New York Mets 2008

[sonny10305]

6-0 ROAD TRIP

Can this be true? Are the Mets finally hitting on all cylinders?
Well maybe not the pen just yet but there are signs that it is

First of all let me apologize for yesterdays rant. I am a switch hitter and when I pitch I throw righty I can’t throw lefty cause it goes into the dugout when I do
I get a little nuts when too much emphasis is put on the righty lefty thing. Don’t get me wrong I appreciate the advantage to a lefty pitching to a lefty but sometimes you have guys who can hit both lefties and righties is all I’m sayin.
So Santana pitched a complete shut out game yesterday with only 3 hits
and no walks. Awesome!

In case you have not heard, the Mets acquired relief pitcher Louis Ayala from the Nationals. Ordinarily I would say WTF, is that the best we can do? But then I thought why not give the guy a shot, we could use some help in the pen and maybe he will be lightning in a bottle for us. Ya never know. Also we gave up almost nothing in one minor league player name of Anderson Hernandez, he is a second baseman and with Castillo and A. Reyes at second, that Anderson kid prolly would not have ever seen the light of day at Shea anyways. no big loss and maybe he will help us out in the pen, maybe as a set up guy. The thing that bothers me is we are prolly gonna lose Kunz, while I have not heard for sure my guess is he will be the one they send back down. I am troubled by that cause the Mets never really gave him a decent shot. First they let him stew in the pen for like weeks using him only twice. Then when he finally got his big chance he was rusty and scared as hell and got lit up by the Pirates. He was not given enough of an opportunity to prove what he can do is all I’m sayin, he was lights out in the minors and should have been handled better. We may have lost someone that could have helped us close a game. Hopefully he will be back and given another shot. Depending on how it goes with Maine we may see Ayala today.

Speaking of Maine I am really anxious to see him pitch today I am hoping he continues to come back strong. Maybe they will increase his pitch count to like 100and he will go deep. Johns problem is his pitch count which has been too high, manly cause he gives up so many foul balls, and of curse all those walks have got to come down. Good lick Johnny we are pulling for you. Let’s make it another sweep.

So my boy D Wright got the day off yesterday, I am glad to see manuals doing that at this time in the season, keeping the big guns rested for the big push coming up. I was sorry Jerry did not put Murphy at third since that is his bread and butter position, I would have loved to watch him play and hit third. But except for some of his relief pitching decisons. I love what Jerry is doing with our Mets and respect his decison to keep Daniel in left and play Easley at third, even though he went 1-5 and grounded out into two double plays
The third hole not the best place for him to hit, for sure.

One final note, have you guys noticed how much Manuals loves the hit and run? You don’t see enough of that anymore and I love it, especially in early innings

 

[Sausy]

I am not even going to touch the "I'm a switch hitter " thing,with a twenty foot pole,sonny!

Great posts,always love your observations,opinions and passion.Don't worry about the rant,it happens to every passionate fan.I am a bit down Maine couldn't keep the streak going.....he'll be fine but so much consistency was expected of him folllowing his sharp improvement over the past couple of years and especially his lights out spring training.Santana was magnificent with his complete game 4-0 shutout and any time that can give the pen a needed breather is appreciated.

I am nervous over Joe Smith,who really isn't sharp at all these days.He's got the talent but like Heilmann he needs to believe in it and focus.

Great to see the Mets coming home staring today for Atlanta and Houston coming in for the weekend.The Mets should do well this homestand and hopefully can get the momentum going again.


Pedro was so good in his six innings in the 7-4 win and I loved his readiness to embrace his new style as master of changing speeds.He freely admitted in an interview he would love to be the dominating strikeout king of old but he just doesn't have the velocity anymore for that,certainly not on a regular basis.He mixes his stuff now,still has good movement and is so crafty he can adjust to any situation .A master pitching psychologist now,he mentioned he would love to be able to teach others how to get it done.Hopefully he can impart some lessons to the young pitchers being developed by the Mets while he is here,because he knows what he is talking about when thae subject is how to be a real pitcher rather than just a thrower.

