Archive for June 9th, 2009

Lidge was perfect last year, but he has been anything but in 2009.

BY MICHAEL GANCI
EDITOR

The Phillies finally can understand just a little bit of what we have been going through. Phillies’ struggling closer Brad Lidge was placed on the disabled list today with what the team is calling a sprained knee. There were suspicions that the closer was not 100 percent, and those ended up being true. Lidge will now take the next two weeks to heal up and try to rediscover what made him so dominant last season.

Thus far in 2009, Lidge has just 13 saves in 19 attempts. His ERA stands at a staggering 7.27 and the Phillies will use phenomenal set-up man Ryan Madson in his absense.

This must be music to the Mets’ ears.

This may have been the opportune time to face Lidge, but let’s face it. He was due for a good outing. Also, this throws the rest of the Phillies’ bullpen into flux. Guys are going to need to switch roles to accommodate for the loss, and maybe that will make a big difference when it comes to the seventh and eighth innings. That’s usually when the game is decided between these two clubs.

This probably means guys like Chad Durbin and Clay Condrey will need to step it up for the Phillies, because I doubt that they would attempt to bring in Madson for a six-out save. Also, you have to wonder if the nerves will get to Madson, seeing how the rush is so much bigger in the ninth inning. Just ask JJ Putz.

Things just got very interesting.

Modell's had an event earlier this year in the city in which Doc Gooden was the special guest.

BY MICHAEL GANCI
EDITOR

As a kid, I have always dreamed of having season tickets to the Mets. In the ideal world, I would wake up, go to work and then go to the Met game at night. I have always dreamed of it, and now, Modell’s is offering up the chance of a lifetime for two lucky Mets’ fans, and it is something psycho Mets’ fanatics like myself would be crazy to pass up.

Modell’s Sporting Goods is looking for a dynamic duo of local Mets fans to represent the Mo’s Zone (sections 101 & 102 at Citi Field) for the remainder of the season! If you think you’ve got the chops, come to the Modell’s Sporting Goods store located in Queens Center Mall on Tuesday, June 16, from 6-9 p.m. to show us what you’ve got.

As far as I can understand, they will be judging people on appearance and uniqueness. They want to know how you could rile up the crowd. What makes you stand out from the others? Do what you have to do people. Show up and give your best, because this could be the opportunity of a lifetime.

And remember, LET’S GO METS!

Carlos Lee would add much needed power, but is he worth the dough?

BY MIKE BARRETT
STACHE WRITER

There is no secret to the Mets lack of a power bat. Ever since Carlos Delgado went down, the four spot has been filled by a mix of Gary Sheffield and David Wright. Gary Sheffield and his 40 years old legs have performed admirably but he isn’t the man he used to be. Wright has been hitting the ball, but only has three homeruns all year and is far to hot and cold to be the permanent for hitter. So where does the solution lie? It may be in the form of another Carlos.

Carlos Lee that is.

Lee is having a typical Carlos Lee year in Houston this season, sporting a .321 average, 10 home runs, and 38 runs batted in. Easy to expect from a man who has driven in over a 1000 runs in his career and has hit 291 home runs. He plays left field so thus filling a void that is in a state of disarray and can hold down the four spot without question for the next three years if need be.

There is one question though, will Lee’s numbers go down batting in the cavernous Citi Field? Lee has hit in every park he has played in so it shouldn’t be a problem. Besides the mere threat of Lee sandwiched between Carlos Beltran and Wright would strike fear into any pitcher in the majors. And when Delgado comes back later this year? Well it could mean the Mets cold have their own version of the three amigos down the order.

So what is it going to take to get el caballo? For one it is going to depend heavily on how the Astros play the next few weeks. If they go on one of their notorious mid to late season tears, Lee will stay put. If not, it will take a package centered around good young pitching that will still be cheap and likely a position player to replace Lee on the Astros side. Yet a package like that may be worth it, as Lee may be the man the Mets are looking for to bring a championship back to Queens.

So as the Mets start the toughest stretch of the season thus far, brighter days may be ahead if el caballo is in fact New York bound.

Ryan Church is going to need to step it up against three lefties this week.

BY MICHAEL GANCI
EDITOR

The Mets haven’t played a game since Sunday’s 7-0 trumping over the feeble Washington Nationals. Each and every day, the Mets continue to put out a lineup of guys that most of us would have been shocked to see on an everyday basis. Guys like Alex Cora, Fernando Tatis and Fernando Martinez weren’t expected to be playing such a large role at this point of the season. But, unfortunately the injury plague attacked this team, and Delgado, Reyes and others were casualties. Now the Mets need to make due.

The rain could be of assistance. Each day a game is rained out is a potential game they will have their big guns in there to go to battle. For example, if today’s game is called and is rescheduled for a day in September, the Mets will most likely have Reyes, Delgado, Putz and maybe even Wagner available. I would much rather go to war with that team.

Now, I know I have said that I think this team could persevere through all of the adversity, but they are going to need some serious help. Realistically, this team probably needs to set its sights on the Wild Card. Once the Phillies get rolling and Brad Lidge gets righted, they are going to run away with the division. The Phillies are arguably the best team in the National League, and they proved it with the way they played the Dodgers in their four-game set.

Right now, I am pretty sure the Phillies are on their high horse. They are all healthy, and they know the Mets are a team that is limping into their three-game showdown. The Mets can take advantage of that. The element of surprise could be a very dangerous thing. The Mets certainly still have bats that are capable of making a big splash. One of which is Gary Sheffield.

Sheff may be the most important player in the series. With the Phillies throwing three lefties, the argument can be made to start him every game. I see that as unlikely with his hobbled legs, but you never know.

This is going to be brutal.