SNY.tvBLOG NETWORKSCHEDULESTATSSTANDINGS VIDEO Headlines:

preGame: Mets @ Pirates (Game Four)
By Mike Nichols - Aug 18, 2008 12:30 pm

The Game:

The first place Mets (68-56) look to sweep their four game series against the Pirates (55-69) today at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, starting at 12:35 pm.

The Lineup:

The Pitchers:

RHP John Maine (10-7, 3.97 ERA) starts for the Mets.

LHP Paul Maholm (8-7, 3.69 ERA) starts for the Pirates.

How To Catch It:

Today’s game can be seen locally on SNY and heard on WFAN.

The Bleachers:

For a live chat, head over to The Hot Foot Bleachers.

…enjoy, and as always, Let’s Go Mets

408 Responses to “preGame: Mets @ Pirates (Game Four)”

  1. When does Beltran get an off day?

    • Nightlife says:

      Didn’t think about this. He has played in 123 out of 124 games…..

      • Mets Fan on Wall St. says:

        And with Endy you don’t really lose anything in the field.

        At the plate might be a different story but the difference in the lineup isn’t as pronounced with Endy in for Beltran versus whomever is subbing for Wright or Reyes.

        I like Beltran a lot because he’s probably the most well rounded player on the team, but I too wonder why they’re going to be more concerned with keeping Wright and Reyes fresh for the home stretch of the season, when they’re both younger than Beltran.

  2. Lead off batter on. I like it.

  3. I think I’m the only one that knows the secret way to this post.

  4. ninohernes says:

    Wow, I can’t believe I’m getting the SNY feed on MLB.TV. Generally its the broadcast of the home team.

  5. WozzyBear says:

    Get em on. Get em over. Get em in.

  6. grotesmask says:

    Seems as if we always score in the first. We do lead MLB in this this year, don’t we?

  7. foul bunt strikeout says:

    10 pitches by Maine in the first…

    prettyyyyyyy, prettttttttttttttyyyyyyyyyyyyy good

    i think its inexcusable for the bucs not have the game on TV for the Pitt area fans. What are they airing?

    steeler training camp highlights?

  8. Nightlife says:

    Over under on Maine’s pitch count by the 5th: 75

    • foul bunt strikeout says:

      i’d go with the under…

      the pirates swing at everything

      • Nightlife says:

        Yeah, I think I might go with the under this game. Maine likes to tease by having that one smooth inning then reverting to this patented 5/6 inning 100+ pitch, 2/3 ER outings.

        • foul bunt strikeout says:

          yea thats very possible

          I’d love to see some Maine domination in the stretch run…eventho we lost the division the next day, that game against the Marlins was amazing to watch

        • Nightlife says:

          And it begins………..

    • ravi3 says:

      I’m going to take the under….Pirates are a free swinging team…Johnny’s high riding fastball will look mighty tasty to the Pirate hitters.

    • Nightlife says:

      I should have said at the end of 5 though, not by the 5th.

  9. Wally Backman says:

    Maine is a mess, the pitch count is about to rise and he will have us in a hole shortly.

  10. Wally Backman says:

    Maine is clearly hurt. He is short-arming the ball. There goes the win streak.

  11. DavidDog says:

    maine not looking good. guess he’s ready to be our closer

    • das2ble says:

      if he is the closer, who takes his spot in the rotation?

      • DavidDog says:

        well i was being kinda sarcastic, but i heard they’re considering him for that role, being that the prognosis on wagner is not good. more likely that he goes on DL again rather than close. however, the starting spot right now might go to Stokes, possibly Niese, or one of the guys down in AAA

    • WozzyBear says:

      One problem – doesn’t he walk to many batters to be a reliever?

  12. foul bunt strikeout says:

    oh brother…

  13. metsfan42793 says:

    How is everyone saying that John Maine isn’t doing good because he has a strain in his rotator cuff. Maine has not done good all season. His only really good start was against the Dodgers when he almost has a complete game. Except for that he has 100 pitches by the end of the fifth inning and walks 4-5 batters a game. I’m starting to get sick of people saying his shoulder is the reason he isn’t doing good.

    • atlantasnumber1metsfan says:

      don’t you mean doing well???

    • DavidDog says:

      well he clearly has a problem. good or no good, he was topping out at 94-95 in the first half; last start he was toppng out at 92 and today 88, and he’s all over the place. silver lining is he’s facing the pitiful pirates

  14. atlantasnumber1metsfan says:

    and he can get out of this without damage here.

  15. foul bunt strikeout says:

    so I was at a BBQ this weekend and this yankee fan claimed that:

    “Bernie Williams was a better defensive CF than Beltran ever will be”

    “Beltran is slightly above average defensively”

    I was bombed and told him that the dynasty is over, yankees suck and you aren’t a fan of baseball

    oh skank fans

    • MetsFan4Decades says:

      LOL !

    • das2ble says:

      SO HAPPY the yanks are blowing it this year

    • Mets Fan on Wall St. says:

      Probably the same type of fan that believes that Melky was an adequate CF to start the season and they were glad he wasn’t included in a package for Johan since Ca$hman knows what he’s doing by going with a youth movement.

      If by youth movement they meant rushing and overhyping their prospects where the league gets to see them either fail spectacularly or injure themselves, then yes they’re doing a good job.

      I bet he’s also the same fan that thinks Don Mattingly deserves to be in the Hall of Fame or that the “emotional lift” of bringing back Clemens last year was worth every penny at the time.

      Or maybe he was one of the fans that deluded themselves into believing that changing Torre with a Girardi would shake the team up and inspire them back to the AL East title, completely forgetting that too many of their core players are on the wrong side of 30 and that position by position they are one of the worst defensive teams in all of baseball.

