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Matthew Cerrone

preGame: Mets vs. Braves
By Matthew Cerrone - Mar 25, 2008 12:55 pm

The Mets will face the  in St. Lucie this afternoon.

The game will air live on , starting at 1 pm.

SS Jose Reyes will hit leadoff, followed by 2B Luis Castillo, 3B David Wright, OF Carlos Beltran, 1B Carlos Delgado, OF Ryan Church, C Raul Casanova, OF Endy Chavez and Jon Niese.

Niese will start for the Mets in place of Johan Santana, who is currently pitching in a minor-league game since he’ll face the Braves next week in the regular season.

According to eyewitnesses, with Brian Schneider behind the plate, Santana has not allowed a run through five innings of work.

Robert Parnell will start tomorrow in place of Pedro Martinez, who will also pitch in a minor-league game.

Update1:05 pm

…i’m eager to watch niese…so, i will live blog my thoughts as the game rolls on…stay tuned

Update1:19 pm

In the first inning, Niese allowed one hit, no runs and no walks.

he’s a solid, strong-looking kid…nice fastball, which does not seem to have a ton of movement, but he throws all over the zone, which may or may not be intentional…he has a nice, big, looping curve ball, which appears to be a 12–6 like Barry Zito, who he sort of reminds me of

Update1:31 pm

In the second inning, Niese allowed no hits, no runs and no walks.

niese clearly needs more work, and should not be considered for the fifth starter’s spot…don’t get me wrong, he’s a good, young pitcher, but he looks to be very inconsistent, which is totally understandable…he has a lot of arm action, and in this particular game it looks like he’s aiming and forcing the ball a bit…

…also, he’s rushing, futzing with the rubber and looks a bit uncomfortable, despite having not allowed a run in two innings, which is a good sign…again, i can see why people like him, because he is certainly aggressive with a lot of skills, but he still needs work…

Update1:41 pm

In the third inning, Niese allowed no runs, no hits and one walk while striking out one to end the inning.

…he needs a better change-up, though he really has a nice, smooth, deceptive curve ball, which is exciting…his fastball has ranged from 87– to 91–mph fastball, and has generated a few swing-and-misses…

Update1:54 pm

In the fourth inning, Niese allowed no runs, one hits and no walks.

…he is still all over the strike zone, however what i initially thought was him rushing is actually just a very quick style…he works fast…it appears to be irritating the hitters…

…if he can keep changing speeds with his fastball, remain aggressive as he is, plus use his curve ball, which is ‘strong to quite strong,’ he’s going to be effective…

Update2:23 pm

In the fifth inning, Niese got in to trouble, allowing the bases to be loaded, while giving up two runs, before being pulled mid-inning.

…nevertheless, i am impressed by his stick-with-it-ness…he kept working…he fell behind in the count a few times, but battled back, stayed aggressive and did his best…he was not just slinging the ball, but looking to get a grounder…all in all, despite a lot of balls, and not enough strikes, it was a decent day for niese, who is worthy of the hype…

135 Responses to “preGame: Mets vs. Braves”

  1. Met_Zombie says:

    I hope to see Neise pitch well. I have almost given up on Pelfrey and would like to cheer for another underdog.

  2. Jaded1983 says:

    darn day games! haha, i really want to watch Neise pitch!

  3. Giaco says:

    opening day lineup minus schneider

    • BigDaddyKirk says:

      No Beltran

    • Nate W. says:

      Schneider was catching Santana in the intersquad game.

      Santana, Wagner, Schoeneweis, and Sosa all pitched.

      “Santana breezed through five scoreless innings that I saw. But, then again, there was no umpire. I think Brian Schneider was calling balls and strikes. Santana gave up three singles through the fifth.” – David Lennon

  4. ravi3 says:

    any play by play people today?

    • Jayperez says:

      i hope so. They do a excellent job here with that. Much better than waiting on mlb gameday to update….. : /

  5. metsftw says:

    i’ll be in class, but i’ll try my best to get updates.

  6. mackey_sassers_arm says:

    Where’s m00kie?

  7. ravi3 says:

    for anyone else thats as bored at work as I, ESPN has got a ton of baseball content up today

  8. viktor06 says:

    it’s Niese

  9. m00kie says:

    here I am may not be able to stick all day

    we had a flyout to left, then a single up the middle, a popout to left, and then escobar was nailed by casanova trying to steal second.

