H.D.W.M.M.- R.I.P. K.O.P.

This past week has been sadder than Stepmom (no homo). Between the Mets being the Mets and Michael Joseph Jackson leaving us this past week, I've been a grumpy blogger indeed. : (

These seem to be the only two things on my mind. "Oh crap the Mets stink. Somehow Fred Wilpon is gonna go on the DL." Then, "Oh double crap MJ died. Will love still even exist?" That line of thought just keeps repeating. Its the circle of strife. "OH!" -Dice Clay.

So I figured, why not combine these morbid topics that have been consuming my brain for my weekly snoozefest known as Hump Day with Mets Mike? That's when the lightbulb above my head started to dimly flicker, and I said, good enough Mike, good enough. Here goes, What If the (crappy ass) Mets each were a different MJ song? Which song would they be?! I don't know. But I guessed...

(Oh, and I'm gonna dip in to the DL for this one. No damn way I'm writing about Argenis Reyes.)

1. Jose Reyes- Smooth Criminal

He steals bases y'all. EASY ONE.

2. Luis Castillo- Beat It

PLEASE DO LUIS, PLEASE DO.

3. Carlos Delgado- Gone Too Soon

He got hurt real early and it made me cry.

4. David Wright- You Can't Win

"He always chokes! He strikes out too much! Where the homeruns at bro? You gotta carry this team of little leaguers! " This guy leads the NL in hitting but he can't win.

5. Daniel Murphy- Dirty Diana

Diana/Daniel. Similar names. Plus I wanted to watch the Dirty Diana youtube. HOME RUN!

6. Carlos Beltran- Dangerous

A 5 tool all star baby boo. ain't nuttin on God's green earth mo' dangerous than dat! Plus if he moves too much his knee is in danger of needing surgery. Ouch!

7- Johan Santana- Heal the World

Just like how MJ couldn't heal the world despite his best efforts, Johan cannot heal the Mets no matter what he does either. In summation, my analogy is Michael Jackson's beautiful singing and vast philanthropic efforts is to the f*cked up world, as Johan Santana's super skills and badass changeup are to the craptacular Mets.

***Honorable Mention- What More Can I Give

8. Ryan Church- They Don't Care About Us

They= Jerry "Drew Carey Glasses" Manuel, Us= Ryan "What the f*ck did I do to you 4-Eyes?" Church

9. K-Rod- Wanna Be Startin Something

Almost beat up that idiot loudmouth Yankee, and always brings the high energy theatrics, as if he is daring the opposition, "Do you guys want to be starting something? because if so I'll just strike you out and pump my fists a bunch."

10. Jerry Manuel- Bad

I don't like him. I think he's a bad manager. He's bad. He's bad. He knows it.


Even if you didn't like this entry, just enjoy the MJ youtubes and witness some greatness during your downtime when not watching the Mets fall down en route to fly balls. (god damnit Fernando)


Anyway.... R.I.P. Michael.

Open Mic Night at Citi Field

Hey good evening everyone and welcome to open mic Wednesdays here at Citi Field. Thank you, thank you. We've been running this show for a few weeks now and gotten a pretty good response. However I think we're going to have an extra special show for you tonight.

Before we kick things off, I'd like to thank Citi Field for having us. Can I get a big round of applause for Citi Field? Yes a big round of applause for Citi Field ladies and gentlemen, big round of applause!

I'd also like to thank the normal Wednesday night headliners - Carlos & Carlos, Inc. and Jose, Jose, Jose. If it weren't for you guys taking some time off, this show would still be happening upstate and not in the big Citi. Can I get a big round of applause for them folks? Big round of applause.

Tonight at open mic night, our first act will be The Nick Evans Band. He'll be playing a few tunes off his 2nd album Two Run Homer. Up next will be The Tatis Two Tones. After his failed record 6-4-3, he has revived his career with the smash hit Sharp Single to Left. And finally we have our headliner who hails from the scrap heap, Fernando Nieve. Nieve will croon some songs of his first record 3-0, and All I Got was This Lousy Rotation Spot.

