So, Who's Rotation Is Questionable Now?

I'm talking to the guys at ESPN, FOX, and pretty much everywhere else. Would you like some marinade with that guys? Paper isn't very tasty.

What can I say? Coming into the year, the experts were running down the Mets starters. Glavine is 41 years old and had that injury last year. El Duque is prone to spend time on the DL. Perez has been awful for two years. Maine is nothing special. Who is going to be the fifth starter? The hits kept coming. The Mets would be in trouble since they did not strengthen the rotation, and made a mistake not giving Barry Zito the keys to Queens, and for not bidding higher for Dice-K. Yeah, the lineup would be OK, but the starters would get them into trouble.

I'm thinking the guys saw all this crap and decided to give the experts a rather large FU. So far, save for two bad starts by El Duque and Oliver Perez, the starters have done their job. John Maine continued the hot streak last night, going 7 2/3, giving up 1 run on 7 hits. Anyone who thought the Mets would come out flat after the loss on Sunday is suffering from delusions of 5 years ago. This ain't an Art Howe managed team. This is Willie's team, and he doesn't allow that. The players don't allow that. Maine now stands at 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. You cannot chalk this up to luck, the guy showed flashes last year, in the regular season and in Game 6. He has come into his own now. Who was traded for him again? In 26 innings, he has given up 15 hits, 14 walks and has 22 strikeouts. Forget his being a #3 starter, the guy is looking like a solid #2.

The bats were mostly quiet, save for blasts by Jose Valentin and Carlos Delgado (his first of the year). Valentin also had a sac fly, accounting for 4 of the Mets runs. Alou went 3-3, and is now hitting 397 with 2 HR and 10 RBI. Guess those reports of his demise based on his spring were a tad early. Shawn Green, who I admit is close to a horror show in right, is hitting 333 with 3 HR and 10 RBI. If he can catch the ball a little more frequently, people might lay off of him.

Back to the rotation. Here is how it looks

Glavine - 3-1 3.07 ERA 1.33 WHIP
Maine - 3-0 1.71 ERA 1.10 WHIP
El Duque - 2-1 3.24 ERA 1.16 WHIP
Perez - 2-1 3.31 ERA 1.35 WHIP
Pelfrey - 0-1 5.06 ERA, 1.69 WHIP

Now, Perez had that awful start against the Phillies, otherwise, he has pitched well in his other two starts. Pelfrey has made two starts, his first against Washington was OK, 5 2/3 innings with 2 runs, though the 4 walks were ugly. His next start was this past Friday, on 7 days rest. A sinkerballer needs to be "tired", so regular rest is key. I'm very interested to see how he does his next turn on regular rest. He should get 5 starts to see what he can do.

I'm not worried about the starters. Frankly, I have a couple of concerns about the pen. Heilman worries me a bit, but I think his struggles are due more to being a slow starter, he has had middling success in the first half. There is also the question of his elbow. Hopefully, the warmer weather will help him.

Another concern in the pen is Schoenweis. Omar gave him a 3 year $11 million contract to get lefties out. He has not delivered to date. His walk rate is up, as is the stress level of fans when he comes in. He has given up 7 walks in 6 2/3 innings, along with 6 hits, and a killer HR. Now, I have faith that Omar knew what he was doing when he signed Show, and am wiling to give him time to work it out. But it better be quick.

Otherwise, the pen has been good. Joe Smith is a revelation. The kid just gets people out. He has tossed 9 innings, given up 6 hits with 4 walks and 10 k's. Add to that an 18-4 GB to FB ratio, and he is a keeper. Pedro Dos has gotten the job done as well, with Friday against the Braves being the only blemish thus far. Ambiorix Burgos continues to walk people, but also continues to improve. Since giving up a 3 run HR to Ryan Howard in the home opener, he has allowed only 1 run in 6 innings. Walks are an issue as I said, 3 alone last night. But a 5 run lead is the best time to bring him in. Let him work on what he is learning from Rick P. Wagner has not gotten a lot of chances to date, but has a 0 ERA, and a .86 WHIP. He even has 2 1-2-3 inning saves.

A potent lineup can help overcome a poorly pitched game every now and then. But the pitchers need to get the job done more often than not. So far, the pitchers in Queens are doing their part, and the bats are doing their job as well. But if you consistently get shitty pitching, the bats can only do so much. Ask Joe Torre about that.

Now, if we can only get David Wright to start hitting again, we can put some distance between the Mets and the rest of the league.