AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > April > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USPitching must stand up against Mets
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
When you consider everything, ranging from manager Tony LaRussa still fresh from a DUI arrest to maybe the worst starting pitching rotation ever for a defending world champion, the St. Louis Cardinals are a mess. That’s why the New York Mets spent the first week of this season exploding to the top of the National League East.
Well, that’s part of the reason. Despite the Mets ranking among baseball’s most overrated teams every year, they actually are more than hype this time.
What this means for the Braves is that the perennially aching Mike Hampton has to stay healthy. It means John Smoltz and Tim Hudson can’t stop resembling their vintage selves. It means Chuck James, Mark Redman, Lance Cormier and whoever else fills out the Braves’ pitching rotation must have more solid starts than sorry ones. It means the revamped bullpen has to continue looking potent.
“You can overpower teams with pitching, but the Mets have an American League lineup, to me,” said Braves manager Bobby Cox, referring to the visitors tonight at Turner Field for the home opener of his also streaking team (3-0). “Everybody in the Mets lineup is outstanding. They can get away with a little less pitching, possibly. But the entire world, you need pitching.”
Even the Mets. Thus some encouraging news for those already chasing this bunch that is 3-0 after outscoring the Cardinals 20-2 in St. Louis: These aren’t the days of Seaver, Koosman and McGraw. Although the Mets have accomplished closer Billy Wagner, they haven’t much else in the bullpen. Plus, Tom Glavine and Orlando Hernandez are just shy of ancient, but they are the Mets’ starting aces.
The problem for the Braves is that bats more than arms spur the Mets’ thoughts of repeating as NL East champions.
They have the blur that is leadoff hitter Jose Reyes. They have the clutch ways of Paul Lo Duca, along with the consistent bashing of Carlos Delgado, Carols Beltran, David Wright, Shawn Green and Moises Alou. So, given that the Braves’ goal is to capture a 15th division title in 16 years, and given that the Mets are the scariest team standing between the Braves and that goal, and given that they play each other 17 more times after tonight, the Braves have to become Mets killers right now.
We’re back to pitching, with Smoltz suggesting that we’re not talking about just any kind of pitching.
“To be blunt, our pitching the last five years has not been real good,” said Smoltz, the Braves’ elder statesman, referring to a unit that was anchored for nearly a decade by Cy Glavine, Cy Maddux and Cy Smoltz. There also were the All-Star likes of Steve Avery, Denny Neagle, Russ Ortiz and Kevin Millwood. Added Smoltz, “We’ve got to re-create that pitching-rich aura that was here all the way up until the last few years. That only can happen by going out and being dominant and not having any weaknesses. I think we’ve shored up a lot of those concerns, but the first month is just Step One in the process.”
So what does this have to do with the Braves and the Mets?
Think psychologically, if nothing else. “I liken all of this to a golf tournament where you can’t win it in the first day, but you actually can lose it,” said Smoltz, whose team will face the Mets nine times before Memorial Day. “You don’t want to get in a big hole with some of these teams, and that kind of goes along with, we’ve got to create a little bit of ‘Oh. You know. These guys are pitching. These guys are solid.’ It’s not a situation of saying to ourselves, ‘Let’s just hang in there.’ It’s a situation of, ‘Let’s go out and create what once was a strong point of our ballclub.’ “
To slay the suddenly mighty Mets, the Braves haven’t a choice.
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By brave man
April 5, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this
If the brave can good starting picthing and get the Jones boys hot look out mets go braves.
By Me
April 5, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this
As a Chicago Cub fan the memory is still fresh of Moises Alou costing 3 or 4 games a year on the basepaths.
By caveman22
April 5, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this
terence — are you a braves fan or just a guy who has to cover them for the ajc? I don’t disagree with your sports opinions so much as just your general tone when it comes to issues of race. I’m all for equality and have many african-american friends including my best friend and even they think your diatribe’s are way left of center. Just curious that’s all.
By davidabt
April 5, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this
good post. It always comes down to pitching—and the braves have always had it——until recently. Well, they found it again. A new streak starts this season.
By Josh
April 6, 2007 12:32 AM | Link to this
it’s gonna be crazy @ the Ted tonight…..i’m ready to GO!!!
By KC
April 6, 2007 12:44 AM | Link to this
Why was Shawn Green included in TM’s list of mighty Mets sluggers. Seen his stats lately? He’s a shell of his former self.
The reality is that the Braves have just as many big bats as the Mets. They just don’t have Jose Reyes.