I think tonight's going to be a real treat folks, a real treat. There are still some set spots available tonight if you'd like to sign up in the back on our AAAA list (Adequate, Average, and Able). Again a special thanks to Citi Field for having us, please come back tomorrow for the Johan Santana Show. And now without further ado, open mic night!

Hump Day with Mets Mike: Mets Rap? Yeah! Mets Rap!

If you like the Mets, and listen to rap often like a certain host of hump day, you probably write Mets raps all the time right? Well, me neither. But I did this time. The theme is basically, "what the hell?" with a dose of braggadocio at the end. Ch-ch-ch-check it out.

(Editors Note: For all elderly and children, please forgive my cusses. For a PG rap related post, check my legendary Mets as rap players analogy post)

CHECK 1-2, COME ON KICK IT!

You seen these damn injuries?
You gotta be f*ckin kiddin me
God must be a Phillies fan
Doin this deliberately
Seriously, now Beltran?
I mean come on, god damn!
Who’s next? Mr. Wright
He gonna crash a motorbike?
Or slip on a grape, bust his face in a food food fight?
Wait a darn minute Mike…
Did you steal those bars from 99 problems?
Yea I did, cause the Mets got all of em
Including bitches too, probably
They’d get injured doing Pilates,
or practicing karate
Or eating gelati
It don’t matter the hobby
They got fragile bodies
Yet Oddly, we’re still in striking distance
To those Philadelphian bitches
The chumps keep losin, thanks for the assistance!
We’re gonna keep up our persistence
Until we’re on top like a mistress
But you know, figuratively, platonically
Ironically, right now we’re both actually kinda screwed
Us because the injury bug, we just cannot elude
But I don’t give a f*ck, because just think about it dude
When even just half our players come back
All current views will be skewed
And the Mets take the crown without asking, how rude.

I can’t believe I did that. I’m sorry/you’re welcome.

That Made Me Feel a Little Better

Last night was the first time in over a week I was able to sit on my couch and actually take in an entire game live on television. No Gamecast, no Howie, no DVR, no innings missed. That last night was a good, satisfying win. With Beltran hitting the DL, Reyes and Ray Ramirez getting into car accidents, and Oliver Perez tossing a garbage line in St. Lucie, the team needed a victory like that too. Let's hope they get a little charge from a victory like this and can keep it going.

Yesterday I posted that something had to give sooner or later with this team. Alex Cora had this much to say on the subject after the Mets victory last night: "It takes more than five superstars to win a World Series. It's a total team effort. That's what it's going to take. You talk about team wins - tonight was a great example of that." Understood that it takes more than five superstars - we've watched the last 2 seasons unfold where five of the best won't even get you to the playoffs. I'm glad Alex said that though. It's easy too lose sight of those things when you're spoiled with the big guns.

There have been a few games this season that reeked of "turn around" game. The one that would right the ship. This was another one of those games. I'm neither ready to see it as a turning point nor going to get my hopes up for it. No. That leads to the disappointment and frustration spoken about here yesterday. But just taking it as a nice little victory - I'm more than happy with that.

Rant - Let's Just Keep Ourselves Around .333

Because that is what we have done for the month of June at the sweet record of 6 - 12. To even have a chance at keeping Jerry's .500 message alive the team will have to go 8 - 1 the next 9 games against Albert & Co., the Yankees, and the Brewers. Something tells me that will not happen.

Realistically, if Beltran's MRI today turns out okay allowing him to play 7 of 9, and Wright isn't on one of his cold streaks, I can see this team maybe going 5 - 4 the rest of the month. Now keep in mind this is also pending on Alex Cora's thumb staying attached to his body, Castillo using 2 hands, Brian Piazza continuing his little tear, and Fernando Nieve pitching like he's Roy Halladay. Seems like a little too much to ask to you too doesn't it?

