NY Mets 2014

[syam24]

A much needed win by the Mets last nite, Murph got them off to a good start with a two run jack, and Dice K held the fort with solid pitching until, holy cow! A hit with the bases loaded! Not just a hit, but a HR from recently recalled Taylor Teegarden. A great way to start with a new team. THe bullpen did a good job, after Dice K left following a liner off his thigh. Black, Familia, and Mejia closed down the Brew Crew, giving up just one run in 3 innings. Need a win for de Grom tonite. Let's go Mets!!

 

[sonny10305]

Yeah Syam I was really pumped for Teegarden I had hoped he would do better at the plate than Travis who was realty struggling.

As for Dice-K he is showing us some good stuff and he is now pitching faster which was really a problem with him pitching so s l o w

Not happy with Black going down again he needs to stay here with us I just don't get it.

And yeah Murph did get it started again gotta love that; like I wrote earlier I admire Murph and guys like him so much mostly cause if the dedication and outstanding work ethic. I also see in Davis and Harvey. I am just so in awe of guys like that. I got a chance to spend some time at the Rangers game with Harvey and was so impressed by his determination to get back in he game he really wants to pitch this year I mean he really does. He does not like the slow down in his rehab wants to speed it up not slow it down but he is a team player and will not rock any boats and will just do as he is told work as hard as he can and hope for the best which for him would be to pitch in 2014.

 

[Sausy]

Was really happy for Daniel hitting the two run homer(working so I checked out the highlights, and saw the You Tube playful smack of Bob Geren) and teagarden's grand slam with Dice K getting back to doing a really sold job and the bullpen holding the fort. Last night though was typical dreary Mets as Jacob de Grom wasn't great allowing right hits in five and two thirds innings but only gave up three runs and was kinda betrayed by his defense, and also gave up some not so hard hit balls making things look a little worse than they are. Still frustratingly winless in what, six starts and still has a very respectable 3.44 ERA. I just don't get our offense... we have to have a stretch where we put some runs together and can manufacture runs when we need to. It's just so hard to stay positive and be a Mets fan because they give you a good game or two and then unlike Murph's playful smack to Geren Mets give their fans a smack upside the head. Just tired of it.

 

[sonny10305]

. It's just so hard to stay positive and be a Mets fan because they give you a good game or two and then unlike Murph's playful smack to Geren Mets give their fans a smack upside the head. Just tired of it.

Sounds like someone needs a nap and a hug

Yesterday for me was all about the Rangers anyways we are still alive and Matt Harvey will keep his playoffs beard a bit longer.

Opening day sold out for Cyclones and SI Yankees tomorrow night

 

[Sausy]

Sounds like someone needs a nap and a hug

Yesterday for me was all about the Rangers anyways we are still alive and Matt Harvey will keep his playoffs beard a bit longer.

Opening day sold out for Cyclones and SI Yankees tomorrow night

Aww, thanks sonny it just doesn't seem to get much different.... a good game here, then they suck the air out of the park again. You gotta feel for poor Jacob de Grom.... six starts and no support, no "W" . didn't pitch great but didn't break, either.

Anyway yep glad to check the scores last night and see that the Rangers wouldn't fold and got the win. It's going to be tough, but hopefully they can really make something out of this. I really do hope though that Matt Harvey does shave that beard soon, cause he gives that REALLY scary glaze!

Opening night tomorrow for your Cyclones!!!!!!!!! Playing against their Yankees counterpart it's gotta be a fun time for all.. great luck on your Brooklyn boys this season, sonny!

 

[sonny10305]

Thanks Saucy we are all very pumped for the new season in Brooklyn. Tonight we have a very exciting player pitching for us; Octavio Acosta has been with the Mets origination since 2010. A sweetheart of a kid from Mexico with some very impressive stuff. He has already had Tommy John Surgery which kept him out for 2011 and most of 2012.Then in 2013 he played for GCL Mets Now he is with us here in Brooklyn. I am looking for some great things from that kid.

I saw most of last night’s game and whew what a stinker the best part was Kevin Burkhardt playing grounds keeper and wasn’t that a hoot. KB is such a fun guy always expect him to do something fun. I cannot wrap my head around the idea that he is leaving us I just can’t face that reality and accept it even though I know it is a terrific move for him and I wish him nothing but great success he is one of a kind a great friend and will be missed by all the players more than I can say.