  10. twassel says:

    Blanco out
    Escobar single
    Francouer out
    Escobar caught stealing

  11. lonman1129 says:

    I’m listening to the Braves broadcast online and their PxP guy is taking shots at Mets “clandestine” efforts of having Pedro & Johan pitch in minor league games. To start the bottom of the first as Tim Hudson started he said “Hudson WANTED to pitch this game.”

  12. dykstraw says:

    haha…”according to eyewitnesses.” because these spring training boxes are actually that sketchy.

  13. m00kie says:

    reyes: ground ball to third
    castillo: ground ball to first
    wright: popup to left

  14. m00kie says:

    top of second:

    diaz: groundball to second
    prado: walk after a 3-2 count
    lillibridge: flyball to right
    thorman: flyball to right

  15. Lets go Mets says:

    How’s Delgado getting along?

  16. slangon says:

    is larry on the DL or something?

  17. mdemaio says:

    Neise looks good…working quickly, low-90s, moving the ball in & out. He looks like he’s a guy that pitches without fear…a contrast to Pelfrey, who looks like he’s trying to avoid making mistakes.

    • mdemaio says:

      He’s also got a nasty curveball….I think right now he’s mentally more ready for the majors than is Pelfrey…

  18. m00kie says:

    bottom 2nd:

    beltran: swinging K
    delgado: groundball to third (overshift)
    church: flyball to right center

  19. m00kie says:

    top 3rd:

    miller: groundball (missed it)
    hudson: groundball to short
    blanco: swinging K.. he threw two nice curve balls during this AB, this kid could be good.

  20. metsmobile says:

    WOW his curve ball is really really good…i really think that that last one broke more than barry zito’s…over the batters head and then into the dirt NASTY

  21. m00kie says:

    bottom 3rd:

    casanova: crushed a HR to right!

    rest of the inning tba

    • slangon says:

      does anyone know if castro isn’t ready for opening day, does casanova more likely to be the backup catcher or is it going to cancel? or is it up in the air at this point?

      • reyesnwright says:

        Cancel is having surgery on his knee so Casanova will probably make the team. My guess is they will have 3 catchers even if Casto and Schneider are on the opening day roster though maybe not.

  22. twassel says:

    Casanova HR 1-0

  23. metmaniac89 says:

    Reed Johnson has been signed by the Cubs. We need someone that can hit lefties with some regularity. I wonder why omar trusts pagan and clark more than Johnson. I would chose Johnson any day of the week over clark. And pagan has really cooled off lately.

    • mdemaio says:

      Maybe Murton will become available….

      • metmaniac89 says:

        I just worry that Omar trusts what we have. I trust Pagan and Clark has bench players vs Righties. However, the problem that the Mets have had for the past two years was the productivity vs Lefties. Nady was perfect but due to the unfortunate accident of Duaner we had to unload him for bullpen help(it ended up being ok because we got ollie out of it). However Beltran cant hit Lefties, Reyes cant hit lefties, Delgado cant hit anyone, and then we got Endy, Church, Clark, Pagan who all hit righties better than they do lefties. Besides Wright the best hitter against Lefties is Castro and not only can we not use him as a pinch hitter he currently hurt and with Hamsting problems we will never know how long it will take him to recover. We need to go outside of the system. If it means giving up Heilman we need to do it if in return we get someone like Nady back. But Omar has to stop trusting his guys(sounding a little like Willie) and get a batter who can hit Lefties.

        • Another Matt says:

          Go look up your stats, then come back suitably chastened.

          Beltran, Clark and Chavez all hit lefties better than righties (although in Clark’s case his avg. is slightly worse, but OBP and SLG both better – the other two are better in all three stats).

          Against lefties:
          Beltran: .288, .358, .501
          Castro: .258, .340, .419

        • zen says:

          reyes can’t hit lefties? please.

        • beltran the warrior says:

          amazing how posters refuse to check facts before they post.. beltran can’t hit lefties?

        • Gina says:

          I like how no one commented to disagree with Delgado not being able to hit anyone.

