"Home-Run... but wait, check the replay"

Imagine Jack Buck's memorable call of Kirk Gibson's walk- off home run in the 1988 World Series to end with...but wait, let's check the replay. How about Bobby Thompson's memorable blast, or Hank Aaron's record breaker? I know none of these home-run's were close calls, but the fact that instant replay is rearing its ugly head into MLB could cause future moments to be a tad less special in history. IR is a complete injustice and, in my opinion, should be appealed and overturned. Once it is in, it will change the length of the game and the purity of the game. You see, they say it will only be for home runs but do they really expect us to believe this non-sense? It is only a matter of time when they will start using it for plays at the plate... 'traps' in the outfield...tags on stealing runners.. pick-off plays at first... balks... check swings... running in the baseline....etc... Then they will say that if the umpire is blocked on a certain play, they'll resort to instant replay. There are SO many things that IR can be used for in baseball (probably more than any sport around), and the day is coming where there will be too many plays it will be used for during a game that they deem as crucial in nature or plays of the game that are pivotal. Here is an idea: If they 'say' they only want to use IR for home-runs, then employ additional umpires for regular season games as they do for playoff and world series games. The cost for MLB to install IR cameras in each ball park, then hire the staff to manage the IR in the 'home office', not to mention all of the soft dollar costs that will be incurred by just managing the system. They would be hard pressed to say adding a few more umpires per game would be more expensive than installing IR in each ballpark in the majors. I am a purist. There is no room for this in the game today, and I hope that the powers that be would reconsider such an idea. Jeffrey Maier, where are you now??

BRAVE THE EIGHTH

Coming into tonight's game, the Mets lost 7 of 9 to the Bravos this year and going into the 8th inning with the Mets down 3-2, Carlos Delgado (0 for his last 12) stood in with the sacks drunk. The Mets are batting under .100 with the based loaded this year, and with a slumping batter at the plate with one out the Mets' chances looked bleak at best. But Carlos brought back his July swing to drive in two and Easley traced a single into center to drive in another two; Mets win! Kudos to Luis Ayala making his Mets debut coming in and responding to a crucial part of the game. With the Braves up 3-2 and runners on first and third with only one out, Kuodos was able to get two pop outs to conclude the inning with no harm done. You have to go back A WHILE to find when a Mets play-pen pitcher ended a code-red situation with no runs allowed. Now, what is going to happen about Wagner? With him out indefinitely, I hope that John Maine does not move to the pen. We need to keep our rotation at 5, and let the pen work itself out. They have been better.............not ok by any stretch of the imagination..........but better. I personally think that if Wagner is deemed out for the rest of the regular season, there will be no regular closer. Jerry needs to keep the pitching/closing open by the game situation at the time. Only time will tell. I think the Mets magic is back folks... they are finding ways to win. Much sweeter as it happened against the Braves.

'TEN'-sion

After a great week in our nation's capital that saw the Mets sweep the Nationals in powerful form, Mike Pelfrey picked up the quiet bats last night by pitching 7 strong innings while the play-pen (they have not convinced me yet) picked up the save in a nail-biter getting the Mets to 10 games above .500 for the first time in 2008. Around certain circles you hear that the Mets three game sweep was due to the fact that they were playing the basement dwelling Nationals, and now they're playing the lowly Pirates. Well, these are the games contenders are supposed to win. Three months ago, you could not say that the Mets would have performed nearly as well as they have in the past week against teams below .500. In fact, their to date numbers support that statement. The Mets have a losing record against losing teams this year, but the tide has begun to turn in their favor. Unfortunately, it sounds as if Billy Wagner will not re-join the team on Monday as reports have surfaced indicating that his elbow is hurting him. Not good news. The Mets need to showcase Kunz sometime in the next 2-3 games against the Pirates, as who knows how long Billy will be lost for. I predict that the Mets will win 3 of 4 in Pittsburgh, sweep the Braves and win 2 of 3 at home against Houston. By the end of next week, I see the Mets ahead in the east by 4-5 games and there will be no looking back from there. If the Mets pitching stays healthy and certain pitchers avoid the proverbial end of season 'wall', then the Mets will win this division going away.

The PLAY-Pen

Ladies and gentlemen, pick your poison. The NY Mets version of the bullpen, or as I like the call it the bull-(enter expletive) pen, were responsible for yet another defeat that was pulled from the jaws of victory against the Pirates today. After a fair series against the Marlins this weekend, in which the Mets took 2 of 3 and seemed to find somewhat of a rhythm, the pen came out today and ruined a 5-1 lead giving up 6 runs to the HAPLESS Pirates, at home, within 3 innings. Are you absolutely kidding me? If you said these guys are in a slump, you would too kind in your assertion. This is a disaster that is about the ruin a season that was full of promise. It seems as if the offense turned the corner, the starting pitching had found itself but the unit that is required to be successful if there is any chance of a post-season birth is still stuck in April or, better yet, in Port St. Lucie. This is a unit that has blown 6, count them, 6 imminent victories for the multi-million dollar savior, Johan Santana. Johan has been civil in his interviews, but you know deep down inside he, along with the rest of rotation, is becoming un-glued; how could anyone not?