This weekend the Mets play a team that has not performed well so maybe we can catch up some ground. Of course that is what we thought with the Cubs and look what happened there.

I may not have much time to post this weekend busy in Brooklyn but I will try and jump in when I can.

As for Harvey yup Saucy that beard is pretty scary it just keeps growin and he won’t touch it while the Rangers are in playoffs, He has promised to come to Brooklyn to meet the Cyclones soon I am very excited to introduce him to my boys.

I think this pic of Keith Hernandez last night says it all about last night’s game

 

[Sausy]

Sonny, had never heard of Octavio Acosta but sounds like a great kid and someone who can hopefully now his elbow has been addressed and is recovered fairly quickly roll through the Mets system, and join the promising roll call of young starters which the Mets fortunately have. I know you'll be busy with your Cyclones duties but will look forward to anything you can get in this weekend.

LOL, KB is always a hoot and yep from everything you write I read about KB elsewhere the guy is really loved, and a sweetheart of a person with a wacky sense of humor. You'll keep in touch with him of course but the good thing about this is the rest of the country will fid out just what a jewel Fox has netted in bringing KB into the fold.


Keith's reaction is that lol of so many Mets fans... more extra innings, more run scoring futility.. another wasted start as I read Jon Niese was not happy getting taken out late in the eighth still pitching well and very efficiently but TC wanted to make the move and until Carlos Torres imploded in the 13th allowing four Milwaukee runs the bullpen more than did its job. Torres has been off of late, maybe he's being overused but hey if you can't find a way to score a run and just win the game you're gonna burn your bullpen. Goodness knows even with this weekend's series against the crappy Padres just who'll look the most futile.... the Mets with mental and physical mistakes and sometimes just no clue on getting on base may give the Padres a shot.

 

[syam24]

Well, we got 2 out of 3 from the Padres, dropping the middle game to a friend of Matt Harvey's, while managing only two hits. Colon pitched the Mets to a win on Friday nite, and yesterday it was the bullpen coming to the rescue of an ailing Dice K, who only pitched the first inning before wilting due to an upset stomach. Carlos Torres pitched a great 4 innings only giving up one run, Black and Mejia closed it out. Grandy led off for the Mets on Sunday and opened with a homer, and of course, the Mets failed to score from a second and third no out situation, but hung on for the 3-1 victory. On to St Louis, Lets go Mets!!

- - - Updated - - -

On a sad note Hall of Famer, Tony Gwynn has died. RIP to one of the great people and players of his era.

 

[syam24]

Bartolo Colon pitched and hit his way to victory on Wednesday, getting his first hit in a hundred yrs. Well, not quite, but his double allowed EY Jr to double him home as the Mets won 3-2.

Tonite, Zach Wheeler was awesome as he twirled a 3 hit shutout over the Marlins. This is the guy we've been waiting for to mature. Perhaps we are closer now and this will get him on a roll. DWright provided all the offense with a first inning HR. Murph also added a couple of hits. Two in a row, Let's go Mets!!

 

[sonny10305]

So we will see some changes later this week with Travis d'Arnaud returning to our lineup. The move was very good for Travis he is much more comfortable now he felt a lot of his problems were mental, now in Vega he was able to focus in on every at-bat and not thinking about a whole bunch of stuff and Just focusing on one thing plus keeping a solid approach on each and every pitch. He feels that he went away from that and that his concentration is up and able to focus in easier. He feels good he likes where he is mentally now so hopefully that will translate when he returns which should be soon; in fact he was pulled from last nights in the fourth inning and told to get his bag packed cause he is going back to NY he should be here later today and will be active for Today’s game with the Athletics. He has really ben tearin it up in Vegas since he left 2 weeks ago hitting .436 with eight doubles, six homers and 16 RBIs in 15 games. I welcome him back love the way he calls games seriously love it my beef was about his offense so maybe he has figured that out. The big question will be who will be sent down Anthony Recker or Taylor Teagarden. For me it’s a no brainer Recker should stay and let Taylor Teagarden be exposed to waivers. Taylor also has an out if he clears because he has been out righted before. Recker knows our pitchers has a great communication with all of em he also beats Taylor in the offense department putting aide that grand salami last week. Then there is Anthony clubhouse presence a nicer kid you would be hard to find always smiling always upbeat, when he sees you expect a hug cause that what he does. Anthony and wife Kelly will be parents around Christmas

