Daily Archives: March 24, 2008
Yesterday, Willie Randolph explained to reporters that Johan Santana and Pedro Martinez will each pitch in a minor-league game this week, since the Mets will play the Marlins and Braves, who they also play during the first week of the season.
…ah, nice, strategery…i dig it…
Today, Randolph announced that Jon Niese will get the ball in tomorrow’s game against the Braves, instead of Santana.
Over the weekend, during an interview on WFAN, Omar Minaya said the Mets would be willing to promote Niese if injuries strike the starting rotation this season.
The Mets defeated the Orioles by the score of 1 to 0 in Fort Lauderdale this afternoon.
- John Maine threw six innings, allowed one hit and no runs. He also
picked a runner off while leading from first base. Maine has a 1.85 ERA this spring. - Luis Castillo’s second hit scored the game’s only run.
- Ryan Church was hitless against the left-handed Adam Loewen.
- Joe Smith and Nelson Figueroa each pitched a scoreless inning.
- The Mets had three hits, left five men on base and hit in to one double play.
…according to eyewitnesses, maine’s slider was in full effect, and overall the O’s just could not touch him…the man is in a groove…nice timing…
According to David O’Brien, at his blog for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Braves RHP John Smoltz will likely begin the season on the disabled list due to soreness in his shoulder.
However, Smoltz will likely return in time to pitch against the Mets and Johan Santana in Atlanta on April 6.
Jack S is back with another photo album at Flickr.com.
Meanwhile, at his website, MattTracy.com, Matt posts a series of video from his time with press credentials in Port St. Lucie.
The Mets will take on the Orioles in Fort 
Lauderdale this afternoon, game time is 1 pm.
SS Jose Reyes will bat leadoff, followed by 2B Luis Castillo, 3B David Wright, 1B Damion Easley, DH Marlon Anderson, OF Fernando Tatis, OF Ryan Church and OF Brady Clark.
John Maine will start for the Mets. In his last start against the Indians, Maine struck out seven batters through five innings, while allowing just one run.
The game will not air on SNY or WFAN, however you can follow the box score at MLB.com.
The first is from the set of a new Topps Baseball Card commercial, which includes David Wright and Ryan Howard being ‘interviewed’ by Dontrelle Willis.
…it’s nice to see them laughing and having a good time…it’s also a shame to think of what could have been in New York, had the Mets been able to get dontrelle, and teamed him up with wright and Jose Reyes in the world of marketing…not too mention having willie, John Maine, Oliver Perez and Johan Santana over the next few years…the thing is, no way the Mets could have acquired both willie and santana…so, i’ll take santana and be more than happy with how things turned out…
The second clip, also from Topps, features Wright sitting down at a table doing one-on-one interviews with his biggest fans.
has officially announced that WFAN’s Joe Benigno, Chris Carlin, Marc Malusis and Sweeny Murti, as well as SI.com’s Jon Heyman, Sirius Satellite’s Scott Ferrall, ESPN 1050’s Brandon Tierney and Adam Schein will appear on air and be exclusive to SNY in the New York television market.
…i love the addition of heyman, who is amazing at what he does…i also like tierney…i’m not sure how any one can dislike murti, unless you hold him responsible for the team he covers…however, i’m not too keen on adding the WFAN personalities, but that may just be my frustration with that radio station, and less to do with the actual talent…time will tell…
Additionally, the network will debut The WheelHouse, a 30–minute show which features Ferrall, Tierney and host Brian Custer.
According to SNY, “The WheelHouse will have a sleek on-air baseball themed “look and feel” by incorporating “nine innings” of fast-paced debate – while encompassing the nine most significant sports topics of the day.”
Immediately following The WheelHouse will be Loud Mouths, which is co-hosted by Schein and Carlin.
Again, according to the network, “This show will feature these two animated personalities facing-off against each other as they delve into the hottest sports topics of the day. Loud Mouths will also showcase various interactive features including Carlin and Schein engaging with viewers via live phone calls, emails, webcam questions and text messages. Carlin and Schein will also hit the streets to debate sports with passionate fans.”
Both shows will debut today.
