After the Knicks and Rangers poured their hearts into they're playoff series and came away with one win combined, us New Yorkers are left with just baseball until September (assuming the NFL lockout ends). We will have the NFL draft and some NHL/NBA free agent chatter of course, but for the next 4-5 months the only competition we have is on the diamond. As a Met fan that's not a great thing to hear, but if they play like they did tonight this summer may be more exciting then we thought.
We can talk about the first 7 innings because it was competitive baseball but we won't. This game was decided in the last 2 innings, and fortunately it was decided by the players and not the umpires. In the top of the 8th with the Metropolitans trailing 2-1, Jose Reyes hit a rope into the left center field gap and raced around second base heading for third. Rick Ankiel and his big arm came up throwing but Jose slid in safely just before the tag. Incredibly the umpire ruled Jose out and he lost it (so did Terry Collins... and so did I). He must have ruled that Jose's hand came off the base but it clearly didn't. He even knew he was wrong because Jose and Terry easily could have been tossed from the game but he let them stay.
So now with 2 out and nobody on base Daniel Murphy stepped to the plate. He has had a few big 2 out rbi's over the past week and here he had yet another, sending Tyler Clippards hanging changeup into the bullpen over Jayson Werth's head to tie the game. The dugout exploded ( and so did I) as the Murphy rounded the bases with the Mets biggest hit of the season.
Poor defense in the bottom of the 8th gave the Nats the lead back, but the Mets rallied once again in the ninth. Jason Bay, who is now a 6-0 this season in games hes played, led off with a gutty single and Ike Davis followed with one of his own. A bunt hit, sacrifice fly, rbi fielders choice, and intentional walk followed leaving the Mets up by one and Daniel Murphy at the plate again and he delivered the Knockout blow with a double driving in 2. K-Rod closed the door in the 9th and the Mets finished off an improbable 6-3 win; their 6th straight.
So without the excitement of the NBA and NHL playoffs, and with the NFL season still up in the air, its nice to know that we might still have some fun in Queens this summer as the Mets have revived their season over the last week. A gritty win tonight keeps the engine moving, and the Mets can finish off their second straight sweep with a win over Livan Hernandez tomorrow night. I don't know about you... but I'm excited.
LETS GO METS!!!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Interesting Night in Philly
Both the Knicks and Mets played in Philadelphia on Wednesday night, and both had different outcomes. While the Knicks beat the 76ers and the Mets lost to the Phillies, I think its reasonable to make the argument that the Mets loss was more encouraging then the Knicks win. Am I crazy... well maybe but let me explain.
Ill start with the Knickerbockers. In a game where they were jockeying for playoff position with the sixers, The Knicks were in charge throughout the game and even had double digit leads in the second half. Carmelo dropped 31 and TD had another big game off the bench and served as Robin to Melo's Batman in crunch time. So why aren't I impressed? I don't care what the standings say the Knicks are a better team than the sixers. The Knicks have 2 of the top 15 players in this league, and a pretty solid supporting cast around them. Once this team takes an 18 point lead the game should be over but it never is. The Knicks let teams hang around and hang around and hang around until you look up and theyre trailing with 2 minutes to go. Fortunately they righted the ship and closed out the game with a couple big shots from Anthony and Douglas, but if you let the Heat hang around in a game in South Beach or the C's hang around in a game at the Boston Garden the result will be far to different. A win is a win, and the chemistry continues to improve, but the Knicks need to find that killer instinct and find it fast because Dwyane Wade and Paul Pierce won't let the Knicks get away with playing 36 minutes.
As for the Mets. Mike Pelfrey was horrible once again. He's aiming the ball and has not life or bite on any of his pitches. It was batting practice for the Phillies over the first 3 innings and next thing you know it was 7-0. Game over right? Wrong. The Mets showed some resiliency and tied the game just 2 innings later with big hit after hit from everyone in the lineup. Unfortunately, Blayne Boyer and the Mets caught a few bad breaks in the bottom half of the 5th and the Phillies jumped back in front and cruised from there, but the Mets left me thinking this team cares a little bit more than they did in years past. Hey I'm not a moral victory kind of guy, especially in the first week of the season, but with all the negativity surrounding this team and all of the doubters, if there is one trait that's good to have its resiliency. They might not be as talented as the Phillies, but as I said last night Phillies team's in the past weren't as talented as the Mets were but look who won back then.
So all in all the Knicks got the all important W and the Mets didn't, but the baseball season is a Marathon and its nice to take a positive out of a loss. It's a sprint to the playoffs for the Knicks, and they need to learn how to turn it up a notch down the stretch or else their season will run out of gas.
