The Mets are 4-2 since my last dossier, which normally would have us feeling good, except it’s the back two they lost to their biggest rival with their two best pitchers getting shelled.  Still, the bottom line is that they won two thirds of their games last week and are only a half game out of first place.
As much as the stories would have made us feel great and been great for the Mets confidence had they won the series, baseball divisions and best teams aren’t decided this early in the season. The Yankees last year lost the first eight games to their division rival Boston Red Sox, and yet still rebounded to win a ton of games and the division. There are still 15 games against the Phillies and plenty of time to win games.
All teams, good and bad, face adversity and bad stretches and have to pick themselves back up. It’s the nature of the game. It’s about minimizing slumps and maximizing streaks. The Mets managed to get a nice streak of games out before this weekend, rocketing themselves to first place.  Now it’s time to miminize the damage and keep pace in the division so when they start rattling off wins again it can be used to distance themselves from the pack rather than play catchup. The Mets are better than the Reds and the Giants, and win these two series and this weekend will be nothing but a blip on the radar.
Jonathan Niese pitched a great game against the Phillies Friday night, and now it’s Perez and Maine’s turn to show that they’ve still got the ability to win some games for this team. We saw some promising signs from Maine last start, and hopefully he can build on that on Tuesday. Oliver Perez turned in one of his clunkers last time out, which means it’s time to step up and pitch deep into the game.  Because if we can get all our pitchers up to their ability, this team will be a tough one to beat.
72 comments
GravediggerHebner
5/3/2010-1:42pm at 1:42 pm (UTC -4)
Ceetar I hope you don’t mind I turned comments “on” they were off.
GravediggerHebner
5/3/2010-1:49pm at 1:49 pm (UTC -4)
Of course my ulterior motive was so I could make one.
Mets are better than the Giants?
Mets team winning percentage .560 Giants .583.
The Mets have scored 110 runs to the Giants 108, but have played 1 more game.
The Giants slash line is .277/.343/.426, Mets .235/.320/.377.
The Giants team ERA is 2.77, Mets 3.55.
The Giants have made 17 quality starts, the Mets 11.
The Giants have made 11 errors for a fielding percentage of .988, the Mets 15/.984.
I’m curious to know how the Mets are “better.”
dirtysanchez
5/3/2010-1:50pm at 1:50 pm (UTC -4)
we have better uniforms
ceetar
5/3/2010-1:52pm at 1:52 pm (UTC -4)
cause I said so.
Honestly, it’s probably a toss up. I picked the Giants to win the division (at least, I think I did), but their offense has always been suspect a bit. I thought they were going to be better than they were last year too, and ended being ‘eh’. But what I do know is that the Mets have the talent to beat them, and that’s really where I’m going here. I believe the Mets are better than their record, and beating the Giants is one way to assert that.
stickguy
5/3/2010-1:58pm at 1:58 pm (UTC -4)
so let them have the division. The rest of the west isn’t spectacular either. Maybe the Rockies are pretty good, but hasn’t their pitching been smack around with injuries lately?
trs86
5/3/2010-2:04pm at 2:04 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t believe the Mets are better than their record. LOL. Their record has them on pace for 90 wins.
GravediggerHebner
5/3/2010-2:10pm at 2:10 pm (UTC -4)
I like that “cause I said so.” Very honest, very humorous, and I appreciate that.
I agree with your assessment of their offense, and this next statement isn’t stat based at all but my fear is that it could become (if it isn’t already) one of those offenses that looks poor on paper yet somehow does just enough when needed to succeed with that pitching.
If Zito has indeed figured it out that’s quite a 3-headed monster staff they have.
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/3/2010-2:12pm at 2:12 pm (UTC -4)
The Mets have a 3-headed monster too. It is called MOP.
stickguy
5/3/2010-2:16pm at 2:16 pm (UTC -4)
sorry, that has been renamed MO. Pelfrey, even with the 4th inning the other day, has been removed from the monster.
And I will be shocked if a couple months from now ito is still pitching like this. Same with Silva.
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/3/2010-2:18pm at 2:18 pm (UTC -4)
who’s ito?
