Bench players, middle relievers, and prospect predictions

Yesterday I made my predictions for the NL East standings, along with the starting pitchers and position players. I promised yeserday that today I'd make my predictions for the bench players, middle relievers, and certain prospects. So here goes:
Predicted Bench players and numbers:
Victor Diaz- .260 avg, 15 hr, 43 RBI, 10 SB
Chris Woodward- .275 avg, 6 hr, 20 RBI, 2 SB
Ramon Castro- .260 avg, 7 hr, 30 RBI, 0 SB
Julio Franco- .270 avg, 7 hr, 18 RBI, 7 SB
Jose Valentin- .230 avg, 10 hr, 38 RBI, 5 SB
Endy Chavez- .280 avg, 3 hr, 14 RBI, 15 SB

Predicted Bullpen pitchers and numbers:
Billy Wagner- 1.98 era, 80 SO, 40 SV, 4 BLSV
Aaron Heilman- 2.80 era, 83 SO, 1 SV, 2 BLSV
Duaner Sanchez- 3.30 era, 60 SO, 3 SV, 1 BLSV
Jorge Julio- 3.80 era, 60 SO, 0 SV, 2 BLSV
Pedro Feliciano- 4.20 era, 0 SV, 0 BLSV
Chad Bradford- 3.70 era, 0 SV, 1 BLSV

Prospects:
Lastings Milledge- Starts the year at AAA and hits .290 with improved defense and baserunning for the first half of the year. Once again appears in the future's game, however the day after the future's game he is promoted to the majors for a two week stint because one of Diaz or Nady is injured. He hits .270 including 2 impressive home runs. Milledge later gets called up after the Tides lose in the AAA championship and starts at least one playoff game and/or crucial game to get the Mets into the playoffs.
Mike Pelfrey- Zooms through A and AA in two months putting up a combined era of 1.50. When in AAA Pelfrey starts strong pitched 3 straight games of one run or less followed by a handful of starts where his command is off. He will end the year with a combined 2.80 era in the minors and there will be rumblings of him getting promoted for the playoff run, but will not be called up. Willie says that Pelfrey should be on the Mets 2007 Opening Day roster.
Carlos Gomez- Starts the year at Port St. Lucie. After spending half a year at high A ball Gomez is promoted to AA where he hits .275 but struggles defensivley and on the basepaths. However, Gomez shows the scouts and the Mets that he is a legitimate prospect and Gomez will eventually be traded in the offseason if not during the season.
Fernando Martinez- Plays at Brooklyn and Hagerstown for the entire season showing flashes of brilliance, but also shows that he needs 2-3 more years of seasoning before being called a top prospect.
Phillip Humber- After starting the year at St. Lucie Humber pitches back to top prospect form until mid-June when he earns a promotion to Binghamton. At Binghamton Humber pitches incredibly well putting up an era in the low 2's high 1's. Humber's name will be mentioned in trade rumors once he is fully healthy, but he will remain with the Mets.

Predictions: Mets season, stats and standings

Well, it's that time again, time to start making predictions, and for rival fans to start arguing with each other on whose team is the best of all time. It's now my turn to release my predictions. Today I will do the starters and position players. Tommorow I'll do the bench players, middle relievers, and different prospects sprinkled throughout the organization. Before I start my predictions I would like to offer my sincerest apology for not posting the last two weeks as I have been very busy with school and previewing the school's varsity baseball team. However, I should be back for consistent posting now that the season is merely a few days away.

