Elephantitis of the Cojones

My post has been regurgitated....

After watching the Mets starting pitching in the playoffs for seven games and getting some puke inducing stats last night, I've decided, the Mets are lucky to be this deep into the playoffs. Last night, FOX threw out these stats during the telecast. Before last night's game, the Mets played six playoff games. In Glavine's two starts, he was sharp. In the other four starts, Steve Trachsel started two games and John Maine started two games. In those four games, their ERA was 7.82, their PP/G was 69.25, and their WHIP was 2.53.

That was before last night. After last night, those numbers actually went up. The reality of it is, Oliver Perez was not good. Yes, the start was huge in the big scheme of things being he had two weeks off and gave the Mets exactly what they needed to win the game last night, but he was not sharp. With last nights game included, in the five starts made outside of Tom Glavine, the Mets have a 7.85 ERA, 2.29 WHIP, 73.80 P/G, and some more ugly overall stats which do not need to be mentioned. And yet, the Mets swept the Dodgers and are even at two games a piece with the Cardinals. Now, the Mets have their ace on the mound in Tom Glavine and could quite possibly go back to New York with a 3-2 series lead.

Unbelievable. When you really look at what their starting pitching has done and how their offense has underperformed, they have no business being where they are. Part of the reason they keep winning is because they do not know any better. They do not care what their rotation looks like, this team believes in themselves and has guts. What is even more nuts, if Willie's use of the bullpen in game two was not horrendous, the Mets could have quite conceivably had three wins with Glavine due to pitch in game five for the clincher. The Mets need to have this serve as a wake-up call. I still believe in John Maine's ability to be a solid pitcher for this Met ball club. I believe in Tom Glavine's ability to continue to be their ace. Last night's win gave them a new lease on life with their two best starters due up.

The Mets can still win this and when you look the numbers, it is really amazing that they can. Willie needs to wake up, the offense needs to wake up, and Maine and Glavine have step up, but this team can make it the World Series. However, the Mets need to come out and end it in these next two games for two reasons. With the seventh game of the LCS due to be played on 10/19 and the first game of the World Series due to be played on 10/21, it is necessary the Mets go out and end it in six to rest up for the Tigers. It is also not great situation for the Mets to be in a game seven scenario with either Oliver Perez, Steve Trachsel, or Darren Oliver going against Jeff Suppan. It's go time.

* * *

It's on 'til the break of dawn.

If the New York Mets reach the World Series, "El Duque" could rejoin them.

Orlando Hernandez said he felt strong enough to pitch in the World Series after a bullpen session on Sunday in St. Louis. He threw for about 10-15 minutes before the Mets' 12-5 win over the Cardinals, tying the series at two games apiece.

"If the team has a chance to be in the next round, I'll be in," Hernandez told reporters.

With The Duque in the rotation with John Maine, Tom Glavine, and Oliver Perez, this team has a chance to win the World Series. With no Duque and Steve Trachsel, who we all knew going into this had no business throwing a pitch in the playoffs, in the rotation, this team has no chance if they should move onto the next round.

Oliver Perez did not look great, but he was off for two weeks and was around the plate. I liked what I saw and though I did not like his personal results, they were something that watching Steve Trachsel isn't....encouraging. If the Mets can find away to succeed in this series, things will be looking up for them.

First it was Cardinals fans praying for rain and now Tom Glavine and the Mets are praying for rain. I'm going to stay out of it because I called a Cards fan a douchebag for not 'man-ing' up and actually praying for rain.

Is it OK to pray for rain when your October life depends on it? The Mets will never admit they're obsessing about the weather forecast, but after a 12-5 flogging of the Cardinals in Game 4 of the NL Championship Series, rain is all anyone is thinking about.

According to forecasts, the rain is-a-coming. It should be noted that Weaver is going on short rest too and I'd rather strike while the Mets offense is hot.

Endy's throw last night aside, where has the Mets defense gone? I'm not sure, but they have looked sloppy. Simply inexcusable when faced with their current pitching woes. They need to step up and field like they did against the Dodgers and each of Tom Glavine's starts.

Speaking of defense, Jim Edmonds play last night in which he made an over the shoulder catch to steal a hit from Jose Reyes was unbelievable. That guy is a joy to watch in the outfield and he can still go out there and get it even in his advanced age. No one goes back on balls as good as him and no one in the league can make the over the shoulder catch like him.

Is anyone not enjoying Albert Pujols be a complete non-factor?

Sweet Lou will be the manager of the Chicago Cubs. It's amazing how so many people wrote him in as the new Yankee manager much like they write in every big ticket free agent as a future Yankee. It goes to show you little these 'inside sources' actually know.

The Rockies might be looking to steal Sandy Alomar Jr. for their first base coach, but that is not happening unless the Mets do not want him back.

T.J. Quinn speculates on how to fix the Yankees.

1. DUMP A-ROD. REPLACE HIM WITH A HARD-NOSED PLAYER
Oh, they will try. If they can get any pitcher of any worth, they should jump at the chance. If the Angels will give them Ervin Santana, they should dump A-Rod off. He needs to go before he does something to hurt himself.

2. GET HELP FOR JOE TORRE
This one is funny. The best manager ever needs help? Most Met fans know the guy is not a good manager and TJ agrees. He needs someone sitting next to tell him telling him what to do.

3. FIND A SUB FOR MARIANO RIVERA BEFORE ONE IS NEEDED
Here he suggests targeting the Angels Francisco Rodriguez in a trade, but that was so funny I shit my pants.

4. GET MORE STARTERS, NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES
They will get at least one more starter this year, but there will be a lot of competition for the available starters.

5. DEVELOP YOUNG TALENT - CHANGE IS A COMIN'
Hughes will be a big boon for this team and they have been more open to young players, so this is one thing they do have going for them.