Opinion

Am I the only one who watched the New York Mets drop two out of three games to the Philadelphia Phillies this weekend?  I thought most people did, but apparently Jon Miller, Joe Morgan, and Orel Hershiser did not.

Normally, I would not care if three people did not watch the weekend series between National League East rivals, but when you are broadcasting a game Sunday night in the series you should pay attention to the previous games.

Don't ever let anyone tell you that the Baseball Gods lack a sense of humor; it's simply not true. The collective funny bone is intact—the problem is that comedy doesn't tickle it.

Instead, it's cruelty that gives the diamond deities a case of the giggles.

Over the course of any team's 162-game season, a fan will see ample proof of this perversity. At the moment, aficionados of the Oakland Athletics are getting their eyeful.

"Throw 'til you blow" used to be many major league teams' motto. Now, they are teaching the complete opposite. Pitch counts are used in every single game, for every single pitcher. The days of the four-man rotation are over. Some teams go to a six-man rotation as the long season progresses.

Complete games have fallen by the wayside, and an "innings-eater" is now the exception, not the rule.

After watching the Mariners blow game after game, it came as no surprise their hitting was amiss again Sunday.  Doug Fister’s great showing was all for nothing, and Ichiro’s stolen home run forgotten.

How great is this story?

Colby Lewis struggles with several Major League teams, the Rangers, Athletics, Tigers, and the Nationals, in the U.S.

Then in 2008 and 2009, he plays for the Hiroshima Toyo Carps in Japan.  He thrives there, leading the league in strikeouts both seasons. Then he comes back and dominates for the Rangers in the States. Pretty good, huh?

Every year it seems, a 30-something-year-old player inexplicably locates the fountain of youth. Last year it was Kevin Millwood , though he appears unwilling to revert back to his old ways this season.

THE MEAT OF THE ORDER

Every week there are three things I deem to be really important. It's kind of like the "meat" of my lineup. This week, there is only two because my DH is on the disabled list.

1. Ryan Howard Contract Extension

The Philadelphia Phillies made headlining news when they signed their MVP first baseman Ryan Howard to a contract that will make him only the second player to earn $25 million or more per season.

ESPN is reporting Mike Pelfrey had MRI in New York this morning for general shoulder tightness. He's been cleared to start this weekend vs. Giants. I noticed him in these past two starts kind of hunching his shoulder after a couple of pitches as if he were trying to shake it loose. Most pitchers feel tightness especially this time of year, as the weather changes, spring going into summer. He was pitching good baseball until his last start. The Mets are taking no chances.

What I’m Reading

The parallels between Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard continue, as Howard’s recent contract extension is bound to influence the market for Pujols’ cash-in day.

Javier Vasquez is struggling in the American League. Period.

Someone needs to send this guy to a National League as soon as possible.

Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman would trade him for prospects or a consistent arm for the American League.

Releasing him would be a big risk, as his salary is $11.5 million.

Yankees fans thought this guy could turn around and be a dependable No. 4 starter, but that proved to be wrong from what we've seen from him in April.