The New York Yankee pitching staff is dwindling in despair during a current four game losing streak. The frustration reached its peak Monday night as the high octane offense was good for eight runs, only to be ousted 10-8 by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Alex Rodriguez, undoubtedly the hottest player in baseball, hit his Major League leading 13th and 14th homeruns, but even that effort was spoiled in the loss.
Help is on the way and it will arrive Tuesday night in Tampa. Chien-Ming Wang was activated Monday and is set to make his 2007 debut Tuesday night. This couldn't of come sooner as the Yankees are trying to stay afloat as they wait the return of Mike Mussina and Carl Pavano from the disabled list. Both players should return soon, as they are nursing minor injuries. Wang must regain his 2006 form when he tied for the Major League lead in wins with 19. The righthander is the team's ace, and they need him more than ever as the Yanks sit at a mere 9-10.
The good news is that once Mussina and Pavano return, the rotation will have a solidified front three. Both Mussina and Pavano pitched relatively well before their nagging injuries occured. The other big surprise, and possibly quite pleasant one at that, is that 20-year old righthander Phil Hughes will make his big league debut Thursday against the Toronto Blue Jays. Hughes, who has been dominant throughout his minor league career, didn't miss a beat as he picked up right where he left off to start 2007. His stuff is big-league ready and many throughout the organization praise his maturity, so this could be the jump start the rotation is looking for.
The future is optomistic though for the Yankees, despite their recent health issues. Hughes and Chien-Ming Wang will be staples for years to come. Chase Wright showed enough in his brief stay to make many believers in his ability. The lefthander showed quality stuff, but it seemed as if he was a bit out of his element pitching on national television Sunday night in Boston. It's hard to really blame him because the fact of the matter is the kid hasn't pitched past double-A. That will come with experience. With a low-90s fastball, great change, and good slider, Chase Wright has the makings of a solid big-league starter down the road. Two starters will always come and go, most likely with health issues, but the Yankees have three young arms to be excited about. The road from the mound to the plate looks bright in the Bronx.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Tough Pill For Saunders To Swallow
After going 2-0 with a sub-2.00 ERA in 2007, the Angels optioned Joe Saunders to Triple-A in order to make room for Bartolo Colon. Instead of sending Saunders to the bullpen, the Angels wnated him to continue to start every five days. Manager Mike Scioscia realizes the security blanket that Saunders provides, and therefore had to convince him that the best scenario was for him to continue to start.
There is nothing more Saunders could have done. Not last year in The Show, or to start this year. It is no secret. Joe Saunders is ready for a permanent spot in the big league rotation. That is exactly what makes his situation so frustrating. With five quality starters in Colon, John Lackey, Ervin Santana, Kelvim Escobar, and Jered Weaver, there simply isn't a spot on the ball club for Saunders. But that spot could open at any time as Colon, Weaver, and Escobar have already seen the DL this year.
After watching Jered Weaver get chewed up and spit out by the Detroit Tigers on Monday night, it was evident that he's not ready. In only his second start of the year, the young righty from Long Beach State made 70 pitches in the first inning and 2/3 before getting pulled. The velocity on his fastball is considerably down from last year, none of his offspeed pitches are nearly as sharp right now, and he's working with zero command. That is a pretty tough task when coming straight off of the DL to start the season.
Without a doubt, Jered Weaver earned his opportunity in the big leagues last year. After going 11-1, it is hard to not give him the benefit of the doubt. He earned it, so he deserves it. But plain and simple, the Angels sent the wrong man down. Weaver is obviously "big-league" ready, but let him get his stuff and command up to that level before throwing him out there on a team that is desperately searching for offense. Weaver needs a few starts at Salt Lake before he is fully recovered. A non-pressure atmosphere could be just what the doctor ordered. Saunders is ready to win and ready to win now. Once Weaver's fastball is back up and he is commanding all of his pitches, then there is a compelling case for him being up and Saunders continuing to wait in the wings.
This most likely will not happen. As unfair as it is for Joe Saunders, it is reality and that is what happens when you have five proven big-league starters. Wait, make that six proven big-league starters. Joe Saunders has arrived on the scene. It won't be too much longer before the rest of the baseball world realizes it is his time.
There is nothing more Saunders could have done. Not last year in The Show, or to start this year. It is no secret. Joe Saunders is ready for a permanent spot in the big league rotation. That is exactly what makes his situation so frustrating. With five quality starters in Colon, John Lackey, Ervin Santana, Kelvim Escobar, and Jered Weaver, there simply isn't a spot on the ball club for Saunders. But that spot could open at any time as Colon, Weaver, and Escobar have already seen the DL this year.
After watching Jered Weaver get chewed up and spit out by the Detroit Tigers on Monday night, it was evident that he's not ready. In only his second start of the year, the young righty from Long Beach State made 70 pitches in the first inning and 2/3 before getting pulled. The velocity on his fastball is considerably down from last year, none of his offspeed pitches are nearly as sharp right now, and he's working with zero command. That is a pretty tough task when coming straight off of the DL to start the season.
Without a doubt, Jered Weaver earned his opportunity in the big leagues last year. After going 11-1, it is hard to not give him the benefit of the doubt. He earned it, so he deserves it. But plain and simple, the Angels sent the wrong man down. Weaver is obviously "big-league" ready, but let him get his stuff and command up to that level before throwing him out there on a team that is desperately searching for offense. Weaver needs a few starts at Salt Lake before he is fully recovered. A non-pressure atmosphere could be just what the doctor ordered. Saunders is ready to win and ready to win now. Once Weaver's fastball is back up and he is commanding all of his pitches, then there is a compelling case for him being up and Saunders continuing to wait in the wings.
This most likely will not happen. As unfair as it is for Joe Saunders, it is reality and that is what happens when you have five proven big-league starters. Wait, make that six proven big-league starters. Joe Saunders has arrived on the scene. It won't be too much longer before the rest of the baseball world realizes it is his time.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Baseball's Purity Always Shines Bright
Baseball always tends to share many emotions with the fan who is willing to allow themselves to dive into the aura of the game. In today's age of big business, the talk surrounds how many figures a player is making, or the difference in pay roll between large and small market teams. Time is spent analyzing the game through the eyes of numbers and expectations, something along the lines of what would be done in the stock market. More and more we lose sight of how the love for baseball is built.
As I enjoyed a leisurely Sunday afternoon flipping through the channels to see what baseball game I could tune into next, I pondered a couple of the biggest headlines for Sunday the 15th. The first obviously being celebrating the legacy of Jackie Robinson. His story grew through baseball, although it displays the status of the real world as we know it. The game was used to change history for the better of an entire nation, let alone the realization of all races of human beings. It was as if Jackie was making a statement, not about the type of baseball player he was, but more so about the type of nation we had become. And yet, while African Americans were looked down upon, the kids still looked up to Jackie as an idol. They saw a baseball player, living out the dream that they one day hope to fulfill. Color or race was never a factor in the eyes of the youth, it was about the joy and love that Jackie showed. It just happened to come out the most while in uniform. Jackie needed baseball to get his message across, but baseball needed Jackie just as much to contiue the innoncence of the game.
The second big event that I witnessed take place was Marco Scutaro's walk-off homerun off of Mariano Rivera. The 0-and-2 pitch was left over the heart of the plate and it was belted like that sort of mistake should be. As the ball caromed off the foul poul signaling the end of a great series between the A's and Yankees, everything seemed to stand still for a moment. All of the talk about the Civil Right's Movement and getting more African American's to play baseball stopped. For fifteen refreshing seconds, it was about a player, young at heart, circling the bases under the afternoon sun, just like many of all ages have done over the years.
The mosh pit that was his teammates awaited at the plate, ready to share the joy that the game of baseball allows all to enjoy. At that very moment, there were no kids and no adults. No whites and no blacks. No Americans or other nationalites. A team chained together through brotherhood rejoiced and the purity of the game took over, all as one. All included and all welcomed.
As this day is set behind us and we reflect on all the messages that baseball has helped to spread, we must not forget the origin of our game. We must shed all of the excess banter that covers the soul of the leather mitt and wood bat. The game was created based on the love that begins during childhood, and the fascination that accompanies us through the years. It will always bring us back to the warmth of the local sandlot, not of the business office where computers rest on desks crunching numbers. Or the local court house where case after case regarding racism is settled. Baseball is about the purity and innoncence of the soul, singing the harmony that is known as victory, perservering through the struggle and despair. Both are natural walks of life, and each time you can count on a teammate to be by your side.
As fans and participants of this game, we must never let the simplicity that originally attracted us to get lost in the shuffle during the "business" mindset. Baseball offers an open invitation to any and all who wish to experience what is truly the ride of rides. We all are alike as human beings just as Jackie Robinson wished us to be. Baseball has brought us all to the party. Now it is time for all to dance.
As I enjoyed a leisurely Sunday afternoon flipping through the channels to see what baseball game I could tune into next, I pondered a couple of the biggest headlines for Sunday the 15th. The first obviously being celebrating the legacy of Jackie Robinson. His story grew through baseball, although it displays the status of the real world as we know it. The game was used to change history for the better of an entire nation, let alone the realization of all races of human beings. It was as if Jackie was making a statement, not about the type of baseball player he was, but more so about the type of nation we had become. And yet, while African Americans were looked down upon, the kids still looked up to Jackie as an idol. They saw a baseball player, living out the dream that they one day hope to fulfill. Color or race was never a factor in the eyes of the youth, it was about the joy and love that Jackie showed. It just happened to come out the most while in uniform. Jackie needed baseball to get his message across, but baseball needed Jackie just as much to contiue the innoncence of the game.
The second big event that I witnessed take place was Marco Scutaro's walk-off homerun off of Mariano Rivera. The 0-and-2 pitch was left over the heart of the plate and it was belted like that sort of mistake should be. As the ball caromed off the foul poul signaling the end of a great series between the A's and Yankees, everything seemed to stand still for a moment. All of the talk about the Civil Right's Movement and getting more African American's to play baseball stopped. For fifteen refreshing seconds, it was about a player, young at heart, circling the bases under the afternoon sun, just like many of all ages have done over the years.
The mosh pit that was his teammates awaited at the plate, ready to share the joy that the game of baseball allows all to enjoy. At that very moment, there were no kids and no adults. No whites and no blacks. No Americans or other nationalites. A team chained together through brotherhood rejoiced and the purity of the game took over, all as one. All included and all welcomed.
As this day is set behind us and we reflect on all the messages that baseball has helped to spread, we must not forget the origin of our game. We must shed all of the excess banter that covers the soul of the leather mitt and wood bat. The game was created based on the love that begins during childhood, and the fascination that accompanies us through the years. It will always bring us back to the warmth of the local sandlot, not of the business office where computers rest on desks crunching numbers. Or the local court house where case after case regarding racism is settled. Baseball is about the purity and innoncence of the soul, singing the harmony that is known as victory, perservering through the struggle and despair. Both are natural walks of life, and each time you can count on a teammate to be by your side.
As fans and participants of this game, we must never let the simplicity that originally attracted us to get lost in the shuffle during the "business" mindset. Baseball offers an open invitation to any and all who wish to experience what is truly the ride of rides. We all are alike as human beings just as Jackie Robinson wished us to be. Baseball has brought us all to the party. Now it is time for all to dance.
New Day, Same Story For Yankee's Rotation
On a day which is dedicated to the great Jackie Robinson, not all news around Major League Baseball could be quite as uplifting. A total of six baseball games have been rained out on this Sunday, but that is not the worst news.
The New York Yankees placed pitchers Mike Mussina and Carl Pavano on the 15 day disabled list today. Mussina for a hamstring strain, and Pavano for forearm stiffness. Shocking, not really, as this seems to be the same old tune for the Yankees of late. A rotation, that already encountered a set back as ace Chien Ming Wang started the season on the DL due to a troubled hamstring, now has to overcome the absence of two pitchers who were suppossed to help anchor the staff this season.
Could this be phenom Phil Hughes' opportunity to prove that he belongs in the big leagues? Most likely, but we will have to wait and see if General Manager Brian Cashman wants to rush Hughes up so quickly. Either way, the Bronx Bombers are looking towards days of uncertainty if they can not fill the holes in the rotation. Only so much can be asked of an offense which has been the glue to an other wise unstable team.
Year in and year out, it is proven that pitching carries teams to the playoffs, and even more important, pitching is what wins World Championships. Whether or not the Yankee front office pushes to make a deal or two before the all-star break remains to be seen. There is still plenty of time to bolster the roster before summer turns to the pressure packed fall, so it is not time to panick quite yet. But unless the kids embrace the opportunity and earn the job, this may be another dissapointing year for the Boss.
The New York Yankees placed pitchers Mike Mussina and Carl Pavano on the 15 day disabled list today. Mussina for a hamstring strain, and Pavano for forearm stiffness. Shocking, not really, as this seems to be the same old tune for the Yankees of late. A rotation, that already encountered a set back as ace Chien Ming Wang started the season on the DL due to a troubled hamstring, now has to overcome the absence of two pitchers who were suppossed to help anchor the staff this season.
Could this be phenom Phil Hughes' opportunity to prove that he belongs in the big leagues? Most likely, but we will have to wait and see if General Manager Brian Cashman wants to rush Hughes up so quickly. Either way, the Bronx Bombers are looking towards days of uncertainty if they can not fill the holes in the rotation. Only so much can be asked of an offense which has been the glue to an other wise unstable team.
Year in and year out, it is proven that pitching carries teams to the playoffs, and even more important, pitching is what wins World Championships. Whether or not the Yankee front office pushes to make a deal or two before the all-star break remains to be seen. There is still plenty of time to bolster the roster before summer turns to the pressure packed fall, so it is not time to panick quite yet. But unless the kids embrace the opportunity and earn the job, this may be another dissapointing year for the Boss.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
American League Predictions and Awards
AL WEST: What is typically a strong division, the West seems to be good again. Like always, it will come down to the Angels and A's in September. The Angels look like the front runner once again backed by what could turn out to be the best starting rotation in all of baseball. If Bartolo Colon can come back 100% healthy, the Angels will be very tough to beat. John Lackey will be a Cy Young candidate and Ervin Santana will begin to make the expected leap to one of the game's elite righthanders. With Gary Matthews Jr. in center and a healthy Garrett Anderson in left, the Angels defense has taken a big step up from last year's error-filled team. The offense will be better than most expect it to be, especially once Chone Figgins returns from his finger injury. Garrett Anderson will provide some protection behind Vlad Guerrero and look for Casey Kotchman to have a breakout year at the plate.
The A's don't seem to be as loaded as previous years, mainly because of the departure of Frank Thomas and plenty of health concerns floating throughout the clubhouse. But, this is the Oakland A's, and they always find a way to plug in the holes and be in the hunt come September. If the A's want to sniff the playoffs, it is vital that Dan Haren take the step towards becoming an elite front line starter and Rich Harden stays off the disabled list. If both of those guys are healthy for a full season, there is no telling what this team can do. The Angels will take this division by 3 games.
AL CENTRAL: The AL Central is officially baseball's deepest division with four legitamate playoff contenders. The Tigers will come out ontop of this division, backed by their pitching staff which has a succesful year under its belt. After experiencing failure last October, the Tigers will come out hungry and ready to get another crack at the World Series. Kenny Rogers seems to be out for some time, but Justin Verlander will help bolster a staff which includes Jeremy Bonderman, Nate Robinson, and Mike Maroth. The bullpen is as good as anyone's as Joel Zumaya will soon be taking over the closer role. Magglio Ordonez and Ivan Rodriguez will have career years and lead the offensive charge. Look for Curtis Granderson to set the table, and for Craig Monroe to be a silent assassin behind Gary Sheffield.
AL EAST: With a $103 million arm or not, this division belongs to the New York Yankees and will continue to until they prove otherwise. Everybody knows about the offense in New York, but many critics are taking aim at the pitching staff. The pitching staff is going to surprise many teams and could actually evolve into one of the better ones in baseball. Chien Ming Wang will come back from his hamstring injury and regain his 2006 form. Andy Pettitte has plenty of experience in pinstripes and knows what it takes to win in the Bronx. He will win 15 games and lead this staff into the postseason. Carl Pavano, presuming he is healthy which remains to be seen, has the stuff to be a dominant starter. Not many are counting on him to provide much, but that could be a Cy Young arm coming from nowhere as long as he stays of the DL. Experience and overall talent will lead to a pummeling of every opponent, including Dice-K and the Red Sox.
WILD CARD: Cleveland Indians.
AL MVP: Alex Rodriguez will hit 55 homeruns and 5 of them will come in the postseason as the monkey will be torn from his back. He is one of the best, if not the best, hitters in all of baseball and could be the best of all time before his career is through. The New York fans will finally give him a break, allowing him to relax and perform like the superstar that he is. Start fitting the New York Yankees for ring number 27.
AL CY YOUNG: John Lackey of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Lackey has the stuff to be one of the top five pitchers in the American League, and plenty of competitive fire to go along with it. He will win 23 games and lead the Angels into the ALCS. The big righthander from Texas is becoming more dominant after each time out.
AL R.O.Y.: Delmon Young, Tampa Bay Devil Rays. After so much controversy stemming from Young's infamous bat toss, it is time to turn the page and Young's performance this year will help it. Possibly the brightest prospect to come through the minors, Young will soon be among the likes of Albert Pujuols and Alex Rodriguez. This will be the biggest landslide in any R.O.Y. voting as Young will post a .320 average to go along with 40 homeruns and 120 rbi's. All of this, for a fourth place finish. Tampa Bay will be good soon, just not quite yet.
The A's don't seem to be as loaded as previous years, mainly because of the departure of Frank Thomas and plenty of health concerns floating throughout the clubhouse. But, this is the Oakland A's, and they always find a way to plug in the holes and be in the hunt come September. If the A's want to sniff the playoffs, it is vital that Dan Haren take the step towards becoming an elite front line starter and Rich Harden stays off the disabled list. If both of those guys are healthy for a full season, there is no telling what this team can do. The Angels will take this division by 3 games.
AL CENTRAL: The AL Central is officially baseball's deepest division with four legitamate playoff contenders. The Tigers will come out ontop of this division, backed by their pitching staff which has a succesful year under its belt. After experiencing failure last October, the Tigers will come out hungry and ready to get another crack at the World Series. Kenny Rogers seems to be out for some time, but Justin Verlander will help bolster a staff which includes Jeremy Bonderman, Nate Robinson, and Mike Maroth. The bullpen is as good as anyone's as Joel Zumaya will soon be taking over the closer role. Magglio Ordonez and Ivan Rodriguez will have career years and lead the offensive charge. Look for Curtis Granderson to set the table, and for Craig Monroe to be a silent assassin behind Gary Sheffield.
AL EAST: With a $103 million arm or not, this division belongs to the New York Yankees and will continue to until they prove otherwise. Everybody knows about the offense in New York, but many critics are taking aim at the pitching staff. The pitching staff is going to surprise many teams and could actually evolve into one of the better ones in baseball. Chien Ming Wang will come back from his hamstring injury and regain his 2006 form. Andy Pettitte has plenty of experience in pinstripes and knows what it takes to win in the Bronx. He will win 15 games and lead this staff into the postseason. Carl Pavano, presuming he is healthy which remains to be seen, has the stuff to be a dominant starter. Not many are counting on him to provide much, but that could be a Cy Young arm coming from nowhere as long as he stays of the DL. Experience and overall talent will lead to a pummeling of every opponent, including Dice-K and the Red Sox.
WILD CARD: Cleveland Indians.
AL MVP: Alex Rodriguez will hit 55 homeruns and 5 of them will come in the postseason as the monkey will be torn from his back. He is one of the best, if not the best, hitters in all of baseball and could be the best of all time before his career is through. The New York fans will finally give him a break, allowing him to relax and perform like the superstar that he is. Start fitting the New York Yankees for ring number 27.
AL CY YOUNG: John Lackey of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Lackey has the stuff to be one of the top five pitchers in the American League, and plenty of competitive fire to go along with it. He will win 23 games and lead the Angels into the ALCS. The big righthander from Texas is becoming more dominant after each time out.
AL R.O.Y.: Delmon Young, Tampa Bay Devil Rays. After so much controversy stemming from Young's infamous bat toss, it is time to turn the page and Young's performance this year will help it. Possibly the brightest prospect to come through the minors, Young will soon be among the likes of Albert Pujuols and Alex Rodriguez. This will be the biggest landslide in any R.O.Y. voting as Young will post a .320 average to go along with 40 homeruns and 120 rbi's. All of this, for a fourth place finish. Tampa Bay will be good soon, just not quite yet.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Lilly Dominant In Cub Debut
Lou Pinella could not of asked for a more impressive debut from Ted Lilly. Lilly, making his first start for the Cubs, dominated the Cincinnati Reds en route to a 4-1 victory and helping the club to its first win of the 2007 season. The southpaw yielded 1 earned run on 3 hits in 7 innings with 1 walk and 9 strikeouts. Lilly combined a biting curveball with a sneaky fastball to keep the Red's lineup at bay the enitre night. When the Cubs shelled out 4 years and $40 million to get the disgruntled lefty from Toronto, they didn't expect Lilly to pitch like a staff ace. But that is exactly what Lilly did on Wednesday night.
Lilly, who has gained a bad rap for disagreeing with past managers, does not seem to be that type of troubled player. With Lou Pinella at the helm, the Cubs expect Lilly to fit in fine with the rest of the staff. Every player knows what type of manager Pinella is. He will light a fire if he has too, but he is regarded as one of the more player-oriented managers. Both firey competitors, Pinella and Lilly seem to be a great match that Chicago will desperately need if it has any plans of making a run at the playoffs.
Everybody knows who the ace on the North side of Chicago is. That title belongs to Carlos Zambrano, one of the elite pitchers hitting the free agent market at the conclusion of 2007. Lilly must be another stable in the rotation or else the Cubs suffering seasons are bound to continue. With young lefty Rich Hill, and two unpredictable righthanders in Wade Miller and Jason Marquis behind the two, the Cubs must rely heavily on the arms of Zambrano and Lilly. Nobody counts on Mark Prior these days, even though most everyone is rooting for his turnaround and it would be quite a pleasant surprise for the Cubbies if he should return and pitch like he is capable of doing. Kerry Wood can be a dominating force in the bullpen, only to be surrounded with health issues himself. The only assuring aspect of the bullpen is that there is a proven closer in Ryan Dempster at the back end. The catch being that there are 8 innings that must be resolved before the ball even gets into Dempster's hands. If all else falters, at least the middle of the order including Alfsonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, and Derek Lee provides a little bit of hope that the Cubs can do some damage in an unsual weeker National League Central.
Lilly, who has gained a bad rap for disagreeing with past managers, does not seem to be that type of troubled player. With Lou Pinella at the helm, the Cubs expect Lilly to fit in fine with the rest of the staff. Every player knows what type of manager Pinella is. He will light a fire if he has too, but he is regarded as one of the more player-oriented managers. Both firey competitors, Pinella and Lilly seem to be a great match that Chicago will desperately need if it has any plans of making a run at the playoffs.
Everybody knows who the ace on the North side of Chicago is. That title belongs to Carlos Zambrano, one of the elite pitchers hitting the free agent market at the conclusion of 2007. Lilly must be another stable in the rotation or else the Cubs suffering seasons are bound to continue. With young lefty Rich Hill, and two unpredictable righthanders in Wade Miller and Jason Marquis behind the two, the Cubs must rely heavily on the arms of Zambrano and Lilly. Nobody counts on Mark Prior these days, even though most everyone is rooting for his turnaround and it would be quite a pleasant surprise for the Cubbies if he should return and pitch like he is capable of doing. Kerry Wood can be a dominating force in the bullpen, only to be surrounded with health issues himself. The only assuring aspect of the bullpen is that there is a proven closer in Ryan Dempster at the back end. The catch being that there are 8 innings that must be resolved before the ball even gets into Dempster's hands. If all else falters, at least the middle of the order including Alfsonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, and Derek Lee provides a little bit of hope that the Cubs can do some damage in an unsual weeker National League Central.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
MLB Opening Night 2007
At last the long wait is over. No more hardwood, it is time to smell the grass and listen to the sweet sounds that accompany a ballpark. The baseball hibernation has come to an end as the New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals battled it out on Opening Night 2007, with the Mets coming out ontop 6-1. With spring well underway, kids eye the final day of school and set plans for the summer. Nothing signifies the coming of summer more than the popping of a leather mitt or the crack of a piece of lumber, launching a cork-centered ball 450 feet. Baseball season brings the opportunity to relax and enjoy a long, lazy afternoon in the sun while America's national pastime is continued. There is an aura that acompanies a 162 game grind that no other athletic event can duplicate. It is about the joy that comes from lacing up the cleats, taping the wrists, and applying the heat balm to sore muscles each day. The grind makes the tastes of victory as sweet as it is. That journey was officially kicked off on April 1. April Fools Day it is, but there is no joking about the fact of the matter. Baseball season is the best time of the year.
The Mets sent their best out to the hill in lefthander Tom Glavine, and he did not dissapoint. Glavine picked up victory number 291 with his six innings of one-run ball, leaving him just nine short of the milestone 300 victories. Mixing in a decieiving changeup and sneaky fastball, Glavine kept the Cardinal lineup off balance most of the night by throwing the changeup away off of the fastball inside. Glavine threw a show-me curveball, only to set up his bread and butter, the change.
There have been many questions about the Mets and whether or not they can repeate as champions of the National League East. Most of the questions have been aimed at their rotation. With Pedro Martinez out until at least the All-Star break, what else is there after Glavine? Well, potentially, a lot. Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez is an established veteran who knows how to pitch, and most importantly in New York, knows how to win. He can aide Glavine in anchoring the rotation, easily winning 12-15 games with his savvy.
John Maine is an up-and-coming star who filled a gaping hole in the Mets rotation at the end of 2006 and proved he belonged in the big leagues. Don't expect him to jump in and dominate right away. Growing pains are to be expected as he learns how to throw his offspeed for strikes and limit his walks, allowing him to be more efficient and pitching deeper into ballgames. Once he learns to set up hitters with his second and third best pitch, his fastball will be even better allowing him to become a front line starter. Filling the fourth and fifth spots will be Oliver Perez and rookie Mike Pelfrey. Perez has electric stuff and can be a smaller version of Dontrelle Willis once he learns how to command it. Pelfrey, on the other hand, is nothing short of a phenom in the making. He shows an average changeup and a solid-average breaking ball to go along with a devastating power fastball. Once he gets some innings under his belt, not to mention the wealth of knowledge he will pick up from Pedro and Glavine, it is scary to think of what this kid will do.
On the other side of the baseball spectrum, the Mets are loaded with bats. Do-it-all leadoff man Jose Reyes will once again set the tone with Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, and David Wright doing the bulk of the damage in the middle of the lineup. Expect all four of these guys to be All-Stars, possible all starters. A key in the Mets lineup could be catcher Paul Lo Duca out of the No. 2 hole. With much star power around him, Lo Duca is often overlooked but will continuously pound the fastballs he is given. Whatever pitching problems that may or may not arise in the future of the 2007 Mets, expect the potent lineup to carry them to the postseason.
The Mets sent their best out to the hill in lefthander Tom Glavine, and he did not dissapoint. Glavine picked up victory number 291 with his six innings of one-run ball, leaving him just nine short of the milestone 300 victories. Mixing in a decieiving changeup and sneaky fastball, Glavine kept the Cardinal lineup off balance most of the night by throwing the changeup away off of the fastball inside. Glavine threw a show-me curveball, only to set up his bread and butter, the change.
There have been many questions about the Mets and whether or not they can repeate as champions of the National League East. Most of the questions have been aimed at their rotation. With Pedro Martinez out until at least the All-Star break, what else is there after Glavine? Well, potentially, a lot. Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez is an established veteran who knows how to pitch, and most importantly in New York, knows how to win. He can aide Glavine in anchoring the rotation, easily winning 12-15 games with his savvy.
John Maine is an up-and-coming star who filled a gaping hole in the Mets rotation at the end of 2006 and proved he belonged in the big leagues. Don't expect him to jump in and dominate right away. Growing pains are to be expected as he learns how to throw his offspeed for strikes and limit his walks, allowing him to be more efficient and pitching deeper into ballgames. Once he learns to set up hitters with his second and third best pitch, his fastball will be even better allowing him to become a front line starter. Filling the fourth and fifth spots will be Oliver Perez and rookie Mike Pelfrey. Perez has electric stuff and can be a smaller version of Dontrelle Willis once he learns how to command it. Pelfrey, on the other hand, is nothing short of a phenom in the making. He shows an average changeup and a solid-average breaking ball to go along with a devastating power fastball. Once he gets some innings under his belt, not to mention the wealth of knowledge he will pick up from Pedro and Glavine, it is scary to think of what this kid will do.
On the other side of the baseball spectrum, the Mets are loaded with bats. Do-it-all leadoff man Jose Reyes will once again set the tone with Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, and David Wright doing the bulk of the damage in the middle of the lineup. Expect all four of these guys to be All-Stars, possible all starters. A key in the Mets lineup could be catcher Paul Lo Duca out of the No. 2 hole. With much star power around him, Lo Duca is often overlooked but will continuously pound the fastballs he is given. Whatever pitching problems that may or may not arise in the future of the 2007 Mets, expect the potent lineup to carry them to the postseason.
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