  16. dcmetsfan says:

    According to gamecast, ball 2 against Wilson was right down the middle.

  17. ravi3 says:

    This AB is exactly why Maine needs to work on that CB, so he can use it as an out pitch

  18. BillyDeeWilliams says:

    you know what I love? people who think the game is over in the 2nd inning. Please wait for it to play out before you start crying about how bad john maine is.

  19. MetsFan4Decades says:

    Jeeze, give him credit guys. He got out of that inning, despite the two walks. Maybe his velocity will pick up a bit as the game goes on.

    • ravi3 says:

      velocity seems to be just fine…MLB Gameday is clocking his fastball between 90-95

      • MetsFan4Decades says:

        Gameday is off then. Highest he got that last inning was 89, most were 86-88.

      • DavidDog says:

        uh… no, hasn’t reached 90 yet according to pnc park or sny. trust me, if you were watching the game you’d see they’re something wrong.

        manuel ejected

        • foul bunt strikeout says:

          why did he get tossed?

        • LetsGoMetsGo98 says:

          Has it occured to anyone that maybe the radar gun at SNY and the park could be slow? I wish Wagner could pitch in this game and then we would know for sure.

          If Wagner is pitching 90-91, then it’s slow. Lets see the relievers come in and then we will know for sure.

          It could be Maine but also could be the gun too.

        • DavidDog says:

          weird call. the pirates botched a double play on a a.reyes grounder (1b dropped the ball), but they ruled reyes out at 1st on interference saying he had taken a slight turn toward 2nd after reaching 1st (instead of just running straight up the 1st base line). manuel argued and that was that

  20. Nightlife says:

    Finally.

    At least I know I will have about 3 more innings to mentally prepare myself for the bullpen.

  21. DavidDog says:

    ok i’m saying it: maine goes 4 innings with 6 walks. 5 pitchers combine for the 1st no-hitter in mets history.

    • atlantasnumber1metsfan says:

      guaranteed hit next inning, just cuz u sed it…

      • DavidDog says:

        i know i know. i’m not really believing in the no-no today. I’m usually as superstitious as it gets, but today i feel pretty confident that my jinx would not be needed. honestly, the guy looked just awful the last inning, gary and keith were ready to pronounce him dead

  22. atlantasnumber1metsfan says:

    and he gets on base…nice at bat Johnny

  23. MetsFan4Decades says:

    You have got to be kidding me. It’s obvious to me, that one step towards second he made was b/c he was ducking a little so the ball didn’t hit him and that’s where he wound up to keep from stumbling….

    • ravi3 says:

      what happened exactly? Gameday is still saying in play/out(s), but no description of what happened and who is out

  24. gipper82475 says:

    WTF was that? What a Mickey Mouse call.

    • das2ble says:

      wow…..that is all I can say. That is unreal. That was a yankee stadium call. Just proves Joe West is awful yet again

  25. CitizenSnips says:

    So what happened? Did the ump say it hit Reyes’ helmet?

  26. Nightlife says:

    That was a bad call, but did Manuel really need to get thrown out over it?

    • gipper82475 says:

      YES! Have your players’ backs. Besides, even Jerry likes to give Jerry a day off now and then in Pittsburgh a la Wright and Beltran.

      • Nightlife says:

        Thats fine and all to stick up for the players, but you don’t ALWAYS have to get tossed when you come out to argue with an umpire.

  27. Wally Backman says:

    The first base coach needs to make sure the runner gets back to the base. Especially with a rookie running. Oberkfell knows better than that.

    • das2ble says:

      Ken was pointing to the bag, but Argenis just lolly-gagged it back because he figured (and rightly so) that he was allowed to over run first base

  28. gipper82475 says:

    Ball thrown away on a double play turn…Reyes ducked to avoid getting hit by the sailing throw….his momentum took him a step inside the line…but as he walked back to the bag, the Pirates tagged him and the first base ump (Joe West?) said he had made a turn towards second.

    Jerry, of course, argued the BS call and was ejected.

  29. erik says:

    Jerry West said that Reyes made a turn towards second which allowed him to get tagged out before going back to first. It was a very minute move and a bad call by a veteran ump, especially being the crew chief. But atleast Jerry argued it, because I get the feeling this is going to be a 1 run game.

  30. MetLifer says:

    Is Manuel trying to break the record for the most ejections in a single season in half a season? :-D

  31. foul bunt strikeout says:

    Wallace Matthews approves of that call

  32. ravi3 says:

    So Maine will likely hit 75 pitches after 4 innings…

  33. MetsFan4Decades says:

    Well, his velocity might not be up where it should be, but Johnny’s managing to get it done so far….

    Still say that was a bush league call by the ump. And he probably only called it b/c AReyes is a rookie……

  34. pezao says:

    lookin’ good! :)

  35. iamatwork says:

    Fire Willie

    (too late?)

  36. BillyDeeWilliams says:

    I’d love to see at least 2 runs come in here.

  37. 911nafstem says:

    Can Easley hit into another double play in this series? Is it possible?

  38. BillyDeeWilliams says:

    wow. he has been terrible the past 2 games.

  39. LETSGO says:

    I cannot wait until Easley retires

  40. Mets Fan on Wall St. says:

    I can’t really bash Easley too much. He’s provided more than his fair share of clutch hits the past couple of seasons and every home run he hits is usually at a critical point in a game.

    • BillyDeeWilliams says:

      I agree, but he’s killed some rallies in the past couple days. Just a bit disappointing.

      • The Slider says:

        No player comes through in the clutch every single time. Geez, give the guy a break.

        • 911nafstem says:

          not asking Easley to come through in the clutch, just not to hit into a rally killing DP for once

  41. Mets Fan on Wall St. says:

    I think Maine should change his number to 32, because he seems to really like 3-2 counts.

  42. ksuth says:

    78 pitches through 4 innings

  43. anrst says:

    If MAine would go to his curve more regularly — now that he’s allowed to throw it—- he’d put guys away with more regularity. less foul balls.

  44. twassel says:

    Easley is a nice bench player. At his age, and with his ability, he’s exposed as an every day player. We need Castillo back.

  45. Mets Fan on Wall St. says:

    Pelfrey needs to teach Maine to throw a sinker.

  46. Nightlife says:

    God how lucky can you get.

  47. twassel says:

    Man, I hate leadoff walks.

  48. Wally Backman says:

    Tie game.

    • BlueCapsOnly says:

      Don’t post stuff like this. mlb.tv has a slight delay and some might actually believe that you are actually saying what happened

  49. 911nafstem says:

    I love how every series some AAAA clown like Jack Wilson becomes an All-Star against the Mets.

  50. Wally Backman says:

    Sanchez is going to get a base hit here and tie this game. Probably a liner to right field. Lead off walks kill!

  51. rj101592 says:

    Bring in the Ayala!!!!! hahaa

  52. das2ble says:

    92 pitches with one out and the bases loaded

  53. metsfan42793 says:

    phew

  54. das2ble says:

    ARGENIS!

  55. Nightlife says:

    Sweet.

  56. Chan Ho Parking Lot says:

    So with Maine at 96 pitches and 4 walks through the first 5 innings, do you send him back out for the 6th?

  57. Mets Fan on Wall St. says:

    Let’s get some runs to pad this lead. As much as I am going to reserve judgement on Luis Ayala, I still think our bullpen is going to be “charitable” when it comes to giving out runs to the opposition.

  58. MetsFan4Decades says:

    Come on, Carlos. Let’s not waste this Evan’s double here.

  59. 911nafstem says:

    awful at bat by Beltran

  60. BillyDeeWilliams says:

    in all seriousness…what is wrong with this team when it comes to runners on third with less than 2 outs. they are completely inept.

    • metsftw says:

      really? pretty sure they knocked in 2 guys today with less than 2 outs and a guy on third.

      • BillyDeeWilliams says:

        yes…and 2 out of the last 3 innigns they didn’t…if you’re content with doing it one out of every 3 times, that’s great, but i’m pretty sure i’d like to see more than that.

        • metsftw says:

          one out of 3 times is .333. you really expect them to succeed more often than that? talk about unrealistic expectations.

        • BillyDeeWilliams says:

          actually, it’s not unrealistic. this isn’t about getting a hit. it’s about putting the ball in play, preferably somewhere that will drive in the run. a fly ball, a ground ball can do it sometimes as well. i wish i had the stats for it, but getting a runner in from third with less than 2 outs should be well above .333

    • Chan Ho Parking Lot says:

      There are a lot of low batting averages in the middle of the lineup (with the exception of Wright). So when you need to make contact and put the ball in play, you have Beltran and Delgado hitting .272 and .257 respectively, who strike out 100 times each. Not the best kind of hitters to have in that situation.

      • metsftw says:

        except batting average is very dependent on luck. so i’d look at OPS moreso than batting average for that sort of thing.

        • Chan Ho Parking Lot says:

          Well, Beltran has never been a high average player in his career. Since he has been with the Mets, he has never hit over .276. And Delgado has never hit over .265 with the Mets. So, while average depends on luck to some extent, I don’t think it applies in this case.

  61. MetsFan4Decades says:

    Sigh…..

  62. theperfectgame says:

    I’m a fairly vocal member of the “We Underappreciate Carlos Beltran” Club, but it would help me out an awful lot if he occasionally drove in a runner from 3rd with less than 2 outs…

  63. murdertron3000 says:

    Dammit. Nothing worse than stranding a runner on third with less that two outs.

  64. 911nafstem says:

    I mean for god sake’s Beltran, even Billy Crystal made contact off of Maholm

  65. das2ble says:

    I feel like I have seen the Carlos and Carlos duo strike out way too much this season back to back with scoring chances……especially Delgado on that outside breaking/curveball

  66. 911nafstem says:

    it’s bullpen blues time, get out your harmonicas

  67. 911nafstem says:

    it’s bullpen blues time, get out your harmonicas

  68. das2ble says:

    tie game

  69. MetsFan4Decades says:

    Oh for the love of God…..
    Should have left Maine out there.

  70. KingWright says:

    C’mon Stokes.

  71. Nightlife says:

    Like clockwork……

    • atlantasnumber1metsfan says:

      Let’s chill guys its only the 6th and we arent losing…

      • Nightlife says:

        Oh I’m cool. I was actually just waiting to LOL at the first THIS IS A DISGRACE SOMEONE SHOULD BE FIRED posts.

  72. das2ble says:

    stokes has been good so far, but I guess even he has now caught the Mets bullpen garbage

  73. 911nafstem says:

    Clearly Stokes wants the win

  74. gomets6091 says:

    don’t get too down on Stokes, he’s just trying to fit in with the rest of the guys in the bullpen

  75. das2ble says:

    its ok because Wagner comes off the DL today

  76. jamie says:

    this should be fun…

    from will carroll’s latest column at baseball prospectus:

    “It was a big setback for Wagner, and one that could end his season. Instead of forearm stiffness, he has an elbow issue, and is headed for more tests on Tuesday. It’s a little odd that none of this occurred until his simulated game, but one front-office source I spoke with said that Wagner probably didn’t really let the ball go until the simulated game. Forearm problems are sometimes just referred pain from the elbow, and this certainly has some signs of having been that, though the Mets do have images that show a strain on the underside of his arm. I’m still not convinced that’s the only problem, especially since Wagner actually expressed relief that it wasn’t bone chips. (How would he know how they felt?) If there’s any positive sign, it’s that Wagner didn’t have a sudden loss of control. We’ll have to wait and see what the verdict is on Tuesday, but Mets fans have to be concerned that any extension of Wagner’s time off will expose a weak bullpen.”

