What a roller coaster of a 2011 season has this been right?
That is one of the great things about this game. You can never truly know what to expect and as soon as you feel confident you do, something comes along and says “Ah-Ah-Ah, not so fast”.
Case in point, these 2011 NY Mets. They have consistently played better than expected whenever they have been written off this season.
Here are some Key points so far this season.
April 20 – Saw a 5-13 record have some pressing the panic button and describing this team to be on par with a famous ship who had a date with an iceberg. Add also a particular radio voice talking about them soon being no longer relevant for the rest of the season.
May 10 – Saw the Mets Ike Davis play his last game due to a bone bruise that has seen his chances of coming back in 2011 pass with each new day.
May 15 – Saw the Mets David Wright play his last game due to a stress fracture in his back that has yet to see him make his way back to the lineup.
June 24 – Saw the start of a 9 game road trip vs the AL Division leaders Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers and NY Yankees.
July 2 – Saw the Mets lose their MVP Jose Reyes with tightness in one of his legs.
July 4 – Saw the start of a 10 game stretch. 7 of which came on a West coast trip to end the 1st half Followed by 3 games at home vs the NL East Leaders Philadelphia Phillies to start the 2nd half.
How did the respond to all those key moments?
They rebounded from that 5-13 start to reach .500 22/W22/L on May 20 with a 2-1 win over the Yankees.
They have filled in for Wright & Davis with contributions from Daniel Murphy and Justin Turner rather well seeing countless big hits from both those players so far this season.
That 9 game road trip vs the AL Division leaders that had them 1 game below .500 and 5.5 games back in the W.C. standings at the start of it saw them go 5-4 and finish .500 and 6.5 games back in the W.C. standings at 42/W 42/L.
That 10 game stretch of games to end the 1st half and start the 2nd half that had them .500 and 6.5 games back in the W.C. standings at the start of it. Saw them go 5-5 and finish .500 at 47/W 47/L and 8.5 games back in the W.C. standings without their MVP Jose Reyes in the lineup for all 10 of those games and without Carlos Beltran for the last 2 of those games with flu like symptoms.
Like I said, what a roller coaster of a season right?
So here we are 47-47 and 8.5 games behind in the Wild Card race. The Mets 14 games from having played 2/3 of the season and also reaching the July 31 trading deadline.
Everything suggests that you should expect there is little to no chance of the Mets cutting into that now 8.5 games deficit and making themselves still a relevant team in the W.C. race in the next 14 games and yet at every one of those key points I just finished describing the Mets you can argue have played better than expected.
So I say to you all that are waking up today feeling glass half empty at the thought of what may await over the next 14 games, Don’t get off the roller coaster just yet Mets Fans.
Enjoy the ride for as long as you can. Who knows these Mets may still defy expectations.
Hope you have a Great day and LGM!
50 comments
MetsFan4Decades
7/18/2011-11:24am at 11:24 am (UTC -4)
Many would say the Mets are just living up to the expectations mapped out for them at the beginning of the season – a .500 ball club – and they may be right.
Saw several Met fans on another game thread yesterday comment ‘I’m outta here, have better things to do’ when the Phils scored 8 runs. My contention is bad NY Met baseball is still better than no NY Met baseball. If I’m watching the game, I’m usually in it until the end. You just never know what you might see.
We might pick up a few games with Wright and Reyes returning this week but I fear Beltran will be gone the week after. However, playing competitive baseball this second half rests on the pitching, IMO. Scoring runs doesn’t seem to be the problem, even with a AAA lineup out there (take Sat., for instance). Keeping the opposition off the base paths is usually the culprit.
However, even with the poor pitching yesterday we might have came back to tie it or go ahead if Bay wasn’t such an automatic out in the middle of that lineup. No matter what the lineup looks like going forward, he’s going to be a consistent problem, one I’m not sure there’s any solution for.
Anonymous
7/18/2011-12:58pm at 12:58 pm (UTC -4)
None of the pitching was good yesterday. Poof, Carrasco, Beato (granted he hadn’t been used in almost 2 weeks)… Agreed that pitching is going to have to be stellar for this team finish above .500.
And yes, I expect Beltran to be gone within the week as well.
MetsFan4Decades
7/18/2011-1:08pm at 1:08 pm (UTC -4)
Poof? LOL, is that the new nickname for Pelfrey?
Anonymous
7/18/2011-1:14pm at 1:14 pm (UTC -4)
Yes. I’m not sure why Salty uses it, but I use it for 2 reasons. He has the mental toughness of a marshmallow and he looks like he’s pitching good and then POOF, game is out of hand and then game over.
SaltyGary
7/18/2011-2:18pm at 2:18 pm (UTC -4)
I only used it because you do and you were in the dugout yesterday. I’m more a fan of “Mr. Yip”
Anonymous
7/18/2011-1:25pm at 1:25 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t think it was bad baseball…I know it kills you and Stick, but the Phils are many classes above us right now. That’s just reality.
