New York Mets 2009

[chance1]

seems like i am watching all the games now

not to worry sonny - johan can have a not so great game once in a while - he's entitled - and i love him

i have no use for schneider - not just cuz castro/santos are doing it so good - just don't think he's that productive

don't like carrying 3 catchers - not at all

trade schneider once he gets healthy

wright had what 4ks last night? how many for the season?

the new guy is not impressing me - not at all - not hustling on pop up is unforgiveable especially after all the PR we got on how he does things the right way

as for kevin burkhardt ............. is he cute or what

i like murphy - his slump is brutal - but maybe this game gets him out of it - i trust that he will get back to his real self which IMO is a very very good hitter - .300 ish - just like his stroke

who's pitching on saturday guys? cuz im going

oh and sonny ............... glad to be posting here - it's a blast

 

[Sausy]

Santana hasn't been as sharp lately but he does what it takes to win.That's why I never get nervous even when he hits a rough patch....they all do,even the great ones like Johann.No way he culd have kept up his incredible start.Nice to see the Mets bats back him up more,after they left him no margin for error the first month or so.

Gary Sheffield....it's too early to rave about him being the acquisition of the year but Gary has been playing inspired team ball,hitting the cover off the ball with power,putting the ball in play,getting on base through walks.Doing what he has done so well during hs career,being one of the best offensive players in the game.Doing what he is right now especially the Mets being without Delgado,Reyes,Beltran or Church is HUGE.

David Wright has been so hot I can overlook his four strikeout game last night but he has been whiffing a lot lately....he has got to cut back his swing,reduce that uppercut and let the game come to him,not try to force is way out of his slump.


So pissed at Fernando Martinez.Why do so many of the Mets have this occasional aversion to going all out?I hope he really does get it after the negative reaction and cut out the nonchalance or put his ass on the bench and make him earn his playing time.Mets fans are in no mood after two failed seasons to forgive talented underachievers.How about overachieving,hustling,winning the town over for a change?

John Maine I'm proud of.He still is somewhat rusty with his control but is becoming more confident and effective as the season goes on.I like his mentality....tough and determined,and his stuff is getting better.

I was glad to see Livan Hernanez give the Mets a complete game win,allowing only a run and more importantly,saving the bullpen which is already being overtaxed this early in the season.A few more complete games whenever possible would really be helpful.


Daniel Murphy....I'm so happy he's back to pounding the ball.being confident,smart and aggressive again.The home run,certified by replay was great....but even better was knocking in another run with a single and doubling hard off the wall in left,going to all fields ... twice with authority and power.He's an important part of the Mets' future and the more confidence he has,especially knowing management has faith in his continued growth and development can only help his cause.

Great sweep....needed to sweep the Nats who always seem to give the Mets fits in the past.But it will be against Florida now that they face their newest test.They are in first place now,and must try to keep that momentum going.

Glad to see Chance and syam joining us more regularly as well....as for Kevin Burkhard,well he is great with the Mets players and we all know how sonny can't resist him!He's smart,hard working,professional trusted and well-liked as well as one hot cutie!

 

[sonny10305]

who's pitching on saturday guys? cuz im going

oh and sonny ............... glad to be posting here - it's a blast

Saturday will be a real test, it's Maine and Johnson.
Johnson has been a Met killer, his ERA is about 3 now and he is 3-1

The last time Johnson faced the Mets he threw a complete game and beat Santana. As a whole the Mets big guns are hitting around .250 or lower, AND no home runs. This would be a big payback win for us. Enjoy the game babe.

Santana hasn't been as sharp lately but he does what it takes to win.That's why I never get nervous even when he hits a rough patch....they all do,even the great ones like Johann.No way he culd have kept up his incredible start.Nice to see the Mets bats back him up more,after they left him no margin for error the first month or so.

That has been one of the most exciting things for me with the Mets, the way they have picked up Santana and the gutsy playing they are doing now with so many "stars" outta the line up. It is just awesome.