  77. 911nafstem says:

    blow 1 out man on 3rd opportunities, crap teams like the Pirates will beat you

    • metsftw says:

      oh, did laroche hit a 3 run homer?

      • 911nafstem says:

        sorry mrs. beltran

        • therealsince86 says:

          I hate that friggin response. Can you not come up with something better for someone you disagree with than to say that they are married to the player? So if one person thinks a player is better than you do and uses facts to back it up then they are married to that player? Man I must be married to every player on the team.

        • theperfectgame says:

          Salt Lake City represent!

    • das2ble says:

      throw fastballs right down the pipe for the first pitch, and crap teams like the Pirates will beat you.

      Seriously, how many first pitch homeruns has the BP given up this year to awful teams? if they will swing at anything, why would you give them something to hit?

  78. jimmyk456 says:

    okay so lefties were batting .417 against stokes so you know whats a good idea? lets just bring him in against 2 decent lefties so we can give up the lead! great job guys

  79. das2ble says:

    hurry up Joe West! Get the pirates to tag him at first for the out

  80. 911nafstem says:

    unreal

  81. jimmyk456 says:

    easley is a bum right now jesus christ

  82. das2ble says:

    4 DOUBLE PLAYS FOR EASLEY IN HIS LAST 7 AT BATS

    RALLY KILLER (4 times)

  83. Nightlife says:

    Oh Damien……

  84. jimmyk456 says:

    going 6-1 on a road trip against the pirates and nationals will be unacceptable

  85. therealsince86 says:

    Murphy, Murphy, Murphy. Can we get him a 2B glove?

  86. das2ble says:

    Maholm has pitched 95 pitches, so he is going back out there for the 8th (unless they pinch for him in the bottom)

  87. foul bunt strikeout says:

    any thought of using reyes soon?

    easely is killing the offense big time

  88. HoJoWright says:

    time to have Jose Reyes pinch hit for the pitcher next time around and get easley out of his misery

  89. Mets Fan on Wall St. says:

    I defended Easley earlier, but let us pray for many reasons that we never have to use Easley at SS again.

  90. Nightlife says:

    Nice job Show.

  91. ravi3 says:

    Good work by Schoe.

  92. das2ble says:

    at least Maholm is out of the game

  93. patrick says:

    Lets just relax, Easley is in a hole at the moment and they needed to give Reyes just a day here.

  94. 911nafstem says:

    Damn, no Murphy?

  95. NYP-BOS-NYP says:

    Damn YES, Murphy! :)

  96. ravi3 says:

    Look at the Murph

  97. Nightlife says:

    luv u Daniel

  98. patrick says:

    Here is the thing that you absolutely love about Murphy six pitch at-bats and with two strikes he is thinking hit the ball hard where it is pitched, nothing more, nothing less.

  99. das2ble says:

    Here is your chance all you Beltran lovers

  100. atlantasnumber1metsfan says:

    Guesses on the outcome of Beltran’s at bat..my money’s on…K

  101. pezao says:

    c’mon single!!?!?!?!

  102. ravi3 says:

    Time to redeem the afternoon, Carlos..

  103. 911nafstem says:

    let’s just hope he guesses right here

  104. NYP-BOS-NYP says:

    Buh-bye, Yatesey.

  105. el_giacomo says:

    ugh, bases loaded

  106. Chan Ho Parking Lot says:

    Lets see if Delgado can avoid the 0-2 start to this AB here.

  107. MetsFan4Decades says:

    Time to start turning the stats around with actually scoring a run with bases loaded here….

  108. Nightlife says:

    Just need a bloop here Delgado.

  109. 911nafstem says:

    bunt to 3rd?

  110. BlueCapsOnly says:

    If Sandy wants to be bold he could pinch hit J Reyes here

  111. 911nafstem says:

    Delgado .111 with the bases loaded

  112. 911nafstem says:

    fantastic

  113. NYP-BOS-NYP says:

    Let the revolving door of relievers commence…

  114. metsftw says:

    judging by the posts in this thread, you’d think we were on a 6 game LOSING streak and 5+ games back of the phillies. amazing.

    • NYP-BOS-NYP says:

      I don’t think that’s fair. I’ve seen much worse, Chicken Little style posts in game threads. I think people are disappointed with the team’s performance in bases loaded situations, though, as well they should be.

      Nobody’s saying it’s the end of the world, but it’s legitimately frustrating.

      • BillyDeeWilliams says:

        exactly. if you look at last week’s game against pittsburgh, it was terrible. people just see the game slipping away with missed chance after missed chance and it gets frustrating.

      • metsftw says:

        uh, it’s completely fair. we’re up 2 games on the phils, currently on a 6 game winning streak and people are whining about how offensively inept this team is. (we’re second in the NL in runs scored, btw)

        • NYP-BOS-NYP says:

          We just had the bases loaded and desperately needed runs, and we didn’t get any. Which is what happens over 85% of the time we’re in that situation.

          You’re okay with that?

    • Nightlife says:

      Its actually been somewhat tame here today.

