Ahh September. The month that has given every Met fan nightmares over the past two seasons. However, this year don't fret. For the first time since 2005, the Mets don't find themselves in first place in the beginning of September. Ironically enough, the Mets were also in 4th place in 2005...but with a 69-64 record and only 6.5 back of the Atlanta Braves. The roles have changed and now it will be the Mets who look to do some spoiling. 19 games this month will be against teams in playoff contention (Colorado- 3, Atlanta and Florida- 6 each, Philadelphia- 4) and those games will certainly decide the fate of not only the NL East, but of the Wild Card.


In the meantime however, the first task at hand is the Colorado Rockies. Historically the Mets do not fair well at Coors Field. Although they are 15-3 vs. the Rockies at home since 2005...on the road they are a mere 4-8 including 1-5 in the past couple of seasons. In this injury ravaged season there is some good news however. The beloved David Wright will make his triumphant return tonight. He's expected to get the night off Wednesday before playing again on Thursday. Also, Carlos Beltran ran the bases in Port St. Lucie and is expected to have a rehab assignment for the Brooklyn Cyclones on Wednesday. This series will also feature on Thursday the anticipated debut of Josh Thole, a 22 year old catcher that had been playing the majority of the season over in Binghamton. The young fella will wear #30...last worn by the immortal Raul Casanova last season.

Pitching Matchups for the Series:

Tonight- Mike Pelfrey (9-9 4.80 ERA) vs. Jorge De La Rosa (12-9 4.76 ERA). The Big Pelf looks to rebound from a poor outing in Florida last week in which he surrendered 5 runs on 11 hits in 5.2IP in a 5-3 loss. Career-wise versus the Rockies he has odd statistics. Although he is 3-1 with a 2.35 ERA in four career appearances (all starts), his WHIP is 1.43 and the Rockies have managed to hit .282. On the road this season, Pelfrey has been dreadful as he is 4-6 with a 6.11 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and .304 BAA in 11 starts. Meanwhile, De La Rosa has been hot lately. Though he lost his last outing 3-2 to the LA Dodgers where he allowed 3 runs on 8 hits in 7IP, he is 7-2 in his last 10 starts. De La Rosa careerwise versus the Mets is 2-0 with a 4.91 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and .189 BAA in 7 appearances (1 start). At home this season, De La Rosa has been aided by run support as he is 7-6 with a 5.17 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and .265 BAA in 15 games (14 starts).

Wednesday- Tim Redding (2-4 5.94 ERA) vs. Ubaldio Jimenez (12-10 3.33 ERA). Since his return to the rotation, Redding has been solid, allowing 3 ER (all in his last start, a 10-3 win) in 11.2IP to the Phillies and Marlins. In seven career appearances (5 starts) versus the Rockies the Red Dog is 1-2 with a 4.20 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and .246 BAA. The road hasn't been kind to Redding either as he is 1-2 with a 5.77 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and .304 BAA in eleven appearances (6 starts). Meanwhile, Jimenez is another Rockie who has been red hot lately. Though he lost his last outing 2-0 in San Francisco where he allowed 2 ER and 7 hits in 7IP, he is 6-2 in his last 10 starts- all of which have been quality starts. Jimenez career-wise versus the Mets is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and .211 BAA in three starts. In 12 home starts this season Jimenez is 7-4 with a 3.21 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and .234 BAA.

Thursday- Pat Misch (0-1 3.40 ERA) vs. Jason Marquis (14-9 3.60 ERA). Misch looks to build off the best outing of his career versus the Cubs- where he went 7IP and allowed just 1 ER on 6 hits. He was in line for his first career MLB victory but Brian Stokes fell apart in the 8th inning of a 5-2 Mets loss. In 5 career appearances (2 starts) versus the Rockies, Misch is 0-1 with a 4.60 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and .321 BAA. He has no decisions in his 10 road appearances (1 start) with a 2.35 ERA but 1.76 WHIP and .310 BAA. He will once again oppose an NL-All Star, this time in Marquis; who if he were to win this start would tie a career high in wins for a season. The Giants were able to get to him in his last start where he took the loss, allowing 5ER and 9 hits in 6IP in a 5-3 loss. In 22 career appearances (15 starts) versus the Mets, Marquis sports a 6-6 record with a 4.22 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and .283 BAA. In 12 home starts this season Marquis is 6-4 with a 3.59 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and .256 BAA.

This September as Mets fans, we're not expecting a miracle playoff run. All we ask for is for the players to give it their all, steal a few games and give teams a taste of their own medicine from the past couple of seasons. Just to get to .500 the Mets would have to go 22-9 down the stretch which is too much to ask, especially considering our weak August...but a good September/early October for once would give some optimism for next season.
Read More...