Gary Sheffield....it's too early to rave about him being the acquisition of the year
David Wright has been so hot I can overlook his four strikeout game last night but he has been whiffing a lot lately....he has got to cut back his swing,reduce that uppercut and let the game come to him,not try to force is way out of his slump.

I worry about Sheffield, the man is 40 now and I keep hoping he won't get hurt. His hammy's are very very vulnurable now at his age,
As for David, I have analyzed his swing to death here in many post and I agree with your assesment. he also needs to stop pulling that front shoulder back, gotta keep that shoulder in. I don't understand it, surely he knows that.

So pissed at Fernando Martinez.Why do so many of the Mets have this occasional aversion to going all out?I hope he really does get it after the negative reaction and cut out the nonchalance or put his ass on the bench and make him earn his playing time.Mets fans are in no mood after two failed seasons to forgive talented underachievers.How about overachieving,hustling,winning the town over for a change?

I am giving Martinez some slack here, cause I do not think he was holding back or "not going all out", he had a brain freeze, I mean just imagine what it must have been like for that kid here in the big leagues in front of that crowd at Citi Field, It had to be tense for him. I have seen him play a few times, he is a kid who works hard and wants more than life it self to do well. As far as pulling him out of the game, I could see that with a Reyes or some other seasoned player but Fernando was embarassed and humiliated enough, as he said later "I will never do that again" It bothered him a lot not just for what he did but that he let his fans down. He said that with sincerity and I am ready to move on with him..

John Maine I'm proud of.He still is somewhat rusty with his control but is becoming more confident and effective as the season goes on.I like his mentality....tough and determined,and his stuff is getting better.

John is back to playing the way he did before, I too am "proud"
He had good stuff and we are seeing that again.


Glad to see Chance and syam joining us more regularly as well....as for Kevin Burkhard,well he is great with the Mets players and we all know how sonny can't resist him!He's smart,hard working,professional trusted and well-liked as well as one hot cutie!

I have a little crush on Kevin, I guess that's obvious in my posts.
You summed him up beautifully

 

[chance1]

Saturday will be a real test, it's Maine and Johnson.
Johnson has been a Met killer, his ERA is about 3 now and he is 3-1

The last time Johnson faced the Mets he threw a complete game and beat Santana. As a whole the Mets big guns are hitting around .250 or lower, AND no home runs. This would be a big payback win for us. Enjoy the game babe.




I have a little crush on Kevin, I guess that's obvious in my posts.
You summed him up beautifully

read today in the NYP that it's Redding -
I can picture him throwing meatballs to Lowell and the rest of the Red Sox - that's how my mind works unfortunately

I do like the "babe" however

Kevin is pretty damn hot - unlike most sporting events when they go to the sidelines (and i wince), this is the best part

have a great weekend guys

 

[Sausy]

^You too,chance!

Sonny,btw did you shake Kevin's hand after your little talk last season?Hope you guys get to talk again sometime this season!

About Fernando Martinez,I am willing to cut him some slack too.I'm certainly not souring on him this early by any means.It just was a disappointment him not going all out,for whatever reason.But if it does happen just this once,and rarely occurs again....I definitely will think that indeed it was a brain freeze rather than laziness or nonchalance on his part.

Another great win tonight in extra innings.Mike Pelfrey has been great lately and was again strong tonight,allowing just one run in seven and two third innings.His continued development is essential to the success of the Mets,especially with so many injuries involving key position players.Love seeing him showing the second half pitching mastery of last season was no fluke.

Gary Sheffield continues to impress.....tonight it was his 40 year old legs that was a big part securing tonight's 2-1 win over the Marlins.Getting a great jump,stealing second being aggressive on the bases and quickly getting to third when the ball was overthrown and being in position to automatically score on Omir Santos' clutch single over shortstop.The guy really has been leading by example and proving at least now,when the Mets need his presence and experience in the lineup he is still a valuable force.He's always been a good baserunner and still has decent speed but his instincts even more importantly remain sharp.

