Daily Archives: September 23, 2008
According to David Lennon’s blog for Newsday, this morning on WFAN, Evan Roberts and Joe Benigno 
discussed whether they would continue to play out the season, or, instead, skip it and play a one-game playoff with the Brewers.
In other words, for fear of potentially being passed by in the standings by the Brewers, would you skip the next six games and take your chances in a one-game, winner-take-all playoff with the Brewers to see who gets in to the post-season?
[poll id="175"]
Tagged Poll |
On his blog, Keith’s Moustache, Tom notes the roots of his frustration with the 2008 Mets, including the lack of fan support.
Tom writes:
“The Shea crowd, somehow, is a spoiled child. They went in to this season mad about last year. They’ve thrown tantrums and booed and expected this team to make the playoffs as a foregone conclusion. What these idiots don’t realize is that they’re in the midst of one of the more awesome pennant races in baseball right now.”
“If not for last season, Shea would be rocking and rolling and the fans would be supportive and having a great time. Because last season gave the Met fan some sort of entitlement complex about getting to the post-season this year, they’ve decided to be as assy as humanly possible.”
…despite the condescending tone, i agree with tom in that the team needs the fans more than ever right now…how great would it be for them to be down by a few runs late in the game and to have a sellout crowd cheering them on instead of filing out to beat traffic…i have been as frustrated as anyone lately, but i can’t live in fear of the mets losing…it’s now or never, so if you’re headed out to shea in the next couple of days, make some noise, and stay until the end…just my two cents…
Tagged Regis Courtemanche |In a post to his blog, DaveLozo.com, 
Dave does a great job looking back at the last year of our lives, from September 12, 2007, when the Mets were seven games in first place with 17 to play, and we were riding high as fans, through today.
…thanks to Tom G for the link, i guess, as this is painful to read, but totally accurate…
Jerry Manuel, speaking to reporters 
immediately following last night’s loss, said:
“You know what, I feel pretty confident that we can get in to this thing. I really do. I really feel there are some guys showing some things that you like to see. You like to see guys fighting and scratching and clawing and you if you get enough of those guys you feel good about your chances. I still feel pretty confident that we can get in to [the playoffs ], and I think once we do we’ll do pretty good.”
Well, like our buddy Dykstraw wrote in the comments section on MetsBlog last night, the 2008 season is now six games long and the Mets have a one-game head start.
I want the Mets to make the playoffs, and still believe they have the ability to do so.
Meanwhile, the Brewers, who trail the Mets by one game in the Wild Card, and who are 5–15 in September, are home for three games with the Pirates and then three games against the Cubs.
It’s natural to start running through scenarios, like, ‘If the Mets go 4–2, the Brewers need to go 5–1,’ etc., but, the fact is, the Mets just need a win. One win. Tonight. That’s it. One at a time. At this point, the Brewers and Phillies should be the least of this team’s concerns.
Win tonight, get a better vibe going, and we’ll re-evaluate tomorrow – wash, rinse and repeat.
In last night’s loss to the Cubs, in just the third start of his career, rookie Jon Niese let up seven hits, six runs and two walks in just three innings pitched.
Niese hung a curve ball to the opposing team’s starting pitcher, Jason Marquis, who hit a grand slam, and that was basically his start in a nutshell.
He was immediately pulled from the game.
Niese had been the assumed starter in the season’s second-to-last game on Saturday, but Manuel said he has not yet thought about who will start that game, though he did hint that it will not be Nelson Figueroa or Brian Stokes.
Last night, Jerry Manuel said he doesn’t believe Damion Easley is healthy enough to help the team at second base.
Instead, Easley is still only able to be used as a ‘spot pinch hitter.’
Meanwhile, Luis Castillo is batting .200 in 15 games since returning from the disabled list, and Argenis Reyes has just one hit in his last 26 bats.
Regarding second base in general, Manuel said, “Yeah, we’ve got some issues, we’ve got some things we’ve got to deal with.”
Like I wrote last night, and like Manuel even said himself last week, Reyes, despite his issues at the plate, has an energy about him that is good for this team. Plus, he is a more lively, more reliable defensive second baseman.
Look, for whatever reason, whether coincidence or not, the Mets play better when Reyes is in the lineup – or so it seems.
This should not be ignored, especially with just six games left.
Carlos Beltran suffered a bruised left knee after running into the wall while making a catch during the seventh inning last night.
Manuel on Beltran:
“We had one report that his knee had kind of swollen a bit…He went down, they took a look at him, the trainer came back and said he’s done, but he said, ‘No, I’m not done, I want to play, I want to hit.’”
Beltran remained in the game, and, according to Manuel, will most likely be in Tuesday’s starting lineup.
I tried to fall asleep, but it’s just not possible.
Here’s what is running through my mind…
Luis Castillo is known for being one of the most difficult people in the league to strike out – yet, in the game’s final at bat tonight, he takes three straight fastballs right down the plate. I don’t understand why Jerry Manuel didn’t pinch hit for him in this spot. Also, I still don’t understand why he is a better option than Argenis Reyes in the starting lineup. I know, Reyes has just one hit in his last 26 at bats. Well, Castillo has just four hits in his last 27 at bats. Plus, Reyes plays a better second base, and the sight of him does not make me want to bang my head against the wall.
Prior to tonight’s game, Jerry Manuel said he is willing to use his starting pitchers in relief, on their throw day. So, I’m thinking, tomorrow, maybe he should start Mike Pelfrey for just one inning, then bring in Johan Santana in the second, thus increasing Santana’s chances of making it through the ninth. I’m only half joking, by the way.
With 11 hits, and 11 runners left on base, I am only able to think about the runs that did not score – as opposed to the five that did.
Bobby Parnell let up one run in two innings, then retired the final four batters he faced. He has earned more time on the mound.
I still believe the Mets have the ability to outlast the Brewers and get in to the playoffs. However, if they do not, I hope the Wilpons are wise enough to re-evaluate every aspect of this team, including the General Manager and much of it’s personnel – because I worry about what may happen to the overall organization’s identity if things, again, end badly.
In other words, this September, there is more on the line than just a playoff appearance.
Lastly, my wife is right, I am no longer young enough to eat cold pizza and beer at 9 pm. It gives me heartburn, and clearly keeps me awake. I hate when she’s right.
Newer posts →