  115. BlueCapsOnly says:

    like i said, sandy should have pinch hit jose for delgado

  116. atlantasnumber1metsfan says:

    I’d keep Scho in the game…

  117. pezao says:

    GameDay says “pops out”. Please, someone tell me that it was at least somewhat difficult for LaRoche?!?

  118. Mets Fan on Wall St. says:

    I think the coaches tend to over-manage situations at certain points.

  119. Chan Ho Parking Lot says:

    I have a bad feeling that the relievers are going to all get used up, and then newly acquired Luis Ayala will be brought in and will promptly give up the game winning hit.

  120. MetsFan4Decades says:

    I hate these intentional walks in these situations. Not with this BP.

  121. Wright88 says:

    DP ball if infield was back…

  122. NYP-BOS-NYP says:

    Crap.

  123. NYP-BOS-NYP says:

    Kunz! Bring in Kunz!

    Oh, wait.

  124. jimmyk456 says:

    its pretty funny how we dont have one guy in our bullpen that i trust even a little

  125. BlueCapsOnly says:

    It’s not a Monday day game against the Pirates without the Mets bullpen blowing the game…

  126. 911nafstem says:

    oh well, you can’t win them all, this bullpen will make sure of that

  127. foul bunt strikeout says:

    sanchez strikes again

  128. atlantasnumber1metsfan says:

    Shoulda kept in Stokes….or at least Scho….Sanchez just blows chunks

  129. Wright88 says:

    damn…if we don’t come back and win this 6-1 trip isn’t bad. In fact its excellent.

  130. gomets6091 says:

    new plan: don’t ever use the bullpen against the Pirates on a Monday

  131. foul bunt strikeout says:

    come on lets get a dp here

    their closer hasn’t been used in days and might be rusty

    • foul bunt strikeout says:

      ah well what can you do…

      they’ll bounce back against the braves…its a trademark move by the Manuel Mets

  132. jimmyk456 says:

    should have brought in that new meat

  133. Nightlife says:

    Oh well, solid road trip despite the weak opposition.

  134. Chan Ho Parking Lot says:

    What is Sanchez’s velocity?

  135. Wright88 says:

    All because of one taxi ride…..

  136. MetsFan4Decades says:

    And how many guys did we strand in this game?

  137. cousinrk says:

    Against the Pirates? Against anybody. Ok I was scared of this bullpen before, now I’m terrified. They are going to ruin a really well oiled machine again.

  138. guigsy says:

    This bullpen is hilarious…Phillies will win the division.

  139. lambay says:

    Evening all from Dublin Ireland. Sanchez looks like he has nothing left in the tank at the moment. He should have gotten the hook way earlier

  140. mark5674 says:

    bottom line: dont bring in sanchez.. ever, this guy cant even break 90, hes not the same, hes a little girl who doesnt want to hurt his arm again so hes not letting it go… if you cant get an out from the pirates, you dont deserve to play in the majors.

  141. cousinrk says:

    There is not a single pitcher in this pen you have even a mild amount of confidence in

  142. Hit The Weights Zeile says:

    sanchez is probably the teams worst reliever at this point, damn that taxi driver.

  143. X-Man says:

    With this bullpen, Mets are going no where in 2008. They’ve been doing so far against weak hitting teams with “smoke and Mirrors” but against better oponents they are done.

  144. bringbackolerud5 says:

    The Mets are 2 out of 5 with getting the runner home from 3rd with less than 2 out. That is your ball game.

    Well, that and the HORRENDOUS bullpen as usual.

  145. lambay says:

    and both feliciano and schoe both got the hook too fast

  146. chicagometfan says:

    So far in the series against the Bucs

    Mets starting pitchers 28 innings 1 run

    Bullpen 61/3 innings 9 runs

  147. pezao says:

    I didn’t know he had any….

    GameDay says 89mph fastball at one point

  148. bringbackolerud5 says:

    You simply cannot win this division with this bullpen. It’s actually astonishing that this team is in first place.

  149. grotesmask says:

    Sanchez–U Piece of Scheit!

    Yeah, no sense winning 7 straight when you can hand one off to the F-in Bucs, and make no satisfying statement and put more rather than less distance between ourselves and Phils!!!

    Yes, 6-1’s a good road trip, just not as good as 7-0. Mets just not a complete team. I love ‘em but they have to win on guts not talent from here on out.

    • WozzyBear says:

      Especially when you consider that the 6-game winning streak was book ended by two Monday afternoon losses to the freaking Pirates – both of which were leads blown by this atrocious bullpen.

  150. bringbackolerud5 says:

    There is no doubt that the team is playing well. However, these past two Mondays have been give-away games to the awful Pirates. That cannot happen.

  151. bkfitz says:

    Hopefully Duaner Sanchez is non-tendered after this season. He has nothing left.

    • anrst says:

      and yet Omar staked the strength of this pen being on Sanchez as our eigth inning guy… he put his eggs on a guy who hadn’t pitched in over a year … what a genius you are, omar.

  152. Wally Backman says:

    What a shame that this bullpen has too be so terrible.

  153. Jimbabway says:

    Schanez Needs To Get In a Taxi Cab Accident,again and hopefully its not covered by Geico!!!

    this Bullpen sucks!!!!!!

  154. anrst says:

    This is why no matter how many hot streaks we go on, i can’t delude myself to think we have a prayer of advancing in the playoffs.

    • metsftw says:

      i’m sure cardinals fans felt the same way in 2006.

      • NYP-BOS-NYP says:

        I’m sure Phillie fans feel the same way right now.

        We’re still in it, guys. This game did not do much to advance our cause, though.

  155. bringbackolerud5 says:

    By the way, can anyone explain to me why Ayala was worth picking up yet Chad Bradford was not?

