213 Miles From Shea

Yes this is a very real possibility. ESPN has been calling Strasburg the next LeBron and you probably have seen him pitch. His manager in college was Tony Gynn who probably put a lot of great knowledge in his head. His fastball can top out at 103 mph and he has a lot of pitches where his breaking stuff is not only devasting but the speed change between that and his fastball is sure to keep batters off balance. There has even been talk that he could skip the minors and go straight to the majors. While the Nationals would probably love to have him in the majors, I think on many levels it would be a bad move to have him make the jump right away because there is a certain way of life that you need to pick up first in the minors then in spring training before you get to the big league club.

However another decision could have an even larger impact on the Nationals. The next phenom, the real LeBron of Baseball according to Sports Illustrated, 16 year old Bryce Harper who hits homers 570 ft and can throw a fastball at 96 mph (although its really his hitting thats highly touted). He is a sophomore in high school right now but he might drop out and go to a junior college next year. If he does that, he can be drafted and he will probably be the number 1 pick next year as well. There's a lot that this can mean:
    1) The Nationals are on pace to have an awful year meaning they will once again the overall number 1 pick. They will have a shot of signing this phenom as well meaning they will have two of the most exciting prospects in ages in their farm system and very soon on their major league club. However they will have to pay. They will probably pay 50 million for Strasburg and they will need to as well for Harper. This scenario then only happens if they can afford to add Harper as well.
    2) A High Schooler will have to drop out of school to make this happen. Now he and his family are alright with this, so he can also face some tougher talent at the junior college level but at the same time that is a huge step for major sports to have a high school student drop out to go pro.
    3) There are rumors that baseball execs might want to change the draft after this year by making the rules a little more streamlined and capping bonuses.

When this is all said and done, there is a real possibility of two very good players joining the Nationals over the next two years and in four years they will both be on major league rosters.

The calendar a few days ago changed from May to June which means its time for another addition of promotions around the league. The first comes from Washington where there, like many teams, give away a T-shirt on Tuesday nights. However this time the T-shirt is for the Nationals MLB Draft Party (including the saying “I was there”). That is a sad sign for this franchise that they are excited about the Draft so much they are giving out T-shirts. Then again, if you told me the Mets were about Strausburgh, I would probably do the same.

The next two promotions both come out of Baltimore this month. The Orioles have recently redesigned their away jerseys to say Baltimore on them again and now their BP jerseys do the same. Later in this month you can try to get a Markakis BP replica jersey just by going to the game (I am a sucker for replica jersey give aways). The second promotion from Charm City is a little more out there and is brought to you by Old Bay crab seasoning. They will be giving away crab mallot sets for the first 10K or 15K fans (I forget which one). Its basically two crab mallots that say Orioles on them.

Staying on the Replica Jersey theme we travel over to Oakland where they will be giving out replica Mark McGwire 1989 World Series Jerseys. Does the prospect of having to think about Mark McGwire scare you? Thats alright because two teams this month, the Diamondbacks and the Rangers, will be giving out team night lights for the first 5000 kids in attendence.

Its pretty much a gurantee that the Mariners will think of something creative. This month you can celebrate the 10th anniversary of Safeco field with a Safeco field 10th Anniversary model train car. Coming to a stadium near you soon, and then to your basement collection of trains.

In Chicago (White Sox) the will be holding a Sox in Space night where not only can you go to the game and watch baseball but you will also learn about the solar system (which makes me very happy because I am an Astronomy major and I love when Astronomy and baseball merge). Finally we go to Cleveland where they will be embracing their role in the movie Major League this month. And one night they will be giving our Rick Vaugn bobble heads complete with glasses.

The key to a good season is to win rubber games. For the first time this season the Mets did that last week and now they look to do it again against the Nationals in a game where it looks like they will be getting Ryan Church back (and honestly at this point I'm not sure what is better, having Church in the lineup, or getting rid of Brown). Anyway the Mets will be looking for Hernandez to strike again on the Nats while the Mets will battle the rookie Stammen again.

Hernandez was brilliant in his last outing against the Nats. On the season he is 4-1 with a 4.33 ERA over 60.1 innings. In his last three games he is 1-0 over 21.2 innings with a 2.08 ERA, 4 BB and 13 K. One of those three games was against the Nationals where he pitched a complete game, allowed one run, walked one, and struck out 6. The Mets could really use a repeat of that performance. Here are some Nationals Stats against Livan:
     Belliard 12-41
     Kearns 12-27
     Dunn 4-20, 2 HR
     Willingham 8-19
     Zimmerman 5-20, 2 2B, 2 HR
     Johnson 2-13
     Harris 0-7
So far this week, we have seen two pitchers end good streaks in Pelfrey and Maine, lets hope Livan doesn't fall victim to the same virus. Livan will also need the Mets do something that has been hard for them in the last week or so, which is to score runs.