By mike
April 6, 2007 2:06 AM | Link to this
Lousy article. Yeah, let’s go analyze evey team out there, and name their strong points, then talk about how they better “hold up”. “The Braves are good, but their bullpen better hold up; their starting pitching better hold up; their hitters better hit.” I can say that about every team in the freakin league. The Braves are every bit as competitive as the Mets this year.
By Curt
April 6, 2007 3:01 AM | Link to this
Only Terence Moore could write a negative article about the pitching after a 3-0 start.
By RDM
April 6, 2007 6:52 AM | Link to this
Terrance Moore hates with a passion any team that wears an Atlanta uniform.
By nik
April 6, 2007 8:02 AM | Link to this
Haven’t much else in the bullpen? Really? I hate to burst your bubble.. but the Mets have a great and deep bullpen. Heilman is a great set up man, A-Rod called Scotty the AL East’s best set up man, and we have a solid guy from both sides in the 7th inning.
It’s actually a good part of the puzzle for the Mets.
I think the Braves are dreaming if they want the title. I can see them in the wild card hunt, but the fans are starting to sound like Met fans 5 years ago.
I remember putting down parts of the Braves team to make myself feel better about the season, but the reality always hit hard.
I think the Braves are an Ollie Perez gem away from getting embarrased. Atlanta has to hope he brings his 2005 form with him tonight.
By Paul in J-ville
April 6, 2007 8:20 AM | Link to this
Caveman, go ahead and remove the white sheet over your head and be exposed for who you really are….R-A-C-I-S-T! How can you even make a comment about racism on TM’s behalf concerning this article??? Give me a break…MY BEST FRIEND IS AFRICAN AMERICAN. #1 you don’t have to advertise it and #2 if you do you surely have much to hide in your own security with the black race. Go back to the hills and make your moonshine and screw your mamma as I’m sure that is a day in the life for pigs such as yourself. I have to go shower now as I reak of your stench on this post.
By Jeff R
April 6, 2007 8:22 AM | Link to this
Maybe I’ve missed something over the years, but teams that are thick on hitting but thin on pitching rarely win pennants. The Mets pitching is thinner and older in 2007. The test for that staff isn’t how they get out of the starting gate, but how they’re performing come July and August. Barring trades, I’m not sold on the idea that Mets pitchers hold up for the duration.
Granted, the Braves starting pitchers have questions. Will Smoltz run out of gas in September (he did last September). A better bullpen should help keep his innings down. Does Hudson overcome his oblique muscle problem and return to his A’s form? We’ll see. Chuck James is the real deal, and Cormier or Davies need to step up. Redman is a workman and Hampton will need time to find his groove. But, all in all, the Braves have a better starting rotation than the Mets even with the questions.
By LivininAL
April 6, 2007 8:28 AM | Link to this
Mike Hampton must stay healthly? Now he might be somewheat ready by mid May. Let’s have him make one start before we decide if he is the one item needed to win. Need some team chemistry regardless of talent level.
By lil' Chopper
April 6, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this
For all the hype surrounding the Muts vaunted lineup, didn’t the Braves score more runs than the Muts last year? The Muts are so overrated, but hey they are a New York team and New York teams always steal the spotlight.
Series Prediction, Braves take 2 out of 3.
By Guido
April 6, 2007 8:55 AM | Link to this
Monday’s Standings: W L GB NY Mets 6 0 - Florida 4 2 2 Atlanta 3 3 3 Phillies 2 4 4 Wash. 1 5 5
Keep discounting that NY bullpen. That’s where this division will be won or lost.
By braves fan
April 6, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this
Last year the Braves stood up until the bullpen took over. 29 blow ups people. Yea well this pen is good. Hampton will pitch this year and a rotation of Smoltz, Hudson, James, Hampton and Comier is good. I wont let people tell me any different.
Now if we can get the bats going. Tell Chipper, Andruw, Langerhans and Thorman that Renteria and McCann cant do it all by themselves and things will be better.
By Speedo
April 6, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this
The Mets are stacked from top to bottom. Even the pitchers are good hitters (Glavine, Hernandez) While David Wright, Carlos Delgato and Moises Alou search for their strokes… Paulie LoDuca and Jose Reyes create havoc.
Willie Randolph has an unpredictible pitching staff and that’s the way his guru of a pitching coach likes it. Better not get too excited until you see the 100 mph fastball of Burgos kiddies…
Did I mention the Mets have arguably the best five tool player in baseball - Carlos Beltran?
My bad
By Lee
April 6, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this
I don’t think I can recall a more anticipated series for the Braves this early in the season ….ever !!! I do think the Braves will win 2 out of 3 games against the Mutts. Just don’t see either of these teams sweeping the series with all of this hype being built up. Look for Andruw and Chipper to step it up a notch in this series.
