What a difference a week makes !! At this time a week ago , our Mets looked as flat as flat ca be.They were in the midst of a horrid road trip against both the Washington Nationals and the Florida Marlins. The the team had just banished Oliver Perez to the bullpen and John Maine was yanked from the starting rotation after just five pitches. The team hitting was non existent, the rotation was in shambles – and it seems like that long journey into night was rapidly approaching for Jerry Manuel. But who could believe after what should have been a deflating loss to the Yankees on Friday night that this team would suddenly get as hot as a bat out of hell- taking the next two series against the best teams in baseball ? We have gotten outstanding performances from basically two “thumb in the dyke pitchers” R.A Dickey and Hisanori Takahashi – two guys that weren’t even supposed to be pitching in the big leagues , and have been close to dominating . Yes I know they have pitched just two games apiece and it is too early to predict their success for the entire season – But they have given this team a much needed shot in the arm that neither Ollie or Maine were able to give them.
Last night’s 5-0 victory, along with Tuesdays nights 8-0 rout marks the second time this season the Mets have had back-to-back shutouts. This is also the first time the Mets have shutout the Phillies in two consecutive games since 1998 .
The Mets are also an astonishing 18 and 9 at Citi Field – the best home record in the majors !
And the most amazing thing is that for the second day in a row ( and the third time this season) Mets pitchers did not allow a walk.
And that was an absolute BOMB by Jose Reyes last night – that boy is back – and he’s back in a BIG way !!!
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                                                                            ” Domo Arigato Mr. Takahashi !”
And with that said… HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!
Happy Birthday to the first Canadian to ever play for the Mets , Ray Daviault ( 1934) He was a member of the ’62 Mets bullpen, but he made three starts that season.
Middle reliever from the ’88 team , Edwin Nunez is 47 ( 1963).
One time beloved stat catcher, now steroid pariah- Todd Hundley is 41 ( 1969). Todd still holds the record for most homeruns by a catcher in a season (41).
And today’s Mo Vaughn tidbit – Professional wrestler – Bad News Brown is his twin brother !
                                                                           
                                                                                     “Their poor mother !”
36 comments
metsfan4decades
5/27/2010-7:51am at 7:51 am (UTC -4)
Well, we’ve officially won the series against the Yanks and this series against the Phils. Now onto the sweep against the Phils….
You often hear pitching wins ballgames. Even when we were on that 9 out of 10 hot streak, our pitching wasn’t all that great and we seemed to be winning ballgames w/o getting those clutch hits and taking advantage of some sloppy play by the opposition.
Now these past 5 days are something all together different.
Our pitching has been outstanding, getting quality starts. ‘Pitching wins ballgames’.
The bats, for the most part, have woken up. We’ve got our lead off hitter doing what only Jose can do. ‘So goes Reyes, so goes the team’.
Our offense has been very good, they’re getting those clutch hits with men on base, moving the runners along on the bases, getting sac flies, stealing bases, and playing crisp defense.
We’re clicking on all cylinders now. Here’s hoping it continues for a good long while. We win tonight, we’re 2 games over .500 and 2 games back.
LGM!
rustyjr
5/27/2010-8:07am at 8:07 am (UTC -4)
This team still has alot to prove – but I am confident with pelf on the mound and this road trip against a struggling brewers team – that we might be in first place by the time we cone home
metsfan4decades
5/27/2010-8:34am at 8:34 am (UTC -4)
To me, what they have to prove is that what we’ve seen these past 4 days is what this team is all about. They’ve got the talent on paper, it just needs to translate consistently.
The question mark for the most part remains the starting pitching. Don’t know if we can keep this up with Taka and Dickey in the rotation but I’m assuming we’re about to find out. As Maine and Ollie aren’t going to be back anytime soon – especially evidenced by Jerry naming Nieve as Saturday’s starter, not Ollie – I’d have to say Taka and Dickey will stay in the rotation until they falter. If they do, where we go from there is anyone’s guess. Will Omar get some depth in here – or will we go with just what we have?
