Monday, May 31, 2004
Marlins 2, Mets 1
Marlins 3, Mets 2
Marlins 8, Mets 6
Okay, this just isn't going to cut it. Nearly every story about current trade rumors involving the Mets lately centers on their search for another starting pitcher, whether it's Freddy Garcia or Kris Benson. What this ignores, of course, is the simple fact that starting pitching is not even close to be the team's biggest problem. Even with a shaky bullpen and subpar defense, the Mets rank eighth in the National League in runs allowed, fourth in team ERA. In sharp contrast to this mediocrity is the team's offense, tied for thirteenth in the league in runs scored. And while it's tempting to point to injuries to Jose Reyes, Cliff Floyd and Mike Cameron as mitigating circumstances, those circumstances are at least as likely to continue for the forseeable future as be rectified, meaning the team is going to have to find offense somewhere else if it hopes to play "meaningful games" come September. Any deal that gives up minor league talent in exchange for half a year of service from a starting pitcher, no matter who he is, would be foolish if the Mets don't also bring in another serious bat, preferably one who can both stay healthy and play right field.
On Friday, Tom Glavine pitched seven innings allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one. On Saturday, Jae Weong Seo pitched six innings, allowing two runs on five hits and five walks while striking out two. While both of these performances had their glaring flaws, the fact remains that the Mets' starting pitchers limited the opposition to just a pair of runs, and if that's not enough to get a win for their team, that team need not consider itself a contender. These losses can't even be lain at the feet of the bullpen, as the solo home run allowed by the suddenly human Braden Looper in the tenth inning of Saturday's game was the only tally allowed in five and one-third innings of relief work over those two days. The offense managed just three runs on twelve hits and five walks over two days, and no matter who's on the mound, that's just not going to win many games.
On Sunday, the offense finally managed to put some runs on the board, but the pitching, with a big assist from the defense, finally faltered, as Steve Trachsel lasted just three innings, allowing six runs, three earned, on six hits and one walk while striking out three. The Marlins' three unearned runs scored in the third, as Trachsel basically fell apart after Shane Spencer dropped a fly ball that would have ended the inning, allowing three consecutive extra base hits before finally recording that third out.
The offense did manage to get those runs back, thanks in large part to four home runs, two from Jason Phillips and one each from Karim Garcia and Ty Wigginton. The Mets got three solid innings of relief, two from Dan Wheeler and one from Orber Moreno. Art Howe elected to remove the effective Moreno after just eleven pitches, acting on his belief in Mike Stanton and David Weathers' ability to pitch effectively every damn day and not taking nutty fringe stat-geek stuff like their ERAs and sufficient evidence to the contrary. Those two, each pitching for the third time in this series, managed to put the game out of reach for the Mets, with a little help from a ground ball that Kazuo Matsui, Mike Piazza and the first base umpire couldn't quite turn into an out.
Tomorrow the Mets start a three game series with the Phillies, hoping to scrape by with another good starting pitching performance from Matt Ginter (1-0, 3.24) against Brett Myers (3-2, 4.31). ¶ joe | 12:55 AM |
Marlins 3, Mets 2
Marlins 8, Mets 6
Okay, this just isn't going to cut it. Nearly every story about current trade rumors involving the Mets lately centers on their search for another starting pitcher, whether it's Freddy Garcia or Kris Benson. What this ignores, of course, is the simple fact that starting pitching is not even close to be the team's biggest problem. Even with a shaky bullpen and subpar defense, the Mets rank eighth in the National League in runs allowed, fourth in team ERA. In sharp contrast to this mediocrity is the team's offense, tied for thirteenth in the league in runs scored. And while it's tempting to point to injuries to Jose Reyes, Cliff Floyd and Mike Cameron as mitigating circumstances, those circumstances are at least as likely to continue for the forseeable future as be rectified, meaning the team is going to have to find offense somewhere else if it hopes to play "meaningful games" come September. Any deal that gives up minor league talent in exchange for half a year of service from a starting pitcher, no matter who he is, would be foolish if the Mets don't also bring in another serious bat, preferably one who can both stay healthy and play right field.
On Friday, Tom Glavine pitched seven innings allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one. On Saturday, Jae Weong Seo pitched six innings, allowing two runs on five hits and five walks while striking out two. While both of these performances had their glaring flaws, the fact remains that the Mets' starting pitchers limited the opposition to just a pair of runs, and if that's not enough to get a win for their team, that team need not consider itself a contender. These losses can't even be lain at the feet of the bullpen, as the solo home run allowed by the suddenly human Braden Looper in the tenth inning of Saturday's game was the only tally allowed in five and one-third innings of relief work over those two days. The offense managed just three runs on twelve hits and five walks over two days, and no matter who's on the mound, that's just not going to win many games.
On Sunday, the offense finally managed to put some runs on the board, but the pitching, with a big assist from the defense, finally faltered, as Steve Trachsel lasted just three innings, allowing six runs, three earned, on six hits and one walk while striking out three. The Marlins' three unearned runs scored in the third, as Trachsel basically fell apart after Shane Spencer dropped a fly ball that would have ended the inning, allowing three consecutive extra base hits before finally recording that third out.
The offense did manage to get those runs back, thanks in large part to four home runs, two from Jason Phillips and one each from Karim Garcia and Ty Wigginton. The Mets got three solid innings of relief, two from Dan Wheeler and one from Orber Moreno. Art Howe elected to remove the effective Moreno after just eleven pitches, acting on his belief in Mike Stanton and David Weathers' ability to pitch effectively every damn day and not taking nutty fringe stat-geek stuff like their ERAs and sufficient evidence to the contrary. Those two, each pitching for the third time in this series, managed to put the game out of reach for the Mets, with a little help from a ground ball that Kazuo Matsui, Mike Piazza and the first base umpire couldn't quite turn into an out.
Tomorrow the Mets start a three game series with the Phillies, hoping to scrape by with another good starting pitching performance from Matt Ginter (1-0, 3.24) against Brett Myers (3-2, 4.31). ¶ joe | 12:55 AM |