    • BlueCapsOnly says:

      We never got the chance to get bradford, Tampa claimed him before the NL clubs got a chance at him

    • metsftw says:

      how many times has this been discussed? AL teams get to make waiver claims on AL players before NL teams do. please, before making these comments, try to get informed.

    • BillyDeeWilliams says:

      they couldn’t have gotten him. AL teams had the first shot.

  156. Gina says:

    So how come Maine came out with only 96 pitches? Was he injured or is he still on a pitch count?

    • MetsFan4Decades says:

      He had no velocity on his fastball at all. He got through 5 with no runs, but walked 4 and it was many 3-2 counts. I guess they thought Stokes was the better bet after 5. Hindsight is 20/20…..

    • jimmyk456 says:

      i guess he just couldnt get the ball over the plate too well today. plus he was also in a ton of jams. and his fastball wasnt even hitting 90. something about his start looked pretty funny to me today. i think it was the right call taking him out for sure.

    • Gina says:

      Ugh, I hope there’s nothing seriously wrong him. The loss of velocity is very scaring considering he was struggling to get people out all year. We need to go hard after starting pitching this off-season.

  157. X-Man says:

    I think it’s time that Jerry really starts considering moving a starter to the pen. drastic times require drastic measures. Maine can only go 5 innings it seems so he would be a perfect candidate.

  158. metsfan42793 says:

    today the bullpen blows an afternoon game against the pirates. last monday the bullpen blows an afternoon game against the pirates. NEW RULE: DONT USE THE BULLPEN ON AN AFTERNOON GAME AGAINST THE PIRATES

  159. bringbackolerud5 says:

    I can’t even fathom how many games in front this team would be with even a mediocre bullpen.

    • X-Man says:

      About 7.5

    • grotesmask says:

      That is the biggest friggin’ understatement!

      I have lain awake thinking this, too. Our record would be about as good as the Cubs, and we’d be about eight games up.

      Then a little something called the cruel reality of baseball intrudes.

      BP will destroy us.

  160. pezao says:

    Thank heavens that inning is over!

  161. anrst says:

    this is why — as bad as Kunz looked and as bad as I think he is simply b/c omar drafted him — it was/is worth it to give him the best opportunity to be competant for us this year.

  162. bringbackolerud5 says:

    I don’t want to hear anyone say that the road trip was still great, they are in first, blah, blah, blah. They let a DEAD team with no offense come back and beat them again. 3-2 against the Pirates in these 5 games is hardly anything to brag about. You handed them two wins.

    • metsfan42793 says:

      the road trip was still great

      • BlueCapsOnly says:

        Not when it ends with a punch to the gut like this…

        The Mets seem to do this all the time. Build some good will with some nice play, and then rip your heart out.

        • Chan Ho Parking Lot says:

          I don’t think this was a punch to the gut. The offense was doing nothing all day. Both runs they were able to get were both driven in on outs. It’s not like the game was given away on a 9th inning meltdown or something.

  163. anrst says:

    how fast was did maine throwing today?

    (I’m at work)

    • X-Man says:

      Around 87, that’s it.

      • anrst says:

        that’s horrible for him. Something is wrong, for sure.

        • X-Man says:

          yep, he usually gets it up there around 94 -95.

        • metsfan42793 says:

          duh he sucks that is what is wrong. he always has 100 pitches by the 5th inning and has 4 walks in those 5 innings

        • metsftw says:

          maine’s averaged 91.2 MPH on his fastball this year, not 94-95.

        • X-Man says:

          That’s why I think he should be the one to go to the bullpen since he can only pitch 5 innings anyway.

        • X-Man says:

          I know metsftw, I wasn’t talking about averages, I just simply said that he hits 94-95 at times, where today he wasn’t even close at least once.

        • hjhjhjhjhj says:

          metsfa42793….you are a serious clown…i guess you want every pitcher to go 8 with a 2.5 ERA? I admit he hasnt been as good as i thought he would be this year (hasnt really taken that step forward to a solid #2 guy)….but to say a pitcher that is 10-7 with a 3.8 era sucks…well like i said already…YOU ARE A CLOWN…WITH NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS GAME…so please keep the dumb comments to yourself!!!

  164. anrst says:

    thank god we’ll have Luis Ayala to pitch in tight games from here on out.

  165. bringbackolerud5 says:

    Runner on 3rd less than 2 out. Until this team starts to execute in those spots, it’s going to have games like this.

  166. Mets Fan on Wall St. says:

    What is Easley going to do? He can’t ground into a DP this time.

  167. patrick says:

    Brutal Pen Again

  168. bringbackolerud5 says:

    WHERE THE HELL IS JOSE REYES?

  169. metsfan42793 says:

    i cant wait to hear keith say something positive about the game today

    • metsftw says:

      there was only 1 hard hit ball in the 8th, to be fair. not like the pen was giving up bombs

  170. NYP-BOS-NYP says:

    So, Andy LaRoche — safe to say Keith is not a fan?

  171. BlueCapsOnly says:

    If Cancel gets on Argenis better be pinch hit for

  172. metsfan42793 says:

    CMON ARGENIS

  173. anrst says:

    What will it take for the Wilpon’s to fire Omar?

    Will a first round exit be enough? Or do we have to be kept out of the playoffs altogether?

    • patrick says:

      there is a rational reaction to the end of a six game winning streak which vaulted the team into first place

      • anrst says:

        there is also such a thing as seeing the big picture … and Omar has failed to fix the bullpen over almost 2 full seasons now … inexcusable …. i don’t care if we miraculously win it all this year … the clown needs to be axed.

