Jul
23
2012

3 Up & 3 Down: The Sky Is Falling Edition

An article by Gregg Hopps

Extra, Extra, Grieve All About It!

The Los Angeles Dodgers were in town this weekend, and they wound up sweeping the hapless Mets, and putting the good guys under .500 for the first time this season. It was an awful start to the homestand especially after a 1-5 road trip to start the second half. Oh and by the way, here came the Nationals. Without further ado, here are the 3 Ups (be that as it may), and the 3 Downs from this series.

3 Up:

Jon Niese: Jon Niese comes in at number one for a real solid performance on Sunday afternoon. Niese only gave up three runs, which most times is good enough to win. Niese also handed in the only quality outing by a starter this weekend going seven innings, lasting long enough to get a few at bats and draw a walk to improve his OBP to .343 for the season!

Daniel Murphy: Murph had a four hit game on Friday night, and another on on Sunday. I don’t understand why Terry didn’t start Murph on Saturday. I like Terry, but sometimes I think he over-manages or over-thinks things. If anything, Murphy has proven to be a big league hitter and when he’s hot he can help Wright carry the offense.

The Bullpen: The bullpen, which has pretty much stunk all season, was actually pretty good on Friday and Saturday. they held the Dodgers in check, and allowed the Mets offense to come oh so close. Except of course in the twelfth inning on Sunday.

3 Down:

Johan Santana: Johan handed in another poor performance on Friday night. Saturday morning we learned that Johan has been placed on the 15 day disabled list. His arm is tired, because he was overcompensating for a sore ankle. Okay. But come on, if Johan’s ankle was sore, he should have told Terry and missed a start or two.

Miguel Batista: Well, he was designated for assignment, so we won’t kick a guy when he’s down. My only thought is he never should have ben starting in the first place.

Lack of Key Hits: The Mets got 16 hits on Sunday afternoon, but very few of them were key. That seems to have been he theme all weekend. From my armchair view, it looks like the Mets are getting away from being patient at the plate. They need to get back to that.

All right, W.B. Mason truck give away tomorrow night, T-Shirt Tuesday, and a camper’s matinee on Wednesday wind up the home trip against the Nationals. A series win before heading out west would be awesome. Until them, LGM!!

I’m Not Going Down Without A Fight….

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

Metsie July 23, 2012 at 12:02 pm

I disagree with Batista being named but not Ramirez…
Ramirez gave up way more runs than Batista did in 3 inning in 1.2 innings.

You have to expect a guy who was taken from the pen and made to start to have issues especially when he getsto the third inning in a row he hasn’t seen for a month…

Ramirez needed to go before Batista did if you ask me.
He has been useless for the entire season where Batista at least has been good and bad at the same time.

And the only reason Ramirez is still here i because it would be admitting how bad the Pagan trade actually was if they cut him!
Mr North Jersey July 23, 2012 at 12:32 pm

Can’t argue with your 3 up, 3 down choices this week. Those W.B. Mason trucks look pretty cool. Mets should do more of those sponsored truck giveaways in the future.
- Joe D July 23, 2012 at 2:37 pm
  
  What trucks? I meant to ask Gregg about it when I posted this for him, and forgot to. I don’t get out much, lol.
  - Mr North Jersey July 23, 2012 at 2:41 pm
    
    http://mlb.mlb.com/nym/images/promotions/y2012/toy_truck_lg.jpg
  - Gregga July 23, 2012 at 4:26 pm
    
    Those truck look like one of the nicer promotions the Mets are doing this year. The first 15,000 fans get one. he truck is definately nicer than the Mets cup, I think.
Alex68 July 23, 2012 at 12:41 pm

3 Up so far this season, DW, Dickey and the overachiveing of the mets players so far, despite lacking talent the team fought hard and play very well in the first half
3 Down, Sandy Alderson, His sabergooners and legion of followers and the Bullpen.

Hey, in case we do end up with a losing season, SA can tied a 50 year old record, as the only GM in hstory of baseball with 9 straight losing season… (Noted i said GM, Being President of a Franchise do not count)
USMF July 23, 2012 at 12:47 pm

At least this slide is making Sandy’s job much easier. Now he doesn’t have to worry about adding an impact player or bullpen help. He can stick to his game plan of cutting payroll and not trying to compete for a couple of years.
martin July 23, 2012 at 2:33 pm

that is the girl from that at&t commercial where they listen to music from around the country and end up in new york.
- Joe D July 23, 2012 at 2:35 pm
  
  Yes, it is.
  - martin July 23, 2012 at 2:41 pm
    
    i know, thats why i said it!

NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	23	18	.561	-
Nationals	23	19	.548	0.5
Phillies	20	22	.476	3.5
Mets	16	23	.410	6.0
Marlins	11	31	.262	12.5

Last updated: 05/18/2013

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