I'm Scared

by Eric Simon on Jul 10, 2008 12:20 AM EDT

Ahh, three games over .500. The Mets haven't been this far to the good since they were 20-17 on 5/13, and it's nice to see them get a couple of solid victories against the dregs of the National League. Of course, if David Wright doesn't get selected as the last guy on the All Star team then the Giants will actually have more representation at Yankee Stadium next week than the Mets, though I guess that says more about the All Star Game than about either of these teams.

This was a nice win for the Mets, but the game was really pretty boring. I found myself far more engrossed in the mildly off-topic game chatter discussion than in what was actually happening at Shea. All of the Mets' five runs were scored in two innings, and the Giants managed only six baserunners all game and none after the fifth inning. After a short rain delay in the middle of the fifth, the Mets' bullpen combined to retire the final twelve Giants. The Cardinals' bullpen wasn't quite so good, and a Ryan Howard homerun (for real this time) later and the Mets are still 1.5 games back in the East. Doesn't matter, really. The Mets can't busy themselves worrying about what the Phillies, Marlins and Braves do; that's for us to dwell on.

I've spent plenty of time railing against the Mets' offense this year, but the has-beens and never-will-bes came through tonight when middle of the order didn't bother showing up. Wright-Beltran-Easley (?) went 0-for-10 with a couple of walks, while Endy, Delgado, Castro and OurAnus Reyes had eight of the Mets' nine hits and drove in four of the five runs. Though Castro's only problem has been not getting enough playing time while Mr. Six-Extra-Base-Hits-All-Year hits like a girl and we're regaled with anecdotes about how he calls a great game and has a wonderful rapport with the pitching staff. Hippo goes boom is all you need to know.

The guy I'm forgetting is Jose Reyes, who picked up a single to raise his average to .301 and added two more walks to his growing total, bumping his OBP up to .362. He's OPS-ing .846, he's a shortstop, and he just turned 25. That should keep you nice and warm at night.

Thursday matinée tomorrow, so get some sleep before the Mets go for the sweep.

Big winners: Ramon Castro, +30.4% WPA, Johan Santana, +26.7% WPA
Big losers: Carlos Beltran, -7.5% WPA, Damion Easley, -7.0% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: Hippo goes blippo, +27.8% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Chavez flyout with 1st and 2nd in the third, -4.9% WPA
Total pitcher WPA: +41.9%
Total batter WPA: +8.1%

Game Thread Roll Call

Nice job by JoshNY; his effort in the game thread embiggens us all.

Name	# of Posts
JoshNY	36
pingel	29
itsmetsforme	24
Simons	22
kendynamo	20
kingcritical	17
Greenpoint Ian	9
DoctorK16	8
JE	6
sireric	5
Endys Game	5
future	4

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Comments

surprise surprise

I just heard Steve Torre on 1010 WINS report something about “another setback for Moises Alou.” Maybe he said something about a hamstring—I was listening from the other room.

Time to go out and get a left fielder, Omar! It’s long overdue at this point.

We've got ourselves a ball club, the Mets of New York town!

by kingcritical on Jul 10, 2008 7:50 AM EDT reply actions

He's headed for ANOTHER MRI

The Daily News says it’s a hamstring. He’s heading back today to have it checked out.
I think it’s time for the glue factory for old Moises

by Reg Dunlop on Jul 10, 2008 8:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Unreal

The guy can’t stay healthy for 30 seconds.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Jul 10, 2008 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions

From the team site
I’m going to go puke now.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Jul 10, 2008 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions

This team needs a bat now.

Without Church and Alou for God knows how long, our LFs and RFs are a joke. And no, Nick Evans is not the answer, nor is anyone else in the system. Omar needs to trade for at least 1 real OF bat before the deadline. Can he do so without getting robbed?

by madisonmetsfan on Jul 10, 2008 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Here's an idea

Why not let Alou get some reps in at 1st base. Maybe some time at first will take some pressure off him physically and he can platoon with Delgado against lefties.

by Reg Dunlop on Jul 10, 2008 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Has a team ever gone a whole series without scoring a single run? I would listen to Fatso and Fruitloop just to hear Russo whine all day.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Jul 10, 2008 9:06 AM EDT reply actions

and hippo is at the plate...

and boom goes the dynamite.

by kendynamo on Jul 10, 2008 9:31 AM EDT reply actions

it's wonderful, isn't it?

I’ve spent the last year and a half howling for him to get more playing time, and now he finally does. I love Jerry Manuel for this (and for the fact that he’s actually willing to aruge with the umps when the situation calls for it). Mind you, I don’t expect Castro to play every day (as I don’t know if his body could handle it), but a 50/50 split is fine, and that seems to be what Manuel is doing.

I’m so glad Randolph was canned.

Vote change: DePodesta/Acta in 2009!!!

by Greenpoint Ian on Jul 10, 2008 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Today's Game

Manuel said that Castro will not be starting today against Zito. Not sure what his logic is. I know that it is a day game after a night game, but that should only be a concern when you are considering a player who catches on an everyday basis. They also have three days off approaching.

by Shomov on Jul 10, 2008 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions