Men LOB, Four Out Save, The Nat that Got Away
By Mike Silva ~ April 25th, 2009. Filed under: Morning Digest.
- There might come a time where Mariano Rivera starts to become human. Perhaps he will still pitch at his outer space level this year, but only for three out saves. You can’t question Girardi’s move last night because it was a game that would have sent a message. Was it a case of Mo having a bad game or something bigger to examine?
- Hearing about the injuries to Cody Ransom, Wang, and possibly Bruney makes me think how fruitless it is predicting a 25 man roster for a pro baseball team. Both teams already have made changes to their opening day roster and we have yet to hit May 1st. These insignificant winter signings are just as important sometimes as the big name free agents.
- The Mets hitting with runners in scoring position has become baffling. I think it’s clearly mental and you could tell because every hitter on the team shows a lack of patience and swings at bad pitches in these spots. What happened to all the drills from spring training?
- It would be a shame if Brian Bruney was seriously injured. David Robertson is a more than adequate replacement, but Bruney looked to be on the verge of a special season. It also cost the Yanks last night’s game because Rivera would never have been needed for the eighth inning.
- David Wright is starting to look like he is coming out of his funk. The single to right field on Thursday afternoon, as well as the drive to right that Kearns stuck his glove out to catch are great signs. Let’s see what he does today.
- There were all sorts of screaming when Lastings Milledge got trade, but you know what former Mets player getting away burns me when the Nats come to town? Jesus Flores. What in the world was Minaya thinking when he left him unprotected?
- Could you believe that Johan Santana was left unprotected in the Rule V draft at one point? To top it off the Marlins traded him away after they drafted him. I know his minor league numbers were mediocre, but that tells you scouts saw something in him.
- Lastings Milledge was in New York last night. He was playing the Mets AAA affiliate in Buffalo. His three hit game raised his batting average to .238.
- Joba Chamberlain really gutted out that five plus inning performance last night. He will be the best #5 starter in baseball this year. Hopefully the Yanks won’t have more eighth innings like last night or else the bullpen vs. starter debate will resurface in the media. We all know how everyone loves that conversation.