I'm just not sure what is happening with this team anymore. I worked through the weekend and had lots going on after work during the week so I only caught the end of most of the games (This includes Frankie blowing it against the O's and Bobby not recording an out yesterday). This whole stretch has just been painful. Part of me wishes the Phillies were playing better just so we would have an excuse to start moving on from this season and plan for next year. That hasn't happened though and somehow we're still in contention despite being 3 - 7 over our last 10. Hell we've moved ahead a game!

But it isn't just me that seems bewildered by all this. I'm getting that vibe from most fans. Our manager looks and sounds like he could vacation right about now and the surely isn't helping the vibe. I don't want to bring up grission and I won't, but I will say this team just looks defeated in the few moments I've caught this last week. I'm hoping that will change I really do, because I want to get behind these guys. I think that is something that gets lost in the negativity. Those of us writing about this club don't want them to fail. I think we're all just disappointed - severely disappointed really. My problem isn't with the feeling itself though. It's being disappointed with a team I am finding it harder and harder to get behind. Something has got to give to alleviate this, and I hope it happens soon.

Next Stop: Mediocrity!

Less a remarkable play by Alex Cora, last night's game was another baseball bust. Seriously is this what we're going to be dealing with here? Because if so let me know. Now I won't get off this train if things are going to be mediocre at best, no. Too much has been invested into the Metropolitan Express to get off now. Yet if we plan on switching to the Metropolitan Local I'd like to know so I can expect to be late to work.

At least the MTA has the decency to print up a little poster to let me know a certain train isn't going to be working properly before I get on. If you live in New York you know exactly what I'm talking about - "There are no C trains on this track. A trains making all F train stops." They never really mean much. They just prepare you mentally to be annoyed for the entire length of your journey. Omar did no such thing for this ride. It took Jerry making an announcement over the PA system yesterday to make me realize this is going to be an irritating trip. That's right, the express will be making all local stops for at least the next month.

But hey at least we'll be above .500! Who cares? That shouldn't be our team's goal. If you're the Pirates and your goal is to finish above .500, good. Your team hasn't done it since '92 and you're a small market team forever in re-building mode. .500 is a baby step that should be taken and would make your fans happy. The difference here is this is New York and since the Minaya era began, we are now all fans of a team built to win (yup, just like those fans across town). I don't want to hear my conductor telling me the goal is something otherwise over the PA system. If he's going to lead this train in that direction then the engineer needs to let him off at the next stop.

Update:
First off, thanks to everyone that has stopped by the blog today. I love the discourse, and it's one of the reasons I love the blog format. That being said, let me clarify what I meant by this post with a similar example to the one I gave Cerrone in regards to the .500 attitude:

I don't think they are only going to want to win half of the time. Not just because they are professional major league ball-players, but because they are living, breathing human beings that love their job and want to excel at it. Hell even if they hate their job they should want to excel to get to another level - just as I do in my workplace and others do in theirs. You work hard to get ahead.

I just don't think that the .500 talk realistically creates a sustainable environment...at least not a temporary one. If anything it sets up a structure that could become a permanent school of thought in the clubhouse. You may see this as taking it out of context, but hear out the logic for a second. So the Mets were expected to perform at around a .585 winning percentage this season right? So just for the sake of easy math, let's say 60%. That is what we expect of the Mets.

For this formulas sake, let's say Matt makes 20 posts to his site per day. 12 of those posts involve solid content that draws readers to his site. 60% of the time, he knocks it out of the park and the rest is just filler - but that filler is okay because the majority of the content is just that damn good. All of a sudden Regis and Ted both leave for a 2 months. SNY provides some temps for the time being.