    • zen says:

      Easley will play some outfield. endy hits lefties too (career .290 vs lefties for endy only .266 vs righties)

    • ravi3 says:

      Well the word is that if the Cubs were able to sign Reed (which apparently they did) they would look to move Matt Murton, who they undervalue for some reason…I think he’d be a great pick up by Omar…Murton’s story is similar to Nady in the sense that he was undervalued and wasn’t given significant playing time with his former team, but has had produced when given the opportunity. For his career, Murton is a .296 hitter and has destroyed lefties, to the tune of .326/.399/.510 in about 300 AB’s. Last season, he was .319/.386/.505. Murton is also a plus defender, and capable of playing both left and right field. At 27 yrs old, one could reasonably expect similar performance over the next 2-3 seasons.

      What does it take to get Murton? I’m not sure. Certainly any package would have to include a Gotay, as the Cubbies have been looking for a 2nd baseman. Beyond that, I’m not sure as I’m not too familiar with the Cubs’ needs. What I am sure of however, is that Murton would be the best fit of any player that has been mentioned thus far in this discussion.

      • Another Matt says:

        Makes you wonder why they just put Gotay on waivers, really, doesn’t it?

        Murton really sounds like a decent option to have around if available.

  24. mackey_sassers_arm says:

    Where’s saltzy? Mike and the mad dog are talking about the ticket issues we have been talking about for weeks.

    • tfc3rid says:

      Which issue regarding tickets is this again???? Numbers in the new ballpark??

    • Saltzy23 says:

      Still? I had to run out and I’m listening to the game…

      What did those idiots have to say?

      • mackey_sassers_arm says:

        A caller was complaining about the lack of 7-packs or partial plans at citi. The two idiots just said that it was the mets right to run their business however they wanted.

        This is weird, remember when 6-packs were first introduced? Fans hated them because they were the only way to get subway series tickets and they were being “forced” to purchase tix to 5 other games that they didn’t want to go to. Now, fans are complaining that they won’t be available.

        Wouldn’t no 7-packs or partial plans mean that there will be MORE tickets available for single game purchases? I mean, I just wanted mike and the mad dog to tell the guy to take the money he would have spent on a 7-pack next year and use it to buy tickets to 5 or 6 games that he really wants to go to. What’s the problem with that?

        • tfc3rid says:

          Is it a certainty that there will be no partial plans or seven packs?

        • mackey_sassers_arm says:

          I don’t think its a certanty. The caller seemed rather old and I am assumed that he was just speculating.

          Weren’t the mets supposed to make an announcement regarding this a few weeks ago?

        • Saltzy23 says:

          They havent budged from the ‘only ST’ holders. I’m guessing they wont until absolutley necessary…if at all…

          BTW, I realized that the coupon on the back for Subway(I’m assuming its still on the back this year) saves you $5 every time you go. So being that there is one 2 blocks from my house I’m further rationalizing the cost of the tickets by deducting $5 from all the face values…

      • mackey_sassers_arm says:

        It is on there again. So I guess I have 320 coupons for subway. that’s alot of processed deli meat.

        I wonder if they were on the back of the playoff tickets from last year that are currently in my closet.

  25. m00kie says:

    bottom 3rd:

    casanova: crushed a HR to right!
    chavez: popup to left center
    niese: backwards k
    reyes: popup to right center

  26. m00kie says:

    top 4th:

    escobar: walk
    francouer: (do the braves recruit guys for their silly smirks?)
    double play, reyes unassisted at second
    diaz: groundball to short

  27. Nate W. says:

    Neise’s stuff makes for a nice mix.

    He just made Francour look foolish with a mix of 91 mph fastballs, 81 mph changeups, and 70-72 mph curves.

    Thats a nice recipe for success…

  28. mdemaio says:

    Neise is certainly making his case for that start in April…he’s impressive…

    • Nate W. says:

      If they need him at some point this season for a couple starts I would feel comfortable with it. If they are going to him for 15-20 starts then it might not be so good…

      • mdemaio says:

        I agree…but giving him that early April start would give Duque some healing/working time, and let Pelfrey work out some stuff in AAA

    • Another Matt says:

      Let’s not repeat Pelfrey’s ‘07 here.