By CK
April 6, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this
We may not have Reyes on the team but has anyone seen how hot Renteria is… If he keeps up his torrid start the Bravos have an excellant chance of not only winning this series but sweeping these Mets!
I know it sounds incredible the pitching matchups are in our favor. The wild card is tonights series opener against Perez. In spet last year Perez beat the Braves once in a complete game shutout and then again going 3 5.1 innings and allowing only three runs. He amassed 12 ks in the two games.
So Perez figures to be the toughest matchup we have … if we set the table tonight then the weekend is ours for the taking.
Go Braves
By tom
April 6, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this
Mr. Moore, \Knocking the Mets Bullpen is inaccurate and irresponisible. Do your homework. Last year the Mets Bullpen was there biggest strength and they had the lowest ERA. The Bullpen is onceagain there strength.. Small sample but 3 Games Bullpen ERA 0.0, against the defendingnworld series champs
By tom
April 6, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this
Mr. Moore, \Knocking the Mets Bullpen is inaccurate and irresponisible. Do your homework. Last year the Mets Bullpen was there biggest strength and they had the lowest ERA. The Bullpen is onceagain there strength.. Small sample but 3 Games Bullpen ERA 0.0, against the defendingnworld series champs
By CK
April 6, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this
Correction I listed that after the shutout Perez pitched 3 5.1 innings allowing 3 runs… it was only 5.1 innings… apologies for the typo.
By Deb
April 6, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this
People keep saying the Mets have no pitching, the rest of MLB will find out this weekend they have plenty of it, and if they need more they have a farm system to trade, lots of $$$ and an owner who wants to win, NOW!
By NYCMetsFan
April 6, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this
Um…you guys are throwing Redman and Davies at BY FAR the best line-up in the NL. You honestly think those two are going to shut down the Mets offense? If so, I want the kool-aid you guys are drinking.
At worst, Mets win the series. Most likely, Mets sweep.
Better starting pitching, better and deeper bullpen, superior defense and an offense than can beat you with speed, power, small ball, little ball.
The Mets didn’t just beat the Cards, we dominated them, humiliated them in every way possible. Our pitching made Pujols, Eckstein and Rolen irrelevant. Mets ain’t the Phillies there kids. You’re playing a real baseball team, not a little league team like they have in Philly.
Get ready for an old fashioned butt kicking.
By Sneakin' In
April 6, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this
It’s hard to say if the Braves or the Mets have the best 1-8 lineup. They are both potent. It’s hard to say if the Braves or the Mets have the best bullpen (though I THINK the Braves have a slight edge there). It’s hard to say if the Braves or the Mets have the best rotation… no it’s not! Braves win that one hands down. It’s hard to say if the Braves or the Mets have the best defense. There are solid players and question marks on both sides. Finally, it’s hard to say after 3 games who’s gonna win this thing. Why don’t we just let the guys play it out on the field and when it’s over the winner can gloat all he wants and the loser can claim he was actually better and just caught some bad breaks and will be back next year and so on and so on and so on ad-infinitum.
By Just a Thought
April 6, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this
It’s hard to say if the Braves or the Mets have the best 1-8 lineup. They are both potent. It’s hard to say if the Braves or the Mets have the best bullpen (though I THINK the Braves have a slight edge there). It’s hard to say if the Braves or the Mets have the best rotation… no it’s not! Braves win that one hands down. It’s hard to say if the Braves or the Mets have the best defense. There are both solid players and question marks on both sides. Finally, it’s hard to say after 3 games who’s gonna win this thing. Why don’t we just let the guys play it out on the field and when it’s over the winner can gloat all he wants and the loser can claim he was actually better and just caught some bad breaks and will be back next year and so on and so on and so on ad-infinitum.
By NYCMetsFan
April 6, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this
Mets have no pitching… Hm…curious, being that the ‘bad’ Mets pitching shutdown the best hitter in the game and allowed 2 runs 20 innings.
Oh…and throw in the 7 scoreless innings from the Mets bullpen.
Keep drinking that kool aid there braves fans. It’s the only sweetness you’re gonna get this weekend.
By Speedo
April 6, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this
Deb - you just touched on the significant difference between the Mets and the Braves.
The Mets have the better General Manager. Omar Minaya has changed the culture of the entire franchise not only in this country, but around the world.
The stateside farm system Pelfrey and Humber.
There is not franchise with stronger ties to the rich mine of talent in the Caribbean and South America. The Mets have already pioneered in relations with African nations and bringing baseball to places most people have never visited.