The other change will be in the outfield when Juan Lagares returns from rehab; he played a full game in center field Monday with AA Binghamton and will be activated from the disabled list as soon as Thursday. If you forgot Lagares is on the DL with a strained intercostal muscle on his right side. I am very excited about his return I love that kid he can hit the ball well and oh my goodness can he ever pay the outfield he is just spectacular out there. So who goes when Juan returns; once again for me it’s a no brainer we gotta let Chris Young go he has failed miserably and Sandy Alderson has got to admit that he made a big mistake with Young and make it right by letting him go fuck the money we spent. Cause look at it this way if we gotta pay him anyways just let him go instead of allowing him to muck up the roster with his lousy performance. It was the same thing we had with Jason Bay he had to go and so does Chris Young. I don’t want to see the Mets do something stupid like demoting Nieuwenhuis again he needs to stay here in NY he is big part of our future, we all love what Niesey brings to the team a heck of an outfielder and loved by his teammates cause besides he works hard and a fun guy to have around.But Sandy will prolly get it wrong again after all he can’t admit he messed up again

Speaking of our future we can’t forget my boy Matt den Dekker who is also in Vegas and playing he just had a walk-off three-run homer in the bottom of the 10th

Continuing with my talk about the future I am so proud of L.I Mazzilli who was promoted to St. Lucie and is playing second base. He I moving fast from just a year ago when he played with us in Brooklyn.



Speaking of which the Cyclones are in first place we are 8-3 we had our 6th straight win on Sunday Corey Oswalt another one of pitchers who are playing brilliantly. I am very excited about our pitching

Yeah yeah heard the rumors about Murphy on the trade block AGAIN! Look, if the Mets are foolish enough to let the most reliable hitters on the team they had better be sure we get someone who can more than just fill his shoes I have posted many times about what Murph brings us no need to rehash that but the truth is that right now there are a couple of teams showing interest in Murph but to his credit Alderson has said he won’t be in a hurry to pull that trigger he knows what Daniels worth is to the team and has a real appreciation for Murph who is somebody who is an offensive player has really done some things this year to improve himself. His on-base percentage is much higher than it has been. He goes the other way Heck he sprays that ball all over the park. Alderson has to recognize the fact that Daniel likes to play in New York and of course can play and hit in New York even at big bad Citi Field.
But it is all about the money the Mets may not want to pay Daniel what he will earn which will be in the $7 or $8 million range in his final season of arbitration eligibility or offer him a contract extension, plus he will be a free agent soon. The Mets want to explore his value again and where ever he ends up later this year or next don’t worry about the Murph cause he will thrive wherever he goes bringing not only that hot bat but his infectious personality humor and work ethic. Hopefully he stays a Met it’s what he wants but we are aware that Murph could make for an interesting trade chip although it is unlikely anything will happen before the July 31 non-waiver deadline ;time will tell.



I will be headin down to Pittsburgh this weekend to see the Mets play the Pirates looking forward so much to seeing Ike; more on that when I get back

 

[sonny10305]

So I leave in an hour or so for Pittsburgh for a couple of days just waitin for Dad to get his act together and off we go to watch the Mets and Pirates and of course see Ike Davis. I will be back in Brooklyn in time for Dillon Gees rehab with the Cyclones on Sunday, no way I miss that.

Well d'Arnaud is back while not exactly playing as well as he was in AA at least he feels better his mind is clear and I think he will be ok just give him a day or to. The thing I missed most about Travis is his catching the kid shows me a lot he is very talented and makes up for his offense quite a bit behind the dish. He calls a great game an few can frame his glove in a way as he can I mean how many times has he moved his glove just right to turn the umps calls from a ball to a strike, now that’s talent. Of course we also have to remember he is a very important part of our future

While we continue to wait and watch if the Mets do anything before the trade deadline the latest on Murph is that yes there is interest from other teams but the Mets seem to be breaking away from the idea of trading him. The Mets really like Murphy and are of course well aware that he is a fan favorite. Proof of his popularity came in April on Daniels birthday when the crowd sang Happy Birthday to him when he came out on the field. I mean, come on, how often do you see that kind of love for a player. So what could happen? Well he is a free agent after 2015 so the Mets could buy out that last arbitration year and offer him a long term extension which I something Murph would very much like to happen. Remember I said they could which does not mean they will but at least now both sides are interested in the idea. So we will just have to see how it shakes out.

