TODAY’S GAME
Mets vs Cardinals, Digital Domain Park, Port St. Lucie, 1:10 p.m.
TV: SNY / Radio: None /
ESPN: Gamecast
| NY Mets | AVG |
| Cora, SS | .295 |
| Castillo, L, 2B | .277 |
| Wright, D, 3B | .289 |
| Bay, LF | .295 |
| Murphy, Dn, 1B | .163 |
| Francoeur, RF | .239 |
| Matthews, CF | .279 |
| Barajas, C | .292 |
| Perez, O, P | .000 |
…………………………………
| St. Louis | AVG |
| Lopez, F, 2B | .173 |
| Ryan, Br, SS | .217 |
| Ludwick, RF | .321 |
| Holliday, LF | .261 |
| Craig, A, 1B | .300 |
| Freese, 3B | .311 |
| Mather, CF | .226 |
| LaRue, C | .219 |
| Carpenter, C, P |
…………………………………
69 comments
metsfan4decades
3/30/2010-1:10pm at 1:10 pm (UTC -4)
Keith: ‘you see Ollie’s numbers – not sterling.’
With that he makes his first pitch way outside and Keith says, ‘that’s exactly what I’m talking about. I feel like a broken record’.
Ollie gets the count to 1-2 and promptly gives up a double.
metsgirl31
3/30/2010-1:15pm at 1:15 pm (UTC -4)
He sounded just a tad frustrated didn’t he?
darknova306
3/30/2010-1:16pm at 1:16 pm (UTC -4)
So Ollie and Keith are in mid-season form already…?
metsfan4decades
3/30/2010-1:19pm at 1:19 pm (UTC -4)
Back to back HRs. Sigh…..
stickguy
3/30/2010-1:35pm at 1:35 pm (UTC -4)
It’s only spring training?
ceetar
3/30/2010-1:35pm at 1:35 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t think I can deal with 6 more days of “waaah, the Mets pitchers have sucked! Waaaah”.
the optimist in me sees Oliver as working on things. First they just wanted to throw strikes (I’m ignoring the voices in my head that are telling me Warthen and Manuel are micromanaging him to death) and then seemed to work on pitching to contact. This is the next step, figuring out which pitches you can trust on 1-2 to put guys away. Giving up home runs isn’t optimal, but it’s a fine line between throwing a ball, and throwing a strike that gets hit. Previously he’s been on the Ball side, so hopefully this is his way of feeling the strike zone out and overcompensating.
stickguy
3/30/2010-1:37pm at 1:37 pm (UTC -4)
thank you for being another voice of reason.
Man, this ST needs to finish. And soon. I almost don’t care how MOP pitches, as long as it is in games that count (and of course, the Mets win).
metsfan4decades
3/30/2010-1:42pm at 1:42 pm (UTC -4)
It’s not so much the results. It’s watching Ollie and where he’s locating that ball – or lack thereof. Here’s hoping he’s working on stuff that’s making those balls high and outside and come the season, they will be down and in…..
metsfan4decades
3/30/2010-1:46pm at 1:46 pm (UTC -4)
On that note, same thing with that last pitch and that HR he just gave up in the 2nd. Right out over the plate instead of low and in.
metsfan4decades
3/30/2010-1:47pm at 1:47 pm (UTC -4)
Nice K count though.
stickguy
3/30/2010-1:50pm at 1:50 pm (UTC -4)
there is always a down side to “throwing strikes”. ML hitters tend to hit them!
You really want only pitches on the black or out of the strike zone that they swing at.
I doubt Ollie is very good with shades of gray though.
But, now is the tiem to work with the catcher to fine tune the approach.
At least he seems healthy, strong, and has his velocity.
metsfan4decades
3/30/2010-1:53pm at 1:53 pm (UTC -4)
‘At least he seems healthy, strong, and has his velocity.’
Absolutely agree. He showed up in great shape so that’s not a problem this year. Just has to work on his location. If he can ever get a bit more fine, he’ll be a hell of a pitcher.
ceetar
3/30/2010-1:53pm at 1:53 pm (UTC -4)
And taht’s what worries me. That they’re lecturing Perez rather than teaching him.