The Martinez kid (not Pedro, the outfielder) will arrive in 2009 and make people crazy.
The Mets future is so bright I gotta waer shades
By Speedo
April 6, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this
Deb - you just touched on the significant difference between the Mets and the Braves.
The Mets have the better General Manager. Omar Minaya has changed the culture of the entire franchise not only in this country, but around the world.
The stateside farm system Pelfrey and Humber.
There is not franchise with stronger ties to the rich mine of talent in the Caribbean and South America. The Mets have already pioneered in relations with African nations and bringing baseball to places most people have never visited.
The Martinez kid (not Pedro, the outfielder) will arrive in 2009 and make people crazy.
The Mets future is so bright I gotta wear shades
By Rhett Butler
April 6, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this
What I can’t stand is the disrespect the Mets fans on this blog have for the Braves. The Braves have one bad season out of the last 15 and the Mets think they own the division. Typical yankee thinking.
I, a polite southerner, will give respect where its do. The Mets are a good team. They have talent on both sides of the ball (and frankly if the Braves could spend a little more freely, they could too) and they had a great year LAST YEAR. I pulled for them last September/October because I am a loyal NL East fan. I wonder how many Mets fans did that during our post seasonssssssss?
The Braves on the other hand are a GREAT team. We don’t have a bunch of players only in it for the money. I am sure if you told Padro, Glaven, Beltran, etc that their checks are going to be a little late then you would see the Mets at the bottom of the NL. We have players who want to play to play. We have a bunch of young players who grew up Braves fans and work harder then anyone to see their beloved team win. Not to mention the wildcard factor that is known as Bobby Cox one of the greatest coaches in the league. The disrespect Mets fans have for Bobby is staggering. How can anyone possibly underestimate the Braves? The arrogance of the Mets will be their down fall this year. The Mets need to take a lesson from J Rollins who talked trash to the Braves earlier in the week. You fire us up we’ll shut you down.
Looking over the season though; I have to say that I am excited. We (the NL East) have the best division in the league. Every game within the division is going to have a playoff atmosphere. I can almost guarantee that the wildcard will come from our ranks. The Braves Mets and Phillies all have question marks on both sides of the ball and its anyone’s guess what’s going to happen. And those crazy fish down south might just jump up and bite us all. Dame I love baseball! GO BRAVES AND THE NL EAST!!!!!
By Rhett Butler
April 6, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
What I can’t stand is the disrespect the Mets fans on this blog have for the Braves. The Braves have one bad season out of the last 15 and the Mets think they own the division. Typical yankee thinking.
I, a polite southerner, will give respect where its do. The Mets are a good team. They have talent on both sides of the ball (and frankly if the Braves could spend a little more freely, they could too) and they had a great year LAST YEAR. I pulled for them last September/October because I am a loyal NL East fan. I wonder how many Mets fans did that during our post seasonssssssss?
The Braves on the other hand are a GREAT team. We don’t have a bunch of players only in it for the money. I am sure if you told Padro, Glaven, Beltran, etc that their checks are going to be a little late then you would see the Mets at the bottom of the NL. We have players who want to play to play. We have a bunch of young players who grew up Braves fans and work harder then anyone to see their beloved team win. Not to mention the wildcard factor that is known as Bobby Cox one of the greatest coaches in the league. The disrespect Mets fans have for Bobby is staggering. How can anyone possibly underestimate the Braves? The arrogance of the Mets will be their down fall this year. The Mets need to take a lesson from J Rollins who talked trash to the Braves earlier in the week. You fire us up we’ll shut you down.
Looking over the season though; I have to say that I am excited. We (the NL East) have the best division in the league. Every game within the division is going to have a playoff atmosphere. I can almost guarantee that the wildcard will come from our ranks. The Braves Mets and Phillies all have question marks on both sides of the ball and its anyone’s guess what’s going to happen. And those crazy fish down south might just jump up and bite us all. Dame I love baseball! GO BRAVES AND THE NL EAST!!!!!
By Rhett Butler
April 6, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
What I can’t stand is the disrespect the Mets fans on this blog have for the Braves. The Braves have one bad season out of the last 15 and the Mets think they own the division. Typical yankee thinking.
I, a polite southerner, will give respect where its do. The Mets are a good team. They have talent on both sides of the ball (and frankly if the Braves could spend a little more freely, they could too) and they had a great year LAST YEAR. I pulled for them last September/October because I am a loyal NL East fan. I wonder how many Mets fans did that during our post seasonssssssss?
