So would you have signed up for 3-3 against the Diamondbacks and Dodgers at the start of last week's road trip? Believe it. That's as good as it gets for the Mets, who have not been a consistent team 32 games into this season.
I don't obsesses about the standings this early, but I did happen to notice this morning that the Mets are in fourth place (17-15) and two games behind the NL East-leading Marlins. As weird as that seems, the Yankees already are 4.5 games in back of the Red Sox, the Mariners -- a trendy preseason pick -- are 8 games off the pace in the AL West and the Padres trail by 11 games in the NL East.
Which brings us to these next seven games against the Reds and Nationals this week at Shea. I know the trip to Arizona and LA was supposed to be a measuring stick for the Mets -- the NL's top teams, West Coast, different time zones, etc., etc. That's all fine, and they survived it. But if the Mets consider themselves to be an elite club, then they have to pound last-place clubs like Cincy (14-21) and DC (15-20). Especially at home. No more embarrassments like that April 30 mail-in job to the Pirates. Please.
As for today's Mets Insider, check out how Aaron Heilman is handling his demotion to middle relief now that he's lost his set-up job to Duaner Sanchez. Also in the Insider, it seems that Jeff Keppinger is one of the few bright spots for the Reds this season. Go figure. The Mets bailed on him after he shattered his kneecap playing for Triple-A Norfolk (remember the Tides?) and shipped him to the Royals for Ruben Gotay, who, as we all know, is now in Atlanta.
Comments (8)
I'll settle for 3-3 (I expected 2-4). I expect 5-2 this week at Shea. The goal is to make the playoffs so I agree that it isn't worth it to obsess about the standings because they are well within range. BUT they really should be in 1st place and have been underachieving so far. Keep Heilman where he is, no pressure situations, let him build up his numbers and then trade him when he has more value. I always liked Keppinger, but couldn't argue about Gotay with his success. Never could understand releasing Gotay which transcends into why did they sign Castillo for 4 years?
Mets are in good shape in the standings especially when you consider the injuries and where the Phils are too. If Pedro comes back healthy Santana, Maine, Pedro, Pelfrey, and Perez as a fifth starter is still a pretty good rotation and the bullpen is reminding me of two/three years ago.
The major problem is our lineup and WIllie's continual shuffling of Church between the 2, 5, and 6 spots. David what do you think of leaving Church at 2, moving Beltran to 3rd and hitting Wright 4th with Alou 5th. Can't pitch around Beltran there, still have some speed at the top of the order and some power in the middle of the lineup.You are also assuring your hottest hitter Chuch more at bats. And don't tell me Castillo is the more patient hitter and doesn't strike out as much as Church, he has failed to make contact or even lay down a good bunt since he came back from the injury. Until he is healthy, he shouldn't be hitting 2nd.
Also, you've gotta note that the Mets have had a substantially harder schedule than their competition thus far..Not only have they faced all the elite NL teams, but they have seen all the top pitchers as well: Smoltz (2), Hudson (2), Hamels, Sheets, Zambrano, Snell, Webb, Haren, and Penney. Meanwhile Philly has been able to fatten up on the Padres, and Giants. So considering the teams and pitchers the Mets have faced thus far, they are in a pretty good spot. As long as they can hold their own vs. the better team, and have your way with the lesser teams, the Mets will be alright.
As for the first poster, Heilman is going nowhere. On a team where you can't always count on starters to go more than 6, having a good bullpen is key. When Heilman has got his head on right, he is a fantastic set-up man. Not to mention that historically, he performs much better post All-Star break.
Ravi - Heilman will be going somewhere because as soon as he is a free agent he will jump at the chance to start. So lets fatten those stats and trade him for some value.
Never understood getting rid of Gotay or Keppinger. Castillo is old, worn out, and passionless. Gotay had heart - and was never given a chance to be an everyday player (look at Church who was supposed to be a platoon player this year).
Heilman is a joke. He'll never be a starter, he has two pitches, and once hitters see him once or twice in a game, they are going to crush him the third time around. he can barely keep it together now (or last year, or the year before) when he pitches frequently. Humber was the better of those two
Gomez hits for the cycle - Santana had better stay healthy. Right now he's worth it, but one injury...this team is done
Is tonight's game going to happen or will they cancel? I don't see how they can play.
Hey, Knicks4Life, as much as your proposed batting order makes sense, Willie will never make his 3-4-5 Beltran-Wright-Alou. Willie seems fixated on never having two hitters who swing from the same side of the plate hit back-to-back in the batting order. Never mind that both Wright and Alou, historically, have hit well against righthanders.
ML managers never seem to offer creating solutions, they always just follow the conventional approach. It makes me pine for the days of Bobby Valentine, who always knew how to use his players, and adds to my admiration of Tony LaRussa, who sometimes bats his pitcher #8 in the order so he can get more speed on the bases at the top of the order.
Willie, I guess, is a product of Joe Torre, always managing strictly by the book.
@ Mikey. Why all the hate for Heilman and Castillo. I don't think Castillo is passionless just hurt. Once he is healthy again I think he'll be a valuable part of the lineup and especially in the field at 2nd. I def agree with you though that releasing Gotay when Castillo was hurt made absolutely no sense whatsoever.
Heilman is struggling big time now but I think the big difference between him and Delgado is that Delgado is just done and won't adjust his game to make up for the defencies that time is doing to his body. How anyone can't hit around that shift they do to him is pretty embarrasing considering its been almost a full year now. Heilman has let it be known he wanted to start, but he didn't pout, he has been very good since then up until his recent struggles. Can't trade away good relief help during our 2 year championship window. It's not like we are building for the future. and need young pieces.