I do haev a little faith in Maine and Pelfrey to blow off Warthen and go with what works, not adhere to crazy stuff taht’s not working. But Perez? who knows.
stickguy
3/30/2010-1:56pm at 1:56 pm (UTC -4)
if it doesn’t work, he probably gets to listen to a new PC in about 2 months.
metsfan4decades
3/30/2010-1:41pm at 1:41 pm (UTC -4)
Glad to see Murphy abandoned that straight up and down stance someone talked him into and is back to crouching a bit. He’s been much more successful with that these past few days.
stickguy
3/30/2010-1:55pm at 1:55 pm (UTC -4)
try something new, and go back to what you can handle if it doesn’t work. Again, what ST is for.
Not sure what the upright stance was supposed to do for him.
ceetar
3/30/2010-1:55pm at 1:55 pm (UTC -4)
Another win for Manuel with the early stance?
metsfan4decades
3/30/2010-2:01pm at 2:01 pm (UTC -4)
Santana has given up 7 runs in the 3rd inning of the game he’s pitching?
Kevin saying is location is off and he’s being hit pretty hard.
Kevin also said it appears, even with the high pitch count in that inning, he’ll come out for the 4th. So at least we know it’s not any physical/injury thing.
Since we know Johan didn’t forget how to pitch, he must be tinkering in that game against minor leaguers……
ceetar
3/30/2010-2:04pm at 2:04 pm (UTC -4)
no, he sucks. DFA him. OMG i’m so worried the Mets pitchers don’t look good in Spring Training what are we going to do it’s a disaster the phillies are gods oh yeah and the catcher sucks and it’ all Citi Field’s fault and why not have Familigia start in the rotation why not right everyone else sucks how dare Omar give these guys a dime!
Mr North Jersey
3/30/2010-2:05pm at 2:05 pm (UTC -4)
you ok?
ceetar
3/30/2010-2:12pm at 2:12 pm (UTC -4)
That was basically a all in one translation of the Metsblog comments of the gameday thread.
Mr North Jersey
3/30/2010-2:14pm at 2:14 pm (UTC -4)
You scared me 4 a sec.
metsfan4decades
3/30/2010-2:10pm at 2:10 pm (UTC -4)
LOL – I know this is the consensus across most blogs I’ve been reading. Met fans wanted a perfect spring training and don’t want to hear anything close to reason…
metsfan4decades
3/30/2010-2:12pm at 2:12 pm (UTC -4)
Carlos can’t come back quick enough.
Mr North Jersey
3/30/2010-2:12pm at 2:12 pm (UTC -4)
84 pitches in 2 1/3 for Ollie.
Not what I wanted to see but again even if he pitched a perfect game it wouldn’t matter.
All that will matter is which Ollie shows up at the sound of the bell?
DNDJohan aka kistics
3/30/2010-2:20pm at 2:20 pm (UTC -4)
wow… that sucks
GravediggerHebner
3/30/2010-2:26pm at 2:26 pm (UTC -4)
I know it’s only spring training, but I can’t watch it anymore. Since it doesn’t count, what’s the point of torturing myself?
metsfan4decades
3/30/2010-2:30pm at 2:30 pm (UTC -4)
LOL – well at least the booth is giving us updates on Jose’s at bats on the back field. They’re reporting he’s looking good.
Ralph is in the booth right now and he’s always entertaining.
ceetar
3/30/2010-2:39pm at 2:39 pm (UTC -4)
1/5, running well. Testing his legs on running bases on back fields now. I suspect they’ll clear him to play in the majors game tomorrow.
DNDJohan aka kistics
3/30/2010-2:28pm at 2:28 pm (UTC -4)
Is there a reason Cora was replaced?
metsfan4decades
3/30/2010-2:36pm at 2:36 pm (UTC -4)
Not that I heard but I’ve been in and out the past inning.
GravediggerHebner
3/30/2010-2:37pm at 2:37 pm (UTC -4)
If they elaborated on it I didn’t hear. All I heard was some reference to “the next couple days” but I don’t have any context for what that meant as I was only half-listening.
Mr North Jersey
3/30/2010-2:38pm at 2:38 pm (UTC -4)
He was hit on the hip with a ball.
GravediggerHebner
3/30/2010-2:38pm at 2:38 pm (UTC -4)
I am going to guess it’s related to his being hit on the hip by the 1st pitch in the bottom of the 1st inning.