This is a results driven league. You give professionals a chance to work themselves out of a 'funk', but this is much more dangerous than just a funk. This is absurdity. At this point, you need results. Bring up the minor leaguers and drop a good portion of these guys down. Why was Kunz brought up if we are not going to use him? Please don't use the excuse that the game situations were not 'prime' for his arm. If he was not ready, he would not be up there.

It is time for a big change in the pen. How can anyone argue with that? Either you change the pen by using more of the guys from Binghamton and such (hey, if it works for Murphy and Evans (to a degree), then why can't it work for Stokes, Kunz or others?) or you shove your 100 pitch count and let the starters go one extra inning. Its now or never. This defeat was too glaring to overlook and the Mets brass need to make some quick and tough decisions.

The Pirates...... The PIRATES.

WRIGHT THE SHIP!

David Wright made amends for his tumultuous Padres series with a strong 3 for 5 day at the plate, and a walk-off two run home run in the bottom of the ninth that won the game (5-3) and the series for the Mets.

The home run overshadowed another failed attempt by the Mets, specifically the bullpen, to hold a lead for their ace. No run support and no HEART by the bullpen.... again. Yes, I now question the HEART of the so called bullpen. It is tragic at best, and I know that we have a good number of games left, but in order to take advantage of those games, something needs to wake these guys up. I don't want to hear about Wagner's injury. An injury is an opportunity for someone, but it appears no one wants to step to the plate and claim their territory. Today's home run was a band aid that will cover a very deep problem that could resurface in a very important upcoming series. Those boys in the pen need to do the cliff notes version of soul searching.

Beltran woke up from his nap with a 3 for 4 day at the plate, and Daniel Murphy is shaping up to be the surprise of the year (not including Delgado's resurgence).... I'm telling ya Mets fans, enjoy watching the next coming of NAILS!

On a side note... I want to hang myself when I turn on the television and see Brett Favre everywhere. Last time I checked, Brett Favre did not sit at the right hand of God and has not brokered world peace; so what is ALL of the fuss? Is this REALLY that important.. or as important as the media is making this?? And the media is disrespecting Joe Namath by calling Brett 'Broadway Brett'.... There is only one Broadway.... maybe call him Fulton St. Favre or Cross Bronx Brett... leave Broadway to the venerable Namath.

WRONG!

David was far from 'Wright' tonight, and for that matter so was the NY offense. I was right about the score (4-2) and right about Martinez having to pitch late (the first time he's pitched into the 7th in his last 11 starts), but wrong about having the Mets in the win column. The fight that this club showed during the 10 game win streak is slowly dissipating, and I'm not quite sure where it went wrong.

It is rare to see All-Star David Wright (the unofficial captain of the team) make two bone-head base running mistakes in consecutive games (if you have not seen them yet, just go to a little league baseball game this weekend) and one crucial error that, for the most part, cost them the game. Since the All-Star break, David has not looked strong at the plate at all. David is at his best when he works the pitcher deep into the count. When David is off, he swings at the first pitch regularly and that is what he has been doing for a couple of weeks now. Remember that old little league baseball lesson that coaches used to preach? 'I'll take aggressive mistakes all day, but I don't want mental mistakes'. Wright needs to think back to those days right about now.

David Murphy is a silver lining right now, and his aggressive play is making him a fan favorite already. He reminds me of Lenny Dykstra.... the kid is going to be good. When Chavez's contract is up, Murphy will be the Mets right fielder. Stay tuned on him. Not much more to say about this one. Phillies win 5-0 against the fish which puts the Mets back to three games out! Santana on the hill tomorrow: Mets 6-Padres-2. Wright fields a ball in play.

FERNAN-DUECE!!

Without the man to the left, Fernando Tatis, the Mets would have been scratching their heads, again, after a game against the Padres. Tatis, who the Mets organization had shown confidence in by not making a move at the deadline, has repaid the vote of confidence to the tune of TWO home-runs and four rib eye steaks last night vaulting the Mets to a 6-5 victory. The Mets still did not look solid offensively at all, but Tatis did his part and put the rest of the guys on his shoulders.

Aaron Heilman could not get the job done....again, and with a 6-2 lead going into the ninth, Heilman gave up a 3 run home run and forced Manuel to save by committee...again. Billy Wagner's stint on the DL is going to make a save situation dicey over these next two weeks. I wondered why, with a 6-2 lead, they did not throw in Kunz to get the job done. He could possibly be the next save specialist with Sanchez hitting the wall a month ago and with Heilman being consistently inconsistent.

Not a bad game, not a great game...but a win nonetheless. Pedro takes the bump tonight and with the pen in disarray, Martinez needs to go deep tonight in order for the Mets to even think about a sweep in this series... At this point, with how asleep the bats are...i'll take only 2 games out of first place with the Marlins in for a make or break series this weekend.