The Mets faced Stammen basically a week ago and now he is 0-1 with a 5.71 ERA with 17.1 IP, 4 BB and 6 K over 3 games. In his outing against the Mets he lasted 5 innings, allowed 3 runs off of 7 hits, 2 walks and 2 K's. Here are some Mets stats against Stammen:
     Castillo 0-2
     Santos 1-3, 2B
     Sheff 1-2
     Tatis 1-3
     Wright 1-3
Here's a really good idea for the Mets tonight, do not hit into double plays. A DP is pretty much a ralley killer and the Mets did 4 times last night conventionaly and then Brown and Castillo basically had a brain fart on bases (not really helped by the umpires) and then the Mets got caught up in a total of 5 double plays. If the Mets return to sound baseball, and continue to fight, then we can stay focused out there. Lets Go Mets!

The Mets play game two of the this three game set as the Amazin's go for another win. Its the Maine event tonight as John will face John again for the second time this season. This will also be the first time this season I will be able to see the Mets live (so I am very excited). As of right now (I am writing this at about 1:00 AM) for the first time in days it seems tomorrow will be pretty much rain free.

Anyway, Maine is 5-3 on the season with a 3.75 ERA over 57.2 innings. In his last four games he has pitched 24.0 innings with a 2.62 ERA, 12 BB and 16 K. One of those last four games was against the Nationals where we lasted 6 innings, allowed 4 hits, only one run, walked three and struck out 4 on his way to a win. Here are some stats the Nationals have put up on Maine:
      Zimmerman 5-30, 2 2B, HR
      Kearns 5-20
      Johnson 2-14
      Belliard 9-15
      Guzman 0-11
      Dunn 1-6
      Willingham 1-8
The Mets pitching staff was the best story from last night and they look to keep the Nationals baffaled again tonight. Of course, the pitching staff would really appreciate if the Mets bats can score more runs.

Lannan is 2-5 on the season with a 4.21 ERA over 62.0 IP. In his last four he is 0-2 over 22.2 IP with a 4.76 ERA, 11 BB and 14 K. His duel with Maine was during that time and he went 5.0 innings and allowed 8 hits, 5 earned runs, 4 BB and a K. Here are the numbers the Mets have on Lannan:
      Wright 4-16, 2 2B
      Beltran 4-12, 2 2B
      Castillo 4-9, 2B, HR
      Tatis 3-7, 2B
      Schneider 3-6, 2B
      Sheff 2-3, HR
So the Mets have a lot of extra base hits off of Lannan and that would be really nice to see again tonight. If the Mets score runs, and the pitching staff keeps the Nats bats quiet, then the Mets have a good shot of winning this one. Lets Go Mets! Beat the Nats!

In a mentally stressing game, the Mets somehow walked out with a win on the day they Mets find out they do not have Putz anymore and the day after they find out no Reyes for a while. On the batting side the Mets made pretty much every mistake one can think of. They left 10 runners on base and they made three outs at third base (two by Wright) and then another time Wright was called safe at third, but it really looked like he was out. Then at the same time, Wright was 4-5, R, 2 RBI, 2 2B, really showing why this team needs him. On a normal day I would say that the Mets may not have deserved to win this one, but they really did because the pitching really kept them in the game.

Redding had an absolute gem in terms of Tim Redding as he went 6.0 innings and escaped with allowing only 1 run, although he got dangerously close a few times to giving up runs. The pen took over and they did a very good job on the whole of shutting the door on the Nationals and making sure all the Mets would need to do is score runs. The Mets finally did that in the tenth as they got Castillo on and then got Beltran up which set up Wright to just send one to the outfield wall and not only get an extra base hit but also get two runs in. Lets go Mets! Keep this up!

If the game happens tonight (because it has been raining pretty much for two days straight) then the Mets will try to end their three game slide against the Nationals tonight with a pitcher (Redding) that they pretty much hung out to dry in his last start. Things haven't got any easier for the Mets who now have lost for Reyes for what looks like a good chunk of time, and now have lost Putz for what preliminary reports suggest 8 to 10 weeks. Anyway the Nationals are really on a bad stretch as well so the Mets are going to need to beat up on them to get ready for a tough schedule in June, but more importantly get some confidence behind injuries. Redding has made three starts for the Mets this year and only his first one was good. Since then he has really struggled. He is 0-2 on the year with a 9.20 ERA over 14.2 innings pitched. Since he pitched with the Nationals last year, he has limited AB against the Nationals. Willhingham has seen him the most and he is 5-13, 2 HR. Dunn is 3-12, Kearns 1-4 and Belliard 0-2. One story tonight is whether or not pitchers do better when they face their own team or if hitters do better. Its an interesting debate, and we will see some of the story unfold tonight.

Don't let the 5-1 record fool you, Martis has been struggling this year as well. He has pitched 57.2 innings this year and has a 5.62 ERA. In his last three starts he is 0-1 over 16.0 IP, and has a 9.56 ERA. He pitched against the Mets once last year and he lasted 3 innings, 5 hits, 6 earned runs, 2 BB and 4 K. Here are some Mets stats against Martis:
      Beltran 1-1, HR
      Murphy 1-2, 3B
      Wright 0-2
Hopefully the Mets can snap out of this funk tonight and show the world why they were 19-9 in May despite being injured. Lets go Mets! Beat the Nats!