…i like that SNY is shifting towards being more of a talking-head format, as opposed to the newsey, ESPN-type format it had been…however, i’m a bit confused as to why they went with the name Loud Mouth, which refers to an obnoxious jerk, and Wheel House, which refers to an expert in their field…neither of which seem applicable in the case of either show…
Lastly, Daily News Live will be reduced to a half-hour show, “and will shift to a new roundtable set design and feature a faster-paced format. Joe Benigno will appear regularly on the show along with Daily News writers and occasional guests.”
Tagged SNY |
Over the weekend, Willie Randolph announced that Johan Santana will start for the Mets on opening day against the Marlins in Miami, followed by Pedro Martinez, Oliver Perez and John Maine.
Also, Randolph announced that he will he use a fifth starter through the first turn of the rotation, meaning Martinez will pitch in the home opener at Shea Stadium on April 8.
Of course, Randolph did not say who the fifth starter will be.
Therefore, the first week’s rotation should look as follows:
March 31: Johan Santana at Marlins
April 1: Pedro Martinez at Marlins
April 2: Oliver Perez at Marlins
April 4: John Maine at Braves
April 5: Fifth Starter at Braves
April 6: Johan Santana at Braves
April 8: Pedro Martinez vs. Phillies
…the question now is: who is the team’s fifth starter…
On Sunday, Orlando Hernandez allowed five runs, four hits, a walk and a home run in three innings against the Cardinals. On the other hand, also in Sunday’s game, Mike Pelfrey allowed eight runs, a walk and 13 hits through four innings.
…13 hits…13…i’m trying to convince myself it’s just one spring start…but, is it…i mean, again, here we are, pelfrey has a chance to put his stamp on the position and once again he can’t do it…
As such, on Saturday, while talking to WFAN, Omar Minaya suggested that Nelson Figueroa is also in the discussion for the fifth starter’s spot.
In six games this spring, spanning 14 innings, Figueroa has let up just five runs, 12 hits, but seven walks, while striking out seven.
…to me, one thing is clear: pelfrey needs more work in the minor leagues…and by work i mean, he needs to find some attitude…
…that said, in addition to considering figueroa, the Mets may want to consider getting Jorge Sosa back in the mix…he’s not a long-term solution, but he’s capable of filling in when needed as he showed last season…
…in the end, though, i think the job has to go to el duque – regardless of his velocity, or lack of dominance…i’m not happy about it, but, assuming he is physically able to take the mound, he’s earned the right to go out there and do his wiffle-ball magic show…now, if the magic ends, fine, cross that bridge with sosa, pelfrey, etc…until then, though, el duque should take the stage…and i’ll just try to enjoy it for what it is…
For more on the state of the rotation, read the Journal News, New York Post, Brooklyn Met Fan, Amazin Avenue, Daily News, Newsday, and the New York Times.
Tagged MetsBlog |
As noted on Sunday, OF Reed Johnson was released by the Blue Jays.
Over the weekend, Omar Minaya told reporters that, while he and his staff will discuss Johnson, like with all available players, he is essentially content with Angel Pagan and Brady Clark.
…as i have said before, i believe the Mets are seeking a way to find a player who fits better than johnson, pagan or clark, like Xavier Nady for instance…however, nady is far more costly than the team is willing to pay, which is why it looks more and more like pagan will be the team’s replacement for Moises Alou…
Tagged Xavier Nady |
Butterfield 8 in New York City will be hosting a MetsBlog.com Opening Day Happy Hour for local fans to get together and watch the Mets take on the Marlins next Monday, March 31, at 4 pm, in the season’s first official game of the year.
…it’s a nice place…good food…nine flat-screen televisions…plenty of tables…the host, bartender and the guy who runs the place are all huge Mets fans, and are excited to have us all there, in Mets gear, cheering the team on during the first game of the season…also, audio from the broadcast will be on in the bar the entire game…
If you intend on coming to MetsBlog’s Opening Day Happy Hour, please send me an e-mail at: mattcerrone[at]metsblog.com
Butterfield 8 is located between Fifth and Madison on 38th Street.
Tagged MetsBlog |
