Bay Returns, Hu Starts At 2B,Mets Look To Salvage At Least One Game: Mets Lineup V. Giants - May 5, 2011

New daddy Jason Bay returns to the Mets lineup in today's matinee against the Giants.

Chin-lung Hu gets a rare start at second base and will bat second.

Big Pelf gets the start, and if I'm Terry Collins, this would be Pelf's last chance to prove he is deserving of having a spot in the starting rotation. The big right-hander has been awful, and now is Due Day for the Mets "#1 starter" to prove he deserves a spot in the starting rotation.

Today's lineup - Game Time 1:10:

1. Reyes - SS
2. Hu - 2B
3. Wright - 3B
4. Beltran - RF
5. Bay - LF
6. Davis - 1B
7. Paulino - C
8. Hairston - CF
9. Pelfrey - RSP

Congratulations Jason Bay; Paulino Starts, Thole Sits: Mets Lineup V Giants - May 4, 2011

On a positive note, Jason Bay and his wife Kristen gave birth last night to a son: Garrett David Bay.

Josh Thole, who has be abysmal behind the dish this year, have 7 passed balls, and countless runners steal a base at will, along with an under-achieving .256 batting average, is getting the night off.

In his stead, Ronny Paulino will get the start. Paulino, in his first start, had five hits, and is batting a robust .556. Granted, it's only 9 AB's, but it is still positive nonetheless.

Tonight's Mets drenched lineup is:

1. Reyes - SS
2. Murphy - 2B
3. Wright - 3B
4. Beltran - RF
5. Davis - 1B
6. Paulino - C
7. Harris - LF
8. Pridie - CF
9. Capuano - LSP

Sources: Adam Rubin, Baseball Reference

What’s going on with Josh Thole

Last night was a head scratcher game for the Mets especially when it came to there catcher Josh Thole. Thole was playing behind the dish last night to catch the knuckleballer Dickey since Paulino has not worked with him yet this season.

Thole was in rare form last night spending half his time running to the backstop and watching runners take advantage of his lack of ability to gun runners out. The Mets pitchers dont help of course with Pelfrey,Young and to a lesser extent Dickey not good at holding runners on. 

Last night after Dickey left Thole was still not moving for balls in the dirt and almost cost the team another run in the 8^th with Izzy in. 

The league is aware that is ok to run on Thole and he now leads the league with 7 passed balls.Partially due to catching Dickey. Thole is not hitting the cover off the ball so its hard to overlook what he is doing behind the plate.

 If you ask me he has regressed in his defensive skills. Last night it was a joke. Most of the pitchers do not like his game calling but he is a work in progress.  Collins after the game had mentioned that he might have him sit for a couple of days to clear his head. The kid need to get his head in the game or he should be heading to Buffalo.

Mets vs Giants May 3rd no Jason Bay

The Mets will be lacking Jason Bay and his singles power over the next day or 2 as his wife is ready to pop with there 3rd child. Lucas Duda comes up with his 3 homers and .257 average from Buffalo. The Mets will be wearing special stars and stripes hats . Also the Mets donated 4,000 tickets to the Military for tonights game against the World Champion SF Giants.

Reyes-SS, Murphy-2B, Wright-3B, Beltran-RF, Davis-1B, Duda-LF, Thole-C, Pridie-CF, Dickey-RHP

Big Pelf's Problems Hard To Fix? Gee, There Is A Solution

Mike Pelfrey has shown he can't handle the responsibility of the role as a #1 starter. This is not a pot shot at the tall right-hander. It is just a fact. Pelfrey has had issues dealing with pitching, and they aren't physical. It has been widely noted of his relationship with the Late Dr. Harvey Dorfman.

Pelfrey's problems are between the ears, and with him pitching like a rookie single A pitcher, the Mets cannot have this. Starting the season 1-3 isn't too terrible. It's the 7.39 ERA that's the problem. In six starts he has only 28 innings. That is less than 5 innings/outing. He has only struck out 16. That is less than 3 K's/start. These numbers aren't that of a #1 pitcher.

There is an answer, and he has been languishing in the bullpen for two weeks. Dillon Gee has shown he deserves a spot in the Mets starting rotation. Other than Chris Young, Gee has been their best starter. Granted, it is over a small sample set, but dating back to last season, Gee has been very consistent. He has pitched out of trouble well, and doesn't seemed to get flustered, unlike the tall righty with anxiety issues.

The Mets should seriously consider two things:

1. Move Gee to the starting rotation
2. Put Big Pelf in the bullpen, or ask him (nicely of course) to accept an assignment to the minor leagues. There is history. Steve Trachsel and Bobby Jones both did it, and benefited immensely. Oliver Perez didn't...and look what's happened to him.

This is not saying the Mets should dump Pelfrey. He has ability, but he needs to mature. He is still like a deer in the headlights when on the mound. He needs to build up the mental confidence, and by walking people, balking people, and giving up a ton of runs on the Major League level is not the proper antidote for this affliction.

This isn't about the Mets season. This team is not going to the play-offs. It's about this teams' and Mike Pelfrey's future.

Gee has pitched very well, not including the relief outing where he allowed a Grand Slam to Ryan Howard. Gee needs to be given the opportunity to pitch with this team, and keeping him in a bullpen and having him throw every seven days or so, is not the answer.

Elvis Alderson has shown he has a quick trigger finger when dealing with issues. If Pelfrey doesn't improve quickly, Alderson should pull the trigger without a second thought.

Pelrey has be given the chance, and has not proven himself. Gee has proven himself on much less of an opportunity. The answer is simple. Is the decision?

Source: Baseball Reference

Jason Bay is back but not his power

Everyone said the Mets would play better with Jason Bay back in the lineup. The record shows so far the Mets just might do that. So far in the 10 games he has played since coming off the DL the Mets are 7-3. They had started the season 5-13 and Bay has extended the lineup and of course he is a plus in the clubhouse since everyone seem to ask him advice. Only problem is Bay still is not hitting for power.

Bay started off hot with 9 hits in first 6 games but since the he has cooled off with only 1 hit in his last 17 at bats. He has 1 home run and 3 Rbi's. Not what you expect from your typical# 5 hitter. Now he might have lingering issues with his rib injury etc but the Mets need the guy to hit some homers not singles.

Bay had mentioned before the ESPN Sunday night game the Ball does fly in Philly not like the cavernous Citi Field so already you know that the Met home park is still in his head. Well you know the opposition has no problem hitter the ball out so kind of sick of hearing that the park scares these hitters.

In a small sample Bay right now is not what the Mets have ordered and even though the record reflects Bay has helped, it wont last if he doesn't catch fire.


Bays line after 10 games from MLB    40 at bats , 6 runs , 10 hits , 2 doubles , 1 home run , 3 rbi's, 4 walks, 250 avg, on base .318, slugging .375

Mets win and Osama loses.

The Mets were one of 2 teams playing last night as the announcement came over the airwaves that Osama was killed.  Back in 2001 the first game in New York was played by the Mets and there manager was Bobby Valentine who was in the booth last night for the ESPN Sunday night game. Strange if you ask me. 

The Mets were the side show last night even though they won 2-1 in 14 innings. Mr Paulino had 5hits in starting debut as the Mets pen held the Phillies scoreless for 6 innings.  

There were chants of USA during the game which was pretty cool after the crowd got wind of what happened.  

The covert operation was actually live tweeted by someone not knowing what was going on which the Wall Street Journal  has the story on it.  Pretty crazy.   Mets win and the Nation celebrates…good combo!