Newspaper Articles From Tuesday 10/17/06

[GaryMrMets]

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METS' MAGIC CONCOCTION: WIN IT IN SIX

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October 17, 2006 -- ST. LOUIS - The Mets better win the NLCS in six games because - home-field edge or not - they would be at a distinct disadvantage for Game 7.

Rain came yesterday, and washed away a second game in this NLCS. The common theory was that the postponement was a favorable break for the Mets. Which it was. But only for Game 5, as now Tom Glavine starts tonight on full rest.

However, even if you want to concede Game 5 to the Mets - and, remember, Jeff Weaver pitched well against Glavine in the opener and he too now avoids pitching on three days rest - the Cardinals have the defending NL Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter vs. John Maine in Game 6. And, if there were to be a Game 7, St. Louis would use Jeff Suppan, who shut out the Mets over eight innings in Game 3, against, well, who knows?

"We have 11 pitchers and it is certain to be four or five [used]," pitching coach Rick Peterson said.

The most likely strategy would be to have Darren Oliver (no starts since Aug. 5, 2004) and Oliver Perez (on three days) tag-team as many outs early as possible, meaning a hybrid starter, strangely enough, known as Oliver/Perez.

Just about the only certainty is that it will not be Steve Trachsel, who is unlikely to ever pitch for the Mets again. If the Mets were to reach the World Series, expect Trachsel to be replaced on the roster by the healing Orlando Hernandez.

As reported in Monday's Post, Mets officials were infuriated Trachsel essentially pulled himself from his start Saturday in Game 3 with no out, the bases loaded, the Mets already down 3-0 and the team desperate for starters to work deeper into games. Trachsel had been struck by a ball on his thigh. Nevertheless, the team had no intention of removing the righty even after he walked Albert Pujols on four pitches to load the bases.

However, Trachsel said his leg had stiffened up, pretty much forcing Willie Randolph's hand, though no one was even warming up. Randolph refused to discuss the issue when asked on Sunday, but several club officials made it clear that Trachsel had lost any lingering trust there was in him.

Trachsel said, "I've never done that ever, ever," when asked about pulling himself from a game. He had said the previous day that the decision to be removed was "mutual." As explanation for why he would not remove himself, Trachsel said he "waited 13 years for the opportunity" to play in the postseason. But, at this point, Carlos Delgado has distinguished himself after a 13-year wait to get into the playoffs. Trachsel has not.

Trachsel's final job with the Mets could be to do the mandatory press conference for the next day's starting pitcher setting up Game 7. Either that or the Mets can send in a group photo. "All hands on deck," said Glavine, who even said he would be available for an inning or two if there were a Game 7.

Oliver has a chance to start coming off of a bullpen-saving six shutout innings in relief of Trachsel in Game 3. But he threw 72 pitches and Glavine pointed out, "You don't know how Darren will bounce back from that." Glavine conceded that with Suppan fully rested, St. Louis would "be in a better situation than us."

Peterson said if the Mets have a chance to win Games 5 or 6, and had to use Oliver or Perez, they would. That is why he said, "Before you vote, you have to see who is even running for office. By the time we get there [to Game 7], one might have already been elected [to pitch in a previous game]."

Having an emergency situation does not assure doom. Bartolo Colon lasted just one inning in the decisive Game 5 last year for the Angels against the Yankees, and rookie Ervin Santana came on for 51/3 winning innings of relief. However, you don't want to play longshots now. So the Mets really need to win this NLCS in six games, and avoid having to start a mystery man in Game 7 who has left just one clue so far.

His name will not be Steve Trachsel.

joel.sherman@nypost.com

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10172006/photos/mets080.jpg
NO TRACH BETTING: Steve Trachsel, whose early exit in Game 3 did not endear him to Mets officials, has likely pitched his last game as a Met, which means the team would turn to some combination of Darren Oliver and Oliver Perez should the NLCS last seven games.