      I’m impressed by Neise, but I don’t want him to be told he’s won a rotation spot just yet. I want him to know that he’s being groomed for a September callup with a view to making the ‘09 rotation, and that in the meantime he better be ready if he’s needed to cover injuries this year.

      • mdemaio says:

        Not suggesting he’s ready for the #5 slot….but neither is Pelfrey, and it’s looking like Duque’s not going to be physically ready for the #5’s turn in early April. I’d feel more comfortable with Neise pitching that game than Pelfrey, given the latter’s state of mental preparedness right now…

        • Nate W. says:

          Duque isnt going to get any better physically, he’s either going to get hitters out or he wont with what he has to work with. His arm strength isn’t going to get much better imo, as he’s been throwing a lot this spring.

        • Another Matt says:

          If that’s the case, then I don’t see any problem with it.

        • mdemaio says:

          Everyone’s talking about the fact that they didn’t start Santana this game to prevent Atlanta from seeing him. But could it be Randolph/Minaya were kicking around the idea of starting Neise against Atlanta in game 5 and wanted to see how he’d fare against them now? Even though he walked 5, he was impressive – a number of his pitches could have been called either way, and no one looked comfortable at the plate…

        • Gina says:

          Like someone said in another post Niese has only pitched in A-ball at this point. Calling him up now would only be repeating the same mistakes they made with Pelfrey.

  29. CitiFan says:

    I got the home Saturday ticket package does anyone know when we should be getting these tickets in the mail? Thanks.

    • mrose says:

      my full season just came….Friday was their first delivery attempt

      i’d guess anytime now…

      • Saltzy23 says:

        I just called…if you are a ‘March 6th printing’(whateverrrrr), they assume they are going out sometime this week….

  30. Danny1986 says:

    Crazy…based the pitch description, player demenor, and perceived comfort-level descirbed of Niese….this pitch-by-pitch analysis sounds near exactly like one I provided Matt real-time when I was down in PSL 2 years ago. That analysis was on Brain Bannister.

    Seriously, this Niese kid sounds alot like Bannister, except that he utilizes the curve as opposed to the slider.

  31. Amazin86er says:

    Matt are you watching the same game that I am because I think Niese looks very polished for his age and light years ahead of Pelfrey. I see a good fastball, 12-6 curve and solid change with good control. This kid is not afraid he attacks hitters unlike Pelfrey who has one below average pitch.

  32. m00kie says:

    bottom 4th

    castillo: out on a bunt attempt, nice play by the catcher (keith called it routine;)
    wright: walk
    beltran: long AB from beltran, wright to second on a wild pitch; beltran was down 1-2 then worked a walk, drawing Cox to the mound to pull out hudson…

    royce ring in to pitch

  33. GeorgeThomas says:

    Got my season tix today! Nice Shea Stadium memorial keepsake box, too. Plus, the new media guide. NOW it feels like the season is about to start.

  34. Hit The Weights Zeile says:

    im not watching the game when matt says “all over the strike zone” is he missing but keeping in the strike zone? or is he simply not following the peterson philosophy of keeping everything knee high?

    • Amazin86er says:

      Niese is not all over the strikezone he has control of the strikezone is more like it.

      • Hit The Weights Zeile says:

        ok sounds good, bc i for one have never been in favor of the peterson philosophy which eliminates about 80% of the strike zone. if you can utilize the whole thing and give the hitter more to think about im all for it.

        • Another Matt says:

          Either John Maine’s not been listening, or maybe RP’s more flexible than you think.

      • zen says:

        he did have 6 bb’s

  35. m00kie says:

    still bottom 4th Ring pitching:
    hudson only threw 60 pitches

    double steal, bad throw to third, wright scores on the play, then on the next pitch
    delgado: popup to shallow center (caught by short?)
    church: hard groundball by the first baseman (error), beltran hustles and scores on a relatively close play at the plate
    casanova: popup to the track in left field

  36. metzelaar says:

    Can somebody explain to me why whoever is updating this post keeps complaining about Niese, despite the fact that he’s throwing a shutout thus far?

  37. FBones24 says:

    The results and description that are being provided in the post are ridiculous. 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks yet he is inconsistent and all over the strikezone. Next inning, 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks and he is clearly not in consideration for the 5th starter spot as he needs more polish. I’ll look at the results and so far they seem awesome. Better than…aheeemm…Pelfrey.

