Saturday, June 28, 2008By Mike Steffanos
Game 78: Mets 15 - Yankees 6 (Afternoon at Yankee Stadium)
Game 79: Yankees 9 - Mets 0 (Evening at Shea Stadium)
I was talking to my mom after the afternoon victory. While I was happy with the effort, I told her I was worried they fall into pattern and get blown out in the nightcap. I really wanted them to prove me wrong...
Don't look now, but Mike Pelfrey has won his last 3 starts. After looking like a sure bet to be heading to New Orleans, Pelfrey now strongly resembles a major league pitcher. I'm not marking him down for 20 wins yet, but I've been impressed.
I remember when Pelfrey was called up in 2006 and, despite looking very raw, had a presence on the mound. You could tell he expected to get batters out. That quiet confidence evaporated as he enjoyed little success in 2007 and the early part of this year. Now, with some success, it's coming back. He looks like a different pitcher.
He wasn't great yesterday, but he got himself out of jams. The one thing I didn't like was the 4 walks. That gives him 9 walks in 10-2/3 innings of work in his last two starts. One of the ways he turned his season around was only allowing 8 walks in 27 innings in the four starts before those last two. I'd like to see him get back to that.
As for Pedro in the nightcap, I have to admit that I am wondering if he's going to get it back. What keeps me from being really pessimistic is the decent velocity he's had. If he was suffering these results and throwing a 83 mph fastball, I'd be writing his obit right now. He just isn't sharp with his pitches, and there does seem to be hope for significant improvement. Just not certainty.
I hate to say this, but I see Carlos Delgado's terrific 9 RBI game as a one day thing. As with the Mets as a whole, I no longer allow myself to be teased into believing based on flashes of brilliance.
Which Mets team will show up today?
View Mike Pelfrey's Full Season Stats
View Pedro Martinez' Full Season Stats
Game 78 Box Score
Game 79 Box Score
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Comments (1)
It's clear now, Reyes must be the dumbest player in baseball. I just watched him get picked off second with two out and Wright up.
I'm serious, I'd bet his IQ is very low. I've been thinking this for a while. When he gave Jerry Manuel attitude in his first few minutes as the new manager, I thought it was because he was dumb. It couldn't be any other reason. Reyes is not a negative person; not a bad seed like Sheffield, for example.
So it must be because he's simply not too bright. He's an exciting player, with enormous talent, it's unfortunate he's so dim.
Posted by Barry | June 28, 2008 6:14 PM