Standings:
NL East:
Mets- We all know how much the Mets have improved this season, and here's the way I see it: if the Mets play exactly as they did last season, but have Wagner close than they win 5 more pushing their win total to 88 wins. Next, the arrival of Delgado. The Mets were last in the league last year at first base production, therefore I think the arrival of Delgado should add 3 wins in itself, also I think Delgado's presence in the lineup will make Beltran play better, adding 2 more wins. Now, I feel that Pedro's injured toe, Bannister being a rookie, and the lack of a real number 2 starter should subtract anywhere 2-8 (hopefully it's the former) wins. All in all, if everything I mentioned happens the Mets should have about 90-92 wins, which should lock up the wild card if not the division.
Braves- They are the champions of the NL East, however I think this is finally the year. Mike Hampton is most likely out for the season, John Smoltz is one year older, Kyle Davies is a question mark, and Jorge Sosa may be a one hit wonder (see Carl Pavano). Hudson should have a typical Hudson year, but even his health has some question marks. The offense should be very exciting with rookies and youngsters Jeff franceour, Brian McCann, Adam LaRoche, and with the stable veterans: Marcus Giles, Chipper Jones, and Andruw Jones. I expect the Brave's season to go very similar to the Mets' season last year, with maybe a handful of more wins. My prediction: 85-77.
Phillies- Chase Utley and Ryan Howard are studs, plain and simple. I expect Howard to hit 35+ home runs this year, while Mark Healey of Gotham Baseball thinks Chase Utley will win the MVP. Howard and Utley match up with powerhitters Bobby Abreu and Pat Burrell and speedster Jimmy Rollins for a monstrous lineup. However, they did have the same lineup last year which is why I expect them to have a similar season. Tom Gordon is a huge downgrade over Billy Wagner, and they also lose Ugeth Urbina and Ryan Madson from the bullpen. I'm thinking about 84-86 wins.
Marlins- I'm taking a page out of Bobby Cox's book here, I'm going with my gut feeling. The Marlins an incredible young team with unlimited potential. I expect Mike Jacobs to be a solid first baseman, Jeremy Hermida to be the Rookie of the Year, and Josh Willingham to emerge as a good catcher/Outfielder. Plus, they do have Migeul Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis. Outside of those five players they basically have a bunch of prospects and veterans, but I see them having a very strong August and September and surpassing the Nats for fourth place with 73 wins.
Nationals- This team has just had terrible luck this Spring. Brian Lawrence is out for the season, Jose Guillen has a bad shoulder which may return once the season starts, and Alfonso Soriano has had a terrible attitude and I feel that his attitude will cause another Pete Rose Lou Pinella battle, except this time with Frank Robinson. Livan Hernandez's knee may start hurting again, and Luis Ayala is out for the season as well. They have just had terrible luck, and I think their bad luck will continue all year now that the arrival in Washington high is gone.

Mets Stat Predictions:
Starters-
1) Pedro Martinez 17-8, 3.38 era, 199 K's, 210 Innings Pitched
2) Tom Glavine 14-9 3.30 era, 170 K's, 220 Innings Pitched
3) Victor Zambrano- 11-10 4.05 era, 130 K's, 195 Innings Pitched
4) Steve Trachsel- 3-4 4.98 era, 50 K's, 75 Innings Pitched (injury)
5) Brian Bannister- 10-10 4.30 era, 110 K's, 180 Innings Pitched

Position Players:
C- Paul LoDuca .280 BA, 8 HR, 70 RBI, 1 SB
1b- Carlos Delgado .290 BA, 31 HR, 110 RBI, 0 SB
2b- Anderson Hernandez .265 BA, 3 HR, 55 RBI, 28 SB
SS- Jose Reyes .280 BA, 10 HR, 71 RBI (Breaks Mets Franchise RBI record for a Shortstop), 65 SB, 40 SO
3b- David Wright .310 BA, 29 HR, 109 RBI, 22 SB, 15 E
LF- Cliff Floyd .270 BA, 27 HR, 88 RBI, 14 SB
CF- Carlos Beltran .280 BA, 25 HR (2 walkoffs), 95 RBI, 38 SB
RF- Xavier Nady- .255 BA, 20 HR, 65 RBI, 10 SB

The infamous Gyroball

For those of you who watched the WBC today, and know who Daisuke Matsuzaka is, but still haven't seen a gyroball before then I have a treat for you. Apparently Will Carrol of Baseball Prospectus has taught a high schooler named Joey Niezer how to throw the pitch, the pitch that's rotation is described as a bullet, that drops like a curveball. Sounds "nasty", huh? Well, I have two videos that I found. Here is the first one and here is the second one. The first video shows the movement from behind, while the second video shows the rotation of the ball. Now all that's left is seeing a pitcher use it consistently, and effectivley, in a game.

Padilla needs surgery, Ring to get chance?

Admittedly I haven't been on top of much of the news lately, as my time has been occupied with game recaps, but I hope to make up for the missed story lines now.

As most Mets fans know by now Juan Padilla will need Thommy John Surgery, which will sideline him for the rest of the season with the possibillity of him missing some, if not all, of next year's Spring Training. This is the second straight year that a player valuable to the Mets--either on the major league team, or simply in development-- has been hindered by Thommy John Surgery, the former being 2004 first rounder, Phillip Humber. Padilla was Manager Willie Randolph and GM Omar Minaya's main excuse for how pitchers will get lefites out. However, now that Padilla is done Minaya may realize what every fan has been crying for all season, a lefty specialist. But, what about Royce Ring or Matt Perisho. Well, Perisho has never been good against lefties. During his 8 year career Perisho has held lefties to a .312 batting average which is dreadful, especially for a lefty reliever. Therefore, I don't consider him a lefty specialist, or a reliable pitcher for that matter (career 6.93 era). Than there is Royce Ring. Ring struggled mightily with his control when he was in the majors averaging almost 1 walk per inning. His Era was also high, however in 6 Spring Training innings Ring has not walked a single batter, and pitched to a 3.00 era. Ring is also in-experienced, and may buckle under the spotlight if he was given the opportunity to be the main lefty out of the bullpen, outside of Billy Wagner. Right now I feel a trade similar to Kaz Ishii occuring, and hopefully this time it doesn't end with the pitcher going toanother country to play.

Mets blow out second straight opponent, win 11-4

After scoring 10 runs against the Nats a day earlier the Mets continued right where they left off, scoring 9 runs in the 4th inning to blow the game wide open. David Wright led the inning off with his second home run of the season, and Milledge hit a single to score Franco, who reached on a fielding error. After Juan Tejeda walked Kazuo Matsui singled to plate two more runs. Next up was Woodward, after he walked David Wright had his second at bat of the inning, and he hit a 2 run double, scoring his 2nd and 3rd runs of the inning. Finally, Floyd--who popped up in his last at bat--hit a three run home run, his second of the spring. Floyd finished 2-4 with 4 rbi, while the aforementioned Wright went 2-3 with 3 rbi. The hottest hitter in baseball, Xavier Nady, was quieted for the day, going 0-3. Lastly, top prospect went 1-4, despite scoring 1 run and 1 rbi.

Most pitchers were relativley impressive--save Matt Perisho and Heath Bell-- especially the starter of the game. Brian Bannister went 4 innings, gave up only one hit, and shutout the O's. In 9 innings this spring Bannister has allowed no runs, and only 3 hits. Chad Bradford, Billy Wagner, and Royce Ring shut out the O's during the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings respectivley.

Mets blow out Nats 10-4

Last night the Nationals came to Port St. Lucie to play the Mets, however a full 9 inning game was not played. In fact, only 6 innings were played due to nearly a dozen lights turning off 3 pitches into the seventh inning. However, despite only 6 innings played the Mets' offense still showed Pedro Astacio (the Nats starter for the game) and others what they are capable of. Kazuo Matsui is slowly bring his average back up to respectable, going 2-4 with a stolen base, his first of the spring. David Wright went 1-4 with his first double of the spring. Xavier Nady continued to be the hottest hitter in baseball, going 3-3 with a monstrous solo home run and 2 runs scored.

Tom Glavine pitched the first 4 innings of the game, allowing 4 earned runs on 6 hits. Glavine said that he was down in the strike zone more than his last start. Yusaku Iriki pitched the next 2 innings, allowing no hits and striking out 3. Irki has been very impressive in 7 innnings pitched this spring, he has allowed only 1 run, 7 strikeouts, and only 2 hits which is good for a 1.29 era.

Mets go 1-2, incquire about Day

The Mets have played 3 games in the past two days, two of which were possible playoff matchups. On Friday the Mets played the Cardinals, and once again their offense wasn't much of a factor, in fact it was their defense that did the Mets in. The Mets commited 3 errors, and allowed 5 un-earned runs in an 11-3 Cardinal win. Jeremi Gonzalez gave up 3 runs, 2 un-earned through the first 3 innings, while Mike Pelfrey allowed 3 runs, all un-earned during the following 3 innings. Billy Wagner, on the other hand, has continued his rough Spring, allowed 2 runs on 2 hits in his only inning of work. Bullpen standout Henry Owens started the ninth inning and allowed 2 more runs, after surrendoring 2 walks and a hit.

The Mets offense was lackluster as well. Lastings Milledge and David Wright were the only two Mets with more then 1 hit, but neither had a rbi, although each scored one run. However, Jeff Keppinger had a 2 rbis on the day, while Xavier Nady had the third rbi, going 1-2.