That struck me as odd and made me wonder if there was some bad blood between the Cards and Mets in general, or between Carpenter and Cora specifically.
GravediggerHebner
3/30/2010-2:41pm at 2:41 pm (UTC -4)
Ceetar makes a very fair and legitimate point above about the Mets pitchers “working on things.” My response to that would be I look at all the spring training box scores for every game every day and I see starting pitchers (not all of them, but some) on all 29 other teams getting positive results. No starting pitchers on the Mets are getting positive results, not even the staff ace.
ceetar
3/30/2010-2:46pm at 2:46 pm (UTC -4)
True, but there are plenty that aren’t as well.
GravediggerHebner
3/30/2010-2:54pm at 2:54 pm (UTC -4)
Yes, but what separates the Mets is the number of their projected starting pitchers with an ERA under 5.65 is zero (and that ERA belongs to Niese). What separates the Mets is they do not have one SP they can point to who getting positive results. When SP is the widely reported and widely acknowledged weakness of a team, that has to be a concern.
The Nats currently have 2 projected SP with ST ERA under 4.00
The Blue Jays have 2 with ERA under 2.00
The Rangers have 2 under 4.00, and a third at 4.05
The Padres have 3 under 4.00
These teams are not known as being SP juggernauts. I could go on.
Again, the Mets have not one candidate under 5.65.
GravediggerHebner
3/30/2010-2:58pm at 2:58 pm (UTC -4)
I’m not saying “all hope is lost” or “I’m going to root for the Yankees” or anything radical.
Monday morning, everyone’s ERA is 0.00, and I appreciate that. I’m just saying I have reasonable cause for concern and the staff is not showing me anything to alleviate that concern.
I still have an open mind to the possibility that they will be fine starting April 5th, I hope you’ll acknowledge that it’s harder to see that possibility through the dense fog of horrific spring training results.
Mr North Jersey
3/30/2010-3:01pm at 3:01 pm (UTC -4)
I see you expanded after I posted my comment.
ceetar
3/30/2010-3:05pm at 3:05 pm (UTC -4)
too much history of spring training meaning absolutely nothing.
It doesn’t even phase me, the results.
You certainly wouldn’t trade Oliver Perez for Dontrelle Willis right now.
GravediggerHebner
3/30/2010-3:12pm at 3:12 pm (UTC -4)
You found the one guy I would not trade him for, well played.
Mr North Jersey
3/30/2010-3:00pm at 3:00 pm (UTC -4)
Grave I know that you and I have shared similar concerns with the decisions made in addressing the starting pitching and yes it would be nice to see some better outings but don’t you think even if they did it would not really matter until we see it in regular season games?
GravediggerHebner
3/30/2010-3:06pm at 3:06 pm (UTC -4)
Yes, I do agree with the converse which is even if they all had ERAs of 0.00 and all had not allowed a hit or walk this spring that this also wouldn’t matter, but it would certainly give me greater confidence/hope entering the regular season than what they are actually doing currently.
Mr North Jersey
3/30/2010-3:08pm at 3:08 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed
Mr North Jersey
3/30/2010-2:46pm at 2:46 pm (UTC -4)
Grave, your scaring me here.
DNDJohan aka kistics
3/30/2010-3:04pm at 3:04 pm (UTC -4)
me too…
metsfan4decades
3/30/2010-3:12pm at 3:12 pm (UTC -4)
Same here. I took a look the other day at a few teams myself – not all but about half a dozen.
GravediggerHebner
3/30/2010-3:03pm at 3:03 pm (UTC -4)
Oh good, Murphy gets caught in rundown and twists ankle. At least he didn’t appear to be limping too badly when he walked off on his own.
Mr North Jersey
3/30/2010-3:04pm at 3:04 pm (UTC -4)
He did?
GravediggerHebner
3/30/2010-3:05pm at 3:05 pm (UTC -4)
Gary Cohen: “Mike Jacobs comes in to play 1B after Murphy stumbled off.”
Mr North Jersey
3/30/2010-3:05pm at 3:05 pm (UTC -4)
did it look bad?
metsfan4decades
3/30/2010-3:16pm at 3:16 pm (UTC -4)
Well, he kind of limped a few steps into home plate, but the steps after that he looked like he was walking normal. So it’s probably O.K. Fingers crossed….
