Daily Archives: September 3, 2008
To prevent another “September slump,” Jose Reyes has scaled back his pregame routine, according to Josh Thomson at The Journal News.
Reyes, on what he brings to the team, as quoted by Thomson:
“Everybody had to feel responsible because this team is not about one person. It’s about everybody here … But like people say, when Jose Reyes goes, the team goes. So the more I get on base, the more successful we’re going to be.”
He still stretches, hits in the first group, and takes some grounders, before heading back to his locker to relax at least an hour before game time.
“I don’t feel the same. I feel great now. I feel comfortable at home plate. I feel comfortable playing. I have a lot of energy. We have a good team here and I hope I can continue to contribute to this team and to win a game every night.”
…if he finishes strong and the Mets win the division, the jose-jose-jose chants should be replaced with chants of mvp-mvp-mvp…
According to SNY’s Post-Game Show, Billy Wagner tossed 20 pitches from the mound at Shea Stadium today.
Wagner will throw another bullpen session prior to Friday’s game in Shea Stadium, after which he will hopefully pitch in a minor-league rehab game for Single-A Brooklyn during the weekend.
According to Scott Lauber, at his blog for the News Journal, the Phillies will bump up Cole Hamels to face the Mets on just four days rest during Sunday night’s 
game against Johan Santana.
Hamels, as quoted by Lauber:
“I understood the situation. I think this is the time that really matters…The main guy, when it’s the playoffs or the division championship or the big division rivalry, that’s what I want to be. It’s time to step up to the plate, and I know that I’m ready for it.”
As Lauber points out, Hamels is 8-2 with 2.47 ERA when pitching on four days rest this season.
Lauber also provides additional quotes from Hamels, as well as the team’s pitching coach.
The scored four runs on eight hits in seven innings against Hamels earlier this season, in a win in Shea Stadium.
Tagged Phillies |
The Mets (79–61) defeated the Brewers (80–59) by the score of 9 to 2, completing a three-game sweep, in Milwaukee today.
For a recap, boxscore, stats, etc., from today’s win, go to SNY.
The Mets scored six runs in the first inning, thanks in part to a grand-slam from Ryan Church, who is batting .242 since returning from the disabled list.
The Mets lead the majors in first-inning runs with 123, of course Nick Evans singled in two runs with two outs in the eighth, and David Wright hit a sacrifice fly in the ninth.
Oliver Perez, who continues to crack me up when swinging a bat, let up just two runs and five hits, while walking five, in 6.2 innings, and is now the fourth pitcher on the team to win at least 10 games. Perez was a tad wild today, at least by Perez standards, but he was effective nevertheless – no thanks to that bizarre eephus pitch. Seriously, what on earth was that?
The bullpen continued to pitch well, as Jerry Manuel continues to use each pitcher in small moments. The Mets bullpen has not allowed a run in it’s last four appearances, spanning 15 innings.
I have added confidence knowing the Mets just slapped around the Brewers, who will most likely be the NL Wild Card winner.
That said, I am back to being a nervous wreck, in a good way, for what is ready to do down this weekend.
The Mets are off tomorrow.
They begin a significant three-game series against the Phillies on Friday in Shea Stadium, starting at 7 pm, with Bret Myers (8-10, 4.40 ERA) taking on Mike Pelfrey (13-8, 3.66 ERA).
SNY is working with a research company 
to conduct an online focus group with Mets fans next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Group members will be asked to log in a few times during each of the three days to give their opinions about the Mets and other baseball issues.
Those who actively participate on all three days will receive a NY Mets Essential Games of Shea Stadium DVD Set.
However, only a limited number of people will be selected, so please sign up early if you’re interested.
If you would like to participate, click here.
Tagged SNY |
Joe Janish of Mets Today examines the recent brush up between the Mets Mike Pelfrey and Marlins OF Cody Ross and comes to the conclusion Ross is a ‘madman.’
