Season On The Brink: Marlins 6, Mets 1

by Eric Simon on Sep 27, 2008 12:06 AM EDT

In the dwindling light of this fading season, in a game and a series that the Mets simply had to win, their opening salvo was a flaccid offensive attack and another bullpen effort that was long on pitchers but short on relief.

On a night when the Phillies cut their magic number to repeat as NL East champions to one, and the Brewers pulled ahead of the Mets by a game in the Wild Card race, the Mets find themselves in a position similar to the one they faced in 2007's final weekend: No longer able to control their own fate in the playoff races, the Mets are left to play Shea's final two games against the Marlins while watching and pleading for the out-of-town scoreboard to come up roses.

Mets.com may know something we don't, because it's already showing Johan Santana as Saturday's starter on three days rest. At this point, the Mets can forget about the NL East and have to focus their collective energy on winning their last two games. They need some help from the Cubs along the way, but this thing isn't over. First things first: Win on Saturday.

Big winners: Ramon Martinez, +9.6% WPA, Carlos Beltran, +3.9% WPA
Big losers: Ryan Church, -13.9% WPA, Jose Reyes, -13.3% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: Martinez RBI double, +10.2% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Church GIDP in 3rd, -10.4% WPA
Total pitcher WPA: -16.6%
Total batter WPA: -33.4%
GWRBI: Dan Uggla

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	64
Prince	57
itsmetsforme	53
losangelesmets	53
JohnPeterson	41
MetsfaninVA	24
kendynamo	13
pingel	9
Endys Game	8
Reg Dunlop	2
Ted Simmons Speed Camp	2
anonymous	1
ZaBlanc	1

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what an ugly game

I just got home.

Much better than Thursday’s game in terms of Weather. Much worse in terms of Team Spirit. The Mets were just lifeless out there.

I feel it’s very telling when they get baserunners early in the game and can’t capitalize. Sitting there, you think, “Here we go again.”

2008 was an interesting season. I like this team, but they are fatally flawed. It’s frustrating. Regardless, I’ll be back for more tomorrow and Sunday. Gotta get as much more Shea as possible before it’s gone.

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

by kingcritical on Sep 27, 2008 12:16 AM EDT reply actions

I don't like it

I mean, obviously I don’t like the situation we’re in in general. But more specifically, I don’t like starting Santana tomorrow.

A) He threw the most pitches on Tuesday that he’s ever thrown in the majors.
B) He’s never made a start in the majors on three days’ rest.
C) Unless Tom Terrific will be ready to go on Sunday but not on Saturday, if we need to win both of these games then we need to win one game that Santana starts and one game that he doesn’t. Why handicap ourselves any more than is already necessary by having Santana start under those circumstances?

Yes, I understand that Saturday’s game is must-win, but Sunday’s is too. This just doesn’t seem logical to me.

by JoshNY on Sep 27, 2008 2:56 AM EDT reply actions

Blowing it

You are right, Josh. Starting Santana on Saturday can flush 2008 down the toilet, and also screw up 2009 and beyond. Santana has been great, but dude’s a human being made from the same meat as everyone else.

by elliot on Sep 27, 2008 3:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed.

I don’t really have anything to add to what you say, Josh. Just the more I’ve thought about it (I’ve pretty much been up all night with sinus pain – yeesh), the worse of an idea it seems. What can we expect, five innings maybe?

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

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Sep 27, 2008 3:48 AM EDT up reply actions

WHATEVER IT TAKES?

…"WHATEVER IT TAKES certainly doesn’t mean starting Johan on 3 days rest. I’m with you fellas.

Secondly, how on earth do you take the field in such an half-ass attitude after you just came off an exciting win? Are they tired? Do they just not give a damn? They looked completely lethargic. Look, “stats” have their place for proving what a player and/or team is capable of, but in the end, it’s all about ATTITUDE. If ATTITUDE were a batting statistic…Well, we’d be batting .000.

What else can be said? Oh, I know.

FAIL…

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Sep 27, 2008 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions

well

maybe everybody is in a state of deja vu shock, but we all should wake up and tell the truth-this team is pissing on its fans. They came out tonight like they just don’t care. They should be ashamed to collect their paychecks. After the last two years of choke baseball, I am truly embarrassed to be a fan of this team. The true insult is rewarding Omar with a 4 year contract. Wilpon should apologize to the fans for this team. Finally, why is Aaron Heilman being used in the biggest game of the year. Good-bye Jerry

Save America. Impeach Bush

by elifriedman on Sep 27, 2008 8:39 AM EDT reply actions