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

The Mets will try to win their first road series tonight since a three-game sweep of Cleveland in mid-June. They are 10-20 on the road since then, a stat that pretty much says it all about their slide from contention.

Game #121 at Astros

They’ve only won two road series this season, both in interleague play.

Here’s another one: they are hitting a major-league worst .214 since the All-Star break. For good measure, they haven’t scored more than three runs in six straight games.

The frustrating thing is their weakness going into the season – their starting pitching – has been lights out lately. Definitely good enough to contend if they had any offense.

Tonight it will be Pat Misch going for the Mets.

The Mets activated Rod Barajas this afternoon and he’ll be in the lineup tonight. Jerry Manuel said the Mets are still in the race and Barajas is likely to get more playing time than Josh Thole.

The catching situation typifies the dysfunctional nature of the Mets. They are carrying three catchers, which makes no sense in the National League. And, making it worse is they continue to play shorthanded because Oliver Perez is useless.

Here’s tonight’s lineup at Houston:

Jose Reyes, SS

Luis Castillo, 2B

Angel Pagan, CF

David Wright, 3B

Ike Davis, 1B

Jeff Francoeur, RF

Chris Carter, LF

Rod Barajas, C

Pat Misch, LP

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Jason Bay hit a bases clearing double last night hitting low in the batting order. He’s seventh today, which is a good spot for him as it alleviates some of the pressure.

Today’s lineup at Dodgers:

Jose Reyes, SS

Luis Castillo, 2B

Angel Pagan, RF

David Wright, 3B

Carlos Beltran, CF

Ike Davis, 1B

Jason Bay, LF

Rod Barajas, C

Mike Pelfrey, RP

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Josh Thole stays, in part because of his offense, but sits tonight. What a shock. Alex Cora in at second, which I have no problem with. Every time he plays Cora does something positive.

Here’s tonight’s lineup at Arizona:

Jose Reyes, SS

Angel Pagan, RF

David Wright, 3B

Carlos Beltran, CF

Ike Davis, 1B

Jason Bay, LF

Rod Barajas, C

Alex Cora, 2B

Jon Niese, LP

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Carlos Beltran was to rest today, but is in the lineup. Jerry Manuel said he’ll sit Beltran tomorrow.

Manuel also said Jose Reyes will start Monday in Arizona.

Here’s tonight’s lineup against the Giants:

Angel Pagan, RF

Alex Cora, 2B

David Wright, 3B

Carlos Beltran, CF

Ike Davis, 1B

Jason Bay, LF

Rod Barajas, C

Ruben Tejada, SS

Hisanori Takahashi, LP

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Here’s tonight’s lineup. Interesting bit of juggling moving Jason Bay to second in the order.

Ruben Tejada, SS
Jason Bay, LF
David Wright, 3B
Carlos Beltran, CF
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Ike Davis, 1B
Rod Barajas, C
Alex Cora, 2B
Jon Niese, LP

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

REYES: Out of the lineup.

What do you know, Jose Reyes is out of the lineup this afternoon after aggravating his oblique injury. You saw this one coming a mile away.

It was just ridiculous to have pushed the envelope this way with one of your key players.

It might be too little, too late, but the next step with Reyes is to pull him from the All-Star Game. If he can’t help his team, he can’t help the National League.

Here’s today’s lineup:

Angel Pagan, CF

Alex Cora, 2B

David Wright, 3B

Ike Davis, 1B

Jeff Francoeur, RF

Chris Carter, LF

Rod Barajas, C

Ruben Tejada, 2B

Johan Santana, LP

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Today’s lineup:

Angel Pagan, CF

Jose Reyes, SS

David Wright, 3B

Ike Davis, 1B

Jason Bay, LF

Jeff Francoeur, RF

Rod Barajas, C

Alex Cora, 2B

Mike Pelfrey, RP

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Game #78 vs. Marlins

The Florida Marlins are not a team Mike Pelfrey (10-2, 2.71) enjoys facing, but then again, this is a different Pelfrey.

Pelfrey beat the Marlins in his major league debut, July 8, 2006, but has gone 0-6 with a 5.82 ERA in nine starts since.

He has not faced Florida this season.

But, this year we’ve seen a different Pelfrey, who is 6-1 with a 2.38 ERA in his last eight starts, including beating Minnesota last Friday.

“I wouldn’t way it’s beyond where I thought I could be,’’ Pelfrey said of his hot first half. “It’s a good start.’’

Read More…

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09