MLB

Over the first 12 games of the season the New York Mets compiled a record of 6-6. That means that the Mets are .500, that's not bad for most teams.

For the Mets it apparently is. I don't know the reasoning for that, maybe because they are favored to win their division. 

Whatever it is, "Don't Worry 'Bout It". I say that because all the Mets have to do to get in good shape is at least take two out of three from the St. Louis Cardinals in their upcoming series.

Most of you have seen the following situation at least once at work. There is a lackluster performer, call him Joe, who sometimes meets normal standards of work productivity, and sometimes doesn't. Management gets on his case and gives him a warning, and a second, and a third.

Finally, Joe gets the message and starts to shape up. But management has "had it" with him, and sends him to a subsidiary in the boondocks. On the day he is demoted, he is at least an average performer.

Chien Ming Wang used to be the Yankees' ace. Now it seems more like he's pitching batting practice.

Wang claims that he feels like he's pitching the same as he always has. That may be the problem. Pitchers and hitters don't run in place, they adjust. American League hitters may now be adjusting to Wang, while he isn't adjusting to them.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Seattle Mariners o8.5 (100)
Tue Apr 21, ‘09 10:10p - MLB Odds
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In the MLB you need starting pitchers to go deep into the game so you don't have to use the bullpen that much. Also you need a good offensive attack. Well the Brewers have the offense, just not the starting pitching.

If you look at last year's pitching we had Ben Sheets and a late trade to acquire stud CC Sabathia. 

First the Yankees lost Alex Rodriguez to a hip injury during Spring Training.  A team that relies entirely on consistency was heading into Opening Day with a gigantic disadvantage.  Then, it appeared disaster struck again.

In the midst of a game against the defending division champion Tampa Bay Rays, Yankees right fielder Xavier Nady launched a relay throw into the infield at Tropicana Stadium.  He instantly felt a sharp shot of pain, and was removed from the game. 

As the Atlanta Braves began the 2009 season with a significantly different look than in 2008, I decided to follow suit by changing my Braves apparel.

I decided that I would buy a new Atlanta cap to herald the beginning of a new era for the franchise, and because my massive head had outgrown the last cap.

CAPTION: With an ERA above 30.00 (yes, really) over his first three starts, Chien-Ming Wang has quickly become the biggest question mark in the Yankees' pitching staff.

One week and seven games further into the 2009 season, the Yankees are sitting rather comfortably at 7-6, one game above .500 for the first two weeks. They've won or tied three of their first four series, including an impressive showing in a three-game road stand against the defending American League Champions.

The Toronto Blue Jays are off to their best start in recent memory, and everyone is trying to figure out why and how.

Is it the young pitching staff coming through? Did Cito Gaston and Gene Tenace get magical wood for the bats? Are they using oversized gloves in the field?

Not really sure those are the answers, and you don't want to be a cynic when cheering for the home team, but the reason the Jays are 10-4 to start the season might have more to do with their opponents than anything else.

Based on some stats from ESPN.com, the Mets are on pace to leave 10 men on base per game this season.

Ten men a game.

That's over 1,600 men left on base for the entire season. And you wonder why we missed the playoffs? I've been a major voice in saying the Mets issues last season were with the bullpen. Fix the bullpen and you'll fix the issues. But now I'm questioning myself.