHP Jon Niese (0-1, 3.68) vs. RHP Kyle Kendrick (0-0, 7.71), 7:05 p.m. ET

Saturday: RHP Mike Pelfrey (4-0, 0.69) vs. RHP Roy Halladay (4-1, 1.80), 3:10 p.m. ET

Sunday: LHP Johan Santana (3-1, 2.08) vs. LHP Jamie Moyer (2-2, 5.25), 8:07 p.m., ET

You gotta think the Mets can beat Kyle Kendrick and Jamie Moyer.  Especially since there bats are finally coming around.  Hopefully Mike Pelfrey can continue his magical run, but game 2 is clearly advantage Phillies.  Although that should be an interesting matchup. 

It's been a long year for Mets fans, and all offseason we had to hear that the Mets "aren't talented to compete in the NL East".  I never bought into that nonsense anyway, but this weekend we will get the first glimpse into whether that notion is true.  Granted, this series is just a minor blip in a 162 game season.  But if somehow the Mets could go into a Philly and come away with a sweep, the idea that the Mets can't compete will dissappear altogether.  It should be a fun weekend, and there will be plenty to talk about in the coming days.  I haven't worn my Mets jersey to CBP in almost two years, and I know I'm in for hell.  So to all you Phillie fans out there....bring it on. 

 

 

Belt Busters

Written by Benny B. | 27 April 2010

"There is a real spark to this team..."

-Gary Cohen

Before I start, I want to say it is still very early in the season and thus too early to draw any real conclusions.  Of course, that didn't stop all the bloggers, beat writers and talking heads from writing off the Mets even before the season began. I was furious when George Vecsey alluded to the Dante's Inferno when describing the Mets (I've had words with him in the past).  "Abandon all hope Mets fans" was his message.  So today, he wrote a retraction. I expect more of these types of foot-in-mouth admissions once the lazy minds in sports start realizing the Mets aren't an easy target any longer.  Nevetheless, that didn't stop them, so it won't stop me from lavishing a little optimism in this post.

There is a spark with this team right now as the Mets (12-9) quite literally busted out of their jerseys (Wright and Pagan both broke their belts stealing) in sweeping today's doubleheader vs. the Dodgers 4-0, and 10-5.  There was a lot to like and enjoy if you are a Mets fan still capable of enjoyment: Gritty never-say-die pitching, smart & aggressive base-running, great defensive catches, clutch hits, slump busting hits, & milestone hits.

It was windy and cold today and even the great Johan had trouble gripping and controlling the ball in game #1.  But Johan is Johan and battled for 6 scoreless innings to lower the Mets 3rd best team ERA.  Bay hit a monster HR--his first as a Met--and is officially out of his slump.  Castillo came through with a clutch hit to tack on two more insurance runs, and Nieve & Feliciano continued to be spotless closing out the game.

Things got a little more wild in game #2 as Ollie only lasted 3.2 innings.  Ollie isn't Johan and couldn't figure out how to make it work as he couldn't hold and early 3 run lead.  The good news is that the Dodgers didn't have any Johans of their own and were equally affected by the weather, so the Mets came back in a BIG WAY.  Behind yet another excellent relief outing by Takahashi  (3.1 innings, 5ks, 1 run alowed) Jason Bay hit his 3rd triple and made and amazing diving catch. And finally, David Wright's Bat has come alive!  He wen't 3-3 in game #2, with 4 RBI's (3 of which came on a bases loaded triple) while collecting his 1000th base hit.  It got a little dicey in the last two innings with the mets giving up a couple runs, but at that point, the writing was on the wall.  Nothing was going to stop the Mets from sweeping.

Yes, the Mets are showing what this team is capable of when firing on just most of it's cylinders.  Explosive offense and lock down pitching is a deadly combination and the reason they have won their last 6 games and are 8-1 on their current home stand.   However, the Cubs, Braves and Dodgers played just terrible, sloppy, uninspired & error plagued baseball.  Quite frankly, the Mets opponents looked like a mirror image of the 2009 Mets...but it was the 2010 Mets that showed the killer instinct.  They are resilient, exciting & gelling before our eyes.  I can't remember a feeling like this in a long, long time....and it is refreshing.

Like I said, it is still early, but the Mets are now currently sitting in first place, and--pending the outcome of the the Phillies game tonight--could be is sole possession of first place by tomorrow.  But regardless of the standings or if they complete the sweep tomorrow, the mets are right where they want to be going into the first WTTTB battle at Philly. Last year, one of my first posts was about the realization that the Mets did not have the tools necessary to compete after the first Mets/Phillies series.  It's a different story in 2010 folks.  The Mets are rolling into Philly.  It has already been anounced that Johan will pitch on Sunday.  Do I smell a Doc Halliday Vs. Johan battle to determine the fates of their respective teams in a battle which hath never been seen by mortal eyes in the history of baseball?! Time will only tell.

Lets get the series sweep, lets keep the energy and fire going into Philly....LETS GO METS!

9-9, The Audacity Of Hope

Written by Benny B. | 24 April 2010

The New York Mets defeated the Atlanta Braves this afternoon 3-1 to take their 2nd consecutive series.  They are now 5-2 in their last seven games, are back to .500 and are starting to heat up while the standings are getting very tight in the NL East.

