Gwreck

="Nymr83"]this question is way too yankee-centric. I think it's pretty clear that the point of the question is not to focus on the Yankees. ]the '99 indians and '99 diamondbacks are the only two guesses i feel confident about. Well, then there might be a few surprises. 1998 Astros - Jeff Bagwell, Derek Bell, Moises Alou - Nymr83 1999 Rangers - 1999 Diamondbacks - 1999 Indians - Jim Thome, Roberto Alomar, Manny Ramirez - Nymr83 2002 Yankees - Jason Giambi, Alfonso Soriano, Bernie Williams - Nymr83 2004 Cardinals - 2004 Yankees - 2005 Yankees - 2007 Yankees -

Carlos Delgado has 94 runs scored this year. He'll need 6 more if the Mets want to have 3 players this year who have both scored at least 100 runs and batted in at least 100 runs. He already as 18 runs in 20 games this September, so 6 in the remaining 6 games is certainly a possibility. (Yes, Reyes could get 33 RBI in the final 6 games, too...but I'd bet on Delgado first). If Delgado reaches it, the 2008 Mets will be the first in team history to have 3 players reach the accomplishment. The closest they've come before is '99, when Olerud was 4 RBI short of joining Piazza and Alfonzo. Trivia time! Over the past 10 years, there have been 9 other teams* with 3 such players. Can you name the 3 players from these teams? 1998 Astros 1999 Rangers 1999 Diamondbacks 1999 Indians 2002 Yankees 2004 Cardinals 2004 Yankees 2005 Yankees 2007 Yankees * If you find any other teams, let me know. I believe this list to be definitive.

Santana 4.5 Reyes 2 Wright 2 Delgado .5 Murphy .5 Ayala .5

I think they'd let him go 3 innings or something on Sunday if we've clinched a playoff spot by then.

We had the cheering for the Braves win go up over in our side of the Mezz (complete with some tomahawk chopping). Big win, of course. In our section, we were all solidly behind the idea of the squeeze play with Reyes at third and Castillo up. We also really wanted the pinch runner for Castro when he was on third base. Not mentioned in this thread: when Johan was batting with a 2-2 count and the bases loaded, some moron ran onto the field -- the back of the infield, between third and short. Nowhere near any players, as the infield was drawn in. Got dragged off by about 15 security officers to the Cubs bullpen.

Prince Fielder with the walkoff, Brewers win.

More on Saturday, from Josh Thompson of the Journal News' blog: ]Near where the lineup is posted in the clubhouse, the Mets have listed �staff� as Saturday�s starter. In the past when the starter wasn�t determined until late, it would have a question mark. I�d say this would indicate the Mets may pitch just about everyone, including starters on their throw days. The starter will just be starter in name only. UPDATE, 4:40 p.m.: A correction and an update. The correct term written on the wall in the clubhouse is �Staffinator.� Seriously. Also, Manuel said he has �nothing in ink for Saturday.�

Sorry that we'll be missing the picnic thing -- but we'll wave to you in the bleachers from our seats. Was there last night and am going to all of the remaining games this year. I expect to be either incredibly excited for the postseason or insufferably cranky. There will be no in-between.

Gate C opens at 4:40 PM for a 7:10 start.

="Benjamin Grimm"]While we can (and should) still hope for the Phillies to lose whenever possible, we've reached the point where a Brewers loss is more helpful to the Mets than a Phillies loss is. If I had one magic "make a team lose" card, I'd give it to the Brewers one night this week. I guess that's true if you consider the Wild Card a success. For me, this season would be successful with an NL East crown or the Wild Card and a first-round playoff victory.

1. It's how the rotation "sets up." Obviously we know a lot can and will change between now and Saturday. 2. That being said, I don't think that Niese, Knight or Figueroa will start on Saturday if the playoffs hang in the balance. Adam Rubin's blog had some info on this: ]Niese�s turn next comes up Saturday, in the Mets� second-to-last game of the season. Manuel said it�s too early to commit to Niese for that start, though the interim manager had previously resolved not to use Johan Santana on short rest that day. The only other obvious options, Manuel agreed, are Nelson Figueora and Brandon Knight. 3. If Santana pitches Sunday, he'll be available for game 2 of the division series (3 days rest) or game 3 (5 days rest). 4. If Santana pitches Saturday on short rest, he'd be available to go in game 2 of the division series (regular rest) and game 5 (regular rest). 5. If the Mets stay "on turn" and do not move anyone up to pitch on short rest -- meaning that the "5th starter" spot pitches on Saturday -- the rotation would set up like this for round 1: Game 1: Perez Game 2: Pelfrey Game 3: Santana Game 4: Martinez Game 5: Perez or Pelfrey

