Well, the boys pulled one out today. This could have been an L. A lot of issues: Maine didn’t pitch well … Burgos in the pen … a couple of decisions by Willie.
There’s a lot that went on today. What is your take on the day?
I’m heading home in a bit, so I’ll leave the keys to you guys.
19 Comments
Well, today’s game was nerve wrecking to say the least.
I think Willie’s decision to leave Burgos in to pitch to Howard, though didn’t make the most sense, was a good decision especially giving how early it is in the season. John as you pointed out, if Heilman is not right, Willie needs someone in the bullpen to step up, and the guy with the most upside is obviously Burgos. I like how he battled Utley, and I think with him winning that battle, Willie wanted to see him come up big against Howard, though Howard made him pay for it.
Also, though he didn’t have his best stuff, continue to like what I see out of Maine. This game could have gotten out of hand real early in the game, and Maine kept battling and battling. I am very excited to see O.Perez pitch on Wednesday and hopefully see what we saw last week out of him.
John-is it all but a given that Lastings is getting sent down to make room for Pelfrey. Have you talked to Lastings at all to see how he is feeling/doing?
John is playing conspiracy theory with this, Heilman’s elbow may be tender, but there’ s no “problem”. He had a bad outing and pitched a bunch. Willie didn’t want to HAVE to rely on him today. Give him the day off. That’s wha tyou do with relievers, you don’t have them go back to back on days when they pitched a bunch. It’s way too early in the season for that. Especially in a year when we are supposedly going to be relying on the bullpen heavily. All of John’s commentary has been based on his assumption and thought that this game was essentially a must win. Like a playoff game, like Willie should have only been thinking about winning this game. It’s one thing to take a look at this, as one game, and say you didn’t make the right moves to “guarantee” you win THIS game, but that kind of assesment doesn’t mean much when you’re a manager of a big league club trying to win a 162 game season.
Let’s enjoy the victory and the fact that the Met’s lineup is strong enough to come back and win. We’re getting a bit too analytical here.
CHILL!!!!!! :-)
I’m all for giving Burgos that opportunity to prove himself—just don’t do it after he’s had a grueling 13-pitch AB against Utley.
You can’t have your short men throwing 30+ pitches and still expect them to be effective.
I understand Willie’s decicion to let Burgos pitch to Howard. Given that Howard was hitting around .200 coming into the game, and the need to get Burgos some confidence, it makes some sense. I would hope that you walk him there later in the season, when he’s hitting .300, in a tight race. Obviously, it didn’t work out.
As to Heilman, I don’t think that you ever want to pitch a bullpen guy – good elbow or bad – the day after a 41 pitch outing, if you can help it. I don’t think that not wanting to use him there says anything at all about the elbow.
The Phillies’ bullpen stinks, and they’re going to have a lot of games like today (maybe not quite as bad as today, but similar.) The Mets’ offense is going to do a lot of feasting off of bad bullpens and mediocre pitching in general (which they’ll see a lot in the NL.)
I also have to say that I was impressed with Maine’s battling. He couldn’t keep the ball down at all today – lots of high fastballs – but he hung pretty tough. If he ends up having lots and lots of days like today, that’s a problem. But given his progress, I think he’ll have more good days than bad, and with our offense, limiting the damage on his bad days like today is just fine.
True, every game in April shouldn’t be played as if it’s the World Series, but two reasons I would’ve brought in Feliciano to face Utley and Howard after Victorino singled:
1)Feliciano could’ve kept Victorino relatively close at first (he ended up stealing second off of Burgos)
2)Two consecutive outstanding lefty batters due up.
Now, a reason for removing Burgos befor Howard’s at-bat:
1)Burgos was great in his battle with Utley and removing him then, on a high note, would preserve his confidence.
That said, I would’ve walked Howard and then used Joe Smith to face Pat Burrell.
But John, give Burgos credit. He regained his composure after allowing the HR to Howard. He didn’t sulk, pout or meltdown. He stayed in there and struck Burrell out.
Best part of the game today: being one of the 56,000 chanting “Jim-my Rol-lins!” after his error.
Jimmy Rollins, that 1-6 record looks good on you guys. Team to beat? More like team TO beat!
I think Kelly Clarkson is hot, the Mets are going to win big this year and Lino is coming to Shea Stadium sooner than people think.
John,
This has been bothering me for a while and i wanted to get your thoughts. Julio Franco has no business being on this team. He hasn’t gotten a big hit since last April in SD, and is a GIDP waiting to happen. The novelty of him being the oldest player in the game has worn off, and i’m surprised more mets fans don’t feel the same. Granted he drew a big walk in the 8th, but he should never have even been up. Milledge should have pinch run and Endy should have hit. In my opinion i’d rather have a Ben Johnson on the bench instead of a Julio Franco.
John, something about this team seems to bother you one day to the next. Even when they win, you take it with a grain of salt. I think we need to stop questioning Willie’s in game moves because of a lot of other managers make questionable moves too. I like that Willie sometimes goes against tradition to see if things will work out or not. I like his decision of letting Burgos face good hitters, to see if he can get a good read of him in a difficult situation. In the end, the bullpen did well the rest of the way. I liked how the Maine battled to the very end and gave it his all, as a fan that’s all I can ask for. I wouldnt worry on Wright’s hitting. Hamels is a tough pitcher and Victorino made a terrific catch.
that was a great game. i have tix for wednesday night. i hope that game is as good!
hey john pay me a visit in the nose bleeds.
;-]
YAY! now thats an easter present. I can post again!
as for Franco.. he is being groomed for a coaching spot cant you see? Not unlike when Joe Torre was player manager for us.
Also right now he is as good a player if not better than many of the guys we have now. Look at Alou and Green. yeah they have gotten better but they are no where near where they should be. I rather have Franco The a No Vaughn. At least Franco is playing… and playing hard. not bad for a 50 year old..
If you want to look at bad managing look at the other dugout. Forgetting to do a double switch in the 7th in a 1 run game. There is a bad manager.
As for Willie, he and Peterson always err on the side of leaving a guy in rather than taking him out (except in the playoffs). That’s their MO and it worked with Feliciano, and Padilla and Bradford, and when it didn’t work with guys like Julio and Looper they were soon gone. Maybe its a winning strategy that requires a little patience on our part.
Burgos was relying too much on his slider. Thats not Willies fault. I GUARANTEE you Peterson will talk to him about varying up his pitches. He threw 90% slider to Howard, so of course Howard guessed slider, was correct, and bombed it. Thats not Willies fault. Burgos will know better next time.
Its early in the season. Willie gave them enough rope to hang but not to kill the inning. To see what the pitcher can do under the strain. he has to do that now. because the deeper we get , in the season,he has to know who to count on…
Andrew V, the radio announcers said it was a split-fingered pitch that just started too high. I bring that up because I think it was more a physical error-
he missed his spot, which was down-than poor pitch selection per se. I’m sure he had no intention of coming inside on Howard unless it was waaay in side, and obviously there was no reason to come inside since he’d gotten 2 quick strikes.Clearly, the Mets were going after Howard in that situation and Howard hit a mistake pitch. I’m a little surprised this has gotten so much play.
Dave:
I agree. We know Burgos got tagger for tons of HR’s in KC, and he’s still under the eye of Peterson. It will be corrected, just like Perez was.
Johnny!
What’s the status with Juan Padilla’s check up?
Hugs and handpounds,
Lister
Hey John are you buying the beer tomorrow?!
;-]