Matthew Cerrone

Minute: Life without Billy Wagner
By Matthew Cerrone - Sep 9, 2008 12:00 pm

The following is today’s MetsBlog Minute, during which I talk about life after Billy Wagner:

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8 Comments »

Comment by patrick
2008-09-09 12:06:51

Tall order perhaps but the Mets offense has got to minimize how many times in the remaining 19 games they head into the 7th, 8th and 9th innings with leads of less than 3 runs.

I realize that both Acta and Cox will be trying to rally their teams around the idea of being the spoiler, but you have to aggressively take these teams out of it early. When you get a 2-0 lead in the first couple of innings, you have to try and surprise them with bunt hits and hit and run plays, be aggressive and make the opponents wish the game and season were over.

 
Comment by richmurg
2008-09-09 12:13:55

Stokes has been HUGE. I expect it to continue down the stretch.

I agree patrick. The offense has to pick it up over the next 4 series and get this thing done. I’m looking in the direction of Mr. Wright

Comment by patrick
2008-09-09 12:21:54

I am more than happy with how Stokes has contributed, but at the same time I am not exactly counting on him turning into a gem of late innings reliever just yet.

 
Comment by gameball
2008-09-09 12:48:34

Stokes has been great, yes, but I have a feeling he can become overexposed. I know that guys who throw mid-upper 90s with location don’t grow on trees, but he’s been beat up in the AL, probably because he hasn’t shown any reliable secondary pitches, and hitters have learned to go after him the way he goes after hitters.

Don’t get me wrong, I like Stokes, but I don’t see him as a bullpen savior for the longterm, and if I were Jerry Manuel, I would be careful about using him against the Cubs during the upcoming four games, since they are a team we may face in the postseason, and I would rather not allow them too close a look at him.

 
 
Comment by gameball
2008-09-09 12:28:12

I suddenly have the strangest urge for a Papa John’s pizza — it’s uncanny; I’ve never even eaten one before, so I can’t imagine how this notion just popped into my head.

Comment by Boscov
2008-09-09 12:33:55

Matt - there’s no other pizza place you can advertise for? Papa Johns pizza is a travesty - it’s disgusting man. How can you advocate for such trash pizza?

Comment by gameball
2008-09-09 13:02:19

My guess is that Grimaldi’s wasn’t offering the big bucks.

(Comments wont nest below this level)
 
 
 
Comment by guigsy
2008-09-09 15:15:00

Good luck with Brian Stokes and Nelson Figueroa…..that should take this team far

 
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