Baseball Thread IV

Since his 1 for 11 start, Lastings Milledge is 7 for 15 in the last 4 games with 2 HRs and 8 RBI and a couple of great throws to nail runners.
Don't think he'll be going back to Norfolk, as orignally planned.

 

That umpire needs to get some time off for that.

 

It was a slightly crazy move by Frank, but Rauch has been struggling lately, and I think Stanton has pitched in about 52 games in a row.

 

I owe the board -- and especially spnited -- an apology for my earlier take on young Mr. Milledge. I honestly thought he was in over his head, but the last few days he has proved to me that he's not only ready but he's going to force the Mets to make a decision on how to keep him in the majors without disrupting a pretty good group of outfielders. When Nady and Floyd are healthy, what do you do?

 

I was pretty pumped last night after that win. There shouldn't be a letdown tonight coming home, as Arroyo pitches against the Cubs.
But I still think they need some bullpen help or one more starter. Then I'll feel at ease. I like Arroyo, Harang and Milton, but one more would be outstanding.
I also decided I can't get too excited just yet - they were 34-25 in 2004 and 2002 and finished light years out of first both times.

 

I was ready to agree with you after the first 3 games Casty. But Milledge seems to be settling in quite nicely and quicker than I thought he would.
Given Floyd's propensity for injury, the fact that Nady has never been a fulltime, full-season player and Beltran's somewhat fragile physical nature (people whispering he doesn't like to play hurt), I think they can keep him up here and find plenty of at bats for him.
That makes Endy Chavez, who also has done a nice job flling in, the No. 5 outfielder. Not bad depth.

 

Yeah I know I kinda feel the same way, but...

1. This team has better depth (both hitting and pitching) than the 02 and 04 teams. Injuries crippled both of them just as much as the bad pitching did.

2. The starting pitching is way better. Can they sustain this pace for the next four months? Maybe. All I know is Milton looks a lot more relaxed out there than at any other time in his short tenure here. With the way Harang and Arroyo have pitched, it helps to know you're not being counted on as the stopper in the rotation.

3. I'm more worried about the defense and the bullpen than I am the starting pitching. Claussen will come aound. And if not, there's Justin Germano.

4. This team just has a different attitude than the 02 and 04 teams. Back then they just seemed glad to be in first in June. I don't get that feeling with this team. That doesn't mean they will win or won't falter, but I do think it means they won't have another summer swoon like in past years.

 

The one thing that made me say, "Wha!?!" in that story was this:

An MLB game that wasn't televised? I thought that was unpossible?

 

Well, it was only Colorado and Pittsburgh.

Seriously, tho, I've seen where some mid week games of teams that aren't on TV. A lot of the Fox Sports Networks don't carry all 162 games of their respective teams.

 

Sometimes you'll see Reds and Pirates highlights on SportsCenter that are credited to "Jumbotron" because those were the only cameras at the ballpark. Usually those are afternoon games. I guess the Rocks' new broadcast TV affiliate felt People's Court was more important.

 

A photo of King and Randazzo going at it last night.

 

Basically Milledge's emergence probably means a demotion for Kaz Matsui and an eventual trade for Nady if he complains about his diminished PT. In the end I'm sure the Mets would love to keep Nady and move Milledge into Floyd's spot after the season when Floyd's contract expires.