Yes, I would have preferred a sweep. Not only because it was the Yankees, but because it would have given the Mets a 3.5 game lead heading into Atlanta, which is a much more important series in terms of standings. But I will take a 2.5 game lead, especially knowing that David Wright is mashing again. Wow, that first home run Saturday was a sight, landing amid the new construction. The second one, well, thanks Johnny Damon, that was mighty helpful. Last night's shot was also quite impressive.
What can I say about last night? I tip my hat to Tyler Clippard, he pitched a damn fine game, making only one mistake, to Wright. Otherwise, he kept the Mets off balance, and wiggled out of what could have been a deadly second inning when he induced a pop up from Reyes with the bases loaded. The same could not be said of John Maine, who had a 4th straight so-so start. I'm not saying the bloom is off the rose yet, but The Jacket needs to talk to him. He needs to work his secondary pitches into the game plan more. He is not overpowering enough where he can rely on his fastball to blow guys away.
I am worried a little because I find myself possibly agreeing with Joe Morgan, who said last night during a break of the abject ball licking of the Yankees to note that he thinks Carlos Delgado's wrist may be bothering him on the heel of off-season surgery. I tend to agree with this. The slump is now nearly 2 months long. He is a key component of the lineup, and they need him to get going. Beltran is also slumping a little, hopefully he can bust out soon as well.
As for the bullpen, The Show is reaching Sisk like level of suckitude. I have defended him this year, even last week in a column on F.U., but his display Saturday was shit, on the heels of shit on Tuesday night. The game should never have gotten that close on Saturday, and, for the first time, when he came in last night, I actually felt that things would get out of hand. They did not, thankfully, and perhaps this was a chance for him to get on track. Burgos on the other hand was not good. Pedro Dos was OK, and Aaron Heilman pitched the final 2, allowing only 1 hit, with a K and a BB.
So, after the high of reeling off wins in the first 2 games, we came back to earth last night a little. Of course, it was a rookie pitcher, which seems to always give the boys trouble (though this may be more perception than reality.) Still, it would have been nice to put another nail in the Yankees.
A day off for the Mets today before they head to Atlanta for 3 against the Braves. Not a day off for Ed, as he heads to the Bronx to see the Red Sox and Yanks with a few friends thanks to one of the friends who was able to procure seats from his firm. Ed doesn't pay to sit in Yankee Stadium.
Pitching matchups for the Mets and Braves are:
Sosa vs. Davies
Perez vs. James
Glavine vs. Smoltz (for the 3rd time this year).
Two out of 3 is a near must. Make the lead 3.5. Send a little message that this is our division. They had their little time of fun, but now we are taking care of business.
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1 comment:
it's hard to be disappointed with the kind of homestand the mets just had (7-3) and yet, oh how sweet a sweep would've been. try not to worry (i know, it's frickin' impossible for a mets fan NOT to worry) but even with all of the slumps and mini-bullpen-meltdowns, these guys keep pulling things out of Omar's ass (pardon the expression). one of the great thing about this team (besides the fact that, unlike the yankees, they realize that they are playing a game) is their depth...so when a key guy like delgado is slumping, you get a guy like endy chavez knocking in runs like that's actually his job.
i say bring on the braves
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