David Wright is continuing to have a miserable homestand,trying to do too much and now way too often striking out instead of just being content to make solid contact.We all know he can drive the ball a long way when he gets his pitch.He was great on the road but it seems he is definitely forcing it at home.Sonny,I know you are better at observing the mechanics of players than I am and you are as confounded as I am by his getting so overmatched at the plate.He always struck out 110-120 times a year or so,but currently is on a coursefor an alarming 160 or so.Howard Johnson has to get his head back in the game in terms of working on cutting down that swing because David is a lot better player than his pitiful homestand has shown so far.

Omir Santos has to stay....Brian Schneider coming back it appears that the Mets are attempting to work out a trade with the Chicago White Sox involving Ramon Castro.Funny part of manager Jerry Manuel's nightly press conference after the game being questioned in so many ways to give credence to the rumors,being asked if Castro was still present in the Mets dugout to be available for pinch hitting late in tonight's game.

BTW,everyone....Mets did trade Ramon Castro after the game to the White Sox for minor league pitcher Lance Broadway.

 

[sonny10305]

read today in the NYP that it's Redding
I can picture him throwing meatballs to Lowell and the rest of the Red Sox - that's how my mind works unfortunately
I do like the "babe" however

Kevin is pretty damn hot - unlike most sporting events when they go to the sidelines (and i wince), this is the best part

have a great weekend guys

*counts on fingers* I was sure it was Maine But nope looks like Johnny pitches Sunday. Howd I make that mistake.

Redding huh? well I am sorry you won't get to see Maine who has to keep pace with his buddy Pelf, who is red hot these days.
They compete for hits ya know, so cute

Sonny,btw did you shake Kevin's hand after your little talk last season?Hope you guys get to talk again sometime this season!

Sure did, I remember later I thought about the fact that I had shook the hand that shook the hand of D Wright.


Another great win tonight in extra innings.Mike Pelfrey has been great lately and was again strong tonight,allowing just one run in seven and two third innings.His continued development is essential to the success of the Mets,especially with so many injuries involving key position players.Love seeing him showing the second half pitching mastery of last season was no fluke.

Big Pelf was outstanding, like you wrot,e just one run over 7 inings. A big plus and a bigger acheivemnet for him was those 6 strike outs which he comtinues to do start after start.Watching Pelf mixing it up with more of his breaking pitches and then be able to throw them for strikes, that had the Marlins daxed and comnfussed much of the night.
Of course we can’t say enough about the relief who can’t seem to do anything wrong any more.
Parnell, Feliciano,Putz and K-Rod,getting the job done.

Gary Sheffield continues to impress.....tonight it was his 40 year old legs that was a big part securing tonight's 2-1 win over the Marlins.Getting a great jump,stealing second being aggressive on the bases and quickly getting to third when the ball was overthrown and being in position to automatically score on

He just keeps getting the job done on a regular basis. He seems to do something in every game that helps the Mets win. Is he the first hitter to hit a ball off of the Acela Club? To bad it was a strike.

David Wright is continuing to have a miserable homestand,trying to do too much and now way too often striking out instead of just being content to make solid contact.We all know he can drive the ball a long way when he gets his pitch.He was great on the road but it seems he is definitely forcing it at home.Sonny,I know you are better at observing the mechanics of players than I am and you are as confounded as I am by his getting so overmatched at the plate.He always struck out 110-120 times a year or so,but currently is on a coursefor an alarming 160 or so.Howard Johnson has to get his head back in the game in terms of working on cutting down that swing because David is a lot better player than his pitiful homestand has shown so far.

That is a very good point, David is far better on the road, it is a puzzle for sure, and you are right about Ho Jo he neds to help david figure out what's wrong.
That struike out last night with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth inning. killed me. He has now struck out 11 times in his last 25 at bats.

BTW,everyone....Mets did trade Ramon Castro after the game to the White Sox for minor league pitcher Lance Broadway.