 

[sonny10305]

I am not even going to touch the "I'm a switch hitter " thing,with a twenty foot pole,sonny!

You know as soon as I wrote that I knew either you or Abs would be on it, and you did not let me down.
I have had some very interesting conversations with other ball players about “switch hitting”

Great insite on Pedro, well written

Yesterday could have gone better, we missed a lot of opportunities and left 8 men on base. The inability for the Mets to get the hits they needs to bring home guys in scoring position is troublesome, that and of course and the poison pen. But hey, 6-1, I’ll take that anytime, good job boys.
Yesterday’s game showed us that John Maine is still a ways from his old self. His fast ball was nonexistent; in fact I don’t believe any pitch went into the 90s. His slower velocity was good for his changeup and he threw a decent slider, but I missed that fastball. But he pitched 5 scoreless innings; trouble was his pitch count which was too high again. Those 10 pitch walks are brutal.
So what do we do about that pen? More and more and especially after yesterdays game I am beginning to wonder if maybe it would not be a bad idea to put Maine in the pen. I never thought I would say that but desperate times need desperate moves. The medical dudes have said that Johnny would be better off in the pen pitching just a few innings at a time, and if you think about it lately he has been pretty good in the first few innings. If a starter is to go to the pen Johnny would b the best choice. I guess it all comes down to how Wagner does when he comes back. If Billy is strong I think we can a make it without Johnny in the pen. Plus of course I would wanna know who the fifth stater would be. By the way, what happened to Ayala the new reliever we picked up, how come they did not give him a shot. Are they gonna do the same thing they did to Kunz and let him waste away in the pen? Sanchez was miserable, just as I thought he was coming around he falls down again. What is wrong with him? I am about to give up on him he is clearly out of gas.

Man I’ll tell ya, it was so obvious after Manuals left the game that he was not managing, Sandy Alomar was not the best third base couch but he is an even worse manager, it showed through out the game. Like positioning Wright when that ball got by him and scored the go ahead run. Sandy also made bad choice in putting an unstable Sanchez in, maybe that’s why Ayala did not play I guess Sandy did not wasn’t to throw him in, but I would have given him a hitter or two to see what he’s got. Yeah Alomar sucks as a manger, you could see his handprint on all through the game, we just better hope Jerry stays healthy and also does not get thrown out of any more games cause Sandy does not know what he’s doing.

Well bring on the Braves, we are waiting for them. Our pitching has been awesome while the Braves pitching has been dismal. I am Looking forward to kicking their butts back to Atlanta, yeah I know, not nice to kick a team when they are down. But hey, it’s the Atlanta Braves, they have it coming. Chop chop my ass.
So it looks like Glavin will have career ending surgery, man, I guess he preferred that to having to pitch at Shea and face Mets fans
Oh, I kid Tommy, he was one of the best, I wish him well and forgive him for September ‘07.

 

[Sausy]

^Great analysis as usual,sonny!

Mets just scored five in the eighth courtesy of clutch hitting by Carlos Delgado with a two run opposite field double,two run single by Damion Easley and RBI double off the bench by Ramon Castro to go ahead 7-3!Great work from the bullpen from the newly acquired Ayala to Heilmann to Feliciano to Schoenweis to finish the game.Great to see the Mets explode when they need to on offense,especially to help back up the bullpen.Oliver Perez wasn't as sharp as usual tonight but after bending early and falling into a 3-2 deficit,he toughed it out and pitched effectively.

Tough news regarding Billy Wagner though.....swelling on the elbow is a big setback and he doesn't look ready to be back soon.Hopefully he isn't lost for the season and potential playoffs but the guys in the current bullpen have got to keep stepping up and doing the job for the Mets to have that shot at winning the division and getting into the playoffs.

