Mets Chat: Glavine shakes funk
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- June
- 23
I like saying “I told you so’’ about this one. “Tom Glavine”:http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=4122 has won 296 games in large part because he has been able to adjust. After getting shelled in his previous two games at the tune of 16 runs, Glavine gave up just one tonight as he worked into the ninth.
Against Detroit and the Yankees, Glavine wasn’t able to spot his fastball on the outside corner, which is something he was able to do. Glavine said: “I was much more consistent than the last two outings but not where I want to be.’‘
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on Saturday, June 23rd, 2007 at 12:30 am by John Delcos.
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We were able to plate the runner from 3B with less than 2-outs (twice!) and picked up some nice 2-out RBIs. That type of execution is what I’ve really missed seeing out of our offense. It was good to see Glavine get back to hitting his spots and keep hitters off-balance.
On a separate note, does anyone know if Easley’s knee problems are seriously affecting him at the plate? Early in the season he was a great fastball hitter. Lately it looks like he’s overmatched at the plate and can’t catch up to the high heat. I feel like he’s striking out a lot on pitches that earlier in the season he’d turn on and drive. I ask because Easley hasn’t looked comfortable at the plate in awhile. Maybe it would be better to rest Easley and use Valentin from the right side, Gotay from the left.
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To Albert: Easley’s right knee is better, but not OK. It’s his push off leg that’s hurting and he’s not the same hitter. -JD
Glad to see a good outing from him. The homer was a mistake. Left up and middle of the plate.
Hopefully he has fixed his problem.
Dave
I just went to the Mets’ site.
It is interesting that Tom leads the team in innings.
Hi John –
OK, you were right.
Incidentally, I only questioned Tom’s presence on the mound. I have never doubted that the man could hit – any old hockey player can.
I’m curious about one thing – what is his golf USGA handicap? I believe that Smoltz is in the single digits and wonder if Tom is too.
The difference in Glavine’s performance tonight was that he got ahead of the hitters by throwing strikes. In his last two starts, Glavine drove me nuts by falling behind on everyone then grooving hittable pitches. Let’s not get too excited. Great outing, yes. But let’s see him string together a few more.
To Gil (RE: Glavine stringing together)
He’d be the first to say that. In fact, after the game he said he wasn’t satisfied. But, his track record says he’ll figure it out.
While I don’t want to make excuses for him, the last 2 starts for Glavine I thought he was getting squeezed pretty badly on what has been his bread and butter first pitch placement all season….as we all know if you aren’t giving Tom the black he’s in for a long night.
I hope Glavine thanks Gomez and Reyes for those defensive gems while the game was close. Glavine was much more effective after Reyes started the DP, and Glavine cost Jose a triple so he should buy him 2 dinners for last night.
Mel –
You gotta admit though, seeing Tom chug around the bases was pretty exciting. I thought he was safe at home until the replay showed he was tagged on the elbow.
I think Tommy’s post-game interview says a lot about why he hasn’t been successful lately. He said that he was throwing first pitch strikes because of what the scouting report said about the A’s approach at the plate…that he had to be less “careful” about throwing a meatball on the first pitch because the A’s don’t swing early. The last 2 outings where he was rocked, he faced really strong offensive teams so he had to be more careful earlier in the count (hence falling behind the hitters). Just makes me question whether he can and will be effective against those stronger offensive teams though.
BH – I agree completely about the strike zone, but like you, I have a hard time blaming the umps and making excuses for Tommy, who should be able to adjust.
John T –
It was exciting.