Santos played last night as if to say, look at me I ain't goin anywhere.
That game last night was for sure the nail in Castos coffin with the Mets.
I am thrilled by what they did. My Mom would say "pleased as punch"

 

[syam24]

Nice victory last nite, the bullpen supplied good stuff following Pelfrey's outstanding performance. Hate to see Castro go, but there was a decision to be made, and I think with the progress of Josh Thole in the minors, the Mets felt comfortable getting rid of a major league catcher at this time. Getting a pitcher back is good, keeps options for trades down the road, if needed, by having a young pitcher or two available. Let's see what the Mets can do with Josh Johnson today, Let's go METS!!

 

[chance1]

OMG - went to game today

mets played to lose - as in they did not try to win

redding pitching - hopefully his last start - he is a batting practice pitcher

no david wright, no sheff - beltran pulled after 5 innings i believe

schneider instead of santos - and they traded castro (manuel did not like him)

martinez had a nice hit though

i am so pissed

i should get my money back as the mets did not try to win

bad enough reyes and delgado are out

but to sit wright AND sheff

didn't they have off thursday?

really absurd

manuel should be fired

 

[Sausy]

All I'm going to say for today is that I'm glad I had to work rather than have to stomach today's debacle.Really maddening what these Mets put us through!

 

[sonny10305]

Chance, I was thinking about you during that game. sooooo sorry you had to suffer through that.
For me It began with the lineup. I understand day game after a night game bla bla bla
BUT Jerry took all the heart out of the team in one sweep of the line up card.
Johnson as usually dominated the Mets. He is now 6-0
Tim Redding was a disaster, I had hopes for this guy but I am thinking now we need someone else in that role. He had no command that I could see, his fastball was all over the place. He even managed to miss low and away. Did anyone count how many times he got behind in the count? Did he get ahead of any Batters even one?? He threw an ugly changeup, and I don't mean that in a good way.
Tim is expected to go back to the pen when Ollie comes back, but now Ollie has had a major setback. After he tweaked his knee the other day, another MRI revealed patellar tendinitis in his knee, His rehab starts are over and he is headed back to Florida. Ollie’s ERA is now 9.20 ERA for the season.
I think if/when we get another starter maybe we should keep Takahshi in the pen and send Redding down instead of the other way around which is the original plan. Ken pitched three scoreless innings in relief yesterday.

Refreshing part of the game for me was to see Fernando Martinez and Angel Pagan go 4 for 9 with two doubles and two RBI batting at the top of the order.

See Saucy, there were bright spots in the game.

I got nervous when Carlos Beltran left the game but they say it was because of a stomach flu, which he supposedly had before the game even started. Lets hope that’s true, cause as we have learned ya can’t always trust what the tell us, now can we.

Johnny Maine on the mound today, let’s at least win the series.

Let's go Mets

 

[Sausy]

Today was a much better day...John Maine was again strong working six shutout innings and just enough hitting to hold back Florida 3-2.(JJ Putz really shaky again but the rest of the bullpen held up just fine)Fernando Martinez knocks in his first run with a double,knocking in Gary Sheffield ....hopefully the first of a ton for his career!I don't know how much power he'll develop,but his lightning quick bat,if he keeps his head on straight,will be a very potent weapon for the Mets moving runners across home plate.

 

[chance1]

good to win 2 of 3 from florida

would've been nice to TRY to win all 3 - but Jerry Manuel has his own ideas i guess

love johnny maine - real battler

gotta get putz back in the flow

krod is sick - sick good - his ball just drops

omir is the man

and nice def plays by wright today

good vibe with the mets

for sure

 

[Sausy]

Fernando Martinez knocks in his first run with a double,knocking in Gary Sheffield ....hopefully the first of a ton for his career!

My bad....Fernando Martinez knocked in his first MLB run,also on a double in Saturday's 7-3 letdown.Sonny even mentioned it and I missed it!