 

[chance1]

just got home from the game

thought we were gonna blow them out with 2 in the first - coulda

then we sleep for 7 innings and ollie does an ollie - throwing as many balls as strikes - he is cukoo for sure

just when im thinkin same old same old they come thru (off a reliever) with 5 in the 8th

funny game for sure

our RP got it done - ayala got out of a big jam i think in the 7th

braves are a shadow of what they were

no smoltz, glavine or hudson

texeira traded

no name everywhere

good win for sure - good to win when ur off ur game

wagner thing is bad news for sure

 

[sonny10305]

How bout that bullpen

Sure was nice to watch the Braves bull pen implode while the Mets pen got the job done. Also watching Bobby Cox waddle out to the mound like 3 times wearing a path from the dugout to the mound was funny. Yeah, I’m sick that way.
Hey, I am fed up watching Manuals do that, it was nice to see the tables turned.

I hear ya Chance, but even though Ollie did not have his best stuff, at least he pushed through to the 7th and fought back after that 3 run inning, and that’s important. The old Ollie would have imploded, stared up to the sky and cried for help, shows he has really turned the corner, and I give Warthen most of the credit for that, letting Ollie do some of the things on the mound Peterson would not let him do.

Yup Sausy, Wagner mat be out for a while, but after talking to my dad and one of my cousins, I have kinda change my mind about putting Maine in the pen,
Well, my dad said, *Tony Soprano voice* “whot-a-you kiddin me?”
No, we gotta hold together with what we have, if not by committee, than lefty righty, righty lefty. Plus we need a designated closer. I just worry if that mix and match will work with us going for the pennant, maybe in June, but now?? Of course Omar may be keeping his options and eyes open for the possibility for a player in a non-contending team who might have someone who will get through waivers and would be available for the right trade. I can’t think of anyone right now but maybe there is someone out there we might be able to get, trouble is we prolly have to be prepared to give up a top prospect, but I don’t think I have a problem with that. Meantime our starting pitchers have to go deep and our offense needs to put runs on the board and put them up early.

So what do we do with Castillo, word is he is almost ready to play. I dono if I want him back if we have to give up A.Reyes or Easley or even bench them. If Jerry is smart, and he is, he will pay the one who produces for us, he has to give the job to the player who can get the job done. By the way, I think that would be A. Reyes. I am much more comfortable with him at second than I am with Castillo, especially as we get down to the wire. We have a somewhat similar problem in the outfield when Church returns, what happens to Tatis. The difference is Tatis is a far better player in right field than Castillo is at second. So the decision of what to do there is tougher. Remember, the Mets do not have an obligation to use Castillo this late in the season. The veterans may have to sit back and watch guys like Tatis, A. Reyes, Evans and Murphy, those are the guys, along with J.Reyes, Wright, Church, Delgado and Beltran who are gonna lead the Mets to a championship. In addition I think those younger guys have helped the veterans by injecting new energy and a positive attitude into the team.

 

[chance1]

^ Castillo is dead to me

don't want him

don't think he hustles much

not earning his pay IMO

stick with the guys who brought ya

the bench has been mad good

very Bobby Valentine - ish

 

[Sausy]

I agree with chance,it's definitely not the same ole Braves.You got Chipper still,and he is one great Atlanta institution who gave his all in the tremendous Mets-Braves battles of the past.But they are definitely a club in transition,and the Mets are doing what they have to do to these type clubs...take series from them.It's gotten to the point the Braves are so down and out it isn't even fun to say "chop,chop motherfuckers" anymore!

Great stuff about the bullpen and Castillo,sonny.It's not his fault he was playing hurt,but Reyes can't sit if he comes back to the Mets off the injury.His knee problems have hurt his once outstanding range,and Reyes has done a very good job contributing defensively and offensively and that should be rewarded.

They got Al Reyes to help with the bullpen.Had 25 saves last year for Tampa,but not really healthy this year and struggling.Omar Minaya did say if the Mets were to get help from other clubs in the waiver period,the best ones won't be available or would require too much compensation to give up. Whatever is left is likely as Reyes to be a quality reliever having an off year.