    • reyesnwright says:

      MLB’s box score shows that he has 6 walks in less than 5 innings pitched. I’m not watching the game but that sounds pretty inconsistent to me.

  38. Nate W. says:

    Braves rallying as Niese seems to be tiring…

    After walking the first two batters a dunker fell infront of Beltran who seemed to think it would get to him.
    A bases loaded walk makes it 3-1
    A 6-4-3 double play grounder makes it 3-2

    another walk makes it first and third with two outs…

    Neise’s day is done.

  39. PhillyMet says:

    Great to hear Niese is throwing well…there is hope after all. Agree with earlier posts in that he should not be rushed. Pelf had an awesome Spring last year and look where he is now.

  40. m00kie says:

    top 5th: niese still pitching

    prado: walk
    lillibridge: walk
    thorman: popup to center, beltran almost made a great diving catch but trapped it, bases loaded, nobody out
    miller: walk (almost had him on the 2-2 pitch, just missed, then missed again on the 3-2), run scores
    pena, hitting for pitcher: double play to short, run scores (good poise from the kid to get the groundball ..)
    blanco: full count , then a walk,

    that’s it for niese, first and third 2 out

  41. twassel says:

    73 pitches, 36 strikes, 37 balls. Not good. He battled.

    • Another Matt says:

      Let’s contextualize this a bit.

      This is a 21yo whose highest level of competition to date was the Florida State League, pitching against most of the Braves’ opening day lineup.

      I’d say he did very well, especially in the first 4 innings.

    • metzelaar says:

      Not good, but by no stretch of the imagination is it bad. I’ll take it over what we got from Duque and Pelfrey any day.

  42. m00kie says:

    maldonado struck him out looking

  43. Amazin86er says:

    Even with the walks there in the fifth and not having very much experience I’ll take Niese over Pelfrey anyday of the week but the Mets will never allow this kid to pitch being so young which is probably the right move. He clearly needs more seasoning but there is plenty of upside.

    • rosemarymets says:

      the freakin braves announcer just sarcastically applauded the fact that this is the last year at shea…i wanted to slap the s*** out of him ….

      • Saltzy23 says:

        I thought it was funny. C’mon…I thought the engineer applauding was kinda funny….

        If anything they should be upset they way they beat us like red haired step children over the past years in the place…

    • Agee's Catch says:

      I’ve heard his mechanics are very good. Same delivery over and over. nerves could be because he thought he was auditioning. he may have been.

  44. m00kie says:

    bottom 5th: soriano pitching (braves closer)

    chavez: hammered a double to right (PA guy responds with “it takes two” the rob base classic ;) whoo .. yeah)
    pagan: swinging K
    reyes: Big Swingin K (shorten it up big guy!)
    Castillo: swinging K

    ugh

  45. Mr. Bananagrabber says:

    http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080325/SPORTS0101/803250319

    I figured I’d let everyone here enjoy the idiocy of my hometown sports writer.

  46. Mr. Bananagrabber says:

    http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article
    ?AID=/20080325/SPORTS0101/803250319

    I thought I would let everyone enjoy the idiocy of my hometown sports writer.

  47. Saltzy23 says:

    I’m just wondering. Does anyone know(or remember) if Matt runs a confidence poll right before the season starts. I’m just curious to see what it would be now that the season is quasi ‘underway’…

  48. m00kie says:

    top 6th: maldanado still pitching

    francouer: first pitch grounder to short
    diaz: base hit to right
    prado: line drive over reyes’ head, single, diaz to third
    lillibridge: swinging K
    thorman: hammers a single through the hole to right, runner scores from third, first and second two outs
    miller: single to right, pagan missed cutoff man, runner scores, miller to second.
    anderson (ph): endy with a nice running catch

    they’re taking calls in the booth now ;)

  49. m00kie says:

    bottom 6th: resop pitching

    wright: swinging K
    beltran: double to the wall in the right center gap (maybe could have pushed it to a triple but wisely coasted into second)
    delgado: swinging K (0-2 count, reached outside for strike 3)
    anderson (ph for pitcher): single the other way to left, beltran scores from second, seems to be running and sliding well, close play at the plate. Anderson is such a great pinch hitter!!
    casanova: backwards k on a nice 3-2 slider.

    joe hippas, an ex catcher is coming in to pitch next

  50. m00kie says:

    top 7th: joe hietpas pitching, braves have switched some guys around so I’m not sure exactly on all of thse guys.

    anderson stayed in at first.

    leadoff guy hit a single (missed it)
    next guy: pagan made a great running, jumping over his head catch in right field to take away a triple.
    caught in left field, tatis made a great throw to first to get blanco in a double play.

    nice D boys!

  51. mackey_sassers_arm says:

    Anyone tailgating or pregaming before the home opener?? Would be nice to get some regularly priced beer in my belly before emptying my wallet for the $8 variety.

    • kowalski69 says:

      ill definitely be there somewhere.

      • Saltzy23 says:

        As will I….

        C’mon dude…Its all about a dive bar beforehand, followed by beers on the train…..$20 and I’m good to go…

        Stadium beers(at least en masse) are only purchased in the playoffs when I cannot bear to be sober for 2 seconds upon entering the place….

        • mackey_sassers_arm says:

          There’s nothing I love more than the brown-bag 20 oz Heineken Keg can on the train to opening day. The dive bar may be tough because I like to get to opening day so early.

        • kowalski69 says:

          i usually start with a pint of jack daniels followed by beer pong in the parking lot and then probably 2 or 3 bud selects at the park

        • Saltzy23 says:

          I think the 3 of us need to do a little pregaming during the season…

          I like to attempt the hard to accomplish two 20 oz. beers between Penn and Shea on the LIRR feat….If the positioning of the moon is juuuuust right I can do it…

          Maaaan…you guys are killing me here. I LOVE that feeling when you walk onto the LIRR and its 100% Mets fans. Especially after you’ve had a few….only 2 weeks to go….

          C’mon Mackey….on OD any bar in the Village will have people at 9 am getting ready….

          Its hard to actually ‘tailgate’ when you dont have a car…its the best I can do…

        • mackey_sassers_arm says:

          I am in Hoboken. Those bars don’t open until 11 at the earliest, and I am not positive about a tuesday morning. I might pregame for an hour or two on the platform waiting for the train.

          Where are your seats??

        • Saltzy23 says:

          Sec 3. I think you said you were in Sec 5. BTW, everyone assumes I live in Manhattan. Hell no. Living in Manhattan is for suckers. I live in JC. We’re neighbors….

        • kowalski69 says:

          the jack drinking is done on the 7 train from woodside and 61st to shea on the express! i cheat though, because i start the bottle on the walk over.

          i cashed in 10,000 points on my bank of america card to get two tix for inner field box opening day, but won the op. day lottery… so im sitting somewhere in Loge for the game and letting stubhub or a broker dictate those field tix.

          my apt has 4 bars in walking distance and i’ll probably go to either o’neills or glenpatricks in Maspeth with the boys before hitting the 7 Train

        • mackey_sassers_arm says:

          I am actually in section 7.

          Does anyone know how long the 7 train takes from 42nd street to Shea? I think they offer an express, but I am not positive. Last season I took the LIRR from penn, but have a new job on 46th, so the 7 seems easier for weekday games.

        • Saltzy23 says:

          I can already feel the Mushnick column decreeing that we are all drunken idiots that only go to games to get hammered.

          And yeah…OK, he mayhhhhbe has a point…

          For me, OD and weekend games I drink cause its enjotable. The playoffs I honestly drink until I cant see straight just cause I cant handle the stress…

          BTW, Mets win…Arroyo with the GW hit…

        • Saltzy23 says:

          30 mins….Give or take….

        • kowalski69 says:

          thats the first stop to the 2nd to last stop dude… if you took the express (the right hand side track) its about 20-25 minutes. 8 or 9 stops on express.

          if its not express itll be 45 minutes or so…

        • mackey_sassers_arm says:

          I drink on opening day because it is fun. I take the day off of work, I am hanging out in the sun with my friends, lets have a few beers and boo the heck out of jimmy rollins and the fat man ryan howard.

          I normally only get drunk maybe once or twice a homestand. the fact that Budweiser is what they serve and the beer man in the upper deck is one of the most disgusting people on the face of the earth (both in appearance and attitude) may keep mefrom drinking more.

          I don’t really concern myself with how writers generalize…

        • mackey_sassers_arm says:

          Any idea how often the express trains run on game days?

        • kowalski69 says:

          mta runs more express trains for opening day. youll definitely be able to catch one… at 42nd st you might even be able to catch a seat!

          once the train hits queensboro plaza itll be packed with orange and blue though, and i wouldnt have it any other way…

          i remember in 06 for the NLCS the conductor started a LETS GO METS! chant!

        • The Flesh says:

          I’m on that bus to Philly with you my man. Isgro told me he got some tix through you.

          Opening day is something to prepare for, but we all know that first Sunday game will be a debacle.

          We’ll obviously be in touch before opening day… .rest up.

      • The Flesh says:

        Kowalski,
        I plan to see you in full effect on opening day – we need to have some sort of tailgate like whole milk’s section 18. Beer and the flesh will be in full effect. We were thinking of hitting donovans in woodside before crushing beers in the parking lot screaming for jimmy rollins’ blood.

        • kowalski69 says:

          DUDE

          Most def i’ll be in full effect. Workin on my first sunday speech also… I also plan on being in full effect in philly, tell jimmy rollins I said that.

          Donovans pub sounds good theyve got good burgers and cold guinness

        • Saltzy23 says:

          It looks like Kowalski has made himself some nice ticket connections for the season…

          Whatever. I guess its OK if a few ‘real fans’ get in to see the team play…

        • kowalski69 says:

          alas, i have no ticket connections. i had to fight tooth and nail to even be allowed back into shea

        • Saltzy23 says:

          I have no idea if thats the truth or just in jest. But that is AWESOME if you really have been banned. The Twins game last year when that Johan Santana guy shut us down(and they were in the middle of that sh*t stretch before the REAL sh*t stretch), I was…err….asked to leave because I may or may not have threatened Show’s life as he was walking back into the dugout…..

          Anyway, you maybe talking to a ticket connection. I have sold about 40 games, but I anticipate a game here or there I’ll need to get rid of….

        • kowalski69 says:

          I was at that game sitting on the field. Once I saw santana working I knew there were slim to none chances in seeing a W. I then thought of how nice it would have been to see 57 in a Mets uniform. We should go after that guy…

          Yeah I was banned for one reason or another. I’ll tell you all about it some day

        • mackey_sassers_arm says:

          another ticket connection here… Once we get closer to the first homestand I will post my email address for mets fans who need tickets.

  52. m00kie says:

    bottom 7th bowyer pitching

    chavez: flyball to left center field, almost a collision w/ cf
    pagan: hit it the other way to left field, base hit
    reyes: pagan stolen base, worked a walk after a full count
    castillo: double play groundball to third

    niese gave an interview .. he’s a really mellow, humble guy.

  53. m00kie says:

    updates may suddenly end soon..

  54. twassel says:

    Top 8

    Jurich single to left
    Prado bunt single to first
    Lillibridge F7
    Rincon comes on to pitch
    Thorman F8
    Miller 1-3

    Still 4-4

  55. m00kie says:

    top 8th: hietpas still pitching

    gotay in at second (!) ..easley at third, some other changes

    not sure who, single to center, removed for pinch runner
    prado: nice bunt base hit , first and second no outs
    lillibridge: nice play on a flyball to the track in left

    new pitcher
    popout to center
    groundball to pitcher

  56. twassel says:

    Easley single to center
    Tatis whiffs
    Molina 5-3, Easley to second
    Anderson 4-3

  57. twassel says:

    Top 9
    J Anderson bunts to 1st, out
    Blanco F7
    Van Pope doubles to left
    Hernandez 3-1

  58. twassel says:

    Clark BB on 4 pitches
    Chavez sac bunt, Clark to 2nd
    Rafael Arroyo batting, wild pitch, Clark to 3rd
    Arroyo singles to win the game!

    • ravi3 says:

      hooray!

    • Another Matt says:

      Haha… I love it.

      Two no-hit minor-league catchers for the Mets appearing in today’s game… one pitches 1.1 scoreless innings of knuckleball to keep his spring ERA at 0, the other gets a pinch-hit walkoff single to keep his spring avg at 1.000 :)