Daily Archives: June 26, 2008
…if Jerry Manuel wants to identify a problem, and start working towards a solution, he may want to start here…
The Mets have the fourth-best OBP in the National League during the first six innings of a game, during which they have scored the third-most runs.
However, from the seventh inning on, the Mets have the third-worst OBP in the National League, during which they have scored the least number of runs.
In other words, the Mets hit well in the first six innings, but then shut down from that point on.
What’s worse, only four teams in the National League have allowed more runs than the Mets after the sixth inning.
Again, in other words, the Mets are in control through the first six innings, and then totally out of control after that.
In a post to Hot Foot, Andrew Beaton takes a closer look at each player’s stats with regards to late-game hitting.
Prior to yesterday’s game, Jerry Manuel told reporters Oliver Perez is still be a member of the Mets starting rotation, but will continue to be evaluated, stating:
“Looking back at Oliver Perez, it appears as though the bigger the game the better the performance, and you can’t get no bigger game than the Yankees on Sunday afternoon at Shea Stadium. Other than obviously a championship-type deal. So, that would be a very good time for us to make a decision one way or the other, and evaluate the performance.”
Perez is 4-1 with a 2.88 ERA against the Yankees in his career.
…as such, the following will be the pitching match ups for this weekend’s Subway Series…
Friday (Game One): Mike Pelfrey vs. Dan Giese
Friday (Game Two): Pedro Martinez vs. Sidney Ponson
Saturday: Johan Santana vs. Andy Pettitte
Sunday: Oliver Perez vs. Darrell Rasner
The following is from theKnicksBlog.com, which, since some of you are probably Knicks fans, you might find interesting:
“We will be doing a live podcast from the draft tonight and look forward to getting behind the scenes scoop on any trades or player movement. Also, as previously mentioned, SNY will be filming our “Free Drafts on Draft Night” at Butterfield 8 in Manhattan just a few blocks away. If you are on line for tickets to the draft, check out our knicksblog girls handing out vouchers for a free draft beer courtesy of TKB.”
Jerry Manuel switched up his team’s pre-game routine yesterday, making the entire roster stretch together in the outfield grass at 4 pm – as opposed to stretching in individual groups roughly one hour later.
The team then took standard batting practice, but also ran a 
‘Little League-style infield practice,’ where they all worked on in-game fundamentals.
Manuel explained the change to reporters prior to the game, adding, “I’m trying to preach team unity as much as possible.”
…i love this stuff…i have no idea if it matters, but i just like the idea of these guys working hard, doing drills, etc, especially since they have totally underperformed during the last year…do it to it, jerry…
The Mets are 4–4 since Manuel took over as manager.
Ryan Church is scheduled to be the designated hitter for Class-A Brooklyn 
today, but could opt to play outfield if he feels strong during pre-game workouts.
…after brooklyn, church will join the Mets…the thing is, he will not be ready to leave brooklyn until he has played in the outfield…so, it goes like this: play for brooklyn, play the outfield, return to Shea Stadium, which should all likely happen at some point this weekend…
…speaking of church, i liked him hitting in the two-hole, but, with the way Carlos Delgado is hitting – or, not hitting – and with Moises Alou in limbo, church will have to hit in the middle of the order so that at least some one from the middle of the lineup is driving in runs…
Tagged Ryan Church |
John Maine let up five hits, two walks and two runs, while striking out three, in six innings pitched last night in a win against the Mariners.
Maine is 8–5 with a 3.73 ERA in 18 starts this season, during which the Mets are 9–7.
He leads the team in wins, and is on pace to go 17–10, two wins better than last season.
David Wright, speaking about Maine, while talking to reporters after last night’s win:
“John Maine, he’s, I think, like any other pitcher. It’s easier to go out there and pitch with a lead. You relax, you can challenge their hitters, you don’t have to make perfect pitches. So, when you give a guy an eight-run cushion, he can just go out there and challenge the other hitters and cruise from there. And that’s what John did.”
By the way, the following, which is by Kuff and the Buttheads, never seems to get old:
Last night, in a win against the Mariners, Jose Reyes led off the game with a walk and a run scored, he later hit a three-run home run, and stole base as well.
Reyes, talking to reporters after the game, said:
“There’s still plenty of baseball left. We haven’t played our best baseball so far. When we’re starting to play good baseball, watch out. As soon as we start playing consistent, we’re going to be dangerous down the road.”
Reyes is hitting .292 on the season, and is on pace to score roughly 125 runs, which is more than he accumulated in 2006.
Last night in a win against the M’s, David Wright hit two home runs and walked in three at bats.
Jerry Manuel held Wright out of the starting lineup on Tuesday, saying he looked ‘fatigued,’ and needed a day of rest.
Manuel, on Wright, while talking to reporters after the game, said:
“Well, he did some good things with the bat today…I was just trying to freshen him up. I think I have to be cognizant of when he is getting a little fatigued…He’s still a good player who can play tired, don’t get me wrong. But, if we’re to get a good year out of David, and he’s to be some what fresh down the stretch, we have to give him a day here and there to relax…It’s more mental fatigue than physical, but it manifests itself in to physical. And that happens to young players.”
Wright, on having the day off, and returning with two home runs, talking to reporters after the game:
“As much as I don’t like taking days off, I think it helped me…More important, mentally, taking a break mentally for 24 hours where I didn’t really think about anything baseball related I think helped out…I’m always trying to make Jerry look good (laughing).”
According to the Brooklyn Met Fan, the time has come for Wright to wear the captain’s C on his jersey.
The Mets have acquired 1B Andy Phillips off of waivers from the Reds.
Phillips will join the Mets on Friday for their doubleheader against his other former team, the Yankees.
In 218 career at bats spanning five seasons, Phillips is batting .248 with 11 home runs and 64 RBI.
…added to by Mike Nichols…
…i don’t get it…why would the Omar Minaya and company promote the newly signed phillips, a right-handed hitter, who has struggled versus left-handed pitching in his career, before giving Valentino Pascucci a shot…if you haven’t noticed, the right-handed hitting pascucci is mashing left-handed pitching for New Orleans this season to a 1.388 ops..minaya’s roster moves this season continue to be mind boggling…
…added to by Matthew Cerrone…
...fair enough, mike…the word on pascucci is that he is not very good on defense…not that phillips will win a Gold Glove, but he’s better on defense than pascucci, who is seen strictly as a bat for the bench…i believe this move is more about the entire player, than just about getting a bat…that said, i’m just glad the Mets acquired a first baseman who can split time with Carlos Delgado, putting a bit of pressure on him…
…Update…
Jerry Manuel told Adam Rubin, at his blog for the Daily News, that Phillips is outfield ‘inventory,’ not a righty-hitting alternative at first base.
According to Rubin, Trot Nixon may be cut when the team activates Ryan Church, who will begin a rehab assignment in Brooklyn tonight.
Tagged Regis Courtemanche |To watch SNY.tv’s exclusive Post Game Extra, hosted by Gary Cohen and Keith Hernandez, including highlights and quotes from last night’s win against the Mariners, click here:
