Return of the Mets BLOWpen

The Guillermo Mota Pitching Academy must have been very busy this off season training the current Mets bullpen on the finer points of blowing a game. After two years of sub-par baseball, the state of the Mets bullpen has been overlooked because of the all-round bad play. But now with the team producing offensively, the BLOWpen has returned in devastating fashion.

I was dead wrong. I thought the fresh set of arms that I saw in spring training looked like a decent options to bridge the gap between the starting pitching and KRod in the 9th. I thought Parnell would build on his late season success in 2010 and be the setup man we wanted him to be. I couldn't have been more wrong.

The cast of characters in the Mets BLOWpen is very early finding ways to ruin perfectly enjoyable baseball. Overthrowing catchers who are standing 4 feet away, walking the leadoff man whenever possible, and giving up monstrous home runs are just par for the course in this early Mets season.

I know this is April, but this is actually the easiest month for the Mets when you look at who they are playing and the amount of home games they have. They should walk out of April with a winning record. But alas there are already 3 games in which the Mets should have a win if the BLOWpen could have just held on a little longer. I'd even settle for the BLOWpen only giving up 1 run instead of the bushel full of runs they like add on in the 6th, 7th, 8th & 9th innings. Not to mention the 11th inning.

A BLOWpen is not something that can be fixed this early. There's no trade that can be made and very rarely is there a young arm in the farm system that can come up and make an impact. This is something you hope the Mets can just suffer through and pray for improvement.

Get your Tums out. It's going to be a long season, and eventually these offensive comebacks will fade away because why bother coming back when you know a 3 run home run will be given up the following inning anyway.

Ride the Mets Roller Coaster

The season is barely a week old, but I'm already expecting a very bumpy ride this season. It appears that this Mets team is going to take us on quite a ride. Lots of bumps. Lots of drops. But also some thrills mixed in.

After winning three straight games, the Mets have now lost three straight in fairly embarrassing fashion. Walks are plaguing the pitching. Untimely hitting abounds and there's a general lack of clutchness.

Welcome to the 2011 Mets. I expect we'll see much of this throughout the year. Hot streaks followed by frigid slumps. This is a young team with a lot of new pieces. It will take at least the month of April for Terry Collins to figure out exactly what he's got out there, for players who were injured last year to get comfortable playing every day and for the new guys to find their niche in New York.

I'm excited about this season. Much more so than I thought I'd be. There's a scrappiness here that I like, but as I've preached countless times before it's the pitching that will ultimately decide the Mets fate.

Philadelphia Inquirer: Mets are a national punch line

...wow. just wow. the malevolence towards the Mets from this author is just oozing with every sentence. he makes some valid points about how the Mets have been horrible of late and the rivalry with the Phillies hasn't been much of one because of it.

...but the irony is he's writing this after the Mets have just put up 15 runs against his beloved Phils.

...the thing you have to think about it can you imagine a writer from the NY Times, the NY Post or even the Star Ledger writing something similar????

...nope. in any case, you really should read this. be sure to watch the video as well.

Mets are a national punch line | Philadelphia Inquirer | 04/07/2011

Mets Love Some Cole Hamels

The most feared pitching staff in all of the National League has one small bit of kryptonite in it. No it's not Joe Blanton. Ok, maybe it is so there's two small bits of kryptonite. Joe Blanton and Cole Hamels inability to beat the Mets.

The World Series MVP has only 2 career wins against the Mets and he proved this last night in a 7-1 rout of the Phils where the Mets scored 6 runs in the 3rd inning.

Nothing should be taken away from Chris Young who's deceptively slow fastball and even slower changeup was baffling the likes of Ryan Howard and Shane Victorino all night. It's only Young's first start as a Met so I'll reserve issuing him into Mets saintdom until he gets a few more starts under his belt.

Of all the Mets, David Wright appeared to enjoy Mr. Hamels the most. After a first inning strikeout, Wright couldn't be kept off base and seemed to score or drive in a run every time he was at bat.

While it's always fun to watch the Mets beat the Phils, there's still 2 games left to go. Winning one of the remaining two games in Philly would be a magical occurrence. It would mean back to back road series wins to start the season. That's almost unfathomable...or is it?

Link: Willie Harris has good start with Mets

...good article on Willie Harris.

...it's only 3 games but I like Harris. he's one of those intangible guys a la Endy Chavez that the Mets haven't had in a while.

...he's got speed, plays good defense and can lay down a bunt when required. i don't expect him to bat .300 and knock in 70 runs, but i think he'll be one of the best signings for the Mets especially if Bay and Beltran can stay healthy and Harris comes off the bench.

Willie Harris has good start with Mets - NYPOST.com

8 Truths About Baseball Fans On Facebook

...i came across this post on AllFacebook.com and it's an interesting look at according to Facebook what the baseball fan looks like.

...the most painful point is that they come to the conclusion that Phillies' fans are the most loyal, and it's not surprise that the Yankees are the most liked (also pronounced "band wagon")

...in any case it's an interesting, quick read. click the link below for the full article.

8 Truths About Baseball Fans On Facebook

Terry Collins Email to Mets Fans

Received this email this morning from Terry Collins:


With our 2011 opener tonight in Florida, I want to make this pledge to Mets fans: our team will play the game the right way. We will always hustle on the bases, run balls down in the outfield and never take anything for granted, no matter the score of the game. We had a great Spring Training. From day one my message has been look ahead, not backward, and not to worry about what the people outside the clubhouse are saying. If we pitch and play defense like I know we can, we will surprise a lot of people, a lot of people. … It’s been 12 years since I have started a season as a major league manager. I can’t tell you how proud I am to be leading the New York Mets and am very excited about the season ahead. Thanks for your support and see you at Citi Field.


Let's go Mets!