Not much to say at all
Willie Randolph is at a loss for words? So am I.
Here's where I'm at with these Mets. I have no expectations any more. Good, bad or otherwise. After all the angst and gnashing of teeth that was WillieGate, and then watching them win three straight series and go 7-3, only to drop FOUR STRAIGHT in San Diego, scoring only three runs TOTAL in the first three games before watching Billy Wagner allow a three-run homer to Tony "Big and Tall" Clark -- I have nothing left.
I can't get too high and I refuse to be brought down. I spent three nights DVRing the games and struggled to stay awake to watch them, only to be let down each time. Then, with Pedro on the mound Sunday afternoon, watched him scuffle through five innings, but at least the Mets had the lead and looked liked they would salvage a win.
I'm not trying to second-guess Willie, but I do question the eighth inning. Duaner Sanchez has first and second and strikes out Hairston for the second out. Lefty Jody Gerut is up with the pitcher's spot up next. Tony Clark is the only option left for San Diego (other than Barrett, the backup catcher) and you know he's going to bat for the pitcher.
Why not just let Sanchez finish the inning? It's Jody Gerut, not Tony Gwynn. You're up by two. Instead, Gerut gets a hit and now you have a lefty Wagner facing a righty power hitter in Clark. This was Willie managing scared, not trusting his eighth-inning guy to retire a 30-year-old journeyman.
But the Mets have far too many problems. Without Alou and Church the lineup has no depth and is terrible. Carlos Delgado is finally hitting, but Wright and Beltran were a combined .167 for the series, and the team's hitting with runners in scoring positions was (as always, it seems) abysmal.
So now the Mets trail the Phillies by 7 1/2 games and are 2 games under .500. There's no question that if the Mets are going to contend, they're in for a long haul. And while I'd rather see the Phillies hot now and not later, they have the kind of offense that could help them run away with the division, leaving the Mets desperate for a wild card.
Omar Minaya needs to make some changes. Raul Casanova? Abraham Nunez? Alou may be back Tuesday but he can't be counted on. And who knows what the deal is with Church -- he'll end up on the DL after all.
And here come the D-Backs, with Owings, Webb and Haren. At least the Mets will have Santana and Maine in 2 of the games, and Pelfrey's been pitching OK lately.
Even if the Mets win 2 of 3, they'll still be under .500. They have a LONG road ahead. If you're going to stick round for the ride, get comfortable. But don't get your hopes up.
Here's where I'm at with these Mets. I have no expectations any more. Good, bad or otherwise. After all the angst and gnashing of teeth that was WillieGate, and then watching them win three straight series and go 7-3, only to drop FOUR STRAIGHT in San Diego, scoring only three runs TOTAL in the first three games before watching Billy Wagner allow a three-run homer to Tony "Big and Tall" Clark -- I have nothing left.
I can't get too high and I refuse to be brought down. I spent three nights DVRing the games and struggled to stay awake to watch them, only to be let down each time. Then, with Pedro on the mound Sunday afternoon, watched him scuffle through five innings, but at least the Mets had the lead and looked liked they would salvage a win.
I'm not trying to second-guess Willie, but I do question the eighth inning. Duaner Sanchez has first and second and strikes out Hairston for the second out. Lefty Jody Gerut is up with the pitcher's spot up next. Tony Clark is the only option left for San Diego (other than Barrett, the backup catcher) and you know he's going to bat for the pitcher.
Why not just let Sanchez finish the inning? It's Jody Gerut, not Tony Gwynn. You're up by two. Instead, Gerut gets a hit and now you have a lefty Wagner facing a righty power hitter in Clark. This was Willie managing scared, not trusting his eighth-inning guy to retire a 30-year-old journeyman.
But the Mets have far too many problems. Without Alou and Church the lineup has no depth and is terrible. Carlos Delgado is finally hitting, but Wright and Beltran were a combined .167 for the series, and the team's hitting with runners in scoring positions was (as always, it seems) abysmal.
So now the Mets trail the Phillies by 7 1/2 games and are 2 games under .500. There's no question that if the Mets are going to contend, they're in for a long haul. And while I'd rather see the Phillies hot now and not later, they have the kind of offense that could help them run away with the division, leaving the Mets desperate for a wild card.
Omar Minaya needs to make some changes. Raul Casanova? Abraham Nunez? Alou may be back Tuesday but he can't be counted on. And who knows what the deal is with Church -- he'll end up on the DL after all.
And here come the D-Backs, with Owings, Webb and Haren. At least the Mets will have Santana and Maine in 2 of the games, and Pelfrey's been pitching OK lately.
Even if the Mets win 2 of 3, they'll still be under .500. They have a LONG road ahead. If you're going to stick round for the ride, get comfortable. But don't get your hopes up.
posted by Gaspo @ 9:19 AM
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