The temp staff is good, but not great and the content drops in quality. Now only about 10 posts per day are solid reading material. 50% makes daily reading more of a crapshoot. The posts just doesn't pique the readers interest the way they used to and readers seek out some other outlets with more consistency. Numbers decline a bit, but it's okay because SNY understands that it's a new staff without much experience, so they just keep running with it anyway. They even declare it as such with the staff, assure the temps they still have jobs, and that things will eventually pick up once the old staff returns. Ted and Regis don't come back and the blog is now left with an environment that doesn't encourage.

Is that any sort of environment to be motivated in? Again I stated earlier that as human beings alone, the players should want to excel. Yet if they are not in a work environment that warrants success, trying to do so becomes a daunting task. Maybe I'm reading a bit too far into it, but I just don't think it's right.

I've been a Jerry supporter for some time and this is the first thing he has done to really irk me. I'm not saying I'm right nor am I trying to spin any content. I'm merely voicing an opinion on my humble blog. Thanks to everyone who responded today, and please keep visiting and commenting.

Rivalry Week Duds

Let's say the Mets take that second game at home against Philadelphia on Wednesday and Luis catches the fly ball on Friday. The Mets would have then gone 4 - 2 during this rivalry week and have been only 2 games out of first as of this morning. But that didn't happen. Instead this team provided it's fan base with heartbreaking losses to the teams we want to beat the most and things just don't look good for this club.

In the same disheartening week, our #3 starter hits the DL and our ace took the drubbing of his career. The latter is taking precedence this morning, and rightfully so. In his last 6 starts, Santana's W-L record hasn't been terrible going 4 - 2 over the stretch. The peripheral stats however are underwhelming to say the least which is exactly how he has looked when he's toed the rubber. His ERA stands at an Oliver Perez like 6.50 over the last 6 games, which when compared to the 0.78 it was to kick the season off is terribly alarming. He has given up 9 homeruns over the same stretch with the opposition hitting a cool .300. In his past 10 innings alone he has given up 14 runs, while only striking out 5 (he was averaging 8.9 strikeouts per start prior to that).

I know we've all said it after a bad week, but I am ever so grateful for the off day today. Come to think of it, I said the same thing after last week too. This is a bad stretch and the pessimistic fan in me doesn't see an end in sight. Frankly if our pitching is poor both Baltimore and Tampa Bay have every chance to tear us apart. If you look at their lineups, both are currently fielding more balance and pop then we can provide. June was looking like it was going to be a tough month and so far we're 4-8 at the halfway point. Maybe tough and never ending was more like it.

This is a Family Blog

I apologize in advance - sh*t, p*ss, f*ck, c*nt, c*cksucker, motherf*cker, and t*ts.

*$#%!

Well, that's it, amigos. Words fail me at this point. I'm officially done writing about this so-called professional baseball team.

Is It Safe?

We could have swept them. Yup I said it. Tuesday was the must win that we were going to win, Wednesday was supposed to be in the bag when we got to Hamels in the 4th, and last night was the wild card that was going to see both teams throw up touchdowns. I was lucky enough to attend 2 of the 3 games and must say, as agonizing as a series loss can be in June there was some pretty good baseball that was played.

The one thing this series taught me though is that I never, ever feel safe after the 6th inning when facing the Phillies. I haven't for a few years now and it really just struck me over this week. In the past I could create a number of viable reasons for thinking the Mets could blow it, namely the beleaguered bullpen. But that was my mindset after the fact, that the Mets blew the game. This isn't the case. The Phillies - and I'm choking back vomit as I say this - are winners. They win baseball games, and they win in exciting fashion for their fans.

For the roster we're fielding right now, we played some good baseball. It's hard to come back in extra innings when your 1, 2, 3 for the inning is Omir Santos, Jeremy Reed, and Luis Castillo - but I digress. The Mets made some mistakes, but for the most part we didn't blow anything. We just lost to a better team. That's why I started this post off with "could have swept" - should have implies the Phillies being an inferior squad. They aren't and we all need to come to terms with it.