Mets look to rebound and steal another road series tomorrow afternoon against Doc Halladay, while the Knicks have another playoff tuneup against the Nets Friday night. Also check out the Rangers tomorrow night as they try to inch closer to locking up a playoff birth, but no matter what happens tomorrow, they cannot clinch and the season will most likely be decided in game 82 once again. Gotta love this time of year!
Ill start with the Knickerbockers. In a game where they were jockeying for playoff position with the sixers, The Knicks were in charge throughout the game and even had double digit leads in the second half. Carmelo dropped 31 and TD had another big game off the bench and served as Robin to Melo's Batman in crunch time. So why aren't I impressed? I don't care what the standings say the Knicks are a better team than the sixers. The Knicks have 2 of the top 15 players in this league, and a pretty solid supporting cast around them. Once this team takes an 18 point lead the game should be over but it never is. The Knicks let teams hang around and hang around and hang around until you look up and theyre trailing with 2 minutes to go. Fortunately they righted the ship and closed out the game with a couple big shots from Anthony and Douglas, but if you let the Heat hang around in a game in South Beach or the C's hang around in a game at the Boston Garden the result will be far to different. A win is a win, and the chemistry continues to improve, but the Knicks need to find that killer instinct and find it fast because Dwyane Wade and Paul Pierce won't let the Knicks get away with playing 36 minutes.
As for the Mets. Mike Pelfrey was horrible once again. He's aiming the ball and has not life or bite on any of his pitches. It was batting practice for the Phillies over the first 3 innings and next thing you know it was 7-0. Game over right? Wrong. The Mets showed some resiliency and tied the game just 2 innings later with big hit after hit from everyone in the lineup. Unfortunately, Blayne Boyer and the Mets caught a few bad breaks in the bottom half of the 5th and the Phillies jumped back in front and cruised from there, but the Mets left me thinking this team cares a little bit more than they did in years past. Hey I'm not a moral victory kind of guy, especially in the first week of the season, but with all the negativity surrounding this team and all of the doubters, if there is one trait that's good to have its resiliency. They might not be as talented as the Phillies, but as I said last night Phillies team's in the past weren't as talented as the Mets were but look who won back then.
So all in all the Knicks got the all important W and the Mets didn't, but the baseball season is a Marathon and its nice to take a positive out of a loss. It's a sprint to the playoffs for the Knicks, and they need to learn how to turn it up a notch down the stretch or else their season will run out of gas.
Mets look to rebound and steal another road series tomorrow afternoon against Doc Halladay, while the Knicks have another playoff tuneup against the Nets Friday night. Also check out the Rangers tomorrow night as they try to inch closer to locking up a playoff birth, but no matter what happens tomorrow, they cannot clinch and the season will most likely be decided in game 82 once again. Gotta love this time of year!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Mets stay Hot as Chris Young cruises
Chris Young got his first win in his first start as a Met, but that's not what people are talking about. How about a 3 for 3 night from the plate for the 6 foot 10 pitcher including 2 hits in the game breaking third inning that saw the Mets score 5 runs off Cole Hamels. Chris finished the night with those 3 hits and 5 1/3 strong innings in his Mets debut. He looked in control most of the night, and retired Ryan Howard the only time he got in trouble to end the 5th inning with the bases loaded.
Almost as impressive as Young's 3 for 3 was David Wrights 4 for 5. He hasn't been tearing the cover off the ball, but he's been locked in for the last 3 games and carrying this team offensively. Those four hits included several balls hit the other way, a double and two RBI's. David's patient and successful approach has been huge with Beltran and Pagan off to slow starts. It's great to see David not only being the leader in the clubhouse, but leading by example with his play on the field.
It's also great to see the Mets send a message to those Phillies! Sure it's just one game, but hey its one game in the win column against your arch rivals so you'll take it. The Phillies are the clear favorites in the NL East, the National League, and probably the Majors as a whole, but so were the Mets in 2007 when the Phillies came together as a team and focused on putting doubt in the Mets minds. Again its just one win, but we know the Mets believe in that clubhouse, if they can make the Phillies believe they are for real maybe we can keep up with them and be in striking distance in September like the Phillies were 4 years ago. One can Dream can't he?
Series continues tomorrow as the Mets send Mike Pelfrey back to the mound against the Phillies 5th wheel Joe Blanton. With Halladay on the bump Thursday afternoon, the Mets best chance of winning this series comes tomorrow night with Big Pelf looking to rebound from his opening night meltdown
Almost as impressive as Young's 3 for 3 was David Wrights 4 for 5. He hasn't been tearing the cover off the ball, but he's been locked in for the last 3 games and carrying this team offensively. Those four hits included several balls hit the other way, a double and two RBI's. David's patient and successful approach has been huge with Beltran and Pagan off to slow starts. It's great to see David not only being the leader in the clubhouse, but leading by example with his play on the field.
