The Smackdown Has Been Laid

Hitting .180 in a month is not too uncommon even for a superstar. Unfortunately for Cornelius Clifford it is the first month.

Last May he hit .202. Guaranteed by the end of year he finishes with a .270 average 25 HR 85 RBI's if he stays healthy. Barring injuries he will be fine.
Adam | 05.05.06 - 6:14 pm

Ultimately, he is right. People struggle like this all the time, but it is magnified when you start off a season that way. However, given Floyd's health record and his age, people are always more wary of him. He had two big hits last night, one of which was Ramon Castro's head big, but it was a mixed game for him as he left and astounding ten runners on base. That is not easy to say the very least.

Last night's game was a roller coaster of emotions and put a damper on my plans. After they tied the game back up, there was no way I could of went out without seeing this one finished. I ended up getting to a bar at 1:00 AM, but it was worth it. Having Wagner blow the save was also worth it because Floyd got a chance to redeem himself, but no so much to fans or the team, but to himself. The fans are always behind Cliffy as he is one of our favorites and I'd bet no one is being harder on him than himself.

Keith Hernandez was delirious by the time fourteenth inning came around and transformed into a comedian and kids were dropping like flies and in a deep slumber. However, last night's game was huge and hopefully it helps Cliff Floyd shake this slump.

* * *

The Mets lack of production with men on base is starting to really concern me. Their .241/.326/.394 line is just not going to cut it and the only reason it has worked so far because their staff has a ridiculous .202/.312/.333 line in the same situation. That cannot last all year and the Mets will need to simply perform better in that situation.

Zach pointed this out in the last post's comment section.

"[Julio] is part of our staff and we're going to use him the way we should use him," Randolph said. "I've got a good feeling that before this is all over, he's going to continue to dazzle and help us.

"He may wind up being our setup guy by September," Randolph continued. "That can happen. I'm not just saying that."

Julio said that after recording the final three outs in the Mets' 6-0 victory over Pittsburgh on Thursday, Randolph approached the former closer with an inspirational -- albeit somewhat mysterious -- message.

"He said, 'Your time is coming,'" Julio said. "I don't know what he meant by that."

Is this a sign that Heilman might be pegged for the rotation?

Why people are booing Kaz while he looks very good makes me question the intelligence of some Met fans.

That noted baseball sage, 47-year-old Julio Franco, made the observation before Thursday night's game at Shea Stadium. "If they were really good fans, they wouldn't boo Kaz so much," the veteran said of Kaz Matsui, a favorite target of disgruntled Mets fans since his first season in New York in 2004. "Do they ever stop to think why he hits so much better on the road? He's a sensitive guy. The booing affects him. Why not try to encourage him?"

Fucking ponderous. Cut the guy a break.

It should never be Lima Time!™.

As of Friday afternoon, Willie Randolph wasn't sure if Maine's sore middle finger would allow him to work. That would leave Jose Lima, who wasn't their first choice to fill in for Brian Bannister to begin with. Then again, Jorge Sosa, who was supposed to start for the Braves on Sunday, had to be used in relief in the 13th inning Friday. The Mets wore them down.

As we know now, Maine has been DL'd so we know what that means. However, a guy with a 5.10 ERA in AAA should never be the choice. Of course the Mets do not have many options, but that is their fault. What is really weird about Lima is that he has a WHIP a shade over 1.00, has almost a strikeout per inning, and has allowed only three walks and still has a 5.10. That is in part to giving up five homers, but his peripherals are not that bad.

Reyes is on fire and had five hits last night and already has a double today.

"Jose led today," David Wright said, "and when he goes, the offense goes."

It is so true and that what is so frustrating about Jose. He has arguably the most talent and natural ability on this Met club with Carlos Beltran but simply cannot stay consistent.

Oh man, Zambrano is done. Just ran off the field after striking out Andruw Jones. I have never seen that one before. Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad. Bannister and Maine are already on the DL with Zambrano looking like he is headed there. Heilman may need to give the Mets a few starts at this point whether or not anyone likes it. It may be the ONLY choice at this point. Lima Time!™ and Jeremi Gonzalez simply cannot happen.