Terrific game from Pelfrey in tonight's 6-3 win over Atlanta.Complete game and whenever in trouble,made the clutch pitch and just let the defense work...great plays by Reyeson preventing a sure hit and twirling to start a crucial DP when Pelfrey needed it most.Mike is developing into a truly reliable top of the rotation stud. It was suggested in the post game that Mike would make an ideal second guy in the rotation if the Mets get into the playoffs,right behind Santana and ahead of Perez,who would be a tremendous game 3 chioice because he is a lefty,and his big game toughness.

Not to forget David Wright hit homer #24 tonight!

 

[chance1]

gotta tell u - i love their pitching

santana - clear ace

perez - IMO, their go to #2 - if there's a big game and johan is not avail, i want Ollie

pelphrey - love him - maturing rapidly

maine - love his "i wanna start but i don't make the decisions - if the team needs me to go to bullpen, so be it" - love his team attitude - and he's damn cute too

pedro - anything u get is a bonus

terrific pitching staff

and young too

 

[sonny10305]

I agree with chance,it's definitely not the same ole Braves.You got Chipper still,and he is one great Atlanta institution who gave his all in the tremendous Mets-Braves battles of the past.But they are definitely a club in transition,and the Mets are doing what they have to do to these type clubs...take series from them.It's gotten to the point the Braves are so down and out it isn't even fun to say "chop,chop motherfuckers" anymore!

Yeah, I respect any team that played as well as the old Braves did, but they lost too many guys and are eally struggling now, and well... I kinda love that

Great stuff about the bullpen and Castillo,sonny.It's not his fault he was playing hurt,but Reyes can't sit if he comes back to the Mets off the injury.His knee problems have hurt his once outstanding range,and Reyes has done a very good job contributing defensively and offensively and that should be rewarded.

Jerry has a policy of rewarding players that produce, I really like that. Castillo will be down at AAA for about a week and then we will see. I don't want him back.


They got Al Reyes to help with the bullpen.Had 25 saves last year for Tampa,but not really healthy this year and struggling.Omar Minaya did say if the Mets were to get help from other clubs in the waiver period,the best ones won't be available or would require too much compensation to give up. Whatever is left is likely as Reyes to be a quality reliever having an off year.

I dono what to expect from this guy, but we have had pretty good luck with most of the players Omar has brought in lately so I am causiously optomistic. We need a reliable closer thats for sure. They keep talking about Heilman for that job

Terrific game from Pelfrey in tonight's 6-3 win over Atlanta.Complete game and whenever in trouble,made the clutch pitch and just let the defense work.

The deeper into the game the stronger he got,
I don't think he is in "uncharted waters" anymore.
My eyes welled up like a litle girl when I saw him go out to the mound for the 9th.
Best nws is I was not scared to death that the whole game would come unraveled, I have this great sense of confidence in the final innings now.
The Mets are doing what they used to do and that is finish strong, and come from behind and win games in late innings. Great to have that back.

gotta tell u - i love their pitching

santana - clear ace

perez - IMO, their go to #2 - if there's a big game and johan is not avail, i want Ollie

pelphrey - love him - maturing rapidly

maine - love his "i wanna start but i don't make the decisions - if the team needs me to go to bullpen, so be it" - love his team attitude - and he's damn cute too

pedro - anything u get is a bonus

terrific pitching staff

and young too

Perfect! expecially what you said about Pedro, tonight will be a big rest, he has improved in every game so far, I would love to see him go deep tonight

 

[sonny10305]

Braves sweep.
Ahem, I believe I told you guys we would send their ass's back to Atlanta OK Abs, it's up to you and your Cards to finish the job, send those "chop chop mother fuckers" to hell. Plus give the Met a bigger lead.

