Apr
24
2012

3 Up & 3 Down: The San Francisco Treat Edition

An article by Gregg Hopps

The Mets just wound up a four game weekend wrap-around series with the San Francisco Giants, winning only one of the four games. Sunday’s edition of Rain Out Theater, prompted a double-header on Monday night, with the Giants sweeping both games from the Mets. One would think with 36 plus innings of baseball played between these teams, 3 Ups would be easy, but the Mets were something awful, we had a tough time.

3 Up:

Mike Pelfrey: Big Pelf pitched a gem on Saturday, too bad he didn’t figure into the decision. Pelf went 8 innings giving up one run. He was pulled in the ninth inning and the Mets blew the lead, but Pelf was golden this weekend, of that there is no doubt.

Jon Niese: Jon got roughed up early in the series opener giving up three runs, but he hung tough and lasted six innings, giving up only those runs and nothing more. More importantly he pitched deep into the game and prevented further damage.

The Giants Starters: We loathe giving the opposition props, but the Giants’ starting pitching, with possibly the exception of Barry Zito were pretty solid. After watching this series I have come to the conclusion that either the Giants starting pitchers are really good, or the Mets offense is in big trouble.

3 Down:

Ike the Rally Killer: Ike left 11 men on base during Monday’s doubleheader, including doing nothing, nada, zip with the bases loaded THREE times. One of my fellow writers here at MMO points out the Mets have four first basemen. Well, maybe can they find one who can hit?

The Black Hole: With the exception of Josh Thole, and sometimes Kirk Nieuwenhuis, that would be the Mets line-up after David Wright. Ike, Duda, Bay, all have done nothing so far this season. The Mets front office really needs to sit down and make some tough choices, especially regarding Bay & Duda.

Collins Pulling Pelf: I hate to disagree with Terry Collins, but he should have left Pelf in to finish the game on Saturday, he earned the right to notch a complete game victory which would have been a huge confidence booster for Pelf’s somewhat fragile psyche.

One of the most popular Mets in franchise history returns to New York with the Marlins for night games Tuesday & Wednesday and a matinee on Thursday. Lets Go Mets!!

About the Author: Gregg Hopps

Gregg lives on Long Island, and has been a Mets fan since Bud Harrelson and Pete Rose slugged it out in the 1973 playoffs. "Keith Hernandez is the best defensive first baseman to ever have played baseball."

10 Comments + Add Comment

stick April 24, 2012 at 12:43 pm

I agree about leaving Pelf in. to me, it is better to say “we have confidence in you” even if it doesn’t work out, than it is to say “we don’t think you can do it so we won’t give you a chance to succeed to make sure you can’t fail”

and the Mets offense remains to be seen (can’t possibly stay this bad!) but the Giant’s starters are actually really good too.
Mr North Jersey April 24, 2012 at 12:43 pm

Ha! “San Francisco Treat” nice.

I think looking back that Lincecum the Mets prob bailed him out more than he got them out but Madison pitched well. On another note I see the Braves sent Jair Jurrjens down to AAA to right himself.
- trs86 April 24, 2012 at 12:45 pm
  
  Interesting and as I said either here or in the desert one, eventually the Mets may have to make the same decision with Ike.
  - Mr North Jersey April 24, 2012 at 12:51 pm
    
    we were discussing this in the dugout last night. I am opposed to sending Ike down. I’d give him at least till the ASB before I even visit the idea of sending him down.
    - trs86 April 24, 2012 at 12:55 pm
      
      I can see both sides NJ and I think they will have to act based on the player himself. It’s impossible for us to know which move will impact his mental state more. Batting .145 from now through the ASB or sending him down in a couple of weeks. The Mets will have to decide what steps to take to right the ship.
      1) Move him in the order up or down to take off pressure or adjust what he is seeing.
      2) Give him more time off against LH until he gets in a groove.
      3) Sending him down to AAA to work on his swing and breathe a little.
      4) Leaving him alone and hoping it’s just a slump.
      - Mr North Jersey April 24, 2012 at 1:00 pm
        
        Obviously the Mets will act on what is best for Ike. In the end they may indeed send him down or not. My opinion as a fan is I would not like to see him go down and rather be given the chance to work it out up here.
      - Gregga April 24, 2012 at 1:02 pm
        
        I don’t think I’d send Ike down right away, but eitehr bat him lower in the order, or maybe put Wright behind him to offer some protection.
        I would send Duda down when Torres in ready, then play Torres in center with Capt’n Kirk in right. At least we know Kirk can hit a bit.
- stick April 24, 2012 at 12:48 pm
  
  If the Braves can do that with a much more established player, would be hard to quibble with Ike getting a few weeks to rebuild himself.
  
  actually this could be a good time for a phantom injury (play the valley fever card?) Forget about demoting him, just send him to EST in PSL to work on stuff, then he can have the week or so of rehab games, and come back better than ever!
  - trs86 April 24, 2012 at 12:51 pm
    
    True that is an option. I still think that if he is still struggling when Torres is ready then you bring up Lutz and Torres and send down Ike and Baxter (release).
srt April 24, 2012 at 1:05 pm

You know it’s been a bad week in Met land when one of your 3 Up is the opposing team’s pitchers……

NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	25	18	.581	-
Nationals	23	21	.523	2.5
Phillies	21	23	.477	4.5
Mets	17	24	.415	7.0
Marlins	12	32	.273	13.5

Last updated: 05/19/2013

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