Nothing much has happened on the Mets front since their historic collapse two weeks ago. All the players went home for the winter, hopefully with a bitter taste in their mouth. I know we can talk about all the changes that should happen but nothing like that will start taking place until the free agent period starts, which is after the World Series.

I know my colleague Jersey Dan wrote a nice article on Tuesday, but I feel the need to comment on a few things he said the Mets should do. First off, Delgado is signed through next year so there is no way the Mets are going to dump him. Yes, he was downright awful at times this year. However, he still put together a 24 home run 87 RBI season. And this is a guy who was struggling all season! I will take that from a backup hitter anyway. Hopefully we can get one more year of the same, before Delgado goes sayonara.

Second off, as far as the second base position goes, I love Ruben Gotay. I think he was a decent pickup and has potential to play a few solid years everyday. However, he still needs to share the duties behind Luis Castillo. Castillo was a godsend for the Mets even with his bum knee playing in 50 of 56 games down the stretch. Castillo is only 32 (we think) and hopefully will re sign. Gotay can take the once or twice a week Castillo needs to rest his knee.

As far as the baseball that is being played right now, the Rockies have looked mightily impressive. They have tied the 1986 Mets for winning 18 out of 19 games. It’s a nice story considering they have never have made it to the NLCS. Skip Carey has been saying it’s the first time the Rockies have made the playoffs, but that is incorrect. They made it as a Wild Card team in 1995 and were promptly swept by eventual World Champions, the Atlanta Braves.

I do not support fans throwing anything onto the field; however, it’s nice to see that Arizona fans do care about their Diamondbacks. I know I was curious and looked up to see how much tickets were going for, and apparently they were as low as $20 for a ticket to last night’s game. It’s a shame I don’t have money to fly out and see a game because it would probably be cheaper to plan a vacation in Arizona then try to get a ticket in Cleveland or Boston. With that being said, if the Diamondbacks win the series and their fans don’t buy up all the tickets, look for half their stadium to be rooting against them considering their tickets are cheap and available.

The last thing that I can comment on is the Boston vs. Cleveland series. I am looking forward to two great pitching matchups in CC Sabathia vs. Josh Beckett and Fausto Carmona vs. Curt Schilling. Hopefully they can have a pitchers duel that becomes a classic similar to Pedro Martinez vs. Roger Clemens in 2003.
Read More...

Alright ladies and gentlemen, I know it has been entirely too long...but TUESDAY TWO CENTS is back! As a lot of you might be aware I have been computerless for quite some time now. This mainly has to do with me being poor and not being able to buy one yet, but that will be changing soon. I would like to apologize to all that have wondered where I am, considering I am an administrator in this group. It's good to be back again. Anyways, on to business.


Well as we all know, the Mets blew it this season. Last Sunday was quite rough on us all, and I hope to never feel misery of that sorts ever again. Of course being the New York sports fans that we are, the first thing we seem to do is find a scapegoat. I would like to clarify one thing though, there is not just one scapegoat, but there are many scapegoats. Willie Randolph is not the only man to blame for the Flushing Flush.

While the team could have been more motivated, it is not entirely Randolph's fault. Blame must also be put on Omar Minaya who put together a bullpen that went from best in the league in 2006, to steroid users. Blame, in my opinion, must also be put on Rick Peterson. While Peterson is great at developing pitchers, he seems to take no part in managing pitchers. Willie's expertise is definitely at managing the lineup, as he was a solid offensive second baseman for a quite a long time. Willie does seem to have trouble managing the bullpen at times, but if Peterson gave him any sort of advice I think that problem could be alleviated. Instead the Jacket has his face stuffed in a computer worrying about pitch counts and all other sorts of jazz. Get your head out of your Mac and into the game Rick, and help Willie out in a place that is obviously his weakness. Then there's Tom Glavine. The name makes me want to puke. Just one day after Johnny Maine pitches damn near flawless, our "ace" decides to do his best Dave Mlicki impression. Seven runs given up in less than two innings against a team with a mascot named Billy is just horribly inexplicable. Go back to Atlanta. Thank you for three years, you basically just rendered them useless with that lackluster garbage excuse of a start.

There needs to be a lot of changes this off season. Carlos Delgado needs to go. We need to get younger at first base, and Delgado's best days are definitely behind him. I love Carlos as a player, and he won his respect back for me as a man when he decided to start standing for THE National Anthem again. Go to the American League, be a DH, and end your career. Luis Castillo was a useless acquisition this season. Ruben Gotay is without a doubt the front runner for the starting 2B job going into next season. Especially since Anderson Hernandez couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with a beach ball. If Lastings Milledge isn't starting in right field next season then I am becoming a Yankees fan...alright that was a joke, but I think you guys can understand how serious I am about that. Finally we need to get a bona fide ace, and fix that pitiful excuse of a bullpen we got.