        • NYP-BOS-NYP says:

          You do understand that Omar was not offered a magic wand that can create quality relievers out of thin air, right?

          This is such an old, boring argument.

  174. Gasface77 says:

    Speed on the bases…I love it…

  175. metsfan42793 says:

    PHUCK

  176. bringbackolerud5 says:

    Thank the bullpen for another loss. What a collection of stiffs.

  177. MetsFan4Decades says:

    Well, it’s not like we thought we were gonna win them all but, damn – we should have had this one.

    • guigsy says:

      Not really. When your bullpen is atrocious, naturally they will lose games for you which they have done a ridiculous amount of times this year…right, you won’t win all of them but please dont be shocked when this sorry excuse of a bullpen loses them.

  178. metsfan42793 says:

    HA I KNEW KEITH WOULD SAY SOMETHING POSITIVE

  179. patrick says:

    Did they just end the game with the tying run at the plate and left A Reyes up?

    • BlueCapsOnly says:

      At first I was wondering that too, but since the pitchers spot was up after that, they had to hole onto jose for that spot.

  180. bringbackolerud5 says:

    Omar is going nowhere, unfortunately. He must have pictures of the Wilpons 69′ing with each other.

    • atlantasnumber1metsfan says:

      You should be kicked outta here..go back to your myspace page and leave the baseball talk to the non ignorant

  181. bringbackolerud5 says:

    Maybe if Aubrey Huff’s name was Abreurius Huffinasios Omar might try and get him. Otherwise, I would not hold my breathe.

  182. BlueCapsOnly says:

    Is anyone else really worried about this upcoming Braves Series? I know they suck this season, but have completely owned us so far.

    • npanzeca says:

      We are not the same team as we were the last time we played them and neither are they.

  183. metsftw says:

    nice roadtrip, guys. let’s take 2/3 from the braves now.

  184. atlantasnumber1metsfan says:

    Most of you people are so myopic its ridiculous…6 out of 7 is a great road trip, especially when they have pieced together a bullpen. Yes I agree would have liked to win the two monday games but you can not win them all, even against sub .500 teams.

    • npanzeca says:

      Amen, its embarrasing.

    • X-Man says:

      Great road trip and I’ll take 6-1 every thime. It’s not that they lost that bothers me, it’s the way they lose. Not driving in runners and a bullpen that can’t protect a lead or a tie. While 6-1 is awesome, we can’t forget that these were the two worse hitting teams currently in the NL. Against better oponents with real offenses, I doubt 6-1 would have been the outcome. You simply cannot expect to make the play-offs without a realiable bullpen, it’s just not happening unless you’re the 27 Yankees and can out score everone. They are not.

  185. X-Man says:

    The pressure is on because the Phillies are playing Washington now.

  186. Stems says:

    F’ing bullpen again…

    Duaner is officially on the crap list taking over Heilman.

    Then again the Mets offense took a day off today as well. I always feel that when you sit a star player down like Reyes, you are conceding a game and are OK with a loss.

    Well they got it.

    • danlx13 says:

      “Duaner is officially on the crap list taking over Heilman”

      He is offically on the crap list but hielman doesnt come off…they both stay on..
      but ur right, duaner clearly doesnt have anything good this year. He used to throw 95-96 and the same changeup…an 89-87 mph fastball does not cut it

  187. npanzeca says:

    The people here are totally amazing. We just went 6-1 on the road trip people, 6 and freaking1! And also went from 2 games down at the start to 1 and a half ahead. Mets fans are the most clueless group ever and its embarrasing.

    • atlantasnumber1metsfan says:

      +1.. agreed

    • BillyDeeWilliams says:

      they also blew two games to the pirates that could have been won. it’s definitely not the end of the world, but it’s hard to sit back and just enjoy a 1 1/2 game lead. would’ve loved to put a little bit more separation in there.

      • metsftw says:

        can you name a team this year that hasn’t blown at least one lead to a bad team?

        • npanzeca says:

          Only last Monday was truly blown, this was a 2-0 game in the 6th, hardly a blown game.

        • BillyDeeWilliams says:

          i don’t understand why you feel the need to combat everything everyone says. i was simply saying that at this point in the season, while holding a slim lead in the NL east, the mets could’ve used a win today. They didn’t get. As i stated, it isn’t the end of the world. Every team blows a lead…some more than others. You figure it out on your own time. I’m sick of you trying to prove yourself right in everything you say. They’re called opinions and everyone is allowed to have one.

        • ksuth says:

          The Nationals.

          HAHAHAHA

      • npanzeca says:

        You realize that the Pirates have a better than .500 record at home and we just took 3 of 4 don’t you?

        • BillyDeeWilliams says:

          absolutely, but this is a game they could’ve had. as i’ve said several times already, i don’t think this is the end of anything. i’m happy with 6-1. i feel much better after this loss than after last monday’s loss, but that doesn’t mean i’m completely content with the team. every team has flaws…the mets included.

        • npanzeca says:

          Yes we do and yes everyone else has, we are in first after being down 2 games going into the trip. I’m pleased.

        • BillyDeeWilliams says:

          fair enough…i guess we just haven’t different views on it.

        • npanzeca says:

          I hate to lose as much as anyone (trust me) but I just can’t find much fault with a 6-1 road trip, its VERY hard to sweep 4 straight in a series on the road.

    • BlueCapsOnly says:

      Its not the 6-1 that pisses everyone off, its the way the Mets lose. Even though the road trip was great, today was an absolute punch in the gut. And if you say you are not sickened a bit by this loss you are lying.

      • npanzeca says:

        We went 6-1 on this trip. Last Monday if you wouldn’t have been ok with that you are not telling the truth.