Well here we go, Church should be back tonight or tomorrow.
Do you guys agree the best we can do is a platoon. ?
Church/Tatis at Right (with Tatis facing all the lefties)
Evans/Murphy at Left
A.Reyes/Easley at 2nd

Castillo when he returns can sit on the bench, maybe pinch run or something harmless. On September 1st we will expand the roster and fit in all the guys. Then in the post season (yup, post season) we can determine the post season roster.
POST SEASON ROSTER, POST SEASON ROSTER, Damn I love sayin those words By the way, I don't expect to see Castillo on that roster.

Ok Johan lets go, keep it going tonight

 

[chance1]

3-0 mets

another win

getting boring ............. NOT

johan - pitched most pitches ever in a game says the sny guys - 121

we're 15 games over

going tomorrow - anyone know who's pitching?

i think im gonna buy a balance of season ticket plan so i can get seasons for next year

 

[Sausy]

3-0 mets

another win

getting boring ............. NOT

johan - pitched most pitches ever in a game says the sny guys - 121

we're 15 games over

going tomorrow - anyone know who's pitching?

i think im gonna buy a balance of season ticket plan so i can get seasons for next year

Chance,you'd better get those tickets....you would stand a far better opportunity for next year,especially with the reduced seating capacity of CitiField.I don't know how I'll ever get into a good matchup next year..usually myself,brother,sister and brother in law catch a couple games a year at Shea but none so far this year.


Amazing game...such a clutch,tough performance by Santana who wasn't sharp but pitched seven gutsy,inspired innings.He was still hitting 94 on the radar gun with his last batter Miguel Tejada.That's what an ace does,and what Santana has done...going all out as far as he can his last few starts and give the bullpen less pressure to hold the fort,and much more flexibility.Heilmann was outstanding in the eighth...as maddeningly erratic as he has been,he has a great live fastball that reaches 96 and a tough slider.He has he ability but has to have the confidence to harness it.Ayala my be more a set up guy by trade but did an excellent job closing the win with great efficiency.

Wright knocked in a run but the key was the Brian Schneider home run with just reactivated Ryan Church aboard.Winning teams get performances from all over the lineup,not just the big number guys like tonight.The Mets got to Roy Oswalt early,and though he shut them out the rest of the way and ended up pitching a fine game,those early runs held up due to the gutsy pitching of Santana and yeoman effort by Heilmann and Ayala.A 3-0 win,72-57 record two and a half games over the Phillies...who would have thought this possible even a few weeks ago?Let's keep it going,Mets!

 

[Sausy]

Braves sweep.
Ahem, I believe I told you guys we would send their ass's back to Atlanta OK Abs, it's up to you and your Cards to finish the job, send those "chop chop mother fuckers" to hell. Plus give the Met a bigger lead.

Well here we go, Church should be back tonight or tomorrow.
Do you guys agree the best we can do is a platoon. ?
Church/Tatis at Right (with Tatis facing all the lefties)
Evans/Murphy at Left
A.Reyes/Easley at 2nd

Castillo when he returns can sit on the bench, maybe pinch run or something harmless. On September 1st we will expand the roster and fit in all the guys. Then in the post season (yup, post season) we can determine the post season roster.
POST SEASON ROSTER, POST SEASON ROSTER, Damn I love sayin those words By the way, I don't expect to see Castillo on that roster.

Ok Johan lets go, keep it going tonight

It would have been fun cleaning the clocks of the Braves as we knew them,but I'm thrilled about the sweep.But sonny is more delightfully unforgiving than I am!"Chop,chop motherfuckers" is classic New York ,and classic sonny!I loved David Wright's belly slide home,and the thrill of victory with another clutch hit by Carlos Delgado(aided by the losing the ball in the lights by Atlanta's left fielder Infante)Five hits,couple of clutch RBI by Carlos.....he's as toweing a presence in that lineup as ever,especially with his going the other way with authority that marks the vintage Carlos Delgado.