GravediggerHebner
5/3/2010-2:25pm at 2:25 pm (UTC -4)
He’s a judge, famous for covering his desk with clocks and botching slam dunk trials.
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/3/2010-2:34pm at 2:34 pm (UTC -4)
oh… didn’t know he pitched for the majors this season…. what a career change!
GravediggerHebner
5/3/2010-2:17pm at 2:17 pm (UTC -4)
Perhaps we should start calling MOP “King Ghidorah.”
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/3/2010-2:20pm at 2:20 pm (UTC -4)
Can the “King Ghidorah” pitch scoreless 7 innings?
GravediggerHebner
5/3/2010-2:22pm at 2:22 pm (UTC -4)
If that was on the mound, unless I had Godzilla to send up to bat, I’d probably just quit.
ceetar
5/3/2010-2:29pm at 2:29 pm (UTC -4)
I fully admit to being completely biased (I even added a disclaimer on my site). It’s just how I am, I’m going to root for these guys to win, i’m going to read into potential and small victories. That to me is what rooting is.
It’s interesting, because beat writers and reporters tend to get a little more disconnected and ‘neutral’ about the team, and it shows. Bloggers are supposed to be a little more fanatical, but you see some of the “fair and balanced” style of comments seaping in from analyzing every moment. To me, my blog, my style, is about being a passionate, often irrational fan. I try to justify my claims and points, but in the end I’m rooting for them and thinking they can do it.
GravediggerHebner
5/3/2010-2:37pm at 2:37 pm (UTC -4)
I appreciate that you react reasonably to my questions. You may be the self-proclaimed optimist/irrationalist but you’re pretty damned realistic and rational about discussing it and about meeting “fair and balanced” halfway, and I really enjoy and respect that.
I very much like what your regular presence has added here. Although sometimes my comments may seem to indicate otherwise I sure hope you will keep it up and won’t change a thing.
ceetar
5/3/2010-2:42pm at 2:42 pm (UTC -4)
Let’s hope the Mets don’t beat me into pessimism then.
GravediggerHebner
5/3/2010-2:57pm at 2:57 pm (UTC -4)
That’s a hope we share.
ceetar
5/3/2010-1:51pm at 1:51 pm (UTC -4)
thanks. It’s that stupid wordpress bug due to editing and rescheduling crap.
trs86
5/3/2010-1:52pm at 1:52 pm (UTC -4)
NO the Mets are terrible and stink and last night’s game proved that. I will not allow you to spread this optimism stuff around the internet and cause all of these kool-aid drinking fans to have any hope.
Oh wait, wrong board.
ceetar
5/3/2010-1:56pm at 1:56 pm (UTC -4)
heh. Well, to be fair I’m still feeling particularly punched in the gut and this was sorta a hack job written at work cause I just didn’t have the energy to stay up after the game last night and I refused to write it in the 5th inning.
This is a thought I had on the drive back from starbucks at lunch: When we lost in 2007 it was mainly because the bullpen sucked, and it was just suckage. Since Jerry took over the quality of devasation has seemingly increased. Some you can’t really blame him for, Triple play (although, had he not send the runners they would’ve won), dropped pop-up, etc, it just seems like the losses have sucked more. Maybe it’s a cumulative thing. Maybe it’s jsut a recent memory thing (Glavine was certainly a bad one, but it was the first inning and really wasn’t quite the same feeling)
stickguy
5/3/2010-2:00pm at 2:00 pm (UTC -4)
Just because Jerry is invloved makes it suck more.
trs86
5/3/2010-2:02pm at 2:02 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed, I came to an understanding last night that fans have a right to vent using completely ridiculous illogical remarks and I have a right not to read it.
ceetar
5/3/2010-2:26pm at 2:26 pm (UTC -4)
I’ve started unfollowing some of the more ridiculous ones.
trs86
5/3/2010-2:29pm at 2:29 pm (UTC -4)
I was talking about the dugout. LOL. I respect almost all of our visitors and know it’s not their personality. Thus I am just starting to check out when they feel that need.
ceetar
5/3/2010-2:37pm at 2:37 pm (UTC -4)
I’ve grown disinterested in the ingame chat sometimes. It gets me too frustrated and into too many arguments (more so in that other room) and I lose focus on the game. And my fiance gets annoyed at the multi-tasking as I take over the computer and tv at once.
stickguy
5/3/2010-2:45pm at 2:45 pm (UTC -4)
you need to get another computer than.