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10172006/sports/mets/david_looking_at_his_slump_the_wright_way_mets_mik e_vaccaro.htm

DAVID LOOKING AT HIS SLUMP THE WRIGHT WAY

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October 17, 2006 -- ST. LOUIS - The third baseman for New York has stepped to the plate 17 times so far in the Championship Series. He's had four walks. He's had one hit. In the opening game of the series, he failed to deliver in a key second-and-third, one-out situation. He's stranded all five of the runners who've been on base when he's batted through four games.

And, man, is his brain whirring, filled with all kinds of crazy stuff.

"What I need," the third baseman for New York said yesterday, "is for Chicago to have a big game so it'll help me in my fantasy league, that's all I know."

Rain was falling in sheets outside, a genuinely miserable Missouri day washing away Game 5 of the National League Championship Series, postponing it a day, and all around David Wright Mets teammates were pondering the serious questions of the day:

Do the Mets get more of an advantage because Tom Glavine gets and extra day of rest, or do the Cardinals get the bigger break in resting an exhausted bullpen? Will the rain flatten the Mets' momentum? And for the love of God, what is that red road kill that's taken over Scott Spiezio's chin?

David Wright, the New York third baseman for whom the sun seems to shine even on the stormiest days, he was worried about his fantasy football team. He wasn't worried about his NLCS batting average, which presently sits at a robust .077, or about the fact that the Mets and the Cardinals are about to embark on a best-of-three sprint across the next three days for the right to breathe Jim Leyland's second-hand smoke in the World Series.

"If I wasn't seeing the ball well, if I wasn't hitting it hard, I'd feel a little more worried about myself," Wright said. "But I am hitting the ball hard, I've just been hitting in some bad luck, hitting the ball right at people. I'm taking my walks, I'm trying to be as patient as I can and I just have to believe that the balls will start finding holes for me sooner or later."

Wright showed some visible vital signs Sunday night at a time when the Mets were still hanging around the periphery of this series, a rocket-launched home run off Anthony Reyes that broke a 1-1 tie and, coming right on the heels of Carlos Beltran's first homer of the night, signaled that the Mets' bats had officially awoken from an ill-timed slumber, the first warning shots in what became a 12-5 win that tied the NLCS at 2-2.

For the Mets, for the next three days, Wright is likely to be a central figure in anything they accomplish and everything they hope to attain. It isn't as easy to gameplan for the Mets as it is for, say, the Cardinals, who use Albert Pujols as the main artery through which all their power, energy and resourcefulness flows.

But with Beltran and Carlos Delgado absolutely white-hot right now in the Nos. 3 and 4 slots in the Mets' batting order, and with that duo hitting a combined .367 with six homers and 13 RBIs, it's clear the Tigers are going to be loathe to allowing them to do any further damage if they can help it. Especially since the guy providing protection for them is currently hitting under a buck for the series.

"I know what I have to do," Wright said. "The great thing about our lineup is that there aren't any holes for a pitcher to sneak through. Beltran is backed by Delgado, and Delgado is backed by me, and I'm backed by Greenie [Shawn Green], who's swinging the bat great. If we're all doing our jobs, there isn't an easy stretch in our lineup. I have to do my job. I think I will."

Wright is most often compared to Derek Jeter because of his youth, his appeal, his good looks and his talent, and there have been a few quick to study Wright's numbers this October to see if he measures up to his fellow matinee idol. Of course, the overwhelming perception of Jeter is as a never-misses postseason meteorite. And that's a fair description despite the fact that Jeter once hit .111 against Texas in the 1998 ALDS, and .118 against Seattle in the '01 ALCS, and .211 against Oakland in the '00 ALDS.

"You can turn things around quick in a short series," he said. "And I think people will be more inclined to remember the end than the beginning."

For better or worse, Wright's right. Mets fans are seriously hoping for the better.

michael.vaccaro@nypost.com

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EYE TO EYE: While it may seem that David Wright can't bear to see his stats lately, it's actually the opposite. He's simply not worried about his struggles as long as the Mets keep winning games.

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10172006/sports/mets/mother_nature_having_big_say_in_series_mets_billy_ wagner.htm

MOTHER NATURE HAVING BIG SAY IN SERIES

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October 17, 2006 -- Billy Wagner, the Mets' fireballing lefty closer, offers his exclusive insights to Post readers throughout the Amazin's postseason run.