Luis Ayala made a terrific first impressuion with his first win as a Met,after another gutsy,profesional effort from the master,Pedro Martinez who despite having one bad inning gave the Mets seven strong innings and a great psychological boost.David Wright hit number 25and after tonight's game I talked about in my response to chance,he has 99 RBI.He looks poised to have some monster numbers by the end of the regular season.


I think your platoon guesses are pretty much on the money.I think Church may play occasionally against lefties,but the the bulk of left handers would put Tatis in the lineup in a semi-platoon.Murphy and Evans,agree exactly.Worry about Castillo appeariing to be activated for tomorrow's game,though.I think Jerrry Manuel will continue to go with whomever produces though,and if that relegates Castillo to a bench role,that would be fine.

 

[sonny10305]

Luis Ayala made a terrific first impressuion with his first win as a Met

Certainly the pen has responded well to Jerry's "threat" to move a starter in. Heilman in particular has made a decent turnaround. As for Ayala, we may have found Wagners replacement. We can npot rule out the possibility that Wagner could very well be gone for the season.I like Heilman in the 8th as a bridge to Alala in the 9th. Just please keep Sanchez away, and lets hope the starters can go deep into at least the 7th every game. We can mix and match, lefty/righty in earlier innings before the 8th with the est of the guys. I feel much better about the pen, I don't shake and quiver anymore when the starter leaves the game.


I think your platoon guesses are pretty much on the money.I think Church may play occasionally against lefties,but the the bulk of left handers would put Tatis in the lineup in a semi-platoon.Murphy and Evans,agree exactly.Worry about Castillo appeariing to be activated for tomorrow's game,though.I think Jerrry Manuel will continue to go with whomever produces though,and if that relegates Castillo to a bench role,that would be fine.

Castillio will be in the line up tonight, in what I hope will be one of only a few appearances, I do not trust him at all. I expect him to blow plays at second and be 0-5 at the plate. Oh, and of course hit into double plays.
I am glad you agree with my platoon thoughts, I kinda Knew a smart baseball man like you would. Of course I meant to mention Endy at Left as well as the talented new kids on the block.
Excellent analyses of last's nights game as well dude.
I got goose bumps when Church came up to the plate and the fans went nuts, the cheering was awesome, it had to make him feel great, way to go Mets fans. I expect him to be a bit rusty for a couple of days but predict he will be hittin them out of the park in no time.

Hey Abs, I said beat up on those Braves, but 18-3?? holy shit, that had to make you feel good. To bad the Phillies won again keeping us from making any ground. Fucking Maddex, I hated him as a Brave and he still haunts me.

Chance, to answer your question, it will be Maine tonight, which prolly means an early move to the pen, Johnny may surprise us and go at least 7 but I don't think his shoulder is right and he may be gone after 6. It will be a great time for the pen to shine. I think they can do it, and what a shot in the arm for the Mets when they do. of course, so would Maine throwing a complete game, Hey, I can dream right?

 

[chance1]

hey guys

doing some early am ironing here - swear to god - i do like my shit looking good

haha

going tonite with my bf (to the game) - johnny maine - i saw his first game with the mets - i think he gave up 3 solo hrs that night - loved him then - gritty - love him now

he's really cute too

anyway, i have a dinner reservation on long island at 10 so im gonna have to leave the game early tonite - hate that but ..............

castillo i have no use for - none - maybe im a meanie but he never seemed to be trying

maine CG? he's been doing 5 or so lately i think - which i don't get - come on John

love how the starters have stepped up and pitched deeper cuz no billy

love that

they got such good karma now

and yes ............. u can dream sonny

LETS GO METS

 

[guaybanex]

Who would have thought that trading for a 30 year pitcher with a lifetime record of 27-32 and with a 2008 1-8 record and 5.77 ERA could be one of the smarter trades the Mets have done? Don't want to jinx it but his 1-2-3 9th inning last night has me believin'

 

[sonny10305]

anyway, i have a dinner reservation on long island at 10 so im gonna have to leave the game early tonite - hate that but ..............