The only way I do both is when I steal my daughters laptop, since I use a desk top in the other room! Well that, and usually the game isn’t on TV, and it is real hard to watch on the PC and chat tat the same tiem! Hence, I ask ‘whatt I miss?” a lot!
ceetar
5/3/2010-2:47pm at 2:47 pm (UTC -4)
Well, planning for the wedding sorta inhibits buying another computer, plus there is no room for it. Even though my laptop is getting pretty old, and the hinges are cracked so that I have to push and pull on the lid to get the image to show up.
gategem
5/3/2010-11:20pm at 11:20 pm (UTC -4)
When it gets old all the letters fall to the bottom of the screen.
trs86
5/3/2010-3:34pm at 3:34 pm (UTC -4)
Completely understand, nightly battle.
Mr North Jersey
5/3/2010-3:28pm at 3:28 pm (UTC -4)
That is exactly what people need to do just not read it.
Especially if you they gonna get bothered about someone stating their opinion. An opinion that insults a Met player.
We “all” say things that others at times “may” feel are ridiculous illogical remarks.
Why get defensive if so and so for example calls Santana a joke or that the Mets should dfa him. It’s obvious so and so is not being rational.
trs86
5/3/2010-3:36pm at 3:36 pm (UTC -4)
It’s not in my nature, thus I am going to start trying to remove myself from that situation. I do not understand the need for that type of illogical thought but I do understand their rights and my own.
trs86
5/3/2010-3:37pm at 3:37 pm (UTC -4)
However, I do have a question. How do you not read it? LOL. If you did not read it how would you know it was there or illogical?
If I am in the dugout should we sound an alarm, completely illogical thought coming please briefly ignore my comments?
GravediggerHebner
5/3/2010-3:44pm at 3:44 pm (UTC -4)
That is a conundrum.
trs86
5/3/2010-3:52pm at 3:52 pm (UTC -4)
I think my goal is to try and learn to accept it as another part of life that makes no sense. Try and increase my tolerance to it and when I find myself trying to bring rational thoughts to chaos go have a beer. Of course that also means my goal is to become an alcoholic.
Mr North Jersey
5/3/2010-5:11pm at 5:11 pm (UTC -4)
Well you would have to not go into the dugout if that type of talk irks you so much.
That is the only way you assure yourself of not reading it. Unless you upgrade the chat room with an ignore feature that allows you to ignore individual people that are prone to irk you but then again you would probably not be able to resist and wind up reading it anyway..
Some people just have less tolerance than others but in defense of those in the dugout people are just venting and to try and reason with people when in the end all they are doing is letting off steam is a recipe for disaster.
Hence why none of that stuff really bothers me unless they get gross or disrespectful and that has yet to happen.
trs86
5/3/2010-5:45pm at 5:45 pm (UTC -4)
Why would I not go in the dugout? It is much more than just a venting post.
Mr North Jersey
5/3/2010-5:53pm at 5:53 pm (UTC -4)
??? For the reason I suggested?
I believe you said how do you not read something. Well one way would be to simply not go. Another was to use ignore.
Other than that you really can’t not read something.
trs86
5/3/2010-5:57pm at 5:57 pm (UTC -4)
That’s what I am saying, I enjoy the dugout and I will either have to improve my tolerance for completely irrational remarks or remove myself from the situation when I no longer can.
Mr North Jersey
5/3/2010-6:00pm at 6:00 pm (UTC -4)
Yes I read that already.I was responding to when you asked how do you not read something I believe.
If you understood differently that was not my intent.
stickguy
5/3/2010-2:14pm at 2:14 pm (UTC -4)
sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and sometimes it rains.
Too bad the heavy rain that came in overnight didn’t arrive at the end of the 3rd inning!
lots of season left, and I will bet that it will include some winning streaks where they look great, some bad stretches where they look horrible, and at least a couple more stomach punch losses, ace meltdowns, and miraculous comebacks.
