Test

We have a test in front of us fans. Eleven games in bandboxes. Now, the papers are making a big deal about how this might help our bats, and this may be true. However, there is a flip side, how will our pitching hold up in those same parks? Remember, we have a few fly ball pitchers on our staff.

It starts today at 1PM in Citizens Bank Park with the first game of a day-night DH against the Phillies. El Duque (pushed back due to the rainout last night) faces Chad Durbin. In the nightcap, John Maine faces Cole Hamels. I am not going to sit here and write about how much Durbin sucks. Given the offensive funk the Mets have been in of late, there is no guarantee that facing a POS will make any difference. The way things are going, they may win a 2-1 game in the opener with 4 hits, and then knock the crap out of Hamels in the evening.

In any event, to say the ballparks will help the bats while ignoring the impact of those same factors and their impact on our pitching is silly. Maine is a fly-ball pitcher. CBP is a bandbox. It is quite likely he could be taken deep a coupleof times. The same for El Duque if he isn't on his game. Tomorrow we put Sosa (another fly ball guy) up against James Happ, who ESPN has not information on. In other words, he could kill us. Saturday is also Metsgeek day at CBP as some 20+ commenters band together to see our beloved Metsies. I hope Fox gets wind of this somehow so we can see how they take over CBP. Sunday sees Perez face Kyle Kendrick, another new guy who has appeared in 3 games in his career, and is 2-0 with a 5.00 ERA and 1.28 WHIP.

So, given all these factors, I am not exactly giddy with excitement. We have a bandbox, and 3 unknown pitchers going against us. It would be nice to go in and take 3 of 4. I think it can be done, but I'm not seeing any blowouts.

Other News

PLD is starting to worry me a tad. It started with his lunatic act over the weekend. Since then he has been a little prickly with the media. Yesterday, after being asked again about whether he was dropping his appeal, he blew up at the press, saying they should drop the line of questioning. He then proceeded to complain about being one of the "go-to" guys for the media, and about how only 3 or 4 guys are spoken too. He then said the media should go to some of the spanish speaking players for comment.

Now, I don't know what PLD's issue is. He is a guy known for being a leader in each stop. Why is he saying this out loud? Why not pull the guys aside a ask them to speak up? Why air it out in the press. The only outcome is media types writing about it, and possible dissension in the room, in addition to bloggers like me. Then there are the fans who already have "concerns" about the makeup of the team. These people are gonna love this. There are those who do not like the Latin "tilt" to the room. I personally care only about having the best team on the field, no matter where a player is from.

So Paulie, you may not like being a go-to guy, but the fact is you have been one for your entire career. You are a leader. A leader doesn't air the dirty laundry in the press. I'm disappointed in you Paulie.

ISLES News

Well, I don't really have anything to report. Rumors abound about Ryan Smyth and whether Snow is going to sign him or trade him. Eklund over on Hockeybuzz.com reported yesterday intense talks were underway with lawyers involved. Then came a rumor he had been traded to Toronto, and that rumor was then pulled.

I am torn on Smyth. I would love for him to stay, but am worried about how much it will cost to entice him. This is not going to be a contending team next year. Blake is gone, as is Yashin, taking some 40+ goals with them. There is no #1 center on the roster. Odds are if Smyth stays, they may be able to get someone else, but if he is too expensive, will there be enough $ left? There is need for help on the blueline as well. Smyth is a character guy, not a big scorer. How much of an impact will he have without someone who can pot 15-40 goals onthe roster?

Rumors also abound that Michael Peca may return. Again, I am torn. I like his grit, but he is no longer a top line player, or even a #2 center. He might be a good fallback if Smyth leaves (either through a trade or FA). But the same scoring issues will remain.

Snow has his work cut out for him. This offseason will show whether he is in over his head or not.