 

[syam24]

Always good to take 2 of 3. Pitching was pretty good over the weekend sans the Redding disaster. Looks like Pagan will be DL'd before long with a groin injury, he can't stay healthy for whatever reason. Hopefully the virus bug has run its course, and no more of the queezies for our guys. It's amazing the Mets did as well as they did over the weekend, with the injuries/illnesses they've gotten. On to Pittsburgh, Let's go METS!!

 

[sonny10305]

Well kids, I am so excited to see John Maine continue to get stronger and more like the Johnny Maine we love. His strike to balls ratio was outstanding, he struck out five and walked only two in six scoreless innings, he threw 82 pitches. We have come to expect Johnny to dominate the lefties, cause; well… that’s what he does. But we are now seeing him having the same effect on right handed batters as well and that just gets me pumped. That change up which John has used so effectively against the lefties is now getting the righties as well. Still, John’s beat pitch is his fastball followed by his change up and slider. I wonder how may of you have picked up on the perfect match of Maine and Santos. Maine has developed a whole lot respect and trust in Santos and his pitch selection, and Santos knows exactly what is best for Maine pitch for pitch. Watching them work together is a little slice of heaven. Schneider needs to stay away when John pitches. Ya hear me Jerry?? Of course Schneider was very good with Ollie Perez and even with Pelfrey but Maine and Santos are perfect together.
What a shame on a day when John was so dominant and he gets hit with that stomach bug. Consider the possibility that with the role he was on he could have ended up a complete game. But except for Putz the pen came through as they have been and finished off the fish. Dono what’s going on with JJ, but I am not at all happy with his performance lately. he is so inconsistent now he seems to have lost all command. Not happy with him at all.
Special kudos to Pedro Feliciano who came in cold and pitched a scoreless seventh inning. An unexpected call like that is what separates the men from the boys. Nice job Pedro. Then our superstar K-Rod came through again to put the game to bed. He is now 14-0.

Martinez continues to bounce back from the disastrous first day, with those two doubles he is playing more like the kid I knew from the minors. I have to give Manual points for trusting him and having confidence when he had Murphy bunt ahead of Fernando. (a good bunt by the way) Then the kid got the job done with a double. I often critisise Jerry for some of the things he does but that was a great move. I understand part of that decision was made cause of Murph but I loved what happened there.

Wright continues to struggle at the plate but oh my dears, did you guys see that diving catch of a line drive and double play?? did ya huh, did ya??.
Did you guys hear Ron Darling predict that play exactly. Just before it happened Ron said what the Mets need right now is a ground ball double play and just like it was Ron’s lips to David’s ears that is exactly what happened seconds later. Awesome!

Kevin Burhardt spoke with the Daily Shows Jon Stewart and Jon made a comment that I am sure Saucy enjoyed. Jon jokingly said Mets fans deserve Lazy Boy rockers in the stands to compensate what the Mets have put the fans through. Saucy has been writing about what we fans are being put through so I know he can relate.

Alex Cora could be back in the lineup as soon as Tuesday, which is way ahead of schedule. I will be interested in seeing if that thumb affects him at all. How well he can handle the ball will certainly effect which position he plays second or short.
Jose Reyes is now at St. Lucie, I believe he will prolly play in a minor league rehab game on Tuesday and Wednesday, then the doctors can check him out maybe by Thursday and if all is well Jose could be back in the lineup on Friday, which is the day he is eligible to come off the DL. It looks like our infield, except for Delgado will return to some sort of normal soon.
Speaking of Delgado, I gotta mention something that I saw the other day, I mean it could just be me, but Carlos was interviewed at some sort of function and he was asked about when he might be back. Lemme tell you Carlos’ reaction stunned me cause I got the impression that he doesn’t give a rats ass when or if he comes back. I know it sounds crazy but if you see that interview you will defiantly see what I mean.

Tonight we begin a four-game series against the Pirates.

Let’s go Mets!