GravediggerHebner
3/30/2010-3:16pm at 3:16 pm (UTC -4)
It looked bad at the precise moment it happened but he seemed to shrug it off rather quickly and to my untrained eye he seemed to be walking normally when he left the field. He didn’t roll it over completely, it was just more of a misstep. He required no assistance to leave the field.
Despite my obvious flagging optimism in the starting pitchers, I am quite optimistic that Murphy’s ankle issue is a minor one and will likely only effect him for a couple days.
His out was the 3rd out so he was able to receive treatment immediately and I feel that should keep any swelling to a minimum.
Mr North Jersey
3/30/2010-3:28pm at 3:28 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks for the info. I been waiting to see if they show the play but have yet to see it.
DNDJohan aka kistics
3/30/2010-3:30pm at 3:30 pm (UTC -4)
Ike Davis!!
ceetar
3/30/2010-3:06pm at 3:06 pm (UTC -4)
ugh.
Mr North Jersey
3/30/2010-3:19pm at 3:19 pm (UTC -4)
David Lennon is tweeting he didn’t see Santana hit 90 on the gun today.
Cause for concern?
GravediggerHebner
3/30/2010-3:31pm at 3:31 pm (UTC -4)
Perhaps.
If ‘greatest worry’ is 10 and ‘least worry’ is 1, my concern for Santana is in the 2 or 3 range. He’s an established vet star.
My concern for MOP, who are all veterans per se but not stars, is probably in the 7-8 range.
Nice shot by Bay there. My concern about the offense as a whole is in the 1 or 2 range. They will be solid.
gipperpdx
3/30/2010-9:20pm at 9:20 pm (UTC -4)
Interesting way of looking at it.
Mine are:
Santana: 3 (only that high because if he fails, it is all over)
MOP: 10 (how can it not be?)
Offense: 2
Pen: 7
Jerry: 9
FO and ownership: 9
DNDJohan aka kistics
3/30/2010-3:32pm at 3:32 pm (UTC -4)
Last outing I saw, he was consistently at 89mph with his fastball. I think TRS mentioned something like average fastball speed for Johan was like 90-91 mph last season(?).
I’m still concerned for the long run, but I think he should be okay for this season.
metsfan4decades
3/30/2010-3:37pm at 3:37 pm (UTC -4)
IMO, coming off that horrific injury filled 2009 and the question marks to be answered thereof, almost everything will be a ’cause for concern’ until it goes one way or another.
I did hear Kevin say Johan had a bounce back 1-2-3 4th inning after giving up 7 runs in the 3rd. So if he was tinkering, he switched tacks in the 4th. Good sign.
metsfan4decades
3/30/2010-3:24pm at 3:24 pm (UTC -4)
And another HR by Met pitching.
Is it me or is the pitching looking worse this week, not better?
I was really hoping everyone’s last start they would more or less start looking like what we should expect come opening day.
Mr North Jersey
3/30/2010-3:26pm at 3:26 pm (UTC -4)
At home most would of been outs I’d guess 4D.
GravediggerHebner
3/30/2010-3:32pm at 3:32 pm (UTC -4)
3 of the 4 HR that the Cards hit today were not wind aided, and the 2 Holiday hit would’ve gone out around the HR apple.
metsfan4decades
3/30/2010-3:55pm at 3:55 pm (UTC -4)
Well, at least we continue to hit.
I know I sound like a broken record but here’s hoping these pitchers flip a switch come this Monday.
Mr North Jersey
3/30/2010-3:30pm at 3:30 pm (UTC -4)
Bay crushed it.
metsfan4decades
3/30/2010-4:05pm at 4:05 pm (UTC -4)
KRod pitching the 9th. Gary commenting he’s trying to pitch a clean inning – something that’s been hard to come by lately.
Went on to say KRod looks good – ‘mid season form’. Keith very impressed.
Wish there were a few more pitchers that had been worthy of these types of compliments this week.
GravediggerHebner
3/30/2010-4:05pm at 4:05 pm (UTC -4)
On a brighter note, KRod is clearly doing a fine job of both just getting in his ST work AND getting good results.
metsfan4decades
3/30/2010-4:11pm at 4:11 pm (UTC -4)
KRod sending a message today – LOL.
‘This is what you can expect if you can get the ball to me for a save in the 9th’.
Hello, SP……