The John Delcos New York Mets Report Featuring Mets' commentary, analysis and news.

…. but it is another to give away a game like the Mets did last night. Inexcusable. If Jerry Manuel didn’t read them the riot act then he’s not doing his job as manager.

How in the hell do you miss third base? All those missed opportunities …. they could have won the game three times over. It’s one thing to blow a good pitching performance from Johan Santana. I’m used to that. It’s another to blow one from Tim Redding. When will they get another one?

In the original post I said the Mets’ weaknesses would be exposed during the rest of this road trip. Well, some got exposed last night.

Ryan Church got a couple of hits. Maybe he’s showing signs. But, the baserunning was unforgivable.

Jeremy Reed, of course, is not the answer at first base. I don’t know who is, but why not give Daniel Murphy a shot. He can’t do any worse.

All teams have stinkers, but last night was maddening because we’ve seen it all too often from the Mets where it all unravels.

And, the pitching match-ups for the rest of this series favors the Dodgers. Then they go to Boston. They are on the verge of giving back all they’ve accomplished the past 10 days.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Tim Redding goes tonight for the Mets at Los Angeles. I don’t know about you, but I’m thrilled. Redding just personifies the Mets’ lingering rotation problems. It is not a deep rotation, with Johan Santana the only starter providing consistent innings.

There’s promise with Mike Pelfrey and John Maine, but there can be no assumptions with either. Livan Hernandez is good for five only, which taxes the bullpen. Oliver Perez? Well, so far he hasn’t been good for anything, and there’s no promise he’ll ever snap out of it.

The Mets won three of their first four games on this trip, but there remain flaws with this team. The pitching match-ups in the Dodgers series favors Los Angeles, and from there the team heads to Boston for three. This isn’t a critical stretch, but it is very important as they go head-to-head with playoff caliber teams. The Mets will be tested over the next six games and their flaws will be revealed.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

OK, for all of you who dissed me this winter about Adam Dunn, how would you like to have him now that Carlos Delgado is on the DL for who only knows how long? Word is Delgado could be out for a lot longer than two weeks, which only exposes what we already knew – the Mets had no contingency plans for first base.

It’s a reflection on the minor league system that there’s not a ready replacement for Delgado.

Unless the Mets know for sure Delgado will be out for an extended period, it makes no sense to unload the remaining blue chips on the minor league level for a first baseman. Besides, despite their recent run, the Mets’ rotation is due to expose itself as it did earlier this season and they’ll most likely be looking at acquiring pitching at the trade deadline. That’s where the chips should be spent.

Currently, the Mets are mixing according to the pitching match-ups between Jeremy Reed and Fernando Tatis. Neither are good enough to play fulltime, although Tatis has been playing well.

Moving Daniel Murphy to first – which also keeps Gary Sheffield’s bat in the line-up – has been discussed. But, should the Mets bite the bullet and stick in him there, or send him down to the minor leagues for a month at the position?

Delgado’s injury leaves a gaping hole in the middle of the batting order the Mets are trying to fill with the 40-year Sheffield, a player the Detroit Tigers were willing to pay millions of dollars to for just going away. Sheffield has been hot lately, but do you want to bet for how long it will last? If Delgado is gone for any length of time, David Wright will eventually assume the clean-up position in the order.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

When this series started Thursday I never imagined the Mets would be going for the sweep tonight. Never. But, they have played well in this series, and yesterday finally gave Johan Santana the run support he needed.

Mike Pelfrey looks to go 5-0 tonight, but it won’t be easy against Matt Cain. Also, Jose Reyes is out of the the line-up for the fourth straight game.

Here’s tonight’s line-up:

Alex Cora, SS
Luis Castillo, 2B
Carlos Beltran, CF
Gary Sheffield, RF
David Wright, 3B
Daniel Murphy, LF
Omir Santos, C
Jeremy Reed, 1B
Mike Pelfrey, P

Notes:

* Jose Reyes will miss his fourth straight game with tendinitis in his calf.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

You have to like how this road trip began. With the springboard of losing two of three to Atlanta, the Mets have responded with two thrilling victories at San Francisco, including last night’s rally from a four-run deficit.

Today we have Johan Santana against Randy Johnson, easily the day’s marquee pitching match-up.

We begin with the news Carlos Delgado was placed on the DL with an impingement of his right hip. Replacing him on the roster is Angel Pagan.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Jose Reyes will sit again tonight with a calf injury and was a topic of trade talk on the radio this afternoon. Can we get over it? Reyes isn’t going anywhere. Neither is David Wright or Carlos Beltran. I don’t care where the Mets finish in the standings.

In other news, Carlos Delgado’s hip isn’t getting any better and is ticketed for the disabled list. Also, Tim Redding is expected to be activated to start Monday’s game at Los Angeles.

Tonight’s line-up:

Alex Cora, SS
Luis Castillo, 2B
Carlos Beltran, CF
Gary Sheffield, LF
David Wright, 3B
Ryan Church, RF
Jeremy Reed, 1B
Omir Santos, C
Livan Hernandez, P

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Last night’s win was arguably the most satisfying of the season for the Mets. John Maine regrouped after a rocky start to give manager Jerry Manuel length and to stay out of his taxed and depleted bullpen.

The Mets also came from behind a couple of times which hasn’t been their MO this season. And, they did it without Carlos Delgado (who won’t be available tonight) and Jose Reyes.

Last night was important on so many levels beginning with the need to snap out of their funk after losing two of three to the Braves. They certainly couldn’t have afforded to follow up the Atlanta series with a loss last night and then face Tim Lincecum tonight. That’s how losing streaks begin.

David Wright, who is hot right now, told me Lincecum is the toughest pitcher he faces. The guy is good and I’m not expecting much offense from the Mets tonight.

I’ll be around later tonight for the game. Hope you’re all having a great day.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

The Mets open arguably their roughest road trip of the season tonight against the San Francisco Giants. The West Coast is place where winning streaks go to die.

Jose Reyes will sit out tonight with a stiff calf.

Here’s the line-up:

Luis Castillo, 2B
Alex Cora, SS
Carlos Beltran, CF
Gary Sheffield, LF
David Wright, 3B
Fernando Tatis, 1B
Ramon Castro, C
Ryan Church, RF
John Maine, P

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09