Just what we needed.

The Mets won today against the Orioles 11-4. Here is what you missed had you been watching... soccer.

Mike Pelfrey won his ninth game this season which is good for second in the majors. He gave up 3 runs in 6 innings on 9 hits. The reason this is so amazing is because Pelfrey was far from having his best stuff. He couldn't hit spots, his curveball didn't break, and his fastball was below his top speed. In the past, that combination would have led to an early exit and far more runs. At points it looked as though the day was turning to that. However, Pelf limited the damage and didn't relinquish the large lead he was given (5 runs in the first).

That was pitching. Hitting wise, well that's a different story. Chris Carter hit his first homerun of his career two nights ago, and hit his second three run homerun today in the first. Looks like DH is his spot. Bay finally broke out of an 0-17 slump, and had four hits, including his first road homer since September. David Wright hit two homeruns for his 12th career multi dinger game. Alex Cora added to the fun with 3 hits and 2 RBIs. Every single Met in the starting lineup had a hit.

So in recap, the Mets did to the O's exactly what everyone should have expected. However, this is bigger than it seems. Part of what plagued the Mets last year and the year before was them playing down to opponents. They wouldn't beat the teams they should, and would only play hard when the team they played was better. The Mets came in and handled the O's for their first road sweep since '08. THis is what they need to do against the Indians this week. The Mets moved to 11-18 on the road, and with a sweep could move to 14-18 on the road, which is a respectable road record. The Mets could then go into Yankee Stadium on a roll, and hope win the subway series for the year.

It'll be fun to watch as the Mets go to another hitter's park in Cleveland. Maybe they can get Johan some run support Tuesday.

Random Thoughts 2

- The Mets have pulled within a game and a half of the Braves and have overtaken the Phillies in the stands. Here's to pushing the Phallin Phils moniker.

- I was looking at something that in a way saddens me. Back when the A's had the big three of Mulder, Hudson, and Zito, it seemed that those three would be the best trio in recent years. They were a lights out group that made the A's a contender. Then they started parting ways in a reminiscence of Billy Beane's Money Ball days, and each of them, while showing signs of possible success, still haven't matched their careers there. Here's to hoping that the era of home grown players is back, and here to stay.

- The Mets were looking at Millwood as a possible replacement. In his last three starts, including today's game against the Mets which he went 5.1 innings while giving up 8 earned runs, is 0-3 and has an ERA of 10.80. Some can be contributed for pitching for a non contender, but Millwood is 35, and is far removed from his great years of pitching. The Mets have 2 front line starters, a young hot hand (Niese), and two serviceable back of the rotation starters. I say keep it as is, and see if you can add some relievers and another bat, most likely at second base. If you can get a top tier starter like a Cliff Lee or Roy Oswalt, then thye should make a play, but adding another second tier starter is just keeping the same problems.

-Is there any better feeling then baseball season. As it starts getting closer to the all-star break when playoff races start mattering, it only gets better.

-Speaking of all stars, I am pleased to tell you that Jimmy Rollins is no longer the leading vote getter in the all star game (despite Phillies fan's best efforts). However, Polanco is still the leading vote getter at third even though he is not close to leading third basemen in any category.

A brewskie for your thoughts

So as I stood in a sports bar last night, mulling over which beer I would like, I glanced over at the TV. The Mets post game was on so I figured I'd leave the conversation I was in, and take some time to see how the game turned out. The bar was far too loud to hear anything, and there was no captions, but I decided to try to pick apart the broadcast by myself, and this is what I came up with:

First, the Mets handed the O's a 5-1 loss, as Dickey pitched his way to seven innings of one run ball and cruised through the O's lineup as many have before him. Chris Carter hit his first career home run, and cashed in three runs, I couldn't help but wipe a tear from my eye. Of course, that might have been because my Corona came and I squeezed the lime in my eye.

The next thing I noticed was something that I could hardly say was unexpected. The two soccer scores from the day went by on the screen. 0-0 was the first one, and coming in with an extremely exciting game (sarcasm), South Africa tied Mexico with a whopping score of 1-1 ... Two ties, on the world's biggest stage. In 160 some odd minutes combined, the teams managed to score 2 goals. Let me tell you why I hate soccer. First off.... wait wait, I already did this post.

Anyways, this is all I got to notice before I got distracted from the TV because one of my favorite songs was on.

What to watch on TV:

Mets plays the second game of the series vs. the Orioles.

There's some soccer stuff on TV, America's playing, but really who cares?

But if you want an alternative to soccer, you could always bang your head on a table for 80 minutes. I'd imagine it's the same thing.

Soccer?

So every four years the World Cup strikes the world with excitement, and I'm force fed reasons why soccer is going to be interesting this time of year. I'm told that the competition is fierce, that the US team finally has a chance to win this year, that kicking a ball is a lot more efficient than picking it up, throwing it, and catching it. I try to give it a shot, but with every time I watch, the old cliches about why I despise it so come about.

First, is the low scoring. It has been every Americans complaint for as long as this great country existed. That's right, the Revolutionary War was fought not only for independence, but to make sure soccer never ever crossed the pond. How can I enjoy a sport when I read the "box score," and every single player has a zero in the goal column next to their name. What do they keep track of? Passes, how many times they run from one line to another (you know Ronaldinho is an all-star line runner)? I'm not arguing that all sports are about statistics. Well actually, they are about statistics. Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth, Wayne Gretzky, Peyton Manning, David Beckham. One of these things is not like the others. From what I'm told, there is a sort of elegance in the skill it takes to put one in the net in soccer. Since I've been watching sports, elegance has never once been a word I've used to describe it. I'll solve soccer's problems in a few easy steps. Step one: pick up ball. Step two: that's it. This way, then you can throw it into the monstrosity they call a net.

My least favorite part about the sport. Injuries and injury time. It seems every single minute of the excruciating time some guy is falling down because the wind accidentally brushed "elegantly" by him. I swear, these guys fake more injuries, than David Hasselhoff fakes sanity. In America, when a player is even thought of faking an injury, they are not only looked down upon, but their career is tainted to the point where his toughness is constantly brought into question. In the rest of the world, it is not only tolerated, but expected. How can I like a sport that I can't even respect the players in. Which brings me to injury time. From what I've gathered, this is time added to the game at the end, because it was stopped due to injury. That's right, this clock doesn't stop, ever. Yet, when Johnny falls over because he hurt his little toe, we have to add 12.3 more seconds to what is already an eternity. So to soccer fans, injuries are strategic. Ha, what a joke.

These are two reasons of what could be a list of annoyances about this sport, and yet for the next few weeks, my head will be bashed and beaten by analysts explaining why I should watch this dreadful sport. Give it time before I find a way to make my television lose the ability to go to ESPN for the next few weeks. Just the thought gives me a headache. I now understand why Houligans are the way they are. To watch this sport day in and day out, I'd have to get liquored up just to make it past pregame (do they have pregame?). Then I'd have to punch the guy in the head next to me just to see any semblance of action. So soccer, no thank you, and stay out of my country. It's what my fore fathers would have wanted.

Photo courtesy of Yahoo.com

Almost Perfect

Youth is sometimes looked down upon in sports. Many times a young player's rawness and sometimes carelessness is attributed to their young age, and nothing more. Sometimes youth however, is your closest friend. Jon Niese, a 23 year old pitcher for the Mets, pitched one hell of a complete game, and won the night cap by a score of 3-0. This, however, was no normal shutout. Aside from a double leading off the third by Adrian Brody, um, I mean Chris Denorfia, Neise saw 27 batters, and sat down 27 batters. This after the Mets last 22 batters were retired in the first game.

It was hardly an offensive day in the ball park, but Niese gave a performance to remember. The kid pitched his heart out. Jon struck out 6, but even his pitching line doesn't do his performance justice. He baffled the Padres, and made it look easy for nine innings. You can't help but feel good for the kid, and you can't help but be optimistic for the future performance of the team this year and beyond. The Mets have been around since 1962, and since then, have pitched 23 one hitters, however, have zero no hitters, let alone perfect games. The Mets have gone the longest drought without pitching a no-no in the history of the sport. To put it into perspective, the Marlins have been around only since 1993, and already have four no hitters.

That all being said, Niese pitched his heart out, and left this team feeling good as they pack their bags and head to Baltimore and then Cleveland, but let me tell you one thing. After pieing Niese with whipped cream today, and getting Ike a few nights ago, the Mets are running out of dairy products. Maybe they should stock up for the weekend.

Coming within the next day or two, I will be writing an article about the "new look" Mets, which will touch on the new feel of the Mets, along with touching on the youth movement again.

Photo Courtesy of newyork.mets.mlb.com

2 Hit Wonders

Mat Latos (6-4) along with the Padres bullpen two-hit the Mets while retiring the last 22 men that came up to bat on it's way to a 4-2 victory. Latos went 6 innings and gave up two runs, both on a homer by Henry Blanco. Santana pitched for the Mets and fell to 4-3 with the loss while giving up four runs in 6.2 innings. The Mets once again struggled to give Santana run support. The second gamewill be Jonathan Niese (2-2) facing off against Jon Garland (6-3). First pitch is at 7:10 EST

Image courtesy of Yahoo.com

Let's play two!

As stated earlier, the Mets have a day-night double header going today. Let's take a looksie at the first game:

The Mets ace Johan Santana (4-2) will face San Diego's Mat Latos (5-4). Both pitcher's are coming in pitching particularly well in the last 5 games pitched. Latos is sporting a 2.25 ERA in that span, and Johan has an astounding 0.74 ERA in the same span. However, he only has one win over that span, because the Mets have scored 4 runs in the 4 other games he's pitched.

Personally, I would like to see the Mets bats put this one away early, and give Santana some room to work. Nobody's worked harder than him and the Mets need to reward him. Johan is a class act, and would never complain, but if this low run support keeps up, expect some grumblings. That being said, Latos is pitching lights out ball right now, so once again, Johan is in a matchup that's not very favorable. Game time is 1:10 EST

Congrats Chicago!

Game 6- The Chicago Blackhawks have defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in the Stanley Cup Finals 4-3 in overtime. Patrick Kane scored the game winning goal which went under review but ultimately went the Blackhawks way. This is Chicago's 4th overall Stanley Cup. Maybe now they can take all the hockey gear off the Michael Jordan Statue.

Image courtesy of yahoo.com

Mr. Lee, please help my baseball team.

Today on SNY's Wheelhouse, one of the topics was Cliff Lee, and who has a better chance of acquiring him, the Yankees or the Mets. Since the answer is obviously the Yankees, due to resources, I'm going to change the question. Why or why not: Should the Mets acquire Cliff Lee?

Personally I think they should, but I see the other side. You are basically giving double for him if you acquire him. You're giving up players this year, plus if you decide to resign him, you are giving up money. Acquiring him is only for a team pushing for a playoff run this year, obviously.

Now that being said, there are many reasons why the Mets should. First, is always statistics. In the last three seasons (08-10), he has a 2.88 ERA. He is 4-2 with a 2.77 ERA this year with the Mariners. The second reason is possibly more important. He had a 1.56 ERA in the postseason last year. Also, he was key down the stretch for the Phils last year, and that's big because many pitchers do not do well when they switch over. That should make it easy for the Mets, and they won't have to worry. He'll be coming to a pitcher's ball park, and being inserted into an already solid rotation, he won't feel like he needs to carry the team.

1. Johan Santana. LHP
2. Mike Pelfrey. RHP
3. Cliff Lee. LHP
4. Jon Niese. LHP
5. RA Dickey/ John Maine. RHP

This would be one of the top rotations in the league, and would allow for the Mets to win more of those low scoring games. Lee is an innings eater, so maybe he can extend games, and save the bullpen every fifth day. That's big. The Mets have a few prospects that they can part with, as long as Ike Davis stays on the team. So please, Omar, take a shot. Give Seattle a legitimate offer. I'll be happy.

Photo courtesy of Google.com

Random Thoughts

-If Lebron James were smart, he wouldn't go to Chicago. Why even tempt the analysts to constantly compare you to Jordan, when they already do. You were both the most dominant, you both wear 23, you both were tall guards, who possess all necessary skills, and you are both the main sponsor of Nike. However, Jordan has 6 more reasons why he's better, aka rings. Don't leave Cleveland, you are a god there.

-Did anyone notice Ike Davis not jumping onto the plate after he hit the game winner? Guess Kendry thanks him from somewhere.

-The Nets just acquired Avery Johnson as their new coach. The Nets have talent, and a new owner, and a new Arena to play in after the move to Brooklyn. It really can't get much worse than they were this year, so we'll see.

-Rex Ryan threw out the first pitch last night. He seemed pretty happy even though his star cornerback (Darrell Revis) is holding out. Funny thing is, even without him, I pick them to win the East, and possibly the AFC.

-If anyone needs anymore proof that Kobe is one hundred and fifty percent focused in the finals, then here it is.

Sorry Chris Rock

Rain, Rain, Go Away

The Mets are postponed tonight against the Padres. It is rescheduled for tomorrow for a day night double header starting at 1:10.

Who is Stephen Strasburg?

Actually, that's a joke, because if you haven't heard of this kid by now, you must have been in a coma for the last year and a half. Yesterday was just the next chapter in what has already been a pretty interesting story for this young man. Let's recap (in a slightly over dramatic way)

It all started with a fastball. Rumor had it that it was a 103 mph fastball. 103!? I must see this. I clicked onto youtube.com, and put the name in, making sure I spelled it right. Stephen Strasburg. The names of the videos poured out like a scout's Christmas. "Stephen Strasburg: 23 Strikeout Game" and "103 MPH fastball.... Baseball's Next Big Thing." These were just two of the enormous number of videos out there about this seemingly out of nowhere player. Being the lover of phenoms, and thriving on prospects of all sports (i.e. Noel Devine's High School videos), even I was skeptical. I had to see, I had to learn more. I put on a video. Kid threw serious heat, but everyone knows that a major leaguer will time a fastball no matter what speed, so I was yet to be impressed.

However, his next few pitches may have changed my mind on what's possible in baseball up to this point. A little overdramatic, maybe, but let me explain. Up to this point, I believed that anyone who threw that hard relied only on the fact that he could blow it by someone, but also, couldn't spot it for the life of him. Up to this point, so many fireballers have proven this, and very few become actual great pitchers (look at the amount of Joel Zumayas vs. the amount of Randy Johnsons). Even Johnson wasn't that accurate. Strasburg hit spotsl ike his job. But you think to yourself, this kid's going to be a project. He'll have a fastball, but be in the minors for a few years learning secondary pitches. Next pitch, 85 mph changeup once again hitting the spot, and dipping down with fervor. OK he's got two pitches, which is good, and great, and whatever. He's still not that great. Next pitch: Slurve. Now, where I'm from, when someone has a pitch with a great amount of movement, you call it dirty. It's just an adjective that describes greatness in a single pitch. This pitch was so good, it was filthy. Add to that a regular slider with great movement that hits the gun at 88, and my do you have a molotov cocktail of talent.

And so began a media craze. He seemingly went from internet phenom to nationwide celebrity overnight, and that happened a few weeks before the Washington Nationals drafted him 1st overall in the draft. After this, he ran through minor league hitters like they were finish line tape, and punched out players like it was (and now is) his job. So that brings us to last night. Nationals vs. Pirates. Home crowd, standing room only. A 90 pitch count, but an infinite amount of expectations. The kid will crumble, he'll fold, he'll do ok, nothing special. 7 innings and 14 k's later, a legend was born. Take away a minor 2 run dinger by Delwynn Young, and this kid single handedly destroyed the already terrible Pirates. And the media onslaught ensued. ESPN and MLB Network both lusted over this kid. Both networks admittedly cared about nothing else, and to be perfectly honest, neither did I. Very rarely does the hype match the outcome, but let me tell you, he doubled it.

A couple of days before this game, the Nats drafted the "best baseball prospect in history" in Bryce Harper. Had it not been for Mr. Strasburg, this would have been the biggest buzz around Washington, heck, around the country. But add the duo of Strasburg and Harper to an already young team, and this could be the next '96-'00 Yankee dynasty. It may sound crazy, but why not? Stars put butts in the seats. Selling seats makes money. Money buys players. Players win championships. Now yes, people will say, "why are you crowning them when they haven't done anything ever as a franchise." Because like I said, I love the next big story. I'm a Mets fan, who is a Stephen Strasburg fan, and who is prepared to watch as he makes Mets hitters as well as hitters from around the country look silly for years to come. Here's to hopin the hype doesn't build his ego, and hears to hopin the expectations don't crush him. But as for now, I'll just enjoy watching one guy take hold of what could be a Hall of Fame career.


--Photo courtesy of yahoo.com

Let's See Them Diaper Dandies

A semi new youth resurgence is giving some life to the New York Mets. Aside from 23 yr old Ike Davis, the Mets have 20 year old Ruben Tejada and 23 yr old Jon Niese all giving the team solid playing time. If the lineup was as follows:

1. Jose Reyes-SS
2. Angel Pagan- CF
3. Jason Bay- LF
4. Ike Davis- 1B
5. David Wright- 3B
6. Rod Barajas- C
7. Jeff Francouer- RF
8. Ruben Tejada- 2B

The Mets average starting lineup age would be 26.88 years old. Take out 34 yr old Rod Barajas, and you have a lineup that's coming in just under 26 years old. That's a good sign for the future I must say.

Photos courtesy of yahoo.com

Close to Home

So I figured my first sports related post would be about something that I'm very passionate about. What is that you ask? It is those "lovable" New York Mets. Die-hard since I was born, the Mets have always been a team to enjoy and raise that blood pressure. As of today, the Mets have won 4 games in a row overall, and 9 in a row at home. Last night, the rookie Ike Davis hit a bomb to the top deck in right to have the Mets third walkoff of the year ( first by anyone but a catcher). Many people have been talking about the Mets, and if this year they will ever truly be a contender.

The Mets have flirted with .500 for most of the year, and it seems that whenever they take a step forward, they take a step back within a few games. However, with a 23-9 home record, the Mets are making CitiField the baseball equivalent of the Roman Empire. It seems that when teams come in, the Mets have just enough pitching and hitting to pull out a victory, and stellar defense behind them to seal the deal. Hopefully, the Mets are just one win streak away from busting this open, even though I've been saying that for years. It will be interesting to see how this continues for the remainder of the Padres. However, the two series' after this one could help the Mets get on track with their away record. Facing the dreadful Orioles (16-42), and the lowly Indians (21-36) obviously could be a boost, but if the Mets stumble, it could be a real downer, and those "Fire Jerry" chants could be louder than ever.

Photo courtesy of yahoo.com

Opening Day... Kinda

So it's my first post on my Brand Spankin' New blog. Never thought I'd be a blogger, but now I realize any Shmo with a computer and a grasp of the alphabet can start one up. The reason I started this was for one simple reason. I've built my sports loving life around the ability to comment on things that I like and dislike about sports in general. I watch all these sports analysts on television, and sometimes chuckle. With the precision of a weatherman, and the catchphrases of a crappy southern stand up comedian (git r' done = booyah), these guys throw shots in the dark more than a blindfolded Kobe Bryant. So I figured if these guys can put their 2 cents with as much estimation as they do, why can't I take some shots of my own. That's why a 21 year old from North Jersey is going to give you his side of it, you know, from your everyday fan.