But I definitely think we are in for some seriously bad bullpen outings without KRod, who was very undervalued by the fans.
Poof was pretty good in 2008 and 2010 and to me is the King of the Enigmas. What the HELL is wrong with him? Has anyone with stuff as good as him sucked so much?
oleosmirf
7/18/2011-1:53pm at 1:53 pm (UTC -4)
I dont think having K-Rod would have changed what happened against the Phillies…
Anonymous
7/18/2011-2:00pm at 2:00 pm (UTC -4)
Keep watching. Beato and Parnell and pretty much the whole pen are bad to mediocre, other than Izzy, who, while being a nice surprise, clearly does not have the velocity or the stamina to be a closer.
Sure we still lose 2 of 3 this weekend. But it will be the games with the Marlins and Padres where we will badly miss KRod.
Sure hope I am wrong, but Parnell is a bad MLB pitcher and Beato is not much better.
MetsFan4Decades
7/18/2011-1:56pm at 1:56 pm (UTC -4)
Did you see that pitching? It was indeed bad.
And Bay’s error in the OF didn’t help either.
Phillies were helped out with some unearned runs for sure – they’re offense isn’t all that great. Their starting pitcher, however, was far better than ours yesterday.
Anonymous
7/18/2011-2:01pm at 2:01 pm (UTC -4)
Well, Kendrick is their 6th starter. That’s really all one needs to say about the damn Phils.
MetsFan4Decades
7/18/2011-2:13pm at 2:13 pm (UTC -4)
For whatever reason, we’ve never fared to well against Kendrick, if you look at the numbers.
We did beat up on Hamels though so go figure.
Anonymous
7/18/2011-1:30pm at 1:30 pm (UTC -4)
dare I say Ollie?
Anonymous
7/18/2011-1:30pm at 1:30 pm (UTC -4)
This was meant for Kong’s comment.
Anonymous
7/18/2011-1:37pm at 1:37 pm (UTC -4)
I would answer no—Ollie’s effectiveness ended when he could no longer top 89 mph, and threw 87–88, and Pelf’s repertoire of pitches is better. Tiny Poof still throws in the mid 90s, has a decent curve, throws the splitter—and just plain sucks.
After the game Ojeda was reaming his pitch selection, and maybe that is it. But isn’t Paulino supposed to control that?
I still just have to think that at age 27, with his arm, stuff, and health, and with NOTHING in the minors ready to replace him, we must keep Pelf. If Johan was ready, maybe you send Pelf to AAA for a few weeks. But Johan’s not ready and everyone in AAA is pretty mediocre to pretty bad.
Anonymous
7/18/2011-1:42pm at 1:42 pm (UTC -4)
Well, I discussed this with 4D in the dugout. I think you definitely shop him, as he is young, controlable and has decent stuff. You ask high and if you don’t get what you want you just roll with him until the offseason. He definitely has value and maybe he’s got a KC mind vs a NY mind. Either way, his inconsistency is maddening and with his salary escalating (yes, I know it’s not astronomically high, but it is getting up there), it wouldn’t be the end of the world to see what he potentially could bring. Maybe you can actually upgrade at the position trading Poof + Turner + something. Who knows…
Anonymous
7/18/2011-1:51pm at 1:51 pm (UTC -4)
Possibly, but I still look at the minors, look at clearly declining salary, and look at the very doubtful nature of Johan, and while being glad about Niese/Dickey/Cap/Gee, what do we do next year for a 5th starter? Really not much reason to think Pelf, at his age, with a still healthy arm, cannot return to 2008/2010 form.
This is not like expecting returns from Ollie and Maine when they could not hit 90 on the gun. This could actually happen.
MetsFan4Decades
7/18/2011-2:00pm at 2:00 pm (UTC -4)
One of Pelf’s earlier coaches (college?) was quoted as saying: ‘he was a strike out pitcher when we had him. What happened to him’?
His velocity has fallen off a couple of MPH but to me, not enough to account for his problems. His sinker isn’t sinking and he seems to have abandoned that seemer he worked on in ST in ’10, for whatever reason. His pitch selection leaves a lot to be desired. He’s not getting many swings and misses and he’s turned into a fly ball pitcher vs. the ground ball pitcher he used to be.
Anonymous
7/18/2011-2:10pm at 2:10 pm (UTC -4)
What is maddening about Pelfrey is his penchant for occasionally throwing fastballs with nothing on them or splitters or breaking pitches that flatten out. This occurs after he shows outstanding movement on his pitches and then comes the clunker.