On Saturday the Mets offense was very existent in both games played, however the result is one win and one loss. The first gane, against the Braves was started by prospect John Maine. Maine was terrible, allowing 6 earned runs n only 2 innings of work, all coming in the first inning. Maine's era for the Spring through 4 innings is now 13.5. After Maine came in Cuban defector, Alay Soler, who wasn't much better, Soler allowed 5 runs, 4 earned, in only 1 2/3 innings of work. Soler's era is remarkably worse than Maine's, at 21.6 in 3 1/3 innings on work. Juan Perez followed Soler with 2 2/3 innings of shutout relief, lowering his era to 4.26. Mitch Wylie and Anderson Garcia pitched shutout 8th and 9th innings respectivley. Although the pitching staff surendered 11 runs the Mets offense kept the game competetive, scoring 7 runs. Lastings Milledge had his 3rd, 4th, and 5th hits in two days, while top prospect Carlos Gomez went 2-4 with 2 rbis, 2 runs scored, and a triple. Stay tuned for news about Gomez, I picked up a little nugget earlier today. Lastly, bench hopeful, Juan Tejeda went 3-4 with 2 runs scored. Back-up catcher Ramon Castro, also added a home run.

The second game of the day was against the Marlins, and was broadcasted on WFAN. The Mets ended their brief 2 game losing streak, beating the young Fish 6-10. Jose Lima continued to struggle this Spring, allowing 4 runs in as many innings. Royce Ring, on the other hand, pitched two innings of 1 run ball, striking out 2 and picking up the victory. Heath Bell and Matt Perisho followed Ring for scoreless innings in relief, while Bartolome Fortunato allowed one run on two hits in the ninth. The hitters picked up the slack from the pitchers, especially David Wright. Wright hit his first home run of the Spring, a three run home run that was part of a 7 run 5th inning for the Mets. Kazuo Matsui had an rbi double in the 5th, and after Cliff Floyd singled Xavier Nady drove him in with a triple. After Julio Franco singled Chris Woodward doubled him home to cap off the inning. A pair of Met's prospects were displayed, 17 year old Fernando Martinez had his first professional hit, going 1-2 on the day, after striking out in his first at bat. While Brett Harper went 1-1 with a run scored. Last season Harper broke out in the minors, hitting 36 home runs between St. Luice and Binghamton.

Position battles report (last three games):
Second Base:
1) Jeff Keppinger- 1-7, 2 rbi, double, error (overall: .313 avg)
2) Anderson Hernandez- 0-3 (overall: .292 avg)
3) Kazuo Matsui- 1-7, double, rbi, run, 2 errors (overall: .160 avg)
4) Chris Woodward- 1-7, double, 2 rbi, error (overall: .316)

Right Field:
1) Xavier Nady- 3-6, 2 runs, 2 rbi (overall: .476 avg, 9 rbi)
2) Victor Diaz- 1-7 (overall: .300 avg, 3 rbi)
3) Lastings Milledge- 5-9, 2 runs (overall: .318, 2 rbi 2 steals)

Well, I said I read a little nugget about prospect Carlos Gomez, and it certainly is little. The Daily News made a brief note that Minaya has been in contact with the Rockies about possibly acquiring Zach Day. Day was acquired from the Nats in the Preston Wilson trade last July. However, once the Rockie's GM requested Carlos Gomez negotiations broke off. Minaya has looked into acquiring several different starters, and it seems to me like a deal is inevitable. Day has nice stuff, but it is questionable whether he would succeed in New York

Astros rally to beat the Mets, end win streak

The Mets played the Astros today, in a game that turned out to be a terrific pitcher's duel. Aaron Heilman matched Iriki's Wednesday performance with 3 innings of 1 run ball of his own. Heilman and Iriki are both vying for the 5th slot in the rotation, however a dark horse could be Brian Bannister. Bannister pitched an impressive 3 shutout innings, striking out 3 batters, and allowing only 1 hit, outdoing performances by every fifth starter hopeful. Darren Oliver also pitched 2 innings of 1 run ball, but all 3 performances were spoiled by the Astros 3-2 victory. Sidewinder Steve Schmoll sufered the loss allowing 3 hits and 1 run in only 1/3 inning of work. Despite the good Mets pitching the Met hitters weren't much to write home about. Paul LoDuca had 2 hits, and was the only Met who had a multi-hit game. Kazuo Matsui went 1-4, and Xavier Nady countered Victor Diaz's 1-4 from Wednesday with a 1-3 and a run scored on Thursday.

