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I can't believe it. The first televised Spring Training game is only 4 days away. SNY will be televising from Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie at 1pm this coming Friday as the Mets take on the Cardinals.. And what a coincidence that Johann Santana will be making that start. I am anxious to see him, and the rest of our team in a live game for the first time since the fall of '07.

So what's cookin' down south? Duaner Sanchez made his first throws to live batters today in an intrasquad game. The Mets vs. the Mets. He went one innning, giving up 2 hits, no earned runs, 1K, 1 BB, and threw 26 pitches. The best part is that he threw all of his pitches and rumor has it that his change up was outstanding.

El Duque may not be ready for the first month of the season. But even if he isn't, with all the off days early on, the Mets may choose to go with a four-man rotation to start the season. Or if they prefer, they can use Pelfrey as the fifth starter until El Duque is ready.

The confidence level of this team is, well, motivating. Everyone knows what they have to do and how to do it. This team knows that the fans still believe in them, but even still, they know they cannot let us or themselves down again. We expect nothing less than going all the way.

An SNY poll during Mets Hot Stove Live tonight asked the fans how many games they expect the Mets to win this year. Fifty-four percent of the viewers said 96+ games. Forty percent said between 91 and 95 games. Want my opinion? Well, I'm gonna give it to you anyway. If everyone stays healthy and performs at their best abilities, Carlos Beltran (NOT Jimmy Rollins) will be absolutely right with his pick for the team to beat.

Comments

Time is so cruel! I can't wait either!
Lets go Mets in 2008 and BEYOND!

Posted by: Adam Baker | February 25, 2008 11:02 PM

they should do the six man rotation thing for the first week. that way pedro and johan get a shot at the phillies opening series at shea

Posted by: andy | February 26, 2008 12:09 AM

A 6 man rotation early on would be a very bad move. Pitchers success is often based on routine, messing with that routine can have drastic results. We have a long season ahead to set our rotation for two games in early April is crazy. If we went with a 6 man rotation Santana would start the home opener on 7 days rest, that is not a good idea. Pitchers need to pitch in order to stay sharp. In fact teams should go back to the permanent 4 man rotations as they had 25-30 years ago.

Posted by: Christian (MetsMan) | February 26, 2008 12:27 AM

true very true, i didnt see that whole 7 days rest thing. You are very correct and to me its crazy because bullpens really werent used like the way they are today. guys would just have to tough it out. It seems that due to the amount of money invested in so many players, it seems like a big risk if they get hurt. Regardless im w/ you on that one Christian.

Posted by: andy | February 26, 2008 2:52 AM

I'm with you too Christian. It's April baseball, can't risk anything right now!
It is so true that the confidence level on this team is outstanding. These ballplayers seem so motivated and are ready to go out there and make up for last year. Everybody feels good and they know their weaknesses. I'm psyched for this year!!!

Posted by: Matt Thompson | February 26, 2008 6:53 AM

Andy - You make a very good point that I would like to further elaborate on. Do to the amount of money invested in players today pitching coaches assume that cutting down on the number of pitches and innings will cut down on injury risk. You would think that would be a good assumption, however scientific studies have shown that to be false. Pitchers who throw less are at a higher risk of injury. Injuries to pitchers has dramatically increased over the last 15-20 years. Pitchers use to pitch ever other day and do their side sections of 100 or so pitches at full effort, nowadays pitchers throw one side session between starts and only throw 50-70 pitches at about 60% effort. It is no surprise that starting pitchers can not last deep into games any more because they are not conditioned to do so. Starting pitchers begin to tier at around the 80 pitch mark but are often allowed to pitch until the 100 pitch mark before being taken out. Also the drills that pitchers do these days have zero benefit, long toss does nothing, the towel drill does nothing, throwing a weighted ball does nothing. Pitching also has nothing to do with arm strength, you read that right pitching has nothing to do with arm strength. The arm has to do with with pitch control but velocity has to do with proper mechanics. Improper mechanics is the single biggest cause of injury. If you go to pitching.com it breaks down in perfect detail why everything pitching coaches teach today is wrong.

Posted by: Christian (MetsMan) | February 26, 2008 1:59 PM