Don't Need No Help: Mets 4, Pirates 0

by Eric Simon on Aug 18, 2008 12:54 AM EDT

Johan Santana pitches his best game of the season, the Mets' best-pitched game of the season, and the fourth-highest game score in the National League this year. Yes, it was against the Pirates, but it was still tremendous. Seven strikeouts, no walks, three hits. He improves to 11-7, but with a bit more run support and a lot more bullpen support, he'd be at 15 or 16 and would be a legitimate Cy Young candidate.

It's nice to know that David Wright can get a day off and the Mets can embarrass themselves by batting Damion Easley third and still come away with an easy win. Dan Murphy has eight walks and six strikeouts in 41 at-bats. He's not going to hit .415 the rest of the way, but he has a good enough idea at the plate to be considerably useful. The same can't be said for Nick Evans, who will probably earn a temporary demotion if Luis Castillo comes back before the end of the month.

Speaking of Castillo, it says a lot (bad) about Easley and Argenis Reyes when I find myself looking forward to Castillo's return. Easley is down to .265/.314/.354 and Reyes is at .280/.316/.320. Reyes's average is surprisingly solid, but he has zero plate discipline and no power to speak of. Castillo doesn't have any power either, but he does a solid job of getting on base, which is far more than we can say about Reyes or Easley.

The Phillies squeaked out a win in San Diego, so the Mets' lead remains at two games, though the Marlins' loss to the Cubs drops them 4.5 games behind. The Mets wrap up their series with the Pirates at 12:35 on Monday.

Big winners: Johan Santana, +39.6% WPA, Brian Schneider, +26.4% WPA
Big losers: Damion Easley, -8.3% WPA, Fernando Tatis, -7.5% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: Schneid-dog two-run homer, +17.5% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Easley double-play in 3rd, -5.9% WPA
Total pitcher WPA: +39.6%
Total batter WPA: +%10.4

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Who is this guy?

From the NYTimes: “Damion Easley, who shares second base with Argenis Reyes, played third Sunday in place of Wright and will play shortstop Monday.”

Damn, people. Easley is becoming Joe McEwing this weekend. I hope he gets moved to catcher at some point today – maybe when the Mets are up 15-2.

by IanB in MD on Aug 18, 2008 9:18 AM EDT reply actions

I can't believe we're all excited for Castillo to return

His OPS is below .700!

by ams258 on Aug 18, 2008 11:39 AM EDT reply actions

Best of the worst

Reyes and Easley are both below .700, too. Castillo is the only one with a respectable OBP.

by Eric Simon on Aug 18, 2008 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Sad but true

I can’t wait to see how low that OPS dips in year 4 of Castillo’s awful contract. Assuming he can still walk then.

by ams258 on Aug 18, 2008 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't want Castillo to come back, ever.

It’s total hearsay, I know, but has anyone else noticed how much better on Jose Reyes plays when Castillo is not around?

I’m not talking “not at second base.” I’m talking “not anywhere near the team.”

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

by kingcritical on Aug 18, 2008 11:45 AM EDT reply actions

Maybe that's why Castillo is on permanent rehab?

'Catsmeat!' he cried. 'I see it all. It was that chump, Catsmeat.'

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Aug 18, 2008 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

let's hope so...

I’ve heard rumors about coke and hookers.

Not that I have a problem in general with ballplayers or anyone else doing coke and hookers, but if it’s going to fuck up one of the best young players on your favorite team, then yeah, I’ve got a big problem.

The Mets have been down that road already. They don’t need to trod that ground again.

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

by kingcritical on Aug 18, 2008 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions