Baseball Is Alive and Well

I have to say, I derived a lot of enjoyment from Wednesday's games. Watching Big Z. take on Brandon Webb was really fun to see. It was especially nice to watch games in which had Ted Robinson and Ron Darling doing commentary because it definitely made things more familiar. Of course it would have been amazing to see the Mets on the big stage, but it is what it is and I'm still going to enjoy as much baseball as I can before the darkness is upon us.

In the first game, the Phillies lost with Cole Hamels on the mound. They lost with their true ace on the mound and you would have to think the Rockies have a serious advantage here. Though their starters are nothing great, it certainly not a scenario that any Phillies are to enthused about. And yes, I know no one wants to lose game one, but you especially do not when you have the best pitcher of the series from either side on the mound.

Beckett just continued to add to his postseason lore and just annihilated the Angels with a complete game shut out. He dropped eight strikeouts and allowed four hits while throwing only 108 pitches. Has any trade worked out as well as the Beckett deal did for both sides? Two teams got exactly what they were looking for and you can safely say neither side would want a do over.

Brandon Webb is just one of my favorite pitchers to watch. When all is said and done, he is going to be one special player. It is easy to forget that Webb is not just a one trick pony and he has a nasty curveball and a pretty fucking good change-up. He will not get the CY Young award this year, but actually fared better than last year in many categories.

As for today's games, one question stands out in my mind. How much does a manager get caught up in numbers? Wang's home and away splits might not be of Ervin Santana proportions, but his 2.75 ERA at home and .235 BAA versus his 4.91 ERA on the road with a .300 BAA are big enough to open some eyes. In fact, you can see a pretty large disparity between his home and away numbers in 2005 and 2006 as well.

Would Joe be better off holding him back until the Yankees third game and try and hope for at least one win or do you just go with your best pitcher no matter what the numbers suggest? I would tend to throw numbers out the window in a case like this when you have a clear cut ace of the staff and shortage of quality starters, but it bears noting because you know the media will be all over this one if the Yankees go down.

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The Mets and Glavine's relationship has seemingly come to an end.

Tom Glavine is likely to decline his $13 million option with the New York Mets by Friday's deadline, giving the pitcher time to think about his future.

Glavine's contract said he must make a decision on the option by the fifth day after the Mets concluded their season.

"Tom and I have been having discussions since Sunday. As he has indicated on prior occasions, he's going to take time with his wife and his family and consider all of his options and then make his decision," Glavine's agent, Gregg Clifton, said Wednesday. "It is doubtful he'll be able to conclude that process prior to Friday."

I would have to believe that if the Mets wanted him back, he would be back. I am sure this was all contingent upon some gentleman's agreement that it had to be mutual, but I am certainly glad the Mets are moving on. I hold no ill will towards him, but I will be torching my Glavine jersey and filming the goodness that will ensue.

Also from the above link:

In other news, All-Star center fielder Carlos Beltran had arthroscopic surgery on both knees Wednesday, and an MRI exam on pitcher John Maine's left hip revealed he doesn't have a sports hernia.

Left-hander Jason Vargas also had a bone spur removed from his pitching elbow. Mets medical director Dr. David Altchek performed the operations on Beltran and Vargas at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

Yikes. Who knew Carlos was going under the knife?

Zach (Orlando, FL): You say Hughes and Kennedy over Clemens and Moose. I agree with you from where I am sitting, but is there a manager in baseball who would go that route?

SportsNation Jim Callis: Probably not. Too difficult to defend the moves if they don't work out. Though why anyone would expect Mussina to do anything is beyond me.

And there it is. The veteran vs. rookie problem. You would rather get burned with the vet because of media pressure. Wouldn't it be nice if Torre stepped up and made the correct decision? Of course now that I say this, they will probably throw back to back no-no's.