On Wednesday night I decided to take a mini road trip to go down to Philadelphia to watch the Mets. The Mets lost a tough fought game 10-7. While I was at the game I made some observations about the Mets. Things that need to stay the same, things that have to change soon, and things that have to change now. I call it: The good, the bad, and the ugly.
The Good:
The Mets were in a quick hole and were down 7-0. Angel Pagan hit a Home Run to cut the lead to 7-2, and the next inning the Mets put up a 5 spot to tie the game. The Mets showed fight, and after being down seven runs, didn't just roll over and play dead. They chipped away in the 4th thanks to Pagan, and then managed to tie it up in the 5th. Never giving up, is something the Mets must continue. In years past last night's game would've been an ugly game that might start a spiral. The Mets must go out today and show themselves, the Phillies, and the rest of league they are for real.
The Bad:
While the Mets tied it up, the had an excellent opportunity to take the lead. In the bottom of the fifth the Mets had already scored four runs to make it a one run game, and Josh Thole was up with the bases loaded and only one out. Thole struck out making it two outs. Daniel Murphy then followed with a single to tie the game, and Jose Reyes got out to end the inning. It is crucial that the Mets must take advantage of these timely opportunities, and tack on extra runs. If the Mets added on a couple of extra runs there, they could've won last night. On Tuesday the Mets took a large lead, but didn't tack on any runs in the innings following. Good teams slowly come back, when the Mets have a lead no matter how big it is, they must continue to tack an extra run here and there. No lead is too big.
The Ugly:
Mike Pelfrey. Pelfrey got rocked for the second time in a row, and had to be taken out in the third inning. It seems that the pressure of being an ace is getting to Pelfrey. As I wrote in the season preview, in order for the Mets to be successful, Pelfrey must be an ace, and take that role to heart, and pitch like he did in the first half of last season. So far this season Pelfrey is "throwing" to home plate, not pitching. Pelfrey must fix this, and fix it quick.
I agree, Pelf needs to change. The thing is the Mets put him in a role that he doesn't belong in. He pitched well to start the year last year, but one good half of a season doesn't make an ace. Right now, there is no real ace in the rotation, until Santana returns. However, the Mets have multiple veteran starters, who can help make Pelfrey into an ace in time, but this won't happen over night.