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i don't have the stomach for this, but i said i'd do it, so i'll do it.
The weather is predicting a weekend washout, but assuming the games are played (and the Bucks don't lose so much that the Mets games are meaningless):
MARLINS (82-76) V METS (87-71)
The Marlins were eliminated by a loss to the Nats on Tuesday, but they've played well down the stretch, and will end with a winning record.
FRIDAY 9/26 Volstad v Pelfrey
The Baby Brawl features 2 1st round picks battling it out. Voldstad, 21, is 5-4 with a 3.10 ERA, since coming up in July. And Pelfrey (13-10 / 3.70) has had his breakthrough season, but has been fading a bit down the stretch as he gets into an IP range he has never seen before. His last win was Aug 25th.
SATURDAY 9/27 Nolasco v ? (figueroa, Knight, Niese)
Nolasco (15-7 / 3.55 era / 1.12 whip) is another young FLA pitcher with a breakout year. He's 9-3 on the road. Who will he go up against? Who knows? The mets are praying for rain.
SUNDAY 9/28 S.Olson v Santana
Olson (8-11 / 4.23 / 1.33) is a young power lefty who, while erratic can be dominating. But he's matched up against Johan the Man (15-7, 2.64, 1.17) who, if not for the flammability of the bullpen, would have a 20 win season and a possible Cy Young.
Mets Lineup:
- Reyes (SS) - while not exactly another "september swoon" Jose is having his least productive month since April. Still, he's hit well v FLA this year.
- Murphy (Lf) - the mets ROY has continued to produce, even tho he ocasionally sits for Nick Evans, who continues not to.
- Wright (3b) - That K in the 9th on Wednesday was tough to watch. But despite talk-show claims, Wright continues to have an OPS over .900 this month. Yes, his production with RISP is down this year overall, but he carried the team in those situations for the last few years, so the notion that he is a "choker" is typical radiohead bullshit. "D-Rod" my ass.
- Delgado (1b)- he has continued his amazing second-half resurgence. Props to C-dog.
- Beltran (Cf)- A strong september, though recently banged up. His stats are almost exactly his career averages, which is all you can really expect from a player.
- Church(Rf) - Since returning from the DL in August, Ryan has been a black hole where the Mets offense has gone to die. I think we may need to see more Nick Evans.
- Castillo (2b) - this catastrophic signing continues to spin out of control, as Manuel benches El Pollo because the media and fan heat is getting to him. A.Reyes continues to show why he's not a major league hitter, and Easley is injured. How about we give ole Marlon a shot? or even Ramon Martinez?
- Schneider (c) - After a 3-month slide, Schneider has shown some decent pop the last 2 months. His defense and throwing are, as always, top notch.
Bench - a thin bunch, with Castro, Evans (or Murphy), Chavez, R.Martinez, Cancel, and A.Reyes (or Castillo). No game changers or guys who'll make an opposing manager think twice.
Bullpen - better not to discuss it.
medical watch
- RHP John Maine (bone spur behind right shoulder) needs surgery this winter, if not sooner. He went on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 25 and resumed throwing in mid-September. He threw a simulated inning Sept. 22, and he was activated Sept. 24.
- 2B Damion Easley (strained right quadriceps) was injured Sept. 13 and hasn’t started since. He appeared as a pinch hitter Sept. 21.
FLORIDA LINEUP
- H. Ramirez (SS) - a little banged up, but still banging. Another 30/30 season for their shortstop. a Typical Marlins player -- high Ks, high errors, big bopper.
- Maybin (CF) - they've just brought up the phenom, and he's been ... well, phenomenal.
- Cantu (3b) - a comeback year for the Cantu Kid, and he saved his best for last, with a great September.
- Jacobs (1b) - another slugger with a smoking hot September.
- Uggla (2b) - after a cold July-August chilled the ridiculous comparisons to Utley, Dan has gotten back on track a bit recently.
It should be noted that the Marlins IF is the first team in history with 4 infielders to hit 25+ HRs each. If Cantu hits 1 more, they'll be the first with 30+ HRs each. The Baseball Hall of Fame next month will have a display recognizing the accomplishment. I wonder if they'll also note their large number of errors, too (67 and counting)? NTTAWT.
- Willingham (lf) - got off to a great start and then got hurt; he's been scuffling along ever since.
- Hermida (Rf) - he was finally dropped down in the order after months of unproductive ABs. He's still young, but so far has not lived up to his hype.
- Baker / LoDuca (C) - the rookie catcher has hit well for about a month, but tweaked his knee on Wednesday. With Treanor hurt, too, LoDuca may fill in, and LoDuca is pretty much over.
Bench: Ross had been betting regular ABs in CF before Maybin came up, and shows great power. Almazeaga plays everywhere and has been hot lately. McPherson hit 42hrs in the minors this year. Wes Helms = professional hitter. Luis Gonzalez is over 40... and over and out.
Bullpen:It's nice to see we're not the only team blaming their demise on their bullpen. Here's a quote from their local paper, after a loss on Monday.
]The bullpen that blew seven games during a 5-10 stretch from Aug. 13 through Aug. 29 and that saw the Marlins fall from 1 ½ games out of first to seven games back couldn't hang on Monday either. The Marlins blew a 4-0 lead and a six-run seventh all but ended Florida's dim playoff hopes.
The loss Monday wasn't as devastating as the 5-4 setback to the Mets on Aug. 29, which might have been the worst of the season. That's when Kevin Gregg had a 2-1 lead with two outs and two strikes in the ninth. The Mets loaded the bases, Carlos Beltran hit a grand slam, and the Marlins stormed back, only to lose 5-4 in probably the most pivotal game of the season. |
Soon after that game at the end of August, Gregg lost the closer's job to ex-met Lindstrom, who has done the job pretty well so far. Rhodes came over in August and has been lights out. Hey, Omar, waytago!
medical watch
- CF Cameron Maybin (sore left hip) left the Sept. 24 game and is day-to-day.
- C John Baker (sore left knee) didn’t start Sept. 24 but was available to pinch-hit.
- C Matt Treanor (deep bone bruise on left knee) left the Sept. 7 game and didn’t play Sept. 8-9. He returned to action Sept. 10 but sat out Sept. 11-23. He returned to start Sept. 24. He will require offseason surgery to repair three muscle tears in his left hip area.
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