  • John Neise continues to battle and show he has the stuff to be a quality MLB pitcher.  He loses control sometimes, walks batters and throws too many pitches...but that can be expected from Rookie.
  • Jason Bay is breaking out of his slump going 3-4 today.  A couple of those hits were dunkers that should have been caught, but he crushed a ball 400+ feet to center field to score the first run of the game today and tie it up. Jeff "Frenchy" Fracoeur is emerging from his slump hitting a RBI triple as well crushing balls to all parts of the park.  He would have had 3 HR's in the last two games had he been playing in a more hitter friendly park.  On the other hand, David Wright is still mired in his slump.  Soon, D-Wright, Soon.  It'll come...
  • The Bullpen continues to be outstanding.
  • Henry Blaco AKA Hank White had a stolen base today, his first stolen bast in 9 years!  He also threw out another baserunner making him 4 for 4.  Would-be base-stealers are going to get the message quickly that they can't run on the Mets like in years past.
  • Jose Reyes is back.  He is hitting and appears to be taking to hitting 3rd in the lineup, running close to full speed and made a spectacular full extension diving catch to thwart an 8th inning Braves rally.  The game is just more fun with the old Jose...well maybe not for the opposing team.
  • Ike Davis appears to be the real deal.  He brings back memories of when David Wright was promoted, and is a legit left handed threat.  Yesterday he had a 450 foot Adam Dunn-esque HR to into the Shea Bridge Terrace.

I believe the Mets should be fine offensively as long as they don't start getting injured like the Phillies J.A. Happ is the latest member of the DL. As I said, the Bullpen should be fine and the catching tandem of Blanco & Barajas has been exactly as billed.  Their biggest need continues to be starting pitching.  Johan is Johan and Pelf has locked down the #2 spot.  But everyone else is a question mark.  Niese is Raw, but serviceable.  If the Mets can make a trade for a legit #3 pitcher and move one of Maine or Ollie to Pen, the Mets will have a respectable and competitive team.

Big win for the Mets today.  Lets keep it rolling with a Sweep tomorrow with Big Pelf on the mound.  I am starting to get excited for the first installment of Mets V. Phillies.

 

Ike Gets the Call

Written by Matt Ryan | 19 April 2010

As expected, the Mets recalled Ike Davis from AAA Buffalo and promptly penciled him into tonight's starting lineup.  He will wear #29 and bat in the six hole.  In related news, he also defriended me on facebook yesterday.  Not cool Ike.

For me, this is easily the most exciting call-up since David Wright made his debut in July of 2004.  When Fernando Martinez and Lastings Milledge were called up there was similar excitement, but those guys were raw and we expected them to struggle.  Ike Davis is a polished, major league ready slugger, and I fully expect him to contribute instantly.  I'm not saying he's gonna go Ryan Howard on us, but he will almost certainly be an upgrade over what the Mets have dealt with so far.

His professional career did not get off to a very good start in 2008, but ever since last June the kid has absolutely raked at every level.  He put together a strong 2009 campaign in AA and he finished the year with 13 HR in his final 44 games.  Then he absolutely dominated the Arizona Fall League, spring training, and the first two weeks of action in AAA.  Clearly the kid is ready, and its time to see what he can do.

Davis brings two plus tools to the table.  His defense, and his power.  Those are two areas where the Mets are seriously lacking, and I'm glad Omar decided to promote Ike sooner rather than later.  Who knows how he will perform on the big stage.  But this team is under a ton of pressure and they could definitely use a spark.  At the very least, I'm excited to see what Ike is all about.  This team is playing a very dull brand of baseball right now and we could use some fresh blood.  For a full scouting report on Ike Davis, check out this link from Toby Hyde of Mets Minor League Blog.

Added by Benny B.

I am not going to go all Ga-Ga after one game where the rookie goes 2-3 with his first big league hit & RBI.  But one simply can't not be impressed by what Ike brings to the table.  He has the ceiling of a David Wright, or he could end up just being a serviceable major leaguer. However, in the near term, this team went from barely watchable to I-can't-wait-for-the-game-tonight.  The Mets are more interesting today than they were before yesterday, and it is because of Ike and all the home grown talent this team suddenly has.  David Wright, Jose Reyes, Angel Pagan, Jenry Mejia, Jon Neise, Mike Pelfry, Ike Davis....all home grown.  And this isn't even including Daniel Murphy, Fernando Martinez & Ruben Tejada; all of whom should see time with the team this year.

So yes indeed, We like Ike.  And it appears the team does too as I felt they were a little less tight last night...I guess that will happen when the idiotic Mike Jacobs experiment is put to an end.  Now all they have to do is cut GMJ, and bring up Carter & Tejada.  Look for D-Wright and Jay-Bay to have breakout games this week.  Go Mets!

Really, Mets?

Written by E. Bauwens | 17 April 2010

I'm dying to hear reactions from Mets fans about tonight's game. True, the Mets did beat the Cardinals tonight, but it took them six hours and 53 minutes to do so.

The Mets now hold two absolutely insane records: the longest timed game in franchise history, being tonight, and the longest scoreless game in history, against the Houston Astros in 1968.

I managed to watch the last four or five innings, of the 20 the teams played, and I was surprised by how well the players were playing. Only 1/5 of the crowd remained, but they were still yelling and cheering like it was the bottom of the first. The longest game I've ever sat through was 13 inning Phillies-Red Sox game last June and I was practically falling asleep at the end.

I guess you can't hate the Mets for trying, and coming out on top. Play like that definitely takes some serious motivation, especially when it's only April. On the other hand, I kind of see it as a little reckless and stupid of both teams. I think there comes a time when a coach should throw in the towel and protect their pitchers for the rest of the season. And, jeeze, 20 innings has to do a number on your catcher's knees.

Either way, it's all pretty exciting. Let's hope this crazy night sets the stage for more excitement for the rest of the season.

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