And after two strong offensive games the Mets have gone back to their old ways; who saw that coming
But one thing I noticed as I am sure you have is that the doubles have continued which are very important for one thing they score runners from first; as to the homers which has been missing the last couple of days is I don’t see the guys hitting the ball level getting under the ball as much which they had been so they can get back to more of that more balls are gonna leave the park.

After I bashed Chris Young the other day and wished him gone he sure did come to life and really began contributing which made me really excited to see, Boy oh boy if he can keep that up how sweet would it be. Of course Terry Collins continues to baffle me with I line ups; after Chris had played in two outstanding offensive games Terry pulled him on day three for Bobby Obreu, WHAT! I need to remind Collins of his philosophy of staying “with a hot hand”. Look, no one knows better than me how fickle Chris is at the plate but he was brought here to be an everyday player and give us powers so finally he dos that in back to back to back games and Terry pulls him, I just don’t get it, I also worry about what it does for Young’s confidence. Collins is as inconsistent as a manger as Zack Wheeler is a pitcher. Oops did I say that out loud? Sorry Zack.

I was happy with the move we made for Lagares return I worried they might send Nieuwenhuis down, Flores was the right choice even though it leave us weakened in the short stop position I prefer a strong bench which we now have. You should know that if needed him Campbell can play short he has not had a lot of experience there but he can fill in if we need him but it is unlikely. It comes back to the Mets cutting Turner who was an outstanding short stop but we lost him in what was a very bad move on the part of the Mets. No worries about Justin he is very very happy with the Dodgers.

Talk to you guys when I get back from Pittsburgh I will also report on how Gee does with his start with the Cyclone in Brooklyn on Sunday

 

[Sausy]

Sonny, I get so excited about our Mets for a day or two then they do what they've been doing lately. Ike at least had a couple of RBI on a single yesterday...some good/ great pitching performances though Dice K was shaky the other day and after some very good outings Bartolo Colon was lousy yesterday. And wtf with Zack Wheeler... complete game one start to complete mess the next! Great relief for the most part... Jeurys Familia is getting incredible as a late inning relief staple and Jennry Mejia seems to have the great inner toughness to do well as closer. He definitely doesn't back down when things get tough. We still don't consistently hit enough and yesterday in the Colon game we left what, 11 men on base? Sheesh.

Campbell really seems to be a nice player, pretty versatile and a good, smart hitter. Glad Kirk Nieuwenhuis is staying around too.
It is kind of frustrating with the lineups but Terry Collins indicated before he will rotate the outfielders and someone will occasionally be unhappy getting benched. Young has been much better but I don't trust him THAT much.

Hopefully everything goes okay with DWright's non throwing shoulder exam today as he was preliminarily diagnosed with a rotator cuff strain in that shoulder. Definitely looking forward to sonny's comments especially his visit with Ike in Pittsburgh over the weekend!

 

[sonny10305]

Saucy, I love Pittsburgh such a great city and you have to love the fans who are so supportive of the team, In fact both games I attended Friday and Saturday it looked like the park was full a huge turnout to support those Pirates and you just have to love and respect that.



Yup the fans are big fans, on a run early Saturday morning over one of the many many beautiful bridges we were greeted from people we passed by with shout outs to Ike and even early on the morning they are wearing the team colors just awesome. Got to meet Pedro Alvarez l asked him if he wanted to come to the Mets I think you prolly know what his response to that was; let me just say there was a lot of, I don’t think so, laughter from him and Ike.
I was reminded of how happy an relaxed Ike is now been a while since I have seen him look and feel better. He is improving his offense now hitting .245 as of yesterday



I had the whole weekend off form the Cyclones but I returned to Brooklyn yesterday to catch Dillon Gee who played with us in a rehab game on Sunday the good news was he said he felt absolutely no pain after he pitched. He went two full innings and started the third where he struck out six and allowed one run. The run came cause the first four batters he faced reach base all in the first inning, but then he struck out the next two hitters and did what he does by getting the batter to hit a ground out. He settled in after that got his control, what he brought with him as well was his slider and changeup which were effective. So it broke down to six strikeouts, four hits allowed and one walk I counted 55 pitches I think it was 35 for strikes. I asked about his fastball and was told it reached a tad over 90 mph pretty much sitting at 91. He was a little nervous which may be part of the reason for his struggles to command that fastball early on. He is thinkin he will make one more rehab start and then should be ready to come back about July 10; later today Dillon will talk with the Mets' medical staff about what is next. Dillon is a great guy he has spent a generous amount of his time talking to me about pitching even attended a game I pitched on Long Island two years ago and then hung out with the players talking baseball. It was a great day in Brooklyn any time one of the Mets come by it always draws a good crowd we had almost 7500 people on Sunday.