The Braves on the other hand are a GREAT team. We don’t have a bunch of players only in it for the money. I am sure if you told Padro, Glaven, Beltran, etc that their checks are going to be a little late then you would see the Mets at the bottom of the NL. We have players who want to play to play. We have a bunch of young players who grew up Braves fans and work harder then anyone to see their beloved team win. Not to mention the wildcard factor that is known as Bobby Cox one of the greatest coaches in the league. The disrespect Mets fans have for Bobby is staggering. How can anyone possibly underestimate the Braves? The arrogance of the Mets will be their down fall this year. The Mets need to take a lesson from J Rollins who talked trash to the Braves earlier in the week. You fire us up we’ll shut you down.
Looking over the season though; I have to say that I am excited. We (the NL East) have the best division in the league. Every game within the division is going to have a playoff atmosphere. I can almost guarantee that the wildcard will come from our ranks. The Braves Mets and Phillies all have question marks on both sides of the ball and its anyone’s guess what’s going to happen. And those crazy fish down south might just jump up and bite us all. Dame I love baseball! GO BRAVES AND THE NL EAST!!!!!
By Rhett Butler
April 6, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this
What I can’t stand is the disrespect the Mets fans on this blog have for the Braves. The Braves have one bad season out of the last 15 and the Mets think they own the Division. Typical yankee thinking.
I (a polite southerner) will give respect where its do. The Mets are a good team. They have talent on both sides of the ball (and frankly if the Braves could spend a little more freely, they could too) and they had a great year LAST YEAR. I pulled for them last Sept/Oct. because I am a loyal NL East Fan. I wonder how amy Mets fans did that during our post seasonsssssss?
The Braves on the other hand are a GREAT team. We don’t have a bunch of players only in it for the money. I am sure if you told Padro, Glaven, Beltran, ect.. that their checks are going to be a little late then you would see the Mets at the bottom of the NL. We have players who want to play to play. We have a bunch of young players who grew up Braves fans and work harder then anyone to see their beloved team win. Not to mention the wildcard factor that is known as Bobby Cox one of the greatest coaches in the league. The disrespect the Mets fans have for Bobby is staggering. How can anyone possibly underestimate the Braves? the arrogance of the Mets will be their down fall this year. The Mets need to take a lesson from J Rollins who talked trash to the Braves earlier in the week. You fire us up we’ll shut you donw.
By Paul
April 6, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this
Paul in J’ville, you are a fool if you dont know TM is a racist. The man hates every WHITE man in an Atlanta uniform. You obviously havent read many of TM’s articles (cant really blame you there though) so shut up with your clan talk. You are the one who creates a stench yapping about something u know nothing about. Go away.
By Leads36
April 6, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this
The Braves and the Mets do not differ a great deal with reagrds to their everyday line-ups. The most glaring difference in their line-ups, is that the Mets have a true national league style lead off man. At the same time, the rest of their line-up looks like an American League roster.
Just the same, its been said before, and I’ll say it again…good pitching beats good hitting…and the Braves have the better staff, from starts to middle-relief to closer…looking forward to a great series this weekend…GO BRAVES!
By Josh GT
April 6, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
Nik,
Mets fans should not have Braves-esque swagger yet. We’ll see you in 2020.
By Coach
April 6, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this
I’m not in the habit of making predictions but my record of yelling about the mediocrity Mark Redman is well known. If he doesn’t do a fair imitation of a Christmas tree tonight I will be shocked. The Mets have what is by far the most complete line up in the N.L and arguably all of baseball. the Braves will have their hands full this weekend , but I’m not at all impressed by the Mets rotation and their bullpen isn’t even in the same zip code as Atlanta’s. Pelfrey and Maine have to grow up fast if the Mets are to have any chance of keeping up. Speaking of Pelfrey , why was he optioned to class A Port St. Lucie ? Why is the Mets projected fifth starter in the minors ?
By BamaBrave
April 6, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this
“Pitching must stand up against Mets”…WOW. Yet another column by TM which cements his place as the reigning Mr. Obvious of the Southeast. I can’t wait for the next scoop-filled article entitled “The team with the most runs wins the game”…
By Bruce
April 6, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this
I almost did not read this article because of the title and my perception that the writer has seemed so negative to me. At least he quoted Bobby Cox to have a positive comment for us to read. The Braves are still undefeated at this point, but you can’t tell that from the tone. I did not think the Mets were over-rated last year, I thought they were quite impressive and I am not a Mets fan.