Our schedule for the rest of June (less an Orioles squad that is better than their record mind you) has us playing teams with a combined winning percentage of .517. Omir Santos is our starting catcher. John Maine, Oliver Perez, Carlos Delgado, and Jose Reyes are on the DL. Omir Santos is our starting catcher. An aging DH is our power bat. Omir Santos is our starting catcher. As of now we're 3 - 6 for the month of June, any thoughts on how the month will finish?

Aaaaand now for something positive - Subway Series viewing party tonight at Local 269 tonight! Weather permitting this game getting in, the bar is located at 269 E. Houston Street at the corner of Suffolk. The game will be projected on a big screen and there will be drink specials! Come down at 7pm and have a pint with us as we cheer on our New York Mets.

Break Up the Phillies!

After bearing witness to another excruciating come-from-behind Phillies victory (the Mets must be feeling like an overworked John Holmes co-star at this point), I could bitch and moan about how woeful the Mets' late-inning hitting was tonight (as it has been for most of the season). I could rant and rave about Jerry Manuel's decision to yank an effective young flamethrower for a 40-year-old Japanese rookie who was touted as a "lefty specialist," but has proven to be anything but. I could do that, but, for once, I'm not going to indulge in such diatribe.

The fact is, as much as I hate admitting it, the Phillies are just a better team than the Mets in every single facet of the game. They have a better balanced starting rotation, more clutch hitters, a stronger defense -- I could go on, but I'm not that big of a masochist. At the risk of sounding defeatist and being labeled a traitor to the cause, barring an unforeseen blockbuster trade, I have a hard time envisioning the Amazins overtaking the Phils in the pennant race.

The truth must be told, even when it hurts -- a lot. Now, pardon me while I go vomit, after which I'll frantically try to scrub myself clean while sobbing uncontrollably, before finally curling up in the fetal position in a near-catatonic state.

Hump Day with Mets Mike: Division Rumble

Welcome back to me, the best there ever was! Sorry for the hiatus. I was hiking the Andes. Actually, I just lied right to your face. In reality I kind of ran out of ideas. Luckily, I discussed my writers block at work with my esteemed colleagues at my place of bidniss, and they have volunteered to help me out. How kind! But no, how annoying. They’re fans of the wrong idiot teams, (The Atlantas Chumps & The Philadelphia D-Bags) yet they still want shine on Bilko’s glorious Mets Blog? Good thing I’m out of ideas, because I’m giving them a shot, in a roundtable discussion about the National League East. (Editor’s note: This may be more shit-talking than actual analysis).

Let’s Start with Lauren’s take on things from Philthy Philadelphia (see what I did there?)

Ha The Mets Are a Joke

Mets Fans can say whatever they want about the Phillies, but the current World Series Champions aren’t worried about what anyone else has to say. Really though, what can Mets fans even say? Obviously, the only thing they can use against Philadelphia is the pitching, but Phillies fans are aware of their current pitching status. What I would like to know is what do the Mets have? Other than Santana, the Mets have no solid pitching and are absolutely terrible in the field. Add the fact that the Mets are choke artists, this season will be no different for them in the end. The Mets or any other team for that matter, don’t stand a chance against Philadelphia. Philly continues to lead the NL East due to their remarkable line up. Think about it, Ibanez, Rollins, Victorino, Howard, Utley, Werth, Feliz and Ruiz. Any team that that wants to come close to defeating the Phillies have to score at least 4 or 5 runs and obviously the Mets can’t even come close. I’d just like to wish good luck to the Mets this season and also to their fans. Please don’t be devastated when your team lets you down just like every other year. You might as well just cheer on the Phillies. I promise you the Phillies will win another Championship because clearly the curse of William Penn is over.

Oh my. That was crazy venomous.

REBUTTAL: I apologize to all my fellow good natured Metropolitan fans who had to read that hurtful passage. All I can say to my peaceful readers is, last year was last year. What else do you remember from last year? Do you even care what happened? I don’t. Straight up…who cares? I can’t name one current event that happened, or even remember what I got for Christmas. Point is, shove your rings up your collective butts Philadelphia, I don’t even care none.