So it’s off to Atlanta for the boys now and those irritating obnoxious Braves fans and that chop chop and chanting, man oh man is that ever getting old. Dwight going to the Hospital today hopefully the news will continue to be good and David can head down to Atlanta later today and be ok to get back in the lineup, we are facing two lefties the first two games and with David bating like .480 against left-handed pitching we could sure use him back. Of course Murphy has become quite the lefty killer as well.

 

[syam24]

Well, certainly a disheartening loss last nite to the Braves as Familia and the defense let the Mets down in the 8th inning. The Mets led 3-1 going to the bottom of the eighth and Familia gave up a couple of hits, threw away a double play grounder and had two other errors committed behind him as the Braves scored 4 to beat the Mets 5-3. Zach Wheeler pitched well and left with the lead, but came away with a no decision. THe Mets didn't hit after the third inning either which didn't help matters. Another try tonite, lets go Mets!!

 

[Sausy]

Yeah sonny the area around the stadium is gorgeous and the stadium itself is a great place to play.. wish the atmosphere was as fun and positive at Citi Field. Ike definitely is in a better place for him to just focus on becoming the player we know he can be, and it must have been great for him to have you around for support. Funny story about Pedro Alvarez!

Glad Dillon Gee is coming along well and almost ready to rejoin the club. He's been doing so well and the quality depth he provides definitely will help in the second half. At least with the agita the Mets provide all too often, you have your Brooklyn Cyclone duties to keep you busy, as well as supporting some of these young guys who may hopefully make a big impact on the Mets whether playing or as trade depth for the future .

Yep, syam that was a tough game last night. Zack Wheeler still had some command issues but bounced back very nicely from his last start lasting just two innings and giving up six runs. Zack went six and a third innings allowing just one run on four hits, though he did give up five walks. The thing he has got to do to become the top notch starter so many believe he is capable of is getting consistent command therefore being more efficient with his pitches. Last night though Zack showed a lot of mental toughness and did not break when he had control issues and that in itself shows good character and temperament.

Jeurys Familia weith that horrible throw to Tejada, Juan Lagares overrunning that single up the middle and Erc Campbell's misplay at third were very unfortunate errors that turned the game around for Pittsburgh as they won 5-3. That's something you just have to put behind you and try not to make those mistakes again. The better teams don't beat themselves, pure and simple and the Mets have to do a much better job to avoid these kinds of losses.

 

[Sausy]

I'm just barely able to keep my mouth shut but I'm just sick of the losses. Dice K was disappointing again and there just was no offense tonight... at least we had homers by Granderson and Murphy Tuesday night but not enough in a 5-4 loss. Now tonight Jake de Grom was okay but no offense at all. Relief has been outstanding particularly the great effort Tuesday by Carlos Torres going three scoreless innings. What we have going into the Mets return to Citi Field Friday( which probably depends on how much the weather is affected by Hurricane Arthur just off the Atlantic coast) is a three game tomahawk chop sweep by the Braves at Turner. Now 11 games under .500, in a division that's not very good and there for the taking... except we show little desire to do anything about it.

I'm also seeing that the Mets are very disappointed at the regression of coming into the season top minor league prospect Noah Syndegaard who after a few early successes had arm/ elbow scares and has just not pitched effectively. Goes with other top prospect Rafael Montero hurting a side muscle and being out currently after getting off as well to a slow start... both starting the season at AAA Las Vegas. Jacob de Grom has generally pitched well since being called up from Las Vegas a few weeks back., which at least is one positive to take as we soon head into the All Star break.

It looks though like again a lost season, as the Mets bats are very inconsistent and the problem of hitting with men on base continues to plague this club. Mistakes at the wrong time too... this club cannot afford to make the errors it does not being able to generate a consistent run cushion for their improved and largely positive pitching staff. Sandy Alserson says the Mets don't plan to be sellers at the All Star Break and I wouldn't want to give up a valuable lefty like Jon Niese but hell we need offense from somewhere, and with Dillon Gee coming back soon as Sonny wrote about it's got to start somewhere. I want this season to be the last one we wind up being around and below the bottom 10 records... management says it can spend more if there are more revenues generated at the gate by increased fan attendance but the way our boys play too often people just aren't going to come and support the team. They don't believe in the team or management and especially ownership... it's so sad as we see the pics Sonny put up with the fans in Pittsburgh boisterous, loyal and proud. That's a real middle market but the attitude of the fans and club is what should be prevalent in this market.