Stay tuned….
stickguy
5/27/2010-8:42am at 8:42 am (UTC -4)
to me, dickey is the crap shoot guy. No idea what he is going to do on an extended look.
But from what we have seen of Taks, and based on his long career in japan, I think this is what he is. A solid, middle rotation, smart pitcher. He has better “stuff” than I realized (FB and change look eerily similar to Johan, with a couple of other effective pitches). ANd he has good control, of his pitches and seemingly himself.
SO, with the usual Met caveat (staying healthy), I think Taka is a good bet to cruise along. He certainly seems to be as good as a wolf type, and will Millwood give you anything more?
So if you want to grab another experienced guy on the cheap for depth to back up Dickey or hedge on Neise, fine. But I think the top 3 spots are covered for now.
Kingman 26
5/27/2010-8:46am at 8:46 am (UTC -4)
+ A lot.
njstuckintx
5/27/2010-9:01am at 9:01 am (UTC -4)
Agreed. Assuming they make a trade for a Millwood or a Myers (I know they won’t go for Myers, but a man can dream while wearing his guinea T!) or something in the 4th spot in the rotation and roll with Johan, Pelf, Neise, pitcher to be acquired, Taka, with Ollie as an odd man/spot starter/last resort kind of guy.
trs86
5/27/2010-9:03am at 9:03 am (UTC -4)
Yeah still need to add one. I am fine with Dickey in the pen.
njstuckintx
5/27/2010-9:22am at 9:22 am (UTC -4)
That’s what she said! couldn’t resist.
Kingman 26
5/27/2010-8:46am at 8:46 am (UTC -4)
Not sure what is going on, but I sure like it. Two shutouts with our number one going tonight? Damn, that sounds good!
And MF4D is right as usual; Dickey and Taka are here to stay until they seriously falter.
Taka and Iggy and Barajas were fantastic pickups which Omar must be credited for.
If we can keep the momentum going and somehow win 4 of 6 in MIL and SD, then this thing will be for real.
udontmesswthejohan
5/27/2010-8:49am at 8:49 am (UTC -4)
I’m glad they are playing well again. Particularly Jose who seems to have turned a corner, but I’m going to try and stay on an even keel as I think we will be on the roller coaster once more befor too long.
That said, I have to admit, I love beating that team. Love it.
ceetar
5/27/2010-8:51am at 8:51 am (UTC -4)
They look like crap too. fun stuff.
The Mets are talented. They can beat you a bunch of different ways.
udontmesswthejohan
5/27/2010-9:04am at 9:04 am (UTC -4)
Not a big hockey fan, so I can’t confirm, but someone sent me this yesterday.
“The Stanley Cup finalist Flyers have outscored the Phillies, 23-14, over each team’s last seven games.”
ceetar
5/27/2010-9:24am at 9:24 am (UTC -4)
yea, I saw that. That’s awesome.
Kingman 26
5/27/2010-8:53am at 8:53 am (UTC -4)
Agreed totally UDontmess…..to me, the real key is what happens after today—we always get up for the Skanks and the Phaillies, and Citi is developing as a serious home field edge for us, but going to Milwaukee and SD (where we have played like crap) and winning 2 of 3 in each city, THAT would be the sign I really am waiting for that perhaps the roller coaster has been shelved for a while.
metsfan4decades
5/27/2010-8:57am at 8:57 am (UTC -4)
+1 What you said…..
udontmesswthejohan
5/27/2010-9:03am at 9:03 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, was thinking the same thing about SD. Always hate when they go there. Hopefully they can keep it rolling tonight and head into Milwaukee on a hot streak. The Brewers worry me a bit though as well, cause sooner or later they have to start playing better.
njstuckintx
5/27/2010-8:52am at 8:52 am (UTC -4)
No Kimbo Slice comparison to Mo?
rustyjr
5/27/2010-9:26am at 9:26 am (UTC -4)
That was last week !
trs86
5/27/2010-9:03am at 9:03 am (UTC -4)
What is best about Taka is his absolutely amazing control. Such a refreshing site compared to many of our pitchers. In his starts he has faced 46 batters and walked one of them. His SO/W ratio is currently 5.5/1 that is impressive.