Mets trump the Tribe

Yesterday afternoon the Mets took on the Cleveland Indians, and after scoring 7 runs in the first 2 innings the Mets could relax for the rest of the day. Especially with 5th starter hopeful Yasuku Iriki on the mound. Iriki pitched 3 innings of 1 run baseball, making his Spring Training total 5 innings pitched and only 1 earned run. Following Iriki was one inning shutouts by Juan Perez, Mitch Wylie (the rule 5 draft selection for the Mets this year), and Matt Perisho. Bartolome Fortunato pitched two scoreless innings, and Heath Bell pitched a scoreless ninth. As for the hitters, the only two standouts were two of the three men battling for the second base job. Anderson Hernandez went 2-3 with 2 runs scored, and a walk, while Jeff Keppinger went 2-4 with a double and 2 runs scored. Lastly, top prospect, Lastings Milledge, had another 0-fer, going 0-3. Milledge has struggled this spring, hitting only .154, which would prove to me that he is not yet ready for the bigs.

Omar looking into trade for starter

Mlbtraderumors.com has come back with yet another rumor. According to the article Minaya has offered the Cardinals a package including Victor Diaz for New York native, Jason Marquis. Minaya has apparently also looked into Boston starters Matt Clement and Bronson Arroyo. However, the Mets are hesitant to go for Clement due to his sizable contract, also it seems the Mets are content with using either Matsui or Anderson Hernandez.

With win Mets go over .500 for Spring

Yesterday in Spring Training the Mets took on the Astros, and three Steve Trachsel shutout innings and two hits from Matsui later the Mets pull away with a 7-1 victory. Matsui was the leadoff hitter for the Mets, and he responded with 2 hits, including a 2 run triple in the fourth. David Wright continued to struggle in the Spring, going 0-3 with a walk and a run scored. Cliff Floyd went 2-4 with a run scored, while Lastings Milledge dropped his average below the Mendoza line going 0-4. Billy Wagner pitched a perfect inning in relief, and Chad Bradford pitched 2 scoreless innings as well. At the WBC Victor Zambrano pitched well, throwing 2 1/3 innings and allowing only 1 run against a powerhouse Dominican team. On the other hand, Jorge Julio gave up three runs in only 2/3 innings pitched. At the Puerto Rican versus Panama game Carlos Beltran went 0-3 and Jose Valentin went 0-4, and Pedro Feliciano earned a hold, pitching 1/3rd of an inning, striking out the only batter he faced. There are also two new injuries for the Mets. Xavier Nady has a sore left hamstring and Juan Padilla's elbow will be examined on Friday. It was only a matter of time before the first few cuts of Spring Training came, and top prospect Phillip Humber was among them.

Mets even Spring record at 3-3

After getting blown out in back to back games on Sunday the Mets took the field against the Cleveland Indians with only two guarenteed major leaguers in the starting lineup. Cliff Floyd hit a home run in the second inning, his first of the spring, and Paul LoDuca went 0-2 in his first 2 spring at bats. Lastings Milledge was put in during the later innings, and in his lone at bat he singled up the middle. Victor Diaz went 2-3 with a double and a run scored, and his RF rival, Xavier Nady, went 0-3. Jeff Keppinger went 2-4 with a double to the right field warning track to go along with a couple of nifty defensive plays. One of Keppinger's second base rivals played shortstop today, and Anderson Hernandez went 0-4. David Wright was given the day off. On the Indians Grady Sizemore had a great game, going 3-3 with 2 doubles and a solo shot to right field. That sure is good news for my fantasy team. One the mound was Tom Glavine who threw 3 impressive innings, allowing only one run. Bartolome Fortunato got the win pitching 1 1/3 innings surrendering only one hit and striking out one. Henry Owens was very impressive, and he earned the save. Owens got rave reviews from the two announces, one of which was former Met's General Manager, Steve Phillips. The two announcers agreed that if used correctly Owens could be a force in the bullpen, due to his corky delivery, good fastball, and nasty sinking pitch.

Personal notes:
1) I have never seen Anderson Hernandez get a hit on T.V. His one career hit was on the last game of the season, and I was at that game.
2) I have opened up a forum for both of my blogs. The link is in the sidebar, and right here.