Alright, at least we got the one team with anything on us out of the way, let’s get to Dan and the Atlanta Lames perspective.

Why the Mets are worse than the Braves this year :3 simple categories: Pitching, Defense, and Hitting (yes hitting)

Pitching

Let me name the Mets pitchers who can be relied on for a quality start. The list starts with Johan and ends with Santana. The Braves on the other hand have so much pitching their dropping future hall of famers like sacks of 78mph throwing potatoes. And Hanson, my God Tommy Hanson the Mets will soon feel his wrath.

Defense

looking equally out of place. While the Braves left field is equally in flux you can always rely on the arm of Jeff “Your left field looks more like an episode of the 3 Stooges with Murphy, Sheffield and TatisFrenchy” Francoeur to scare the opposition into sac fly impotence every time they a send a ball to right with a runner in scoring position.

Hitting

You guys may have had the edge until about, oh a about a week ago when a guy who no one even knew was on the block became a Bravo. Not to mention that barely anyone in the Mets lineup can hit it out of Citi Field, well maybe until Chipper shows up to give lessons, hell even his little boy Shea has more pop than your squad.

In closing OHHH OHHH OHHH (Braves tomahawk chop chant).

REBUTTAL: The Braves are a racist organization, both Chipper & Larry are names better suited for pets, and Tommy Hanson looks inbred.

Best of the Rest of the Division, brought to you by Richard

The Natinals (Hey if they can’t check their jersey before they go out there playing in front of an empty stadium then I’m not going to call them by their actual name.) So let’s face it. Their season is DUNN! (Editor's note- waamp waaaamp) The signing of Adam Dunn brings them a great one two punch with him and Ryan Zimmerman. Unfortunately it ends right there since Nick Johnson will be out in a week once the Mets realize they can’t even muscle a home run at the new Yankee Stadium. So there is no reason to believe the Nat’s will make any noise in the division this year unless they get ripped for fining Dukes again for doing charitable work with the little league team or when they over pay for a kid who throws 103 mph and will probably hear the words Tommy John in the next year.

1997, 2003, 2009? Yup it’s the Marlins time to shine. Every six years the Florida Marlins are able to get the right prospects together to make a push to become world champions again. In the past 30 years the Marlins have won the World Series more often than the Mets, Braves, and Phillies. Who each have only won it once since I was born. Those are three proud franchises that don’t produce the end results better than a team who trades away their best players after every championship. Just ask the Yanks. You cannot buy a championship. It is about having the right core of players fit into their roles and show up to play every day. The Marlins are about pride and heart when they step onto the field. The N.L. East just better hope the Marlins don’t keep to the pattern. Although if the Marlins do win, does it still count if no one is at the games to see it?
So, while the N.L. East beat up on each other this year, it won’t really matter since they Yankees will destroy the class of the National League.

REBUTTAL: Forget everything that kid wrote, his favorite actor is Matt LeBlanc.

All I got from this collaborative blog experiment is that my coworkers are all jerks. I quit!

Editor's Note: It's hump day folks so I assume you'll need a reminder - don't forget about our viewing party at Local 269 this Friday June 12th @ 7:00pm - Mets v.s. Yankees! 269 East Houston Street (corner of Suffolk) - Drink specials, Mets fans, and good times!

Subway Series Get Together

Since yesterday was an off day, now is the perfect time to announce a little get together for the Subway Series. This Friday June 12th, come on down to Local 269 located at 269 E. Houston Street at Suffolk on the Lower East Side as the Mets take on the Yankees at 7:00pm.

The game is going to be played on a projector as well as a couple of other tvs. This isn't a sports bar by any means, but rather a cool place that is setting this up for the weekend series. The owners and barteners are all wonderful and really are just looking to bring everyone together for a good time. Drinks are cheap, there will be some specials, and you can can hang with fellow fans (and it's hard to find an establishment packed with Mets fans in Manhattan). Spread the word and come on down!