By CK
April 6, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this
NYCMetsFan The Mets beat a bunch of average pitchers and an injured Carpenter. Pujols is off to a cool start. Man for Man the Phils are a better team this year than the cards. And don’t forget we just handled a pretty fair lineup in Rollins, Howard and Utley.
I admit the Mets have a lot of offensive prowess but so do the Braves. The Braves will give you all you can handle this weekend and this season. By the end of the season you’ll be needing something far stronger than kool aid to appease your aches.
I for one am glad the Mates finally are able to field a competitive team and give us Braves fans a run for our money.
By northgeorgiabravesfan
April 6, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this
GO BRAVES MAKE A STATMENT THIS WEEKEND WERE BACK.
By Jac
April 6, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this
Do you really think the Braves can hang with the Mets?? Not. Their starting pitching will be BETTER than the Braves. Have you seen John Maine lately? Wait for Pelfrey as the #5 starter. He will be a stud. Their hitting is FAR better than the Braves. And they have the winning attitude. The Braves will be lucky to win the Wildcard.
By Jeff
April 6, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this
Atlanta and New York will compete to the last weekend of the year…Braves AS USUAL will prevail, but the competition will fine tune us. Braves win World Series without a doubt. Bobby retires with a 2nd World Series…Terry Pendleton inherits the throne. Smoltz and Andruw both stay…it’s the start of another VERY LONG string of championships.
By jeezchrist
April 6, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
u should stand up and just keep walking… AWAY FROM the computer.. god u r horrible
By Mike
April 6, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
This writer is a joke, he really must not follow baseball other than the Braves. To say the Mets have Wagner in the bullpen and not much else is laughable. They had the best bullpen in baseball last year, and it might just got better, especially when Sanchez comes back in the 2nd half. They have a good set up man in Heilman, a proven reliever in Schoenweis, a fireballer in Burgos. And to say the Mets have accient aces in Glavine and El Duque is funny when the Braves have old man Smoltz as their ace, and the human band-aid Mike Hampton. Maybe he didnt see John Maines 1 hitter on wednesday against the world champs. I mean cmon man do u think Mark Redman can really shut down the Mets anyway. I would take Oliver Perez over that scrub any day. And im sure no one on the Mets is scared of ancient Bob Wickman
By John
April 6, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this
It’s funny. So much has been written about the Mets pitching staff being in shambles. It is actually much better this year than last April. If you’ll remember, last year’s starters included Jose Lima, Brian Bannister, Alay Soler and other incompetent misfits. This year it is a perfect combo of veterans — Glav and el Duque — and youngsters Maine and Pelfry. Perez is the wildcard. Will he be the Perez of two years ago with 12 wins and 239 strikeouts or the Perez of last season?
By Mike
April 6, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
Schuerholtz already said that Andruw Jones is a goner. know why cause the Atlanta Broads owner is a cheap skate. Boras is his agent so their wont be a hometown discount for the Atlanta Broads. Also Pelfrey was optioned to the minors cause the Mets dont need a 5th starter till april 15 and they wanted to have an extra position player till then. Also anyone who thinks that Broads have a better bullpen than the Mets havent followed baseball the last 2 years. Someone wrote that Wickman is better than Wagner, he must be drinking. And the Mets rotation has obviously proved alot more than the Broads rotation. Hampton never pitches, Redman stinks, Hudson is not the same,and who knows how good James is. I cant wait to see what everyone is writing after the Mets beat some a*
By MATT H
April 6, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this
METS WIN METS WIN!!! METS ARE THE WORLD CHAMPIONS… When was the last time you heard that? I sure can’t remember. And it likely won’t be this year either.
Like every New York sports team, the Mets are extremely overated. It’s easy to pick apart any team’s weak areas. The Mets’ biggest flaw every year is their annoying, obnoxious, classless fans.
It’s easy to have a “good” team with a 200 million dollar payroll. But money doesn’t buy Championships in baseball. High team payrolls only provide a false sense of security and overated, older, disgruntled players like Del Gado, Alou, and el Dukey.
The truth is Met’s fans WISH they had an organization as successful as the Cox & Schuerholtz era has been for Atlanta.
Mets fans… when you get there, wait I apologize… you’ll never be what the Atlanta Braves are & have been to baseball.
By NYCMetsFan
April 6, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this
“Like every New York sports team, the Mets are extremely overated.”
97 wins are overrated? The team that had 18 more wins than the Braves, despite using 13 starting pitchers and Pedro Martinez a non-factor for almost the entire season?
“It’s easy to have a “good” team with a 200 million dollar payroll. But money doesn’t buy Championships in baseball. High team payrolls only provide a false sense of security and overated, older, disgruntled players like Del Gado, Alou, and el Dukey.”