I heard Ike Davis had the game winner for Pittsburgh on Tuesday night and I know sonny is thrilled about it, as are all of us who wanted Ike to do well and had enjoyed his personality and talents on the field. Sad he couldn't make things work here but hope Pittsburgh has his back and he does well there. He's one of sonny's favorites for a great reason and deserves to have a long and successful run there.

 

[sonny10305]

Saucy I feel your pain of course love when ya tell it like it is as only you can
At least the pithing remains good, I don’t recall if I mentioned I had met deGrom last week at Citi and went out to get some food with him and a couple of the boys Jacobs cute and sweet fiancé came along as well. He is a real nice kid good head on his shoulders. I have more faith in him then I do with Wheeler. I think next year it could be Harvey and deGrom not Wheeler who lead the pack with Gee and Niese, hopefully Dice K will be gone and not Colon. What I am most impressed about Jacob is his command; he seems to be very good at keep it down along with a mean two seamer which moves nicely. He also has his off speed stuff working a lot especially his changeup. What he talked about was he wants to be able to command his curve ball and get I over for strikes and then use his slider to finish em off What you notice right off is that he does not take himself too seriously just wants to win he just does not em to let anything rattle him even when he gets in trouble out there he just stays very focused.

As to Ike, well….. you know he is my boy he has got his batting average up to .247 after that RBI single the other night started a three-run rally in the ninth inning that won the game over the D-backs.

DWright not in the lineup tonight so are we talking DL? Waitin for Terry to speak about what’s up with David stay tuned to SNY.

Lineup Young, Granderson, Murphy, Abreu, Duda, Campbell, Arnaud, Tejada, Niese

 

[syam24]

Well, glad to see the Mets hang on to one for a change, even thought their porous defense allowed the Rangers to tie the game at 4. D'Arnaud came thru with a nice two run double to give the MEts a two run cushion that they held onto. Unlucky Jon Niese left early after getting a liner into his side/back in the first inning. At least the news is positive so far, that it is only a bruise. I was almost counting last nite as a loss prior to the game, with having to go up agoinst Yu Darnish, but our Mets hit him early for 3 in the first and continues on from there. Hopefully, DWright will return to the lineup today, with better weather, we certainly miss him for defense, let alone offense. Campbell did contribute 3 hits, but he is shakey at third. Lets go Mets!!

 

[sonny10305]

Daniel Murphy will be the Mets' lone representative at the All-Star Game on July 15.



I first got the call around 7 last night and when I heard the great news and a smile came on my face, it’s still there I can’t make it go away I am so proud of my boy not only of the achievement but the way he expressed his gratitude to the press calling it humbling and giving thanks to the guys who helped him get there like Tuf and JT. I know Justin Turner was moved his Daniels comments as was all of us who love and respect him. Nice of Alderson to be in Collins office and shared the news with Collins after yesterday’s game.

Speaking of Tim Teufel happy 56th birthday today,

Daniel Murphy to the press, "I am humbled, thanks to Tim Teufel and Justin Turner for all the help”

 

[syam24]

Congratulations certainly in order for Murph for his All Star selection, well earned, he's help keep the Mets afloat in this already long season. The Mets did take 2 of 3 from Texas, so a pretty good weekend. If Colon hadn't given up 4 in the first on Saturday, who knows what might have been. Great first inning by the Mets on Sunday getting a quick 5 spot aided by Reckers' 3 run bomb. Wheeler was effective again, showing some maturity is coming to his game. The hard part for us Mets fans is allowing the players to mature in their own time, not ours. Most of the maturation process used to be done at the AAA level, but now it's more of a get 'em to the majors and produce now, so I don't have to pay big bucks to a veteran. Poor Jon Niese can't buy a break, hopefully the rest will give his shoulder a chance to strengthen for a solid second half. His record should be better, but the Mets have provided little offensive support when he pitched. Well the Braves are in town, time to turn the tables on them after the Mets horrible visit to Atlanta, Let's go Mets!!