Mets get blown out in two Spring training games

The Mets were killed by the Dodgers today 16-2, and they had an eye-popping 11 run 6th inning. John Maine started the game and threw 2 perfect innings, although the othe However, in the fourth inning Alay Soler made an uninspiring appearence. In 1 2/3 innings Soler allowed four runs, 3 of which came from a home run. Jason Scobie, on the other hand, wasn't much better. The 15 game AAA winner came into the 6th inning and gave up 8 runs without recording an out. Juan Perez followed up Scobie's performance with three more runs in the inning. As for the hitters the Mets only managed 5 hits, and 2 runs. Victor Diaz had a single and 19 year old outfield prospect, Carlos Gomez, also had one hit. Either way this game was one to forget.

The Mets played two games today, and the offense and the pitching wasn't there for the second game either. The Mets lost to the Puerto Rican team 6-1. Carlos Beltran gave the Puerto Rican team the lead for good in the 5th inning when he hit a 2 rbi single off of Billy Wagner. On the Mets Cliff Floyd went 1-2 to go along with his many foul rockets. Kazuo Matsui countered Anderson Hernandez's 0-3 with an 0-3 of his own. David Wright had the lone Mets run with an rbi single to right field in the fourth inning. Lastings Milledge was 1-4 with a double and a run scored. Mike Pelfrey pitched two scoreless innings with one strikeout. Matt Perisho pitched a perfect 7th and 8th inning as well.

Notes:
1) Although Milledge was only 1-4 he gave me and many other Mets fans a solid look at their future corner outfielder. For those who missed the game, Milledge has a stance that is a mixture of Gary Sheffield, Rickie Weeks, and Barry Bonds. He shakes the bat back and forth like Sheffield, but it isn't as fast or as intense as Sheffield's. Also, the balls that Milledge hits are screamers, it seems like everything he hits is a line drive somewhere. Milledge also had a home run but Jose Cruz Jr. made a nice catch in front of the wall in left field. I am not sure how far back the left field fence is, but it probably is close to a normal stadium. For those of you who are curious about the field check out this link.
2) Mike Pelfrey has a very smooth and effortless delivery and he was impressve in his debut. He seems to have control that is good enough, although he did walk Beltran on 4 pitches. However, I have a hunch that Pelfrey was worried that he might hurt him if he hit him, especially since he hit Victor Diaz in his first intra-squad games, and since all 4 pitches were away.
3) Fernando Martinez had one at bat and he clearly is not ready to face major league pitching. He was blown away by three Fernando Cabrera fastballs. He has an open stance, similar to Tony Batista but not as exaggerated.

Up next for the Mets is the Cleveland Indians, the game will air at 1:00 est on ESPN and MLB.TV, and Tom Glavine is slated to start the game.

I'm feeling better, and boy did I miss a lot

Hey guys, I'm feeling much better, and I'm ready to get back into the full swing of blogging. I missed a ton of things, starting with the retirement of Bret Boone. The four time gold glover said that he had lost his passion for playing the game.

Also, the toe that is one everyone's mind, Pedro's toe. He has thrown multiple bullpen sessions, and he proclaims his status as 60%. The Daily News reported yesterday that if Pedro starts on opening day it could be a short outing, and he could wind up pitching only 4-5 innings. A starting pitcher needs 5 innings to earn a victory. In other news that relates to Pedro, Billy Wagner and the aforementioned Pedro have both dropped out of the WBC, along with many other big names.

I reported a couple of days ago, before I was sick, that Jeff Keppinger had been sent to New York to have his back examined. Metsblog reported that Keppinger has returned back to camp and is listed as day-to-day, which can only hinder his hopes for winning the second base job.

The Mets have played 3 Spring Training games, and their record is 2-1. The standouts so far are Xavier Nady (6 rbis, grand slam in ST opener), Anderson Hernandez (3-4 with 3 runs yesterday), Henry Owens (2 ip, 1 hit in second game against Cards), Carlos Delgado (5-5 throughout ST), and David Wright and Kazuo matsui are both hitless.

Today the Mets play two games, one against the Dodgers, and one against the Puerto Rican WBC team. The Mets will travel to Holman Stadium at Dodgertown and John Maine will start the game followed by Alay Soler and Juan Perez. At Port St. Lucie the Mets will have Mike Pelfrey on the mound (2005 first round draft pick), and Lastings Milledge, Mike Pelfrey, and Fernando Martinez (Minaya believes he was as good as any high schooler in last year's draft, which included top prospect Justin Upton). On the Puerto Rican team is Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado which is relativley interesting since they will be playing their normal teams. The game will air at 2 o' clock on ESPN.