Anonymous
7/18/2011-2:12pm at 2:12 pm (UTC -4)
There is no question the right thing to do at this time is sell sell sell. And if someone is willing to trade a real prospect for Pelfrey, I’m in for that. He’s not a big part of the problem, but he’s not part of the solution either. Anyone who can go, should go. And unless the Mets are prepared to be the highest bidders for Reyes, he should be included. I’d much rather have real prospects than two draft picks.
Time to start over.
-Wanny
Anonymous
7/18/2011-2:43pm at 2:43 pm (UTC -4)
Really cannot realistically argue with this. My heart wants to compete this year, but I know we cannot.
To me, the real way to seriously buttress what you are saying and make it non-debatable is just to look at the damn division. The Phils have Worley who is another fine pitcher, the Braves have more fine pitchers in AAA, and we are fighting the Nats (with Strasburg and Harper on the way) and Marlins (sorry Stick and Ceetar, they are not bad).
It is indeed time to start over, and to start over in a big way.
MetsFan4Decades
7/18/2011-3:41pm at 3:41 pm (UTC -4)
Pitchers are getting to be such a crap shoot. Look at Jimenez. He was very good last year as an up and coming starter. This year? Not so much. He’s really struggling but I’m seeing he’s on the market and if someone wants him, the Rockies said they’d have to be ‘blown away’ to trade him.
How do you figure this market? How can anyone determine what these pitchers will be worth? Heck, we got Johan on what I still consider a steal but we’ve been paying top dollar even though he’s had injury after injury. When he did pitch, he was good but was he worth the salary?
Anonymous
7/18/2011-4:08pm at 4:08 pm (UTC -4)
the thing with pelfrey is that he will probably make a good piece of coin after this season and has not justified himself consistently as any more than a 4 who sometimes pitches like a 3.
4s shouldn’t cost a lot of money.
and until he learns to strike hitters out, he’ll always be this inconsistent guy. good when the sinker sinks, not so good when it doesn’t.
and as long as he is a mental midget…
MetsFan4Decades
7/18/2011-4:30pm at 4:30 pm (UTC -4)
I agree 100% about Pelf projecting to be a 3/4 and the amount of money he’s likely to cost next year.
Further below I posted a link to Patrick Flood’s latest article on Pelf. He disagrees with him being perceived as a mental midget. It’s an interesting article.
Anonymous
7/18/2011-2:15pm at 2:15 pm (UTC -4)
The competition he faced in College and/or the minors is quite a bit different from what he faces in MLB. In College and the minors you can get away with the occasional flat breaking pitch and/or room service fastball but ML hitters are not as forgiving.
MetsFan4Decades
7/18/2011-3:04pm at 3:04 pm (UTC -4)
Oh, for sure – no argument from me there.
I think I read somewhere this weekend that Peterson had Pelfrey abandon his curveball (think it was a curveball) saying a sinker pitcher didn’t need it.
I don’t know why any pitcher would would to abandon any pitch he can get over. Isn’t it the more the better?
Anonymous
7/18/2011-4:22pm at 4:22 pm (UTC -4)
Replied on your magnificent new avatar on the previous thread….I love it.
It’s Marty as Orville Stanley Sacker, right? He admired Sigerson Holmes’ handling of The Case of the Three Testicles….
Anonymous
7/19/2011-1:59am at 1:59 am (UTC -4)
You’re correct sir. If you haven’t seen the original version of The Producers (Feldman was not cast in it) staring Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel you should do so. The highlight of the film is Dick Shawn playing rock star LSD (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bDDW6SPbaw).
One of my favorite movie bulletins is from The Last Remake of Beau Geste where the camel has Feldman’s eyes. http://www.motorbar.co.uk/images/dvd_lastremakebeaugeste.jpg
Anonymous
7/19/2011-2:37am at 2:37 am (UTC -4)
Dick Shawn, awesome. Also great as the hippie burn out surfer son in “It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World”.
Adam "Prismo"
7/18/2011-3:08pm at 3:08 pm (UTC -4)
I was never “on” the roller coaster.
At its best, this team was barely over .500, and for most of the year it was at or below .500. If it’s a roller coaster, it’s one that stays mostly underground.
Adam "Prismo"
7/18/2011-3:09pm at 3:09 pm (UTC -4)
We can’t all be Ceetar who predicted the Mets would sweep the Phillies. (trolling here)
Anonymous
7/18/2011-3:18pm at 3:18 pm (UTC -4)
Thank the Lord for that.
(Not trolling here.)
Adam "Prismo"
7/18/2011-3:22pm at 3:22 pm (UTC -4)
And yes, he actually did predict that lol.
Where are you Ceetar? Defend yourself!
Anonymous
7/19/2011-2:02am at 2:02 am (UTC -4)
You can excuse him as he probably had a bit too much of his home brewed beer.
Adam "Prismo"
7/18/2011-3:22pm at 3:22 pm (UTC -4)
And yes, he actually did predict that lol.
Where are you Ceetar? Defend yourself!
