Now the kiss of death from Yankee fans, the Mets are in even bigger shit. I'm not exactly sure how the Mets are going to fill the next 18 innings, as neither starter is likely to last over 5(and that may be generous). Outside observers don't realize how dire the Mets SP situation really is.
As for Willie this is the 2nd time in 5 games that he's inexplicably left Mota in a big spot late in the game beyond all reason with Heilman warmed up and ready to come in. You hear the comments from the announcers that Mota and Heilman are very similar pitchers, but Willie feels like Mota's changeup is a "bit better" and this is the end result. I believe Willie is letting his vendettas or personal dislike of certain players get in the way of managing the team. Combined with his other flaws something like this is really problematic in a playoff situation.
Yes, Mota has been terrible in two of his three games, but Wagner also gave up a run in the LDS, as did Heilman, and Oliver got bombed in game 3 of the LDS. In the two games pitched by Glavine the bullpen has a 1.80 ERA; in the other two, it's about 7. If that pattern continues over the next two games (when we're likely to see at least 7 or 8 innings from the bullpen), the series is over.
The 10 innings not pitched by the bullpen may be enough to end the series. The Mets now have to take 2 of 3 in St Louis to have any kind of shot at winning this series.
It's John Maine vs Chris Carpenter. Did you expect to win? The problem with the Mets is that with most teams, you can afford to lose to Carp because the rest of your pitchers should be better than the rest of the Cards' pitchers. The Mets can't really say that, since Trachsel and Oliver are going the next 2 days. The El Duque loss was huge. The Mets should still definitely win this series. They have the edge offensively and in the pen. Starting pitching-wise, it's even for every game but when Carp pitches, and you don't see him again until game 6.
I can't say about the second point (although I can say that the announcers are idiots, since Heilman was the 8th inning man for the last two months of the season), but the first one is indisputable. Even if you give him a pass the first time (which none of us wanted to do then), it is inexcusable that Willie left Mota in to pitch in the exact same situation in which he got burned the first time. Of course Heilman should have been in to get the third out in the 7th, and it's not even a close enough call to debate. It has been obvious for weeks that the Mets were not good enough to give away runs due to poor defense and poor use of the bullpen, yet both have happened in this postseason. It has to stop right now, or we're going to see a replay of the 1968 World Series (only the Tigers will win in 4 or 5, rather than 7).
Who cares who expected to win? The Mets had leads of 3-0, 4-2, and 6-4 and blew them all. In the process they also used all of their "good" bullpen arms. A blowout you can shrug your shoulders and say oh well but not only is this kind of loss a gigantic momentum shift it takes a heavy toll on your bullpen as you're playing your 2nd of 5 games in a row.
Actually, I disagree on two points. First, Glavine is obviously much better than anyone on the Cards other than Carpenter. Second, I don't think it's even at all in terms of the other pitchers, since Trachsel is what he is - not very good - and while there is a 20% chance that Perez could pitch like Whitey Ford, there's an 80% chance that he'll pitch like Henry Ford.
Just don't watch the games anymore if the series is over. Go see a movie tomorrow night. I thought the Mets would win in 6. I'll stick by that through the weekend at least.
ESPN News. Willies press conference. First Question......Did you condsider bringing in Heilman since he was ready? Willie says No. Heilman wasn't ready. No, I didn't even consider bringing him in. The question is..WTF not? If Heilman is your guy all year in the eighth, has gone more than an inning several times, didn't pitch the night before, and there are two on and two out in the seventh.....then Heilman HAS to be in the game. To not bring him in is a huge mistake. To not have him ready is even a worse mistake. It was a lie though. Heilman was ready. For the life of me I can't figure out why he has not given Heilman a bigger role in this series. He's your guy all year. Maybe he doesn't speak enough Spanish? Willie really really blew it last night.
Sorry I wasn't in here last night. Didn't get the chance to say... :rofl2: :beer: :breakdance: :lol: Go Cards!
(1) As you say, I find it hard to believe that Heilman wasn't ready (Oh, and he was one batter (and four pitches) later? Yeah, that makes sense.) (2) If he wasn't ready, it's completely Willie's fault anyway, since expecting Mota to get through the inning unscathed would have been ridiculous. Heilman certainly should have been up the second Pujols got his hit, and actually should have been up earlier. All year Willie has had this pattern of falling in love with certain players (especially pitchers), and sending them out there (and keeping them out there) no matter what. As far as I can recall, he has also never admitted to making a mistake. This is a very dangerous combination. I am unimpressed with the Cards, so I don't think this series is necessarily over. I also said weeks ago that this Mets team was probably not good enough to go all the way, and that was before Pedro and Duque disappeared, so you won't get crying and gnashing of teeth from me if they lose this series. As a fan, however, it is painful to watch a team not be put in the best position possible to win (which is the manager's only job), and that is what happened yesterday.
What scares me about the Cards is how well their bullpen is pitching right now. If the Mets bullpen does not outpreform the Cards, they will not win the series, and right now it's not even close. I saw a stat last night that in the playoffs batters are something like 1-30 with RISP against the Cards pen. That being said if Pedro and Duque were healthy, the Mets win this series in 5 games max, although I admit the Tigers are looking pretty tough.
you guys will still win this series....youre next two starters blow but so do the cards next two!!! you still have the better pen and much better lineup......I think your manager is an ass clown but youll still win...as far as the world series goes....tigers easily
Tigers are off to the World Series on a walkoff home run in the ninth by Magglio Ordonez. Sure looks like the Cards and Mets are playing for second place at this point!