 

[chance1]

was in the car today listening to mike francesa, the yankee fan - who was making fun of and disrespecting callers IMO who were upset about the saturday lineup

his major points were:
beltran got sick during game - nothing u can do during game
wright needed a day off - and johnson is a killer sooooooooooo
sheffield is like a catcher (mike piazza) and needed a day

the beltran thing i agree with - is what it is

but ..........

ramon martinez (not hitting his weight) at 2B - not castillo
schneider behind the plate - when santos is red red red hot
wright an off day
sheff an off day

they had off thurs didn't they?

u have redding pitching

and manuel admits in the post game that they had little chance of winning

honestly i was over it - really

but francesa pushed my buttons

such a pompous ass - "162 games in 180 days" + "is what it is stop complaining" + "manuel was doing wright a favor" + other assorted put downs of callers

when i got on i had just started my 4 prong approach (+ manuel admitting in postgame) when he started yelling at me

he basically hung up on me

i miss the mad dog

mets are playing good

don't want redding starting another game

 

[sonny10305]

I am still reeling from last night’s loss. We had the game won until the eighth inning, that’s when fuckin J.J. Putz came in the game and allowed back to back singles, TWICE. Exactly where did he pick up that new delivery? Did the Pirates teach him to do that? Suddenly presto changeo what had been a five run lead became a two run lead and then a three run lead for the Pirates.
Something is defiantly up with him, did you catch him throwing to Schneider for that intentional walk, and he could barely do that for Gods sake.
There is speculation that something is wrong with his elbow, I have to wonder about that, cause he has not been using his splitter and that says to me maybe it is a physical problem. That pitch would be difficult with an elbow problem. However, the problem I have with that is why the Hell wouldn’t he see a doctor? If his elbow or any part of him is bothering him it makes absolutely no sense for him to just keep going out there without seeking medical help. What, is he afraid of what might be reveled? It’s all bullshit. Then of course I need to remind you guys of the comment he made when he first signed. When asked how he felt about not being signed on as the closer He said, and I quote,” I am not sure I can get motivated in the 8 spot” That should have been our first clue.
If that’s his problem then he needs to be pulled out of that spot and replaced with Parnell, at least until Ms Putz gets her act together. Think about it, Parnell may be our bridge to K-Rod, he allowed only one run in his last seven appearances. I checked his walks and he has walked nine in 22 innings,
I dono who those guys were who came in beginning with the 8th inning. It was like we got zapped back to the 2008 bullpen. No no, it’s not 2008 we are a stronger more dominant bull pen now, we have the second lowest ERA in the majors at 2.87
Our other problem is Redding, if he does not do well in his next start we may have to consider other options. You might think well how about Nelson Figueroa? Well..no. I track all the Mets minor league teams, and Figueroa, who is in Buffalo with the Bisons, is not pitching well at all. His ERA is currently just above 8. Jonathon Niese, also in Buffalo, is doing as bad; his ERA is now just under 9.
Of course nothing Omar does surprises me but if he seeing what I am seeing in these two guys he will leave them in Buffalo. But whata I know.

Do we now have Gary Sheffield to worry about? I mentioned the other day I was worried about his age and hurting something, and last night he looked like he was limping a bit. Gary later said that he's been dealing with discomfort behind his right knee. Good grief, what next.

Santana tonight will bounce back from last week. He is up against Zack Duke who is hot right now with an ERA of 2.75. He is a lefty, so maybe we will do some damage against him. are you listening D Wright???

It will be interesting to see if Manual plays Murphy tonight against the lefty Duke.So far Jerry has been reluctant to let Daniel hit against the lefties, but come on Jerry, we wanna see what he can do. The kid has gotten comfortable at first base and has learned rather quickly I might add how to put down a successful bunt. So why not see how well he hits against the lefty

 

[sonny10305]

watch out Mets, you have the Nats this weekend.

