Let There Be Runs: Mets 10, Nationals 8

by Eric Simon on Sep 10, 2008 12:05 AM EDT

Another day, another 900-some-odd feet of Carlos Delgado homerun. He's still not the MVP, but that doesn't mean he won't win the award and it certainly doesn't mean I wouldn't like to see him do so. He's been the third or fourth best offensive player on the Mets this season, which doesn't really smell like MVP to me. Nevertheless, Jimmy Rollins won the award last year with a good story despite turning in an inferior season to both Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, so it's certainly not out of the question that if Delgado stays hot for the next three weeks that he could take home the Mets' first MVP award. Mets probably should have won the last two, so it would only be fitting that the least deserving player of the three would take home the hardware.

The 2008 decline of Oliver Perez continued tonight. He did manage to walk fewer than three batters for only the second time in six starts, but he also allowed seven runs on eight hits in 3.1 innings. After a long stretch of terrific starts, he has drifted back into frustratingly waffling between decent and inept. That may seem unfair considering he only allowed a few runs in some of his more recent starts, but his walks and other peripheral stats paint a different picture, and I can't be the only one surprised by his recent downturn.

Once again, I really have to hand it to the Mets' bullpen. Nelson Figueroa came in and promptly imploded, allowing the last two of Perez's seven runs to score, but he and the rest of the relief corps allowed just one run over the game's final 5.1 innings. Brian Stokes continues to amaze, throwing 95 MPH heat and showing good control to boot. He and Luis Ayala may not be the 8th-9th inning duo we all envisioned in April, but they're getting the job done.

Sorry about the goofy question on the game form; everyone gets it wrong because there's no way to make both answers correct. My bad.

Big winners: Carlos Delgado, +33.7% WPA, Carlos Beltran, +28.7% WPA
Big losers: Oliver Perez, -40.7% WPA, Nelson Figueroa, -14.0% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: Beltran two-run blast, +31.3% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Guzman wall-scraper, -18.1% WPA
Total pitcher WPA: -34.2%
Total batter WPA: +84.2%
GWRBI: Carlos Beltran

Game Thread Roll Call

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

Name	# of Posts
LOUtheMETSfan	109
Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright	77
BobbyV_Incognito	69
itsmetsforme	46
Prince	45
Omar21	36
JoshNY	34
pingel	27
gogomets	27
Simons	20
thriller	7
anonymous	6
IanB in MD	2
Reg Dunlop	1

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Comments

Perez and Boras

best looks elsewhere than the Wilpons for there super ginormous payday bonanza.

by kendynamo on Sep 10, 2008 12:20 AM EDT reply actions

Delgado for METS MVP

nuff said

" I'm not always right. But I'm never wrong. "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Sep 10, 2008 7:28 AM EDT reply actions

Right now, I think you are right

If I am going with my gut, I’m voting for CarlosD. His 2nd half turn-around has been terrific.

However (there is always a however, right?) how Dub stopped being considered for MVP is beyond me. He was the steady bat all year long. He was being seriously considered all year long.

If you gave me more than three seconds to think about it, i’m not sure which Met would be 1 and who would be 2 on my ballot. Any thoughts out there on a deciding metric or something off the HGP scale(Heart and Grit Percentage)?

"The people of Houston are spending money like oil's selling at $40 a barrel."

by IanB in MD on Sep 10, 2008 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Wright

It’s “what have you done for me lately” syndrome. He’s had a bad last week and a half or so and therefore everything he’s done up to this point in the season doesn’t matter. I suppose it’s only natural when you consider the fact that games in June don’t count the same in the standings as games in September.

Wait, they do?

by JoshNY on Sep 10, 2008 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Should win, will win

I think between the story and the gaudy RBI total Delgado has a great chance to win.

“Should win” ? Damned if Iknow. For Mets’ MVP you could make a case for any one of Reyes / Wright / Beltran / Delgado. For the league Pujols is still hitting like a beast and the Cards were in contention most of the year. Good enough for me.

by Simons on Sep 10, 2008 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

He'll win because it'll be deemed; "The Wright Thing To Do"

Just like the All Star balloting. It’s a popularity contest for most fans. Man, I love me some D. Wright and he leads the team in 8 out of 16 major batting categories. Delgado leads in 4 (only 3 RBI behind Wright) and Jose “Sometimes I half swing” Reyes leads in the other 4.

By offensive numbers and defensive ability D. Wright has a lock down on the MVP…BUT I like how Delgado has kept the team in it w/those moon shots. It ain’t just chicks who dig the long ball! Besides, Delgado is darker.

One thing has me stymied about Wright? Why have his stolen base numbers decreased this year?

" I'm not always right. But I'm never wrong. "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Sep 10, 2008 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow

There are 16 major batting categories? How many minor categories are there?

by Eric Simon on Sep 10, 2008 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions

well...

everyone seems to consider ANY batting category the end all and be all of discussion, so I figure they’re all MAJOR.

" I'm not always right. But I'm never wrong. "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Sep 10, 2008 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

"Delgado is darker"?

Is that one of the categories?

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

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Sep 10, 2008 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

lock for the MVDP

by Simons on Sep 10, 2008 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

in my book

" I'm not always right. But I'm never wrong. "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Sep 10, 2008 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Wright's SBs

My guess: Wright doesn’t steal bases using his blinding speed (since he doesn’t have blinding speed), he steals bases by catching teams off-guard and getting a good jump. Once you’ve had a season where you steal 34 bases like that, though, teams keep a closer eye on you and you have fewer good opportunities.

by JoshNY on Sep 10, 2008 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions

c'mon dude, sharpen your teeth elsewhere

2004 – 6 SB
2005 – 17 SB
2006 – 20 SB
2007- 34 SB
2008 – 14 and counting…

as you can see, each year he increased his SB total, all of a sudden, a dramatic drop because you say people are NOW paying attention to him.

nah! gotta be somethin else

" I'm not always right. But I'm never wrong. "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Sep 10, 2008 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Could be what Josh said

Also could be just that the Mets, as a team, are not running as much this year. The team, right now, has 121 steals compared with 200 last year. Jose’s on a pace for 53 SB after 78 last year, 64 in 2006 and 60 in 2005. Dub, as you said is way off from last year. But I think Josh might not be too far off, especially after a break-out SB season like last year.

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

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Sep 10, 2008 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, what Josh said

by Simons on Sep 10, 2008 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Pitching rotation.

Thanks to Thursday’s off day, the Mets won’t need a fifth starter until next Tuesday. Pelfrey today, Santana, Martinez & Perez against Atlanta, then Pelfrey again on Monday. Looks like the Mets need 3 games from a fifth starter- Tuesday 9/16, Sunday 9/21, and Friday 9/26.

So who starts Tuesday? I haven’t seen any comment from Manuel yet. I’ve seen enough of Niese to say he’s not ready, Stokes should be left in the pen where he’s doing so well, so I’d try Figueroa.

by madisonmetsfan on Sep 10, 2008 10:02 AM EDT reply actions