Delgado overrated? What part? the 38 HRs or 116RBIs? Alou? The .300 BA is overrated? He kills left handed pitching so let’s see what he does with Redman tonight.
El Duque? The guy who pitched 7 innings and gave up one run 4 days ago? The guy pitching against Kyle Davies (isn’t he the guy that walks the ballpark when not giving up HR bombs?) Please…
Braves are outclassed in everyway: defense, starting pitching, offense, bullpen…
Keep drinking that cool-aid boys.
By Mike
April 6, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this
Thats where ur wrong MATT H, Omar is building a team here that is gonna become a dynasty. They have the core of young stars with Reyes, Wright, Beltran. Then they have these incredible young studs in Pelfrey, Humber, Milledge. And then 2guys u will be hearing alot about named Fernando Martinez and Carlos Gomez. Martinez is only 17 and already had a monster season in AA. You will see they will have their championships unlike Atlanta who always choked in the playoffs. Atlanta fans see what the Mets are building here and I know they are scared.Not to mention the Mets will never have one of their young stars leave, cause the Mets actually buck up
By Ya Gotta Believe
April 6, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this
To the Braves fan that asked about Pelfrey being optioned to A ball Port St Lucie
It is only for this week…The Mets don’t need a 5th starter until the 13th so they kept an extra arm for the pen till he is needed ..they wanted him to get a start before then and decided keeping him in warm Florida was the best option rather than AAA New Orleans (they played last night in Nashville, temp in the 40’s) or AA Binghampton NY)
Hope that answered your question
By WP
April 6, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this
Man, if the braves win tonight it will have to be a 9-8 win. I hope Redman can produce. I hate havin the 4th guy start opening day but atleast their 4th guy is too
By Mojo
April 6, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this
Being a Braves or Mets fan is great, and I fall in with the Braves camp myself, but trying to look just at the facts. The Braves have a much improved team over last year and the Mets do not. The Braves pen from last year should proove at least one thing. You can’t win without a good one, and the Mets pitching as a whole this year is suspect at best. I mean that if the Brave have a better pen last year and they blow say only half as many saves as they did, then we’re not talking how the Mets are the team to beat, we’re talking of the streak and going for a 16th straight title…
By Chris
April 6, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this
It’s really sweet of all the Brave fans to toss a few nice comments about how the Met’s offense is pretty good etc etc. Thanks but no thanks. Don’t need your compliments. The Mets went out last year and earned the respect they now have. It had nothing to do with posturing or a NY media hyping them. They spanked every team they played and buried Atlanta in July.
Btw, who cares about the Braves last 15 years? What about the future? You guys are starting to sound like Yankee fans. Also, how many championships did you win in that time. You should be ASHAMED!!! If getting to the playoffs is your main goal then you are the best team ever. You guys are like the Buffalo Bills of baseball. Only four times as worse.
By Vistor41
April 6, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this
There is alot of wishful thinking by Braves fans here
They have a solid young foundation (McCann is going to be dynamite) emerging but the Mets are very much more talented (even pitching when you look at their young arms vs the braves young arms).
The real hope Atlanta has is a couple of major injuries to the mets or some major unexpected contributions by a Brave
However a wildcard could definately happen and as we all know (by St Loius example) he who gets hot in the playoffs…
By Jac
April 6, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this
Hey, leave the Bills out of this. Us WNY folks are STILL smarting over those lost opportunities!
But the Mets will do it this year.
By Yoyoma
April 6, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this
Ah you Muts fans kill me! Nothing better to do with your time than trolling the opponents boards.Isn’t their some sort of filter on these boards to keep out the trash?
It must be sad growing up in the shadow of the Yanks and constantly getting your behinds handed to you, year, after year, after year. It’s like the baseball equivalent to the Napoleonic complex.
But, to be fair, you guys did have a good year last year and I’m sure that’s what is causing lots of jumping on the wagon. Where were you ‘loyal’ fans the last decade? Not in first place that’s for sure HAHA!
By sammyintheville
April 6, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this
First of all, let me say I’m a huge Braves fan(I was at Fulton Co. for game 6 in 95 and game 4 in 96). Secondly, I say the Mets have the best 1-8 hitters in the NL. The only easy out in their lineup is the pitcher’s spot. But the Braves’ pitching is about to return to the elite levels we saw throughout the 90’s. If Hampton returns to form we will have the best rotation and overall pitching staff that we’ve ever had. Credit the genius Shuerholtz for solving the bullpen disaster of last year. Plus we are stocked in AAA if any of the middle relievers falters.