It's also great to see the Mets send a message to those Phillies! Sure it's just one game, but hey its one game in the win column against your arch rivals so you'll take it. The Phillies are the clear favorites in the NL East, the National League, and probably the Majors as a whole, but so were the Mets in 2007 when the Phillies came together as a team and focused on putting doubt in the Mets minds. Again its just one win, but we know the Mets believe in that clubhouse, if they can make the Phillies believe they are for real maybe we can keep up with them and be in striking distance in September like the Phillies were 4 years ago. One can Dream can't he?
Series continues tomorrow as the Mets send Mike Pelfrey back to the mound against the Phillies 5th wheel Joe Blanton. With Halladay on the bump Thursday afternoon, the Mets best chance of winning this series comes tomorrow night with Big Pelf looking to rebound from his opening night meltdown
Knicks take it to the Raptors
Not much to say here. It was a mismatch from the start as the Knicks brought the pain from the tip. They took a 13-0 lead and never really looked back. I said it a few weeks ago and I'll say it again... Toney Douglas has a chance to be a star in this league and can easily be the point guard of the future. Everyone expects the Knicks to pursue Chris Paul or Deron Williams after Chauncey's contract expires, but a year and half from now there might not be a debate on who to choose... neither. Toney still has a lot to learn about running the point, but he brings it every night and competes on the defensive end. He looks like a young Chauncey Billups and a year and a half from now he might take Chauncey's job. If Toney's ready, that sends the Knicks pursuit away from the point guard position and directly towards superman. TD, Landry, Melo, Stat, Howard... I LIKE IT.
But Superman and that super team are more then a year away from fruition, so the focus remains on this 2011 bunch that seems to be gelling at the right time. Of course the defense still needs a load of work, but the chemistry is really developing on the offensive end and the guys are feeling much more comfortable. Now they have 5 more games to "work out the kinks" as Melo says everytime he speak to Tina, and fight for 6th seed. Either way we are playing the Celtics or Heat so whether they catch Philly or not the goal is to remain hot and head into the playoffs with confidence.
Just imagine MSG during game 3 of a 1-1 series. Lets go
But Superman and that super team are more then a year away from fruition, so the focus remains on this 2011 bunch that seems to be gelling at the right time. Of course the defense still needs a load of work, but the chemistry is really developing on the offensive end and the guys are feeling much more comfortable. Now they have 5 more games to "work out the kinks" as Melo says everytime he speak to Tina, and fight for 6th seed. Either way we are playing the Celtics or Heat so whether they catch Philly or not the goal is to remain hot and head into the playoffs with confidence.
Just imagine MSG during game 3 of a 1-1 series. Lets go
Monday, April 4, 2011
Brutal National Championship
After having the worst bracket of all-time and losing all my final 4 teams during the first weekend I thought I was the embarrassment of the NCAA tournament... but clearly I was wrong. Butler... the team that ruined my chances on the third day of Madness by beating... then losing... then beating Pittsburgh all in 2 seconds... just played worse then my girlfriend's dance team in the National Championship game. They didn't score a point in the paint until the 6 minute mark... of the second half! Some late baskets improved their stats a smidge, but throughout the game I kept looking at numbers like 1-20 from 2 point range and 18 percent from the field! wow
Congrats to UCONN on an amazing postseason run through both the Big East and NCAA tournaments, and congrats to St John's for having beaten the the eventual National Champs by 17 points earlier this year! And how bout the Big East. Say what you want about how they performed as a whole throughout the tournament, but their 9th best regular season team just had 11 shining moments and won the championship. Just a wild ride and a crazy NCAA tournament.
Shout out to Joe A. for winning the 6th annual Matuszewski March Madness Pool. Well deserved my friend... Another shout out to the Rangers for waking up late in the second period and winning a wild game at the Garden. 2 games to go and we can have Playoff Basketball and Hockey in the Garden in the same year for what the first or maybe second time this MILLENNIUM! wow
Congrats to UCONN on an amazing postseason run through both the Big East and NCAA tournaments, and congrats to St John's for having beaten the the eventual National Champs by 17 points earlier this year! And how bout the Big East. Say what you want about how they performed as a whole throughout the tournament, but their 9th best regular season team just had 11 shining moments and won the championship. Just a wild ride and a crazy NCAA tournament.
Shout out to Joe A. for winning the 6th annual Matuszewski March Madness Pool. Well deserved my friend... Another shout out to the Rangers for waking up late in the second period and winning a wild game at the Garden. 2 games to go and we can have Playoff Basketball and Hockey in the Garden in the same year for what the first or maybe second time this MILLENNIUM! wow
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Knicks BEAT CAVS
Or maybe more importantly they clinch a playoff birth for the first time since 2004... yes 2004 the beginning of the Marbury and Isiah era. Yes 2004 when they got swept by the Nets in the first round so its even a few years longer since the Knicks have actually won a playoff game.
But today isn't a day for commiserating about the past, or that we clinched a playoff spot on the same day we evened our record at an incredible 38-38. Today is a day to celebrate the completion of a goal. This town has seen much more impressive guarantees and prognostications aka Joe Namath or Mark Messier, but the Knicks promised us a return to the playoffs this year and they have delivered. After the misery of the past 7 years, countless seasons of players like Tim Thomas, Michael Sweetney and Qyntel Woods, a playoff birth in the same year as the acquisition of two franchise players is certainly a breath of fresh air and reason for optimism Knicks fans
Whether the Knicks get swept again like they did in 2004, they push Miami/Boston to the brink, or if they even win a playoff series, Stephon Marbury won't be walking into the Mecca any time soon so theres a reason to smile. Celebrate Knicks fans because the Knicks are back, and will be back for a long long time
oh and we also beat the Cavs.
But today isn't a day for commiserating about the past, or that we clinched a playoff spot on the same day we evened our record at an incredible 38-38. Today is a day to celebrate the completion of a goal. This town has seen much more impressive guarantees and prognostications aka Joe Namath or Mark Messier, but the Knicks promised us a return to the playoffs this year and they have delivered. After the misery of the past 7 years, countless seasons of players like Tim Thomas, Michael Sweetney and Qyntel Woods, a playoff birth in the same year as the acquisition of two franchise players is certainly a breath of fresh air and reason for optimism Knicks fans
Whether the Knicks get swept again like they did in 2004, they push Miami/Boston to the brink, or if they even win a playoff series, Stephon Marbury won't be walking into the Mecca any time soon so theres a reason to smile. Celebrate Knicks fans because the Knicks are back, and will be back for a long long time
oh and we also beat the Cavs.
Mets win Opening Series in Miami... on the ROAD
It took the Mets until June to win a road series last season, and after poor Opening Night performance on Friday it looked like the road woes might continue. After a shaky first inning from Jon Niese on Saturday, pessimistic Met fans all across Queens were left thinking this is going to be a LONGGGGG season. 21 hours later the Mets are 2-1 and heading to Philadelphia in good spirits after winning a thriller last night and in a route this afternoon.
Robert Allen Dickey picked up where he left off last season and pitched 6 innings without allowing an earned run and kept the young Marlins off balance throughout the game. Before R.A. even took the mound he was staked to 3-0 lead via a 2 run home run from red got Willie Harris and poor defense from the Marlins. The trend continued throughout the game as Ike Davis hit his first homerun of the season and the Emilio Bonifacio turned a potential double play into two runs for the Mets. They cruised from there and finished up the successful opening series by getting some work from everyone in the bullpen
Admittedly I didn't know to much about Terry Collins coming into the season, but in a short spurt I like what I have seen so far. He has been aggressive, and found a way to get all of his players involved and feeling a part of the team early on this season. I tip my cap to him thus far, but a poor series in Philadelphia could erase all the positives from this weekend.
After a day off tomorrow it will be Chris Young making his Mets debut in Citizens Bank Park against Met nemesis Cole Hamels. The Mets will follow with Mike Pelfrey and Jon Niese while the Phils counter with Halladay and Lee. There are no breathers against that Philly rotation so the Mets need to come ready to play with the same energy they brought the past 2 days.
Robert Allen Dickey picked up where he left off last season and pitched 6 innings without allowing an earned run and kept the young Marlins off balance throughout the game. Before R.A. even took the mound he was staked to 3-0 lead via a 2 run home run from red got Willie Harris and poor defense from the Marlins. The trend continued throughout the game as Ike Davis hit his first homerun of the season and the Emilio Bonifacio turned a potential double play into two runs for the Mets. They cruised from there and finished up the successful opening series by getting some work from everyone in the bullpen
Admittedly I didn't know to much about Terry Collins coming into the season, but in a short spurt I like what I have seen so far. He has been aggressive, and found a way to get all of his players involved and feeling a part of the team early on this season. I tip my cap to him thus far, but a poor series in Philadelphia could erase all the positives from this weekend.
After a day off tomorrow it will be Chris Young making his Mets debut in Citizens Bank Park against Met nemesis Cole Hamels. The Mets will follow with Mike Pelfrey and Jon Niese while the Phils counter with Halladay and Lee. There are no breathers against that Philly rotation so the Mets need to come ready to play with the same energy they brought the past 2 days.
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