Your guys better get their flu shots before coming to Citi Field

There is a major bug going around that clubhouse and they better get under control. Beltran is still very sick from what ever is going around and has not eaten in four days, he can’t keep food down. In fact Carlos is now being tested for Swine flu, originally it was thought that he had a bad reaction to a cortisone shot he was given for his ailing knee, causing stomach pains.
Add to this that now an SNY employee (not Kevin Burkhardt) was recently diagnosed with some shit called porking influenza, which is another name for Swine Flu. Since SNY employees are always with the players, it may now be that Carlos Beltran has come down with the same thing. You will recall John Maine left the game on Sunday with some kind of stomach bug.
Very scary


I have been saying it and saying it, as a switch hitter myself I know a lot of guys who bat lefty and can hit well against lefty pitchers, so why does Manual scratch Daniel Murphy from the line up every time the Mets face a lefty. Even the new kid on the block Fernando Martinez, also a lefty, was in last night’s lineup, but not Murphy. Another lefty Jeremy Reed was also in the line up, but not….well you get what I’m sayin. Reed in fact went 3-3 against the Pirates lefty pitcher. Then miracle of miracles Jerry finally gave Murph a shot. Daniel delivered with a pinch hit single. See Jerry, what did I tell ya

The Mets injuries are getting way outta control; we lost another one last night with Ramon Martinez dislocating his left pinkie. Supposedly Alex Cora returns today to fill in that gap, that is until he gets hurt again. Alex is not 100% his thumb is not completely healed but he will be activated anyway.
The Mets line up is looking more and more everyday like an expansion team.

Positive note for me last night was to watch Sean Green pitch, I liked what I saw last night. He was the one thorn in our pen that had me worried. He sorta reminded me of Heilman.

Get well Mets!

 

[sonny10305]

I am totally pumped.
My boy Brad Holt was promoted to AAA Binghamton today.
That means there is a possibility we could see him at Citi Field this year. I have written many times in other threads about this kid and in fact got to meet and talk with when he played in Brooklyn.

Congrats Brad I am so proud of you dude.

 

[sonny10305]

Rain out last night so that game will be played as a day game on July 2. originally an off day for the Mets
This means that Mike Pelfrey will pitch this afternoon at against the Pirates, pushing Tim Redding to Friday, and Johan Santana to Saturday against the Nationals. The best news at of all this is that now Santana will pitch against the Phillies, in the first of three games next Tuesday in Citi Field. We gotta keep Redding as far away from the Phillies as possible
Other interesting pitching news, Jerry Manuel said that J.J. Putz will now pitch in the seventh inning, with Bobby Parnell shifting up to the eighth inning set up role.
I had hoped for this and glad to see it happen. Putz, as I wrote about yesterday, has issues he needs to get worked out. I dono what is up with him but he just is not right. I wrote about my thoughts on this yesterday but was reminded of something my dad said when Putz joined up with the Mets. Dad said “Aren’t you concerned about why the Mariners gave him up?” Well yes dad, now I am, could Seattle have known something we did not know, and did we get fucked? Manual insists that the move is temporary, just until Putz and Warthen can figure things out.

On the injury front, we have good news and bad news.
The good news is that the Swine flu fear seems to have dissipated, not many worries there anymore. Carlos Beltran is felling much better and should be in the lineup this afternoon. Can’t wait to see the big guy out there He lost 10 lbs while he was sick, I hope he has all his strength back and of course be very forgiving if he is not 100 % for another day. Go get em Carlos!
Cora should also be in the lineup today playing short, Ramon Martinez was put on the Dl with that fractured pinky..
Now the bad news, Jose Reyes suffered a set back yesterday, he had pain again in his calf during an extended spring training game today. Sooo it’s back to NY for more tests. Obviously he will not return on Friday as originally hoped.
Ryan Church continues to improve and is still on track to return. “Feeling much better” is what he said.
Nothing really new with Oliver Perez, he pitched from flat ground, no word on even a guess as to when he might return, there is still no timetable for when he will pitch in a game again.

I am concerned and feeling very bad for Reyes, but at least it is looking good for most of the rest of our regulars are on track to be ready for those big games coming up with the Phillies,Yankees,Tampa Bay and St Louis.

Huge games coming up,
Lets go Mets!