An Ode to Brad Lidge

This one's for you number fifty-four,
for when you walk out of the bullpen door,
we know there is a chance to even the score,
and tack on more and more and more.

Last season's perfection was truly a feat,
striking out the opposition with the high heat,
going 47 for 47 you couldn't be beat,
ensuring your opponent imminent defeat.

However 2008 is quite a ways past,
and you're just not throwing the ball as fast,
leaving some to wonder if you should sit on your ass,
instead of being handed the ball in the last.

But we Met fans thank you and your 7.20 ERA,
and we hope that for the Phightin's in the last you'll stay,
because for every save that you blow away,
we know our team will have a chance every step of the way.

A Must Read

For those of you upset at the lack of Hump Day hysteria, Sam at Amazin' Avenue provides some wonderful satire with A Day in the Life of Brian Stokes. Hats off dude.

So Much for the 5 - 2 Trip

My Johan Santana night was foiled probably around the same time yours was. Right around the beginning of the 4th right? I know you thought it. "Tonight's the night." Between the throw Wright made on Morgan to get the first out in the 4th and Castillo's amazing play to his right in the 3rd, the defense seemed to be there. Santana's pitch count was there (29 pitches after the Morgan play in the 4th I believe). His stuff was there. They were playing the Pirates. Admit it - you thought it was going to happen.

Then "whack!" Freddy Sanchez gets a double that Fernando Martinez almost made a stellar play on. I step outside to take a work related call and by the time I'm back in, the Mets are down 2 - 1 in the 6th. That was all Duke was going to need against the B Mets, but the Pirates scratched a third run out that inning for good measure. At least it was a quick loss.

I posted Monday that in order for this trip to be successful to set the proper tone for the month of June we would need to go at least 5 - 2. Well so much for that with the team already looking for a Pittsburgh split. Is it possible to win 5 straight against the Pirates and Gnats? Sure. But in all honesty this team is really struggling between the stomach bugs and extended spring training stints so it doesn't seem likely. Here's to hoping for a little bit of magic left in these scrap heap pickups and third stringers - we're going to need it to survive. Otherwise we are in for a disappointing month.

Mets Eat Bad Fish

What I thought was going to be a fishy weekend wound up just reeking of bad fish. The Mets took 2 of 3 from The Marlins behind some stellar pitching from Mike Pelfrey and stomach bug victim #2 John Maine. Maine has had wonderful success against the Marlins in the past, holding the Fish to a .162 average over his career (hat tip to Surfing the Mets for the stat). Pelfrey however is another story having gone 0 - 4 with a 7.11 ERA against them last year alone. Nothing Cody Ross could do was going to affect Mike this time around.

On Friday Pelf went 7 2/3 strong only allowing 1 earned while striking out 6. He got a no decision on the night, but pitched absolutely brilliantly. As a matter of fact Pelfrey has been nothing short of brilliant in his last 5 starts less a case of the yips. Despite only going 1 - 1, he has tossed at least 7 innings in 4 of 5 with 5 QS. He has also dropped his season ERA in that span from 5.46 entering the Phils game on May 7th, to 3.88 by the end of his outing on Friday. The team is 7 - 2 on the season in games he starts.

Today the Mets embark on a 7 game road trip that kicks off with 4 games against the Pirates and ends in Nationals Park over the weekend. This trip is crucial as the June schedule gets incredibly difficult after this stretch (teams they will play have a combined .543 win percentage). The team will throw Livan out there tonight, who has been wonderful in his last 5 starts, to set the tone for a trip that should see the Mets finish at least 5 - 2. Anything less will put this team in a bad spot for the looming stretch against the Phillies, Yankees, Rays, Cardinals, and Brewers.

Photo by Ron Antonelli - New York Daily News