Rain Delay & A Little Vino

I’ve figured out how to neutralize my emotions during the game. It’s a rather old technique but I found that having a few (maybe four) glasses of a little vino (Cabernet) helps take the edge off. While Pedro served up an early 3-0 lead, thanks to LoDuca’s throwing error (hey, he had to feel part of the team, right?) I was surprisingly at ease. Typically I get aggravated if Reyes goes 0-1 in the count so this state-of-mind is quite refreshing and a welcomed retreat from my usual manic behavior often experienced during critical games. My only hope is that is lasts through the rain delay and longer because as we all know, the bull pen is going to rear its evil head before this one is over.

So let's see...10 straight games...that's a lot of vino...

Disclaimer: If you're under 21, drink Vitamin Water.

Hardly Amazing

The Amazing Mets have been anything but this season. In fact, the only thing that has been amazing is that they’re still in first place, although that mirage will soon be exposed and the Mets will be the chasers rather than the leaders. And I guess I’m starting to welcome that notion because it appears that nothing else will motivate this team to win ball games. This season has been so remarkably boring that I, as a beaten down die-hard fan, would welcome that kind of adversity just to see how this team will respond.

Will they actually be able to pick themselves off the mat and rise to the occasion? Will Carlos Delagado find his once-fearsome stroke? Will Carlos Beltran finally be the elite player we all assumed he would be? Will the young stars, Reyes and Wright, carry this team into the Promised Land or will they fold under the enormous pressure of what would be a monumental collapse?

This team has been so uninspiring all year long that it just might take a shocking role reversal into second or third place in order to wake them up. How else can you explain two straight inexcusable losses to the lowly Florida Marlins at a time when you can make up ground on your nearest pursuers? Rather than grabbing some breathing room, they’re flat out sucking wind.

So be prepared Met Lifers. Be prepared to relinquish first place. And when it happens, embrace it. And then finally, we will get to see if this 2007 Mets team has the courage and heart, the drive, the determination, and the will to rise up and take what should be theirs; the NL East crown.

Castillo Acquisition Reflection of Struggling Offense

The Mets have acquired Luis Castillo from the Minnesota Twins for a pair of minor-leaguers, Double-A C Drew Butera and Single-A OF Dustin Martin.

All in all, this is a good move for the Mets. Castillo is a solid veteran and will fit right into the two spot in the lineup behind Reyes. While he doesn't steal bases like he used, he's still a pesky hitter and plays a solid second base. While I like Gotay, I'm just not sure he's ready to play everyday and provide the consistency this lineup needs, not too mention, his defense was a liability and could have hurt us in the post season (if we're fortunate to make it).

Make no mistake though, this move is more indicative of an underachieving offense that has struggled for the better part of two months now. If guys were hitting the way they are supposed to (Beltran, Delgado, Lo Duca and even Wright to an extent) the Mets could have lived with Gotay in this lineup. Unfortunately for Gotay, this team is geared to win now (and are set up well for the future) and they cannot afford to see what type of player they have in him right now. If it were last season, absolutely. This year, different story. Period.

To view Castillo's stats, click here.

Disappointing End to a Dissapointing First Half

Baseball cliché: Momentum is only as good as your next day’s starting pitcher. Today, the Mets exemplified this old adage perfectly.

Fresh – or evidently not so fresh - off their thrilling 17 inning victory, the Mets went out and quite frankly, laid an egg. Dave Williams, in his first start since last season, was atrocious, giving up 8 runs in 3.1 innings. He threw 41 pitches alone in the 1st, handing the Astros an early 3-0 lead.

As usual, the Mets failed to hit with men on base. In the first inning, with Reyes on third and Newhan on first, an no outs, Beltran struck out, Wright popped out, and Valentin struck out to end the inning after a walk to Delgado had loaded the bases. Just like that, the rally was over (a familiar trend) and the Mets were on their way to another disappointing loss in what has been a largely disappointing first half of baseball.

Around the Horn: Pubs Giving Gomez Some Props

It's media day for Carlos Gomez. Reading the pubs this morning and much attention has been given to the 21 year old, 'Plan C' outfielder. Gomez, who has looked overmatched since being called up, made a senasational play in left field, had two bunt base hits, stole his sixth base in seven attempts and scored a run.

For the growing legion of Carlos Gomez fans, here are some stories of the day.

See Daily News article on how the kid drove Clemens 'batty.'

Also, Bob Klapisch pens a piece on the 'multi-tasking', Gomez, who said after the game, "Now we're going to wake up."

Wallace Matthews, of Newsday, writes, 'Gomez humilated Clemens'

And for some great shots of the two speedsters, Reyes & Gomez, check out the NY Times.

This guy has blazing speed. If he can start putting together some decent, more consistent ABs, he and Reyes can cause a lot of havoc for opposing pitchers.