and yes ............. u can dream sonny

LETS GO METS

Maybe it will be a 2hr 15 minute game with Maine throwin a no hitter for 9 innings
Then you won't have to leave too early,
yeah I know, my dream gets bigger

Who would have thought that trading for a 30 year pitcher with a lifetime record of 27-32 and with a 2008 1-8 record and 5.77 ERA could be one of the smarter trades the Mets have done? Don't want to jinx it but his 1-2-3 9th inning last night has me believin'

It's simply amazin isn't it

 

[Sausy]

Maybe it will be a 2hr 15 minute game with Maine throwin a no hitter for 9 innings
Then you won't have to leave too early,
yeah I know, my dream gets bigger



It's simply amazin isn't it

First to chance have a great time with your bf tonight enjoying the Mets and some dining in Long Island.Hopefully we'll score a lot of runs early so you guys won't be missing anything in the late innings when you have to get going to dinner.

I have loved John Maine for awhile now,and he is a damned hot looking guy.I liked him these past couple of years because it was so easy to see a determination to master his craft and maturity and poise on the mound.He hasn't dominated like Mets fans thought from this year's light's out spring training but he is so talented,resourceful and tough minded.Hopefully he'll do well coming back but I'm trying at this point not to expect too much right away.

Sonny,one's supposed to dream big!If he's sharp I'm sure John Maine will try to give six innings,but I really would love that dream to become a reality.It couldn't be anything but be AMAZING,couldn't it?!

Who would have thought that trading for a 30 year pitcher with a lifetime record of 27-32 and with a 2008 1-8 record and 5.77 ERA could be one of the smarter trades the Mets have done? Don't want to jinx it but his 1-2-3 9th inning last night has me believin'

He has talent but was stuck in a losing organization in the Nationals and it really affected his pitching.He always had the makings of a very reliable set up guy,now he gets to pitch with renewed purpose and enthusiasm away from a losing mentality and close until Billy Wagner returns.Luis seems to relish the situation and it's refreshing to see someone who wants it badly like he does.

 

[sonny10305]

I would like to second Sausy’s wishes to Chance and hope he had a great day in spite of what happened at Shea. Hope you were able to digest your dinner dude.
Looks like my dream turned into a nightmare.

I had a date last night so I only saw two innings, the game is saved on my DVR maybe I’ll catch it later. I want to try and figure out what is going on with Maine. What I did see was not much or no change in his mechanics. That’s a good thing cause at least we know what ever is bothering him has not caused him to change anything to avoid discomfort. I did not see his high fast ball again but the velocity seemed to be up a bit to about 90-91, so at least he is improving. Something is still not right with that kid, he has some recovery yet to do but he seems to wanna tough it out and keep pitching. Of course he pretty much has to otherwise he will go completely cold. I hope he is getting in some quality pen time.
Sausy, I really enjoyed you thoughts about Maine, I think we are on the same page here.

looking at the summary it looks like John did not loose the game, the offense, or lack of it, did. Cold bats? We have not seen that in a while and against what I thought a rather mediocre Astros pitcher to boot. We shuda ate him for dinner.

I love seeing Schneider break out, we sure needed him to bust loose. At least now when I see him come to bat with two outs I won’t say “3 strikes, inning over”

Now let’s talk about Castillo, what an interesting turn of events that was. They say he needs more time before returning to the line up, but lemmie tell you what I think happened.
Jerry calls him into the office and says, “Look kid, the team is playing very well, I really don’t want to upset the flow right now. Look, in just about as week we will expand the roster and we can keep you in the line up without having to send anyone down.” So Castillo, who has surely heard the whispers, agrees.
Of course it could have been Castillo who made the first move, going to Jerry and asking for more time cause he has heard people talking about how well the team has been playing without him.
Either way, it’s a good and welcome move, this way we can keep A. Reyes and after 9/1 Jerry can use Castillo at second from time to time with A. Reyes and Easley at the ready.

I am going to miss today’s game; I have one of my own this afternoon. I sure hope those bats wake up today.