Omar is going to be busy this off season. Mets fans are going to expect nothing less than a division title and payback on the Phillies. A pennant would be nice considering we haven't won one of those in seven years. Dare I mention it has been 21 years since we have won a World Series. Next year will show what Omar and Willie have when it comes to leading this team. They are facing a lot of pressure and are under a microscope...ummm scratch that telescope from all of the Tri State to get the job done. Here's hoping for a great off season.

In other baseball news.....

HOW BOUT THEM ROCKIES! This is without a doubt the feel good story of the year in baseball. If you would have told me that the Colorado Rockies would be four games away from the World Series in May, I would have been calling Bellevue for you. Big up to the Rock Dawgs, and I would love to see them in the World Series. Plus it was great justice to see them beat up on Philadelphia. This just goes to show that the only thing useful to ever come out of Philadelphia when it comes to sports is a fictional character that fictionally ended Communism in the USSR. Reagan didn't bring down the Berlin Wall...Rocky did.

The fire your manager wave is hot all over New York City, as George Steinbrenner, in yet another act of ignorance, will be firing Joe Torre for taking his Yankees to the playoffs every season of his 12 season tenure. Joe Torre is a class act, and he gets treated with utter disrespect by The Boss. It is not Torre's fault that Alex Rodriguez is useless in October, and the ace of his staff didn't show up to this post season. You ask any player in that Yankee clubhouse and they will tell you firing Torre is a horrible idea. Have some class George.

Finally, I'm just going to put it out there. NO ONE IS BEATING BOSTON. They are too good. They made the Angels look like the Reds in the ALDS. Their pitching is clicking on all cylinders, Manny and Ortiz look like Ruth and Gehrig, and that bullpen is awesome. Cleveland has nothing to match Boston after Sabathia and Carmona. Look for the Red Sox to take the series in 6. Rockies take out the D'Backs in seven. Both series' should be very entertaining to watch.

IN OTHER SPORTS...

I don't know about you guys, but it was very gratifying to watch the Giants front four demolish the Eagles on that horrible Sunday last week. It really saved my day, I'm not going to lie. My G-Men then followed up their demolition of Philly with a 35-24 comeback victory over the Paper Airplanes. Eli and Plaxico (STIFF ARM) looked great in the second half, and HOW BOUT THAT AARON ROSS. The G-Men, along with the whole NFC East is looking like the NFC East of the early 1990's. Everyone is good, except for the Eagles.

Also this calling time out RIGHT before a field goal is kicked. That bush league garbage needs to stop.

HOCKEY IS BACK!!!!

What seems to be the second most popular sport in the group has made it's triumphant return...unless you are a Devils fan of course. We look like garbage. Rangers are fans are already on my last nerve, as they are already running their mouths. The Rangers are the same story every season; a bunch of high salaries with no chemistry and no results by the end of the season. Until I am ever proved wrong I will continue with that philosophy. The Fishsticks are weak. I'll let Wassink handle the Pens.

THE CHASE IS ON!!!

Well not for Junior unfortunately. To add insult to injury my boy Dale blew his sixth engine of the year at Talladega (Man Race) last Sunday. At least he is sticking it to Theresa, the woman who is trying to ruin the Earnhardt name. Looks like Hendrick Motor Sports is going to be running 1-2 in points again as Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson are motoring themselves away from everyone else. Wait until Junior joins that team next season...scary.

Finally I would like to give a shout out to my Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who finally won a football game this past weekend. Let's keep em coming boys. Oh and if anyone finds the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team, please return them to Piscataway. It would be greatly appreciated. USC lost...HAHAHAHA. That's my Two Cents. Later on. JD.
Read More...

MLBTradeRumors.com is reporting that the Rockies may try to sign Paul Lo Duca after this season to become their starting catcher. According to the post, the Rockies have "long coveted" him and he should be there for the signing this winter.

This is news to me. I never knew the Rockies ever had interest. With Paulie just coming back from the DL, it could be a sign that his age may finally be catching up to him. I wouldn't doubt us letting him go for someone younger. (which is probably a smart move) but, I personally don't want to see him go. He is a bonafide leader for this club, and is one of (if not) the best when it comes to coming through with RISP. Recently with him being shifted to the 7th spot in the lineup though, he has become very expendable in many people's eyes. Read More...