    • While it’s impossible to disagree with your logic, because it is definitely the big picture way to look at it, you also gotta remember a few things:

      -The first game we lost in this 8 game stretch against the Pirates and Nationals was a very bad one.
      -This one just reiterates the problems with the Mets. The bullpen. They were sailing along until Maine had to come out.

      So, while they could have made this easier on themselves and been 3.5 games up (very easily, might I add), they made it more difficult by blowing games they should have easily won. But, like Willie says, it’s just one game.

      I’m not saying anyone is a bum and is on the $hit list, etc. I’m just saying, Sanchez can’t be trusted in a tight situation in the 8th anymore. This isn’t 2006. He has proven that a few times already.

      • BillyDeeWilliams says:

        Exactly my point.

        • The problem is, when you play games well enough to win and you consistently blow them, your margin for error in the remaining games obviously shrinks. So, had they held on today, they could have afforded a 10-0 stinker this week. People on here still would have cried, but if you win the games you’re supposed to win and have a good chance to win, the 10-0 loss is easier to absorb.

          This is the exact difference between this team and 2006. If Omar doesn’t realize it this offseason, it’s mind boggling. Heilman, Sanchez, Wagner was lock down in 2006. If they had a lead going into the 7th, the game was just about over. Not so much anymore.

        • phillygalfan says:

          On one of the few occasions I’ll agree with you, this is the reason you have the division title shot. When you blow a winnable game you keep the lead margin slim, but still manage to keep it by having an offense that, while flawed, can still put runs on the board. Can’t say the same for ours….

      • npanzeca says:

        The Phils lost a few games late on their trip, they could say the same thing.

        • Well, for one, we can’t control what the Phils do. All the Mets can do is control what they do. Second, and lastly, the Mets lost one game they clearly should have won (last Monday) and they lost a game I think they should have won (today).

  188. bringbackolerud5 says:

    Typical LOSER mets fans. It’s one loss, we had a great trip, everyone blows leads. SHUT UP!!!!

    This team is majorly flawed. You are in denial.

    • atlantasnumber1metsfan says:

      all right, give me a team in the NL that isn’t majorly flawed…then tell me why a 6-1 road trip is a bad thing, finally tell me what I’m in denial about…You sound like you’ve been a fan for 2 weeks, The Mets have a history of making things difficult..get over it or look somewhere else…

    • npanzeca says:

      And you are an idiot. Go away troll

    • Reyes es el Rey says:

      If no one on here is allowed to vent when the bullpen sucks and they lose sh!tty games to the Pirates, then what’s the point. I say if you want to go ahead and b!tch, because these games are disappointing and the nature of being a fan is to put a lot of stock in each and every game especially late in the season. Was this the end of the world? No. Was it really f’ing frustrating? Hell yes.

      Don’t give me this holier than thou stuff: “it was a 6-1 trip and you are a bandwagon fan if you complain about a single loss.” This is not about who’s right and who is a better fan. We all root for the same team, and that team sucked today.

    • 911nafstem says:

      Yes, olerud, shut up indeed

  189. HangingSlider says:

    I know no major league bullpen comes through 100% of the time, but man this BP flat out stinks.

    And as far as Duaner goes, its pretty obvious that he’s hurt or has already hit the wall and should not being playing right now.

    Looks like Stokes who looked pretty good last week in relief of Maine, is fitting right into that BP

  190. bringbackolerud5 says:

    npanzeca and metsftw. you are the type of fans that make real fans sick. keep making excuses. morons.

  191. danlx13 says:

    I know that the bullpen was crap today, but how about the offense…they had second and third with ZERO outs TWICE and only scored a run each time..if they drove in a few more of those runs the bullpen would have at least had a lead (even though that probably wouldnt have mattered

  192. anrst says:

    if our bullpen turns laughers into nailbighters and losses against the Nats and the Pirates … tell me all you optimists out there … how are we going to fare if we get to the playoffs?

    how is that going to work for us?

    Being disgusted by this team is absolutley the most rational point of view to have. It’s disgusting b/c for all the talent we have at certain positions, we are in no position to compete for the ultimate prize.

  193. X-Man says:

    it’s plain and simple, without a RELIABLE bullpen, you are not making the play-offs. And if for some miracle you do, you’re not getting far. Unless you’re the 27 Yankees and can out score every one. They are NOT. Great rod trip. Let’s just hope some how they can fix tghis horrible bullpen. Some one has to step up. Anyone.

  194. The Slider says:

    Sanchez’s arm only allows Manuel to pitch him once a week. Maybe we should just consider shutting him down for a couple of weeks. His arm is ragged right now.

  195. anrst says:

    Are Figueroa and Vargas really that bad? I think I’d have more faith in either of those two than Sanchez.

    • The Slider says:

      Me too. At least they can get their fast balls over 90 mph.

    • BlueCapsOnly says:

      Dirty needs to be DL’d. Even though he wasn’t fantastic before, ever since he took that liner off the knee he’s been much worse.

  196. danlx13 says:

    hopefully ayala turns out to be a good deal but are there any other relievers that the mets might be able to trade for at this point of the season?

  197. X-Man says:

    Most team are flawed. There are very few “perfect” team out there. That said, our biggest flaw obviously is our bullpen. That’s actually a pretty big flaw to have in this day and age of the bullpen game. They are going to somehow find a way to fix the bullpen or 2008 is not going to end to happy for METS fans myself included.

  198. Airfeet says:

    which is why idk why Kunz was brought up and not used…and you cant blame today’s loss on the bullpen, our lineup didnt score runs in big spots and we know our pen wont be able to shut a team down for 3 innings…so our lineup lost hte game for us today