Monday, May 3rd Installment of What’s Up Jerry?

The Mets had a chance to extend their lead in the National League East heading into Philadelphia Friday night but came up short. Jon Niese was awesome but Mike Pelfrey and Johan Santana were not. Pelfrey has been so good and was due for a tough outing but I think his last rain shortened win bailed him out a bit. The Mets were 3-hit by Roy Halladay, among the best pitchers in baseball so that looked to be an uphill climb before the first pitch. It was Sundays game that I though we’d take and win the series. Jerry Manuel played the percentages and started Gary Matthews, Jr. and Fernando Tatis as their numbers against Phillie starter Jamie Moyer were very good over their career. I still would’ve played the hot hands in Angel Pagan and Ike Davis in center and 1st though. Manuel has to speak up about Santana. Unfortunately Santana’s speed is way down, about 5 MPH and that’s a lot in a fastball, from 94 to 89. Santana’s out pitch is his breaking ball and he’s not getting batters to miss with a decrease in fastball speed. A lot of batters are fouling off his pitches, therefore getting longer at-bats and creating higher pitch counts where Santana’s not getting into the 7th inning. That will continue to tax the bullpen as the season continues. They’re paying him a ton of money and I hope I’m wrong, but his best days may be behind him. He has four years left on his contact after this season. He’s a very smart pitcher and ultra competitive but the Mets missed their shot at the playoffs in 2008 in his first year in New York. Manuel has not said a word about Santana. I wish Jerry got somebody up in the bullpen last night after Johan walked the pitcher and gave a run to the Phillies with bases loaded. Santana’s surgeries the past few years may be an issue as well.