You know, pretty much like every other season.
Ceetar does make a good point though, that if MO can kick it up a notch and not torpedo the team (and pen), they should be in pretty good shape.
86-90 seems like the right amount of mins to peg them for.
Could go 91+, but that might be a stretch.
81-85 is also possible, but if they don’t get overly whacked with injuries, it just seems a tad low.
So, 86-90 it is. And I would bet that the WC winner will have somewhere in that range. Division will probably take 91+ to get.
let’s just see them play well through most of May, then it gets interesting. 17 games before the killer homestand (yanks and Phils). And the only scary (IMO) team in there is the Giants in SF, because of the SPs (maybe mets get lucky and miss the top ones?)
Mets sitting at 14-11. If they go 10-7, that puts them at 24-18. and 11-6 gets you 25-17, at just over 1/4 way into the season. So, IOW, in real good shape, and on a 92-96 win pace.
Then, even a weak 6 games (2-4?) still leaves them with a good record. and at least 3-3 leaves them in fine shape.
SO, like I said, they next stretch of 17 games is a real good time for the Mets to build up some wins.
You really don’t want to be scuffling along and finish that mini homestand (just the 6 games) below .500, with a lot of ground to make up.
If that happens, I think you could be looking at a Jerry death watch, and a real chance for the wheels to totally come off the bus.
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/3/2010-2:27pm at 2:27 pm (UTC -4)
Marlins, Bravos, and even Nats are no picnics in the park.
stickguy
5/3/2010-2:37pm at 2:37 pm (UTC -4)
no, but if they can’t beat those teams, then they are playing for next year anyway.
certainly wasn’t implying that they are locks to beat up on them or that they were patsies. Just that if they can play like they are capable of, they should be able to go better than .500 in this stretch.
That, and SF has the Sp that I worry about putting a halladay like hurt on them (although Johnson tends to do well against the Mets..)
Sometimes it takes luck to miss a teams top SPs.
stickguy
5/3/2010-2:42pm at 2:42 pm (UTC -4)
but of course, the Mets hav eno luck. They miss Zito and the #5 guy, whoever that is.
LOoks like they will have to face Cain, Sanchez and Lincecum.
Think anyone could fly out to SF and plant another dime on TImmy boy, and drop another dime to the cops?
ceetar
5/3/2010-2:45pm at 2:45 pm (UTC -4)
Shame it won’t be Santana-Lincecum. Instead likely Pelf-Santana-Ollie, which honestly gives us a pretty good matchup.
Plus, as far as storylines go (THEY MEAN NOTHING and yet I get so invested in lookign for them), Wright homering off Cain goes a long way towards pumping up the Mets to start the series.
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/3/2010-2:48pm at 2:48 pm (UTC -4)
Ouch… Didn’t the Mets do fairly well against the Lincy last season?
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/3/2010-2:17pm at 2:17 pm (UTC -4)
To add to the post,
After a month of baseball, the Mets are on pace to win 90-91 games w/o Beltran and so-so performances from Johan. The Mets are only 1/2 game behind the Phillies. For the WC race, I really can’t see a distinct front-runner team. We know Pads will fold, NL Central seem to suck except for the Cards. I really see the WC race comes down to Marlins, Rockies/Giants, Cubs, and Mets. I think the Mets have pretty good chance amongst these teams.
stickguy
5/3/2010-2:23pm at 2:23 pm (UTC -4)
well, when you put it like that, they sure do!
I know the divsion or bust crowd will jump on us for it, but I got no problem making the post season via the WC.
ceetar
5/3/2010-2:25pm at 2:25 pm (UTC -4)
no talking ab out the WC until Sept. I don’t have a problem with it, but the WC should be a fallback plan. 90-91 puts us in the race for the division anyway.
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/3/2010-2:29pm at 2:29 pm (UTC -4)
I am just trying to put things in perspective.
stickguy
5/3/2010-2:34pm at 2:34 pm (UTC -4)
of course. I was just commenting about how some people think if they don’t win the division, they should be too embarrased to take the WC. And no, I am not conceeding the division by any means.
really, the tam (any team) should not pay attention to the other teams, certainly not this early. Jus tpile up the wins throughout the year, take every game seriously, and see what happens when the home stretch rolls around.
metsfan4decades
5/3/2010-4:52pm at 4:52 pm (UTC -4)
This I do not understand. Sure, it would be nice to win the division but I’ll take the WC just to get into October baseball anyday.
ceetar
5/3/2010-2:24pm at 2:24 pm (UTC -4)
NewYorkMets: Mets open up in Cincinnati tonight at 7:10: Pagan-CF, Castillo-2B, Reyes-SS, Bay-LF, Wright-3B, Davis-1B, Francoeur-RF, Barajas-C, Perez-LHP
GravediggerHebner
5/3/2010-2:29pm at 2:29 pm (UTC -4)
Against the kid Leake who jumped straight from college to the pros. Anyone know if he and Ike Davis’ careers overlapped at ASU?
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/3/2010-2:50pm at 2:50 pm (UTC -4)
Ike takes Leake over the fences!!
trs86
5/3/2010-3:39pm at 3:39 pm (UTC -4)
Lets make sure those fences are not electric first. Painful.
stickguy
5/3/2010-2:32pm at 2:32 pm (UTC -4)
I think I am willing to make the move right now to pagan/reyes/wright/bay/davis/frenchy/barajas/castillo.
trs86
5/3/2010-3:40pm at 3:40 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed that while Castillo is struggling this may be the best move.
stickguy
5/3/2010-2:30pm at 2:30 pm (UTC -4)
just happened to look at the Met stats. some interesting things stood out:
1) Wright has a ton of Ks (28, same as Bay), but even as bad as he looked at times, has a .950+ops, and 5 HRs, so 1/2 way to last years total alrady. He might be OK.
2) Frenchy only has 10 Ks on the year, and his OBP is .340. So he isn’t sucking as bad as he used to. And the lower K # surprised me.
3) reyes, even missing a week, is only 1 AB off the team lead (1 behind Bay). Probably due to the pitiful 5 walks that he hs drawn so far.
4) Mathews is amazingly, stupendously, bad. His OPS is about .440. and 14 Ks in 34 Abs, without an RBI. I ain’t no sabermatircian, but that is bad, real bad. But, Cat is even worse, with an OPS that wouldn’t even have him in the league lead for BA (.372, ouch).
5) Luis has an OBP of .341, barely beating out Frenchy, so far. If that doesn’t improve soon, given his dismal .300 slg, and mediocre at best defense, will they really be able to afford to carry him as a regular.
6) Reyes has a lower slg. % than Luis. How that is possible, I do not know.
ceetar
5/3/2010-2:35pm at 2:35 pm (UTC -4)
I think Castillo will round into form a little but, but I’m surprised he hasn’t yet. He’s been okay, but certainly not up to par.
Reyes I have to imagine, much like Santana, needs some time to get into the swing of things.
Frenchy has passed the point where I’m worried about him reverting to being useless. Also, I don’t think sabermatricians measure, or even know how to measure, the reputation of Francoeur’s arm and what affect it has on runners trying to get doubles, or going 1st-third.
The Phillies had a guy throw out at home last night, and would’ve had a second if Castillo made the relay properly (he’s been bad with the relays when he has to rush. He’s just not a rush type of guy, and second base isn’t really that type of position. I think maybe we should consider having Ike take more of the relay throws)
Matthews, Tatis, Cat for Pridie, Murphy and Carter. please.
stickguy
5/3/2010-2:50pm at 2:50 pm (UTC -4)
I think we are stuck with Tatis for the year, unless he just gets unbearably bad. But as long as he is just used as a bat off the bench, it is OK.
The other 2 never should have been on the roster to start with, some move them now.