The Mets look to salvage part of this now three game set against the Pirates as they play the early afternoon game with the same starters as last nights game. The Mets got a much needed night off to regroup after the last two losses and refocus on baseball and just to help get over injuries and diseases.

Pelfrey has been great so far this season.
He is 4-1 with a 3.88 ERA and 55.2 IP. The great comes in though when
you look at the corner he has turned and how he has been pitching
recently. In his last three games now he is 0-1 but he has a 2.18 ERA
in 20.2 innings of work while walking 4 and striking out 14. Last year
against the Pirates he went 7.0 innings where he allowed 7 hits, didn't
allow any runs, didn't walk anyone and struck out one. Here are some
stats the Pirates have on him:
      Adam LaRoche 3-3
      McLouth 1-3
      Moss 1-3
      Sanchez 0-3
      Wilson 0-2
With
the exception of Putz. the Mets have been able to keep the Pirates
pretty well contained in offense, and with so many key batters missing
from the Mets lineup that has been very important.

The Mets
bats will have to deal with the 5-5 Ohlendorf who has a 4.45 ERA in
60.2 innings of work. In his last three games he is 1-2 over 17.2
innings where he has a 6.11 ERA, has walked 8 and struck out 10. Last
year he pitched 1.2 innings against the Mets in relief and allowed 10
runs over that time. However, that was mostly against Mets who are not
playing right now as these are basically the only stats the Mets have
on him:
     Castillo 2-2, RBI
     Wright 2-2, 2 RBI
     Schnieder 1-2
Anyway,
the Mets just have to score some runs this afternoon. He seems to be a little
wild so for some of hitters that are really backups or backup backups
(and you can really just start adding the word backup to that as well)
they should try to patient, run the pitch count up get on base via the
walk then start rallies. Lets Go Mets!

Mejia and Holt are not the only players being beamed up to AA, all of the players at AA Binghamton will be beamed up for a Star Trek promotion. I believe Friday will also be Brad Holt's first AA start, which he will do in this uniform:

(From Bmets website)
Yes, thats right, the Mets have modeled a jersey to be very Star Trek theme. This has already been written about on Uniwatch Blog and Milb.com. Apparently all of the in game games will also be Star Trek themed and the people who work at the park will wear different color uniforms that apparently show their rank in the club (so Trekkies go to the game and figure out everyone's positions!).

Tonight's game against the Bucs has been canceled  due to the rain which has been all across the area today and really has been raining all day. It looks like right now that the game will be made up sometime in the future which means all of the pitching schedules will be moved back a day. Pelfrey will make his start tomorrow and then Redding will now go on Friday against the Nationals (which, for selfish reasons I'm upset about because I am going to the game and really wanted to see Maine, and really did not want to see Redding but whatever). Well the the game preview post tomorrow will probably just be rehashed from today. Lets Go Mets!

The Mets have dropped 3 of 4 and the injuries to the team are starting to take a toll, but the Mets look to rebound tonight as they take on the Pirates for game three of the four game set. These losses are frustrating but it is a different frustration than the losses in April. Tonight the Mets will send Pelfrey out to the mound and he will have to battle Ohlendorf.

Pelfrey has been great so far this season. He is 4-1 with a 3.88 ERA and 55.2 IP. The great comes in though when you look at the corner he has turned and how he has been pitching recently. In his last three games now he is 0-1 but he has a 2.18 ERA in 20.2 innings of work while walking 4 and striking out 14. Last year against the Pirates he went 7.0 innings where he allowed 7 hits, didn't allow any runs, didn't walk anyone and struck out one. Here are some stats the Pirates have on him:
      Adam LaRoche 3-3
      McLouth 1-3
      Moss 1-3
      Sanchez 0-3
      Wilson 0-2
With the exception of Putz. the Mets have been able to keep the Pirates pretty well contained in offense, and with so many key batters missing from the Mets lineup that has been very important.

The Mets bats will have to deal with the 5-5 Ohlendorf who has a 4.45 ERA in 60.2 innings of work. In his last three games he is 1-2 over 17.2 innings where he has a 6.11 ERA, has walked 8 and struck out 10. Last year he pitched 1.2 innings against the Mets in relief and allowed 10 runs over that time. However, that was mostly against Mets who are not playing right now as these are basically the only stats the Mets have on him:
     Castillo 2-2, RBI
     Wright 2-2, 2 RBI
     Schnieder 1-2
Anyway, the Mets just have to score some runs tonight. He seems to be a little wild so for some of hitters that are really backups or backup backups (and you can really just start adding the word backup to that as well) they should try to patient, run the pitch count up get on base via the walk then start rallies. Lets Go Mets!