If Thorman, Kelly Johnson, and Langerhans can step up and have adequate seasons, and Francour can learn to lay off the down and away pitch, we are going to stuff our cleats into the foul stenched mouths of Mets fans all over. The Muts are one and done as NL East Champs. Sure their pitching looked fine against an anemic Cardinals offense(who finished the regular season last year five games over .500, and happened to get hot at the right time and face a Detroit team that forgot basic fielding skills in World Series), but the Mets’ starting pitching won’t hold up over the long regular season. Glavine, god bless him, isn’t likely to maintain the surge of quality starts he’s had over the last year. There’s got to be a reason El Duque hasn’t earned a consistent starters role in the last 4 years. It will show by midseason. And I’d be REAL anxious as a Mets fan to be pinning my hopes on the unproven likes of John Maine and the inconsistent wack-job Oliver Perez.
But due to the lameness of the Turner field Braves fan attendance, and the unfortunate southern migration of the gel-haired, fat, obnoxious Mets fans over the last 15 years, at least the disproportionate number of Mets fans at the Ted will be silenced this year. That is, until they get soused enough on the $7 beers and start acting like they’re the Tony Sopranos of Vinings and Midtown. Fuggettaboutit!!!
It’s going to be a great year to be a Braves fan. Shoot, it already has been, The first 3 games have shown what we can expect to see this year. And to echo what someone else said, when was the last time there was such a compelling series the first weekend of the season?
And the question of TM being a racist? I’ve never seen someone pull the race card so often? This guy is the least objective, least talented writer I’ve ever seen working for a real newspaper. The only reason I read his column today is because Im so geeked up about the Braves and his was the only Braves related column. I never read his column unless 1)it’s on a subject that even a hack writer can’t make uninteresting or 2)I feel like seeing a case of affirmitive-action in progess-how else could such a lame, obvious and unoriginal writer maintain a job at a major metropolitan newspaper. TM and Mets fans can suck it!!
Go Braves!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Anthony
April 6, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this
I’m not here to troll this board by any means im just hear to state the truth. While the Braves are MUCH better than they were last year they are still not as good as the Mets. The Mets lineup is WAY better and there pitching is underrated. Just watch. Perez and Pelfrey could be the best #4, #5 combo in baseball. I cant wait for a great series. Good luck Brave fans! Should be a great year.
By Guido
April 6, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this
Top of the third… Mets 2 - Braves 0… Not a good start for the boys from Georgia. LET’s GO METS!
By big bobber
April 6, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this
the delusion of the Braves fans is amusing. better bullpen than the Mets? on what planet. and to the “polite southern gentleman, Rhett Butler”, try clicking the mouse just once. or do you have a stutter? Braves ARE better this year. But not good enough yet. Let’s see where it falls at the end of the season. TM, the Braves got off to a great start but the Mets beat up on a pansy? Guess we know where your check comes from. Till your next visit to fantasy island
By Bobby's Cox
April 6, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this
Our lineup SUCKS!
Get rid of Woodward & Thorman & Wilson!
They’re trash!
Can our guys ever approach an at-bat looking to put the ball in play rather than swing for the fence! This is pathetic. Bring up Prado & let diaz play for god sakes!
By MetsMachine
April 6, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this
Ohh you Braves fans are so funny. All day throughout the blogs all I hear is how bad the Mets pitching is and how the Braves lineup is as good as the Mets.
Heres a dose of reality. Your ego’s went up way too high because of one stupid Philies sweep. Your NOT that much better than last year.
Your offense is nowhere near as good as the Mets, nor is your pitching, or your bullpen….or your future.
Keep bashing Oliver Perez….while he mows down your entire team.
By Queens Kings
April 6, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this
where are all the big mouth Braves fans at now. I hope u all enjoyed watching the 2007 NL EAST CHAMPION NY METROPOLITANS
By big bobber
April 6, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this
That Braves bullpen is awsome! Next series we’ll send the Brooklyn Cyclones
By Queens Kings
April 6, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this
So much for that revamped bullpen. They got lit up for 6 runs. Braves fan can now keep their mouth shut about the Mets rotation, cause its better than yours. People on this board were making fun of Maine and Perez today, and all they did is went out and gave up 1 run in 2 starts. Its gonna be another run away division title for us. the Mets are head and shoulders the best team in the NL
By Queens Kings
April 6, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
BTW the Mets have outscored their opponents 31-3 in their first 4 games. Thats DOMINATION folks
By Niglit Hater
April 6, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this
Hey little nigglet, pick any cotton lately?