Pretty sure it means Carter is, again, odd man out. Pridie replaces GM’s role, and Murphy upgrades on Cat.
may also depend on Beltran. If they actually think he might be back by June, they will just ride out GM and cut him then.
ceetar
5/3/2010-2:43pm at 2:43 pm (UTC -4)
Anyone planning to hit any of the games next week? I’d rather see the Giants but I may head to the Nationals instead. I may end up their twice against the Nats even, if I can justify cost. I’ve seen Pelfrey and Santana, might be time to try to get a Niese start in, which I think would be Monday.
stickguy
5/3/2010-2:48pm at 2:48 pm (UTC -4)
wednesday is a day game. Might have to think about that one, if the weather is shaping up as nice.
ceetar
5/3/2010-2:55pm at 2:55 pm (UTC -4)
bah, can’t do that. stupid work.
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/3/2010-2:53pm at 2:53 pm (UTC -4)
I’m looking at Tues night game. Check out Stubhub, there are pretty good deals like Section 312 row 4 for $65 per.
ceetar
5/3/2010-2:57pm at 2:57 pm (UTC -4)
Too much for me. bare minimum, and when I go alone I don’t usually sit down anyway. Although I should shy away from the food as well, as tempting as it is.
find free parking, just pay the ticket and the $18 in tolls.
metsfan4decades
5/3/2010-4:48pm at 4:48 pm (UTC -4)
Ceetar is my very favorite realistic optimistic fan. You not only feel this team can do it, you back up why you feel that way. ‘Reading into potential and small victories’ is a viable point, one that may grow or just put them over the top. And really, who of us really knows what is going to happen when all is said an done?
As most of you know, I’m a regular visit in the Dugout. I, however, have the opposite mindset when it comes to comments from my fellow Met fans. I very much understand the frustration and ranting and raving and I enjoy ‘reading’ the different points of view. I may not be one of those on the ledge with every loss, but I know many are. It doesn’t take away from my enjoyment of the game (as bad as last night was) nor my love of all things Mets. It’s as close to ‘watching’ a Met game with some of my fellow Met fans, without attending a game or hanging out in a Sports bar – as I’m going to get.
After the 4th inning last night, I felt very lonely in the dugout as one by one I saw most leave either because of some of the comments or just to spend their evening in some type of enjoyment – which obviously that game was not providing. Other than the ever present Ceetar, I believe only myself and another member were there through the 8th. When it became apparent the Mets weren’t going to launch a comeback after the 8th, he left a pondering thought, said good evening and signed off himself.
Here’s hoping the Mets are winning tonight or at least in the hunt so I won’t be so lonely……
ceetar
5/3/2010-4:58pm at 4:58 pm (UTC -4)
I’m always around, so if you say my name the screen actually flashes. last night i was on the couch, and we switched over to roswell season 3 in the 6th inning and I followed along on gameday in case It was worth switching back.
Mr North Jersey
5/3/2010-5:16pm at 5:16 pm (UTC -4)
4D and Ceetar can be counted on to always be in the room that is for sure. To login and not see Ceetar is almost unheard of.
trs86
5/3/2010-5:50pm at 5:50 pm (UTC -4)
I will be there, but I am working on my self control. I could not take the Johan sucks and this team is terrible just like I said they would be stuff. I understand the frustration and how some need to vent. I just don’t understand that type of venting. Maybe it’s because I am a coach? Maybe because my players and I have been exposed to that type of venting live either as the winning or losing team? These guys are professionals and I am sure they can handle it. I however, find that it lessens my experience and that more than likely is more of a problem of my own than theirs. The blogging atmosphere has changed in the last 5 years. People are more bold than ever and I expect that to increase more. Thus if I am going to do a site like this I have to increase my tolerance for irrational behavior. I will start working on that tonight. Here’s to hoping that we win and I don’t get to practice until later.
metsfan4decades
5/3/2010-7:22pm at 7:22 pm (UTC -4)
TK….hard to take him seriously. He’s a young Met fan – very young – and he readily admits he’s got a hard time with them losing. Last night, after most signed out, he actually said he knows he’ll regret his comments in about an hour. He’s so up and down, I have to chuckle most times. I think he’d actually need medication if they ever got in the post season – LOL.
I really don’t know what drives some fans. I hate losing – ESPECIALLY in that fashion last night. But not much I can do about it as I’ve got no control on the outcome. But asking to DFA our ace is just a tad bit over the top….