New York Mets Daily criticizes the Mets for the way they handled the promotion of Jon Niese and wonders if his rough first start will effect his future performance.
Meanwhile, The Eddie Kranepool Society provides more love for Carlos Delgado.
Over at Mets Fever, Ed Ryan says Endy Chavez seems to flourish when his playing time is diminished.
While debating who the National League Cy Young Award winner should be, Jayson Stark of ESPN.com provides an interesting note on Johan Santana‘s season, writing:
“Not sure anyone has noticed this, but he leads the entire sport in quality starts (with 23, one more than Lincecum). He has five blown saves, as many as Lincecum, and five CUS, one fewer than Lincecum. But in overall run support, he and Lincecum are very close. Santana is at 4.87 a game (64th in the big leagues), and Lincecum is at 4.81, right behind him at 68th.”
In a recent chat for ESPN.com, Keith Law had the following to say when asked about Jon Niese’s future, despite last night’s outing:
“Four-pitch, left-handed with a potentially plus-plus curveball. I’d have to say number three starter with a chance to be number two if his command really comes along. He looked like a nervous wreck last night, though.”
Before joining ESPN, Law spent four years with the Blue Jays as a Special Assistant to the General Manager.
…thanks to John K for the quote and link…
The Game:
The first place Mets (78-61) look to sweep their three-game series against the Wild Card leading Brewers (80-58) today at Miller Park in Milwaukee, starting at 2:05 pm.
The Lineup:
- SS Jose Reyes
- LF Daniel Murphy
- 3B David Wright
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- CF Carlos Beltran
- RF Ryan Church
- 2B Luis Castillo
- C Brian Schneider
- P Oliver Perez
The Pitchers:
LHP Oliver Perez (9-7, 3.90 ERA) starts for the Mets. Perez is 3-1 with a 5.09 ERA in eight career starts versus the Brewers, including his last start against the Brewers on April 13, in which he earned a no-decision, allowing six runs over 4.1 IP. In 15 starts against teams over .500 this season, Perez is 6-1 with a 2.51 ERA. Perez leads the National League with a .155 opponents batting average against left-handed hitters.
RHP Dave Bush (9-9, 4.12 ERA) starts for the Brewers. In two career games, 1 start, versus the Mets, Bush is 2-0 with a 3.85 ERA. Bush has allowed three runs or less in each of his last five starts, dating back to August 5. He is 6-3 with a 3.21 ERA in 13 home starts this season.
The Notes:
Prince Fielder will not be in today’s starting lineup for the Brewers.
Brian Schneider is 5-for-10 lifetime versus Bush. He is hitting .290 (18-for-62) in his last 18 games.
Carlos Beltran is batting .400 (14-for-35) with 5 HR, 13 RBI and 11 runs scored in his last nine games. He is hitless in two at-bats versus Bush in his career.
Joe Smith has stranded 36 of his 50 (72%) inherited runners this season, which leads the team.
The Mets are 32-35 this season when they don’t steal a base.
Today’s Brewers lineup is hitting a combined .246 in their career versus Perez. Corey Hart has had the most success against Perez, with four hits in nine career at-bats.
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…
Tagged Mike Nichols |According to Yahoo! Japan, the Mets, Braves and Red Sox are among the teams reportedly interested in 22-year-old Japanese RHP Junichi Tazawa.
Tazawa, who plays for the Industrial League’s Eneos Oil, is considered Japan’s top amateur pitcher and may skip entry into the Nippon Professional Baseball amatuer draft and sign with a Major League team instead.
According to multiple reports, Tazawa’s fastball tops out at 97 mph, but in the YouTube video below his fastball never tops 93 mph.
The video below also shows, the 5-foot, 11-inch right-hander has excellent command with the ability to change speeds with his fastball, curveball and slider.
Tagged Mike Nichols |
The following is today’s MetsBlog Minute, during which I talk about redemption and September:
