Look on the bright side

[Theoldmole]

Remember the last time the Mets brought up a virtual unknown named Perez for the playoffs.

[stevejrogers]

Yeah but we all know how that turned out eventually!

[metsmarathon]

short term gain. works for me.

[Guest vtmet]

My initial reaction to seeing Perez against the Cards is that...not only does Perez have control issues, but just about every bat in the Cards lineup is RH'd...but if you look at the Cards splits on the year, they have actually hit better against RH pitchers than against LH pitchers (even Pujols, who had a .620 slugging percentage against LH pitchers, had a .688 slugging percentage against RH pitchers)...

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

For me the bright side is that to win the series, the Mets don't have to win all seven games.

If we can steal one of the games Carpenter starts, we can afford to give back the one that Perez starts.

[Frayed Knot]

Perez faced the Cards 3 times this year while still w/the Pirates:

(W) 6.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 H

(L) 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 10 H

(L) 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 H


Looks at a glance like 2 decent outings sandwiched around 1 lousy one

[Zvon]

Having a pitcher who can bring Perez's stuff is a freakin blessing.
Now I only can hope he finds and brings his stuff.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

I hope he can bring his stuff and get people out.

I don't care about stuff this month. I care about outs.

[Guest ScarletKnight41]

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life (from Monty Python)

words and music by Eric Idle

Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When you're chewing on life's gristle
Don't grumble, give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best...

And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life...

If life seems jolly rotten
There's something you've forgotten
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
When you're feeling in the dumps
Don't be silly chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle - that's the thing.

And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life...

For life is quite absurd
And death's the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow.
Forget about your sin - give the audience a grin
Enjoy it - it's your last chance anyhow.

So always look on the bright side of death
Just before you draw your terminal breath

Life's a piece of shit
When you look at it
Life's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true.
You'll see it's all a show
Keep 'em laughing as you go
Just remember that the last laugh is on you.

And always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the right side of life...
(Come on guys, cheer up!)
Always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the bright side of life...
(Worse things happen at sea, you know.)
Always look on the bright side of life...
(I mean - what have you got to lose?)
(You know, you come from nothing - you're going back to nothing.
What have you lost? Nothing!)
Always look on the right side of life...

[metirish]

>

[RealityChuck]

I'm guessing that Perez will go at least six innings unless the Mets are on the verge of elimination.

Why? For the same reason Willie left Hernandez in during a game where he was getting pounded. Glavine will be coming back on three days rest, so Willie's going to want the bullpen ready to take over early for Tom.

[Zvon]

Great song choice SK.

[Guest ScarletKnight41]

Thanks Z - I'd think of it every time I'd see the thread title

[Valadius]

Same here.

[Willets Point]

SteveJRogers wrote: Yeah but we all know how that turned out eventually!

An NL Pennant.

[Guest vtmet]

Heilman hasn't pitched since Saturday...yet the 2 guys used tonight in the 8th inning (one in the game, one warming up in the bullpen) were Mota and Bradford? Is Heilman getting ready for a game 3 or 4 start?

[Frayed Knot]

re: A Heilman start: Highly doubtful.

[Guest vtmet]

I agree highly doubtful...but at the same time, if Mota can handle the 8th and the rest of the bullpen can be solid...who would you trust more getting a start, Perez or Heilman?

[Frayed Knot]

When Heilman hasn't pitched more than 2 innings in, what?, over a year now ... Perez.

[Guest cleonjones11]

vtmet wrote: I agree highly doubtful...but at the same time, if Mota can handle the 8th and the rest of the bullpen can be solid...who would you trust more getting a start, Perez or Heilman?

Tough one...Mota in 8th odd...Heilman must be pissed unless he knows something

I can't picture Oliver Perez hanging around more than 4..I hope...Maybe Aaron' gonna pick him up..Just a thought

[Theoldmole]

I'm figuring there's a reason why the Mets have Heilman in the bullpen, and it's that they've figured out he's better in the bullpen.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

cleonjones11 wrote: Tough one...Mota in 8th odd...Heilman must be pissed unless he knows something

My fear was that Heilman has a "tweak."

[Frayed Knot]

TheOldMole wrote: I'm figuring there's a reason why the Mets have Heilman in the bullpen, and it's that they've figured out he's better in the bullpen.

Oddly, this seems to be virtually the last reason fans latch onto.

[Gwreck]

TheOldMole wrote: I'm figuring there's a reason why the Mets have Heilman in the bullpen, and it's that they've figured out he's better in the bullpen.

IIRC, there were rumblings about this last season / the offseason about such, that he'd get too tired too quickly as a starter.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Why would he be pissed? Is he the only one not down with this whole team thing?

[Vic Sage]

TheOldMole wrote: I'm figuring there's a reason why the Mets have Heilman in the bullpen, and it's that they've figured out he's better in the bullpen.

does anybody know his stats from the 7 starts he made last year?

Without having seen them, I'd wager they would indicate a pitcher whose more valuable pitching more innings than Oliver perez or Dave Williams... and probably better than Trax, too.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Heilman's first 8 games in 2005. It includes all 7 of his starts. The May 5 game was in relief.

Aaron Heilman 2005 Regular Season Game Log - Pitching
	Date	Team	Decision	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
BOX	04/09/05	vs. Braves	L	5.0	8	5	5	0	3
BOX	04/15/05	vs. Marlins	W	9.0	1	0	0	3	7
BOX	04/20/05	vs. Marlins	L	4.0	11	7	7	1	3
BOX	04/25/05	vs. Braves	W	7.0	2	1	1	1	5
BOX	05/01/05	vs. Nationals	ND	6.0	4	3	3	5	5
BOX	05/05/05	vs. Phillies	W	3.1	1	0	0	1	5
BOX	05/09/05	vs. Cubs	ND	5.1	5	2	2	2	4
BOX	05/15/05	vs. Cardinals	L	5.2	7	4	4	1	7

[Guest Edgy DC]

He had some great starts last year, and some blowups.

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/Lheila0010032005.htm

People seem more inclined to recall the former.

[Guest Rotblatt]

Edgy DC wrote: He had some great starts last year, and some blowups. http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/Lheila0010032005.htm People seem more inclined to recall the former.

True enough, but I think it's plausible that over the rest of the season, he became a better pitcher--not just a better reliever. And he also rocked the winter leagues as a starter.

It's clear the dude's got potential, either way, and maybe next year, we'll be able to give him a chance. If we've got Mota, Sanchez & Wagner in the pen, Heilman would just sprinkles on the icing on the cake if he pitched from the bullpen, whereas he could be a key part of our rotation, especially with Petey out for at least half the season.

I don't think we can start him in Game 5 unless the plan is to use him for 3 innings. I don't see how he could be stretched out enough for more than that. Personally, I'd rather start Oliver and go to Heilman for 3 whenever he's needed.

[Gwreck]

That 3.1 inning stint against the Phillies wasn't a start.

The numbers are promising I think for him as a starter but I'm still down with keeping him in the 'pen. Worth reevaluating next ST.