Cubs moved Harden back and bumped Ted Lilly out of this series. vs CHC Tue Sep 23 - Santana v. Sean Marshall Wed Sep 24 - Perez v. Carlos Zambrano Thu Sep 25 - Martinez v. Rich Harden vs FLA Fri Sep 26 - Pelfrey v. Chris Volstad Sat Sep 27 - Santana (short rest) v. Ricky Nolsaco Sun Sep 28 - Perez (short rest) v. Scott Olsen

="HahnSolo"]While Kingman won�t make the final game at Shea later this month, Not so fast. Adam Rubin of the Daily News says in his blog: The Mets have been hush-hush about their plans for Sunday�s Shea Stadium sendoff, but add another name to the list of attendees: Willie Mays, who played with the Mets in 1972 and �73, will be on hand. Other known attendees include Tom Seaver, Mike Piazza, Dave Kingman and the SNY crew. Surfing the Mets has been told the ceremony will be after the regular-season finale and tame relative to the sendoff to Yankee Stadium last night in the Bronx. It�s believed a torch may go from Shea Stadium to Citi Field.

SteveJRogers wrote: Some sort of rock concert with I think Springsteen. Don't bet the farm on that.

By the way, I figured out the Castillo problem. Santana (not a terrible hitter) is going tomorrow. Jerry should hit Castillo 9th, Tony LaRussa-style. Yes, I'm 100% serious.

Wright 2 Delgado 1 Church 1 Reyes 1 Heilman .5 Sanchez .5

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I disagree. It was over when The Schneid hit into the DP in the following half-inning, and even then it took Castillo's DP and Church's popup to really kill it dead. Indeed. This was a 5-kick-to-the-groin night: 5. Ayala dicking around and letting up a run in the 9th for no apparent reason; 4. Church's pop-up 3. Castillo's GIDP 2. Schneider's GIDP 1. Marquis I seriously considered leaving the game early (yes, it's true) and might have if there weren't 6 more games at Shea, ever.

...have been talking about same for the past 3 days in various IGTs. He can still put Church out for defense in the late innings if necessary but it's time for a day off for Ryan.

All games on TBS Wednesday, October 1 3:00 - Dodgers/Wild Card at NL East Champ 6:30 � NL Wildcard/Dodgers at Cubs 10:00 � Red Sox at Angels Thursday, October 2 1:30 � AL Central at Tampa 5:00 � Dodgers/Wild Card at NL East Champ 8:30 � NL Wildcard/Dodgers at Cubs Note that the schedule for the first two games will depend on when the AL team with the best record (ie. the Angels) will choose to start their division series. I believe that the Angels have 24 hours after clinching the best record in the AL to inform MLB of their choice. Friday, October 3 5:00 PM/6:30 � AL Central at Tampa 8:30 PM/10:00 � Boston at Angels Saturday, October 4 5:00 PM/6:30 � Cubs at Wildcard/Dodgers 8:30 PM/10:00 � Wildcard/NL East at Dodgers Sunday, October 5 12:00 � Tampa at AL Central 3:30 � Angels at Boston 7:00 � Cubs at Wildcard/Dodgers 10:30 � Wildcard/NL East at Dodgers The 12:00 slot (with everybody moving down) probably won�t get used if one of the two NL teams sweeps. Monday, October 6 5:00/6:00 � Tampa at AL Central 8:30/9:30 � Angels at Boston Tuesday, October 7 5:00/6:30 � NL Wildcard/Dodgers at Cubs 8:30 � Dodgers/Wildcard at NL East If only 1 game is being played, probably is going to be at 8:30 Wednesday, October 8 5:00/6:30 � AL Central at Tampa 8:30/10:00 � Boston at Angels If only 1 game is being played, probably is going to be at 8:30 --- Takeaway: If the Mets win the East, count on afternoon home games on Wednesday and Thursday. If the Mets win the Wildcard, we'll have weekend home playoff games, and the possibility of road afternoon playoff games on Wednesday or Thursday. I'll update this once we know more/things get confirmed.

I think our NHOP against Philadelphia can be reduced to 8 of 13, so long as the Brewers don't catch us, because a tie for the division lead (if the Brewers don't catch us) means that we get the division.

Yawn. The Brewers are collapsing much harder than the Mets. I figure we get the wild card.

Can't fault the 'pen for giving up the occasional run, nor can they necessarily be faulted for the 3rd run, as that's on the manager for intentionally walking another run into scoring position. I think Jerry needs to be a little less quick with the hook and just for once step back and let a guy finish an inning instead of yanking him the second someone reaches base. Also: our offense went to sleep for the last two-thirds of the game. And Delgado's homer doesn't fucking count. You don't need to swing for the fences with one runner on if you're down 3.

Cleveland and Toronto today.

Pelfrey 3 Delgado 2 Wright 2 Rincon .25

Well, there was Toronto, too.