Mr North Jersey
7/18/2011-5:29pm at 5:29 pm (UTC -4)
Hahaha, nice!
I guess if you measure the height of the roller coster on the win/loss record you are then most def right with it’s “mostly underground” description.
I guess I was using “expectations” as a measure of the height. Watching how they have gone above expectations at differing points in 2011.
Still the won/loss barometer is a good point.
Adam "Prismo"
7/18/2011-5:31pm at 5:31 pm (UTC -4)
Hey and you’re totally right NJ! Even at .500 the team is playing above expectations, and I’m satisfied with the results so far.
Anonymous
7/19/2011-5:25am at 5:25 am (UTC -4)
After tonight’s loss I’m starting to wonder if this roller coaster’s architect was Jules Verne, “A Journey to the Center of the Earth.”
Anonymous
7/18/2011-3:10pm at 3:10 pm (UTC -4)
Steve Serby’s column in the Post is spot on re: Jason Bay. He’s officially a colossal bust and needs to take a seat. What a goat he was yesterday leaving runners on base all day and dropping a routine fly ball. And Serby is right… it’s too bad because it’s happening to a good guy.
Anonymous
7/18/2011-3:23pm at 3:23 pm (UTC -4)
Didn’t read the article, and obviously Bay is not a druggie/alcoholic/woman abuser/etc., but do we really know if he is working hard? Listening to advice to change? Trying things which coaches may be suggesting? Putting in extra hours in the cage?
Sorry, and I know I am a small minority on this, but I still refuse to forget that he was one of the ones who vocally resisted any change or criticism on last year’s team, and refused to come to camp early after he played 90 games and sucked last year.
Is there evidence that he is doing absolutely anything at all to work harder and/or make any changes to attempt to get his game back?
Would love to know if he is.
Anonymous
7/18/2011-4:05pm at 4:05 pm (UTC -4)
beats me. but the point is he stinks and needs to sit.
as to his character, i’m in agreement that he should have been at the voluntary camp. but he seems like a nice guy and the players seem to like him for whatever it is worth.
Anonymous
7/18/2011-4:19pm at 4:19 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed with every word here.
MetsFan4Decades
7/18/2011-4:33pm at 4:33 pm (UTC -4)
As someone who regularly tunes into SNY to watch the game they’ve talked numerous times about Bay. Said he’s one of the hardest workers on the team, he regularly puts in extra batting practice, he’s listened to all advice. In fact, Keith has commented many times that he’s stumped on what’s wrong but he thinks Bay has TOO much advice, has been trying to listen to too many people.
The post game yesterday touched on this as well. Bobby O said he needs to possibly stop listening to everyone and get back to what worked for him and concentrate on seeing the ball and following through.
I don’t know what’s wrong either – obviously – but I don’t think it’s his work ethic.
Anonymous
7/18/2011-4:19pm at 4:19 pm (UTC -4)
And I’ve been defending him a little as he’s shown very good D. It’s been his only redeeming quality so far. So yes, when you screw up the one thing you have going for you, a big old goat is what you end up being, for sure.
MetsFan4Decades
7/18/2011-3:54pm at 3:54 pm (UTC -4)
Excellent article by Flood on Pelfrey.
And good to see he’s adding back in that curveball that he was told to abandon earlier in his career.
MetsFan4Decades
7/18/2011-3:54pm at 3:54 pm (UTC -4)
Link:
http://www.patrickfloodblog.com/2011/07/18/pelfrey-frustrated/
Anonymous
7/18/2011-5:45pm at 5:45 pm (UTC -4)
http://articles.boston.com/2011-07-17/sports/29784649_1_shortstop-reyes-jacoby-ellsbury-jed-lowrie
SaltyGary
7/18/2011-5:55pm at 5:55 pm (UTC -4)
“they should load up the truck of prospects and send them to the Mets for shortstop Jose Reyes.”
I’ll pay for the uHaul just let me know where to the check to.
Anonymous
7/18/2011-6:09pm at 6:09 pm (UTC -4)
I bet before the season Ellsbury would have been readily available in such a deal but that ship has likely passed.
Boston usually has a nice collection of prospects. Bring Jed Lowrie back to play 2B for the rest of the season and 2-3 good prospects….
Darknova306
7/18/2011-7:22pm at 7:22 pm (UTC -4)
Funny, the theme of this post is “the Mets are always at .500 and around 6-8 games back in the WC”. To me, that doesn’t say “resilient” or “rollercoaster”, it says “inconsistent”. Fun to watch, but still mediocre and inconsistent.
Anonymous
7/18/2011-11:02pm at 11:02 pm (UTC -4)
The origin is actually from my wife. I posted a couple of weeks ago and it stuck. But I’m turning kinder and gentler and trying to avoid posts on Mr. Pelfrey as my opinions have been stated. Thereby my avatar shall speak for me.