Too bad for Joba across the way in the Bronx. If I listen to what I am NOT hearing, Dr. Andrews equates to 'the knife'... see you next year Yankeees. Start rooting for the Mets.

Prediction for tonight's game: Mets: 4 Padres:3... Kunz saves the ninth. Delgado and Wright homer, but the bats remain quiet for the most part.

'Houston... We Have A Problem'

Is it me, or is Houston just a bad place for the NY Mets (1986 notwithstanding)? Or, better yet, is Randy Wolf really Mike Scott in 'Wolf's' clothing?? Wolf has beaten the Mets in four straight starts with four different teams. The Mets just cannot capitalize against this guy, and could not afford to make the mistakes they made against him while looking to get out of Houston with, at least, one win.

Let me start with this.... get rid of Nick Evans. Is it also just me, or does this guy look like a timid 8th grader coming up to bat in his little league All-Star game against a pitcher who has struck out 15 straight batters on 45 pitches??? He is miserable and I almost put my foot through the television yesterday when he went down looking in consecutive at bats and did not swing at SEVEN consecutive pitches... SEVEN!!!. I would like for someone to do some research to find out if someone has been caught looking in consecutive at bats without swinging at ONE pitch. I think I did.... In FOURTH grade!! His misplay in the field cost the Mets two runs yesterday as well. Time to go, Nick... come back when you want to play.

Now, Evans was not nearly the root of all problems this weekend and this was the first time the Mets have been swept in a series in the post Randolph era. Backup catcher Robinson Cancel made a veteran like play to bunt in the 3rd inning when spotting Ty Wiggington deep at third, but reversed his cause when he attempted to steal third with two outs, and a 2-1 count with Wright at the plate. As Manuel poignantly put it, a 'brain-dead' play. The malaise was felt through the television.

Ollie could not get the job done, but his fielders did not help him that much either (Nick Evans). Ollie has been grand since Petersen's departure, so we cant give him too much grief at all. I guess the silver lining to yesterdays game was that Delgado went 3 for 4 and Beltran looked good in the #2 slot... although I'm not sure how much of a fan I am of that move because it makes the bottom of the lineup very weak... I think Jerry should change it back. Granted, the move was made to get Beltran going...but as hot as Delgado is, Beltran will see many more pitches batting behind him.

Well, the Mets desperately need this day off to re-group and realize that with only51 games left (I don't care who is injured or not) the margin for error has shrunk considerably. San Diego comes into town, and the last series the Mets were swept (prior to this weekend) were at the hands of these very Pads. Oh brother... what is in store for us this week?? Here's hoping we see Binghamton pitching phenom Eddie Kunz this week. With Wagner going on the DL, we might get a whiff (no pun intended) of the Mets future closer. Here's to not needing him in the 9th, however.

Juiced at Minute Maid

I kept saying it time and time again last week after the Mets lost a grudge match at home to St. Louis 10-8 in 15 innings. The Mets used their entire bullpen in that game, and did not have ANY pitchers left at the end. Aaron Heilman was left holding the bag for 50+ pitches, when he is used to only 20+ per game... MAYBE! I kept saying that this game is going to haunt them over the next two weeks because of the over-use of that bullpen that day. It was truly out of their control because, with Pedro Martinez on bereavement leave, the Mets had to use journeyman Brandon Knight and he could not survive for more than four innings after giving up 4 runs in the top of the first. Situational baseball forced Manuel to go through relievers quickly, and it has caught up with them.

Since that game, the Mets are 2-4 with the pen blowing each of the four games. They have now slipped to third place in the NL East; the first time since early July. Here is where I don't agree with the 100 pitch benchmark that managers pay closer attention to than their own schedules. Back in the day, I remember Doc Gooden (as well as many other pitchers for various teams) going 10 or 11 innings to close out a game if they were 'on' that day WELL WELL WELL above 100 pitches. The game has not changed, still 9 innings, still 27 outs, still the same distance from the bump to the plate. What has changed is the perception of this game and the value of the arms on the mound. Maybe an extra playoff series has put managers on the cautious side with their pitching staff, but in order to get to the playoffs you need to ride the multi million dollar train in the regular season. Santana has been pulled out, now, THREE times too early this year and EACH time the Mets have coughed up the victory and were up by 3+ runs in each of the tilts. EACH time, Santana was in control and the opposition could not figure it out. Santana threw 103 pitches last night.... and was pitching a 3 hitter when he was pulled. At least get through the 8th and bring Wagner into the 9th. Granted, Wagner blew it last night, but I think the Astros' confidence cranked up a notch after knowing that the quivering Mets' bullpen would have to save the game. As the Mets' knees quivered, the 'Stros' got stronger.

Was July an aberration? Have the Mets been exposed? Will they rebound back to the top? Will Oliver Perez be the stopper the Mets have come to expect from him in recent weeks? The Mets cannot afford to lose today's game and get swept by the Astros or the July momentum will be lost and possibly lost for a long while.

What will happen? Stay tuned! Same Mets time.. Same Mets channel.