Kingman 26
5/27/2010-9:08am at 9:08 am (UTC -4)
Taka and Iggy are going to bury the ghosts of every Asian failure we have had from Masato Yoshii to Kaz Matsui.
ceetar
5/27/2010-9:25am at 9:25 am (UTC -4)
Takahashi for Rookie of the Year?
trs86
5/27/2010-9:38am at 9:38 am (UTC -4)
LOL, be hard to knock off you know who.
ceetar
5/27/2010-9:40am at 9:40 am (UTC -4)
as far as I knew, they’d already given it to him.
njstuckintx
5/27/2010-9:51am at 9:51 am (UTC -4)
Who, Ike?
ceetar
5/27/2010-9:58am at 9:58 am (UTC -4)
Ike has a lot of XBH/RBI work to do to catch the Hey kid.
njstuckintx
5/27/2010-10:05am at 10:05 am (UTC -4)
Bah, Say Hey kid is an injury away for Ike time! Not that I would wish ill on anyone. Then again, it is a Brave…
njstuckintx
5/27/2010-9:51am at 9:51 am (UTC -4)
And I would still put money on Strasburgenstein. If he dominates like he’s been billed, he could take it.
trs86
5/27/2010-10:32am at 10:32 am (UTC -4)
That Braves dude will have to stop having an OPS over .900
stickguy
5/27/2010-10:39am at 10:39 am (UTC -4)
interesting note on the Phillies, especially as they seem to be getting hit with a lot of (wear and tear) injuries now. And some general starting to suck (like Ibanez). And of course, as it relates to the concept (noted by many a FWICG poster) that they are a dynasty that has the division locked up for years to come.
The Phillies have an average age of 31.9. And even if you take out old man river (moyer), it is 31.3. And most of the over 30 crowd (of which their key/core guys, other than Hollywood, are) is locked up for years to come, or may be soon (rollins).
I still like my CUbs analogy for them. Hope it crashes and burns on them the same way.
njstuckintx
5/27/2010-11:07am at 11:07 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, the only teams that look like they have a solid young core that could be good for some time are the Rays, Reds, Twins, Giants (even though their core is basically all pitching) and Mets (and possibly the Nats). By that I mean young core. Obviously they need to have proper supporting players and such, but they all have youth on their side.
(i don’t consider Beltran part of the core any more. age, health and close to out the door)
stickguy
5/27/2010-11:14am at 11:14 am (UTC -4)
I don’t consider Beltran any more. Period.
I have not decided that there is only about a 10% chance he comes back at all this year, maybe in september again. His annual call up when rosters expand.
njstuckintx
5/27/2010-11:18am at 11:18 am (UTC -4)
Not being able to shut him down for the year hurts the mets multiple ways, obv. but to collect some insurance money on him would help big time to take on some larger veteran salary, even on a rental like lee. I wonder (which i’m sure they’ve investagated already) if having surgery against the wishes of the mets would have some sort of void on the contract. I’m sure it doesn’t, but that would solve many an issue. I’m rambling.
trs86
5/27/2010-1:08pm at 1:08 pm (UTC -4)
I read/heard something about if the Beltran does not play by a certain point the Mets can file workman’s comp. Not sure how that works but it could give them some of that money back.
ceetar
5/27/2010-1:33pm at 1:33 pm (UTC -4)
90 days, as reported by the Will “grain of salt” carroll.
I think it’s a stretch at this point taht he plays before then anyway.
stickguy
5/27/2010-1:37pm at 1:37 pm (UTC -4)
given the faqct that we are about a week from being 60 days into the season (when I assume the clock started), and that he is still just doing light jogging, I think a “stretch” is putting it mildly. Unless in your lexicon, stretch means no chance in hell.
Set the bar and 120, and I will still bet the over.
ceetar
5/27/2010-1:42pm at 1:42 pm (UTC -4)
Well, if he were to run all out today and be cleared, I’d say it could be close to 90 days. not sure if it was games or days either. if it’s games, he may even have until next week