unfortunately my post from a month ago is as true tonight as it was then:
1. Jose Reyes' disappearance in big games. The fact that he is hands down the best player on the Mets 9 nights out of 10 makes his lack of production in big names that much more noticeable. Beyond what you saw over this weekend series with Yankees, we can look at last year's series with Yankees (6 games, 5-24 = .208 avg), last year's playoffs (10 games, .250 avg, .298 OBP), and last year against Red Sox (3 games, 1-13 = .077 avg). Somehow he has got to find a way to be more of a factor in big game series.
Apparently tonight's game was not that night. At least Sosa shut stuff down, one of the best performances by any Met this season.
7 comments:
And if you're just looking at a box score, you're getting the best face on Jose's night. Off balance upper cut pop-ups early in counts; weak dribblers; no plan at the plate. An ugly, ugly night for Josie.
That said, he made a brilliant play in the bottom of the first to keep the game tied. In fact there were 3 gems tonight for the Mets in the field.
I think he's pushing himself to drive up HR count - or if not, certainly extra bases. I think it's great if he purposefully tries to swing for extra base damage on a count where he is pretty confident he's getting a straight fastball or other pitch he can really turn on. But to use that stupid uppercut swing in counts where he has no idea what's coming, only results in the BS pop flys he seems to make out after out these days. Straighten out your swing Jose, slap a single like Ichiro, and then do what you do best - unnerve the pitcher and steal bases.
Willie - PUT LO DUCA BACK IN #2 SPOT!!! Here's another reason - besides Reyes - to put Lo Duca in 2 spot. He's the only guy consistently getting on base these days. With delgado and wright launching bombs, might as well get something for it. The mets have racked up more 1 R HRs than i can even count. They are worthless. Let's get some runners on base to make those jacks really hurt.
BTW, you'll notice red sox had no problems solving the "dominant" dbacks pitching last night. 10-3 whipping.
It is REALLY critical that Jose get going in first inning today. Apparently much like Glavine, Bonderman is at his weakest only in first inning. If you can't get to him then, good luck.
Jeremy Bonderman hasn't lost since the second week of last September. If he can get his first-inning problems under control, opposing hitters may really be in trouble.
Bonderman (5-0, 3.27 ERA) looks to win his sixth consecutive start...
The 24-year-old right-hander is unbeaten this season...despite struggling mightily in the first inning. Bonderman has compiled a 12.60 ERA in the opening frame, with a .388 opponent batting average and four home runs allowed. In all other innings, he has a 1.61 ERA, a .197 opponent batting average and has yielded only one homer.
While I see your point on LoDuca in the 2 slot, I'm not as adamant about it. He's pretty effective in the 6 slot as well.
Gomez has a bunt hit in 2 straight games. Man can that guy fly. He made that 3rd Mets run out of nothing. Bunt single. 1st to 3rd on Beltran's single, on a hit that Keith (I think) pointed out most runners wouldn't have advanced on. Gomez didn't even draw a throw. Then he scored on Delgado's fly to shallow CF. So he left half a beat early. That's not the point.
i think lo duca is effective wherever you stick him in lineup, but i think mets total RBIs will drop with him out of 2 slot. i don't think mets have another guy - right now - that is as useful in 2 as lo duca.
with the way wright is hitting and beltran is not, i might even go reyes - lo duca - wright - delgado - beltran.. or swap 4 and 5. but this way i think you maximize RBI potential.
reyes says gomez is faster than him, although others say close but not quite. either way, we have a lot of speed in our lineup of next few years. reyes, chavez, gomez, wright, beltran.
I was worried that mota might not be good this year. it seems like a lot of guys have a down year the year after they come off the juice. between mota and sanchez, we really could've used one of them, especially without bradford.
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