Iarrived at the ballpark all wet, wiping the beads of rain off my forehead. From the time I woke yesterday morning, all I had seen the entire day was rain. I changed into my uniform, then hung out at the stadium, watching the monitor inside the visiting clubhouse. Still more rain. It never stopped, so I went about my normal pre-game preparation; I do this whether I'm at home or on the road.

I did my normal workout routine. I stretched, got on the treadmill and did some light free weights for the arms. Next, I used the tubing for the groin muscles, then played some catch.

I also tried to keep myself mentally focused rather than think about whether the game was going to be rained out. This way, if the game had been played, I would have been into my normal game mode.

The worst part about these postseason rain games is that you're telling yourself it's a regular day, but your body has that sense that the game could be called off. I peeked outside once more. More rain, only coming down in buckets by the time late afternoon rolled around. At around 4 p.m., we all knew that this game had no shot of being played. There was no sign of a let up and the forecast on television kept repeating the same thing over and over again: rain, heavier at night.

When they finally called it off, it was good news because it gave the bullpen an extra day of rest. But, once again, it meant playing a game, traveling after the game, and playing the next day.

But at least we had the chance to leave the ballpark, go back to the hotel, eat dinner and get a good night's rest. At least by calling the game early it kind of eliminated any excess waiting around and anxiousness.

We had an emotional win Sunday night. After that game, we all told Oliver Perez that he did well. He gave us what we needed - 5 2/3 innings of good, quality baseball. He kept the score even and that was all we wanted from him. Our offense took over and piled on the runs, everyone adding to the score until we knew we had a "W."

I was really pumped when I went to bed Sunday night, knowing that we were headed home to Shea. It was a huge sigh of relief.

I woke up yesterday to the worst weather outside. It seemed that whatever could go wrong with the forecast did. But like the old adage, you can't argue with Mother Nature. It was raining all day long and the forecast, when I got it at the hotel at 9 a.m., was for the heaviest rain yet to come from 2-9 p.m. Not good news when you've got your ace going. This is the advantage of having a veteran out there. Nothing fazes Tom Glavine. He knew the scoop. He was ready on three days rest to get us a win, rain or shine. He knew he had to hit his location and to have control. We didn't even need him to go deep in the game, because our bullpen was rested. Both pitchers were pumped.

Jeff Weaver, on their side, was so pumped up and running on adrenaline that first game of the series that it seemed as if his adrenaline rush just carried him through the game. He hit his location inning after inning, using all his pitches, and not just relying on one pitch. He hit the corners and came back even when he fell behind in the count. I just hoped he wasn't as sharp as he was the first time around. I was just hoping that he'd make mistakes and that we'd get to him.

I stayed focused on the game, trying to block out the weather. I drove my wife and the kids to the airport at around 10:30 in the morning. They headed home before me because the kids needed to be ready for school the next day. All I saw was rain. I went back to the hotel, running in from the rain. I showered, and felt refreshed.

More rain. I dressed and turned on the Weather Channel before I headed to ballpark, just to take a peek at the forecast like a kid waiting for the skies to clear. Even more rain was expected! Walking out the door of my hotel room, I thought about the fact that if the game were canceled it would mean playing a night game today and then following it with another game tomorrow at Shea after a long plane flight. It wasn't too comforting an idea.

As told to Burton Rocks

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10172006/photos/mets078.jpg
A grounds crew member pulls the tarp over the infield at Busch Stadium, where Game 5 of the NLCS was postponed by rain last night.

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10172006/sports/mets/wet_mets_have_to_wait_mets_mark_hale.htm

WET METS HAVE TO WAIT
A DAY LATER, AMAZIN'S SET FOR GAME 5

By MARK HALE

October 17, 2006 -- ST. LOUIS - There will be normal rest for Tom Glavine now, as he attempts to snap the NLCS tie tonight. Last night's scheduled Game 5 was rained out in St. Louis, and with the series tied 2-2, Game 5 for the Mets and Cardinals will be this evening at Busch Stadium.

Game 6 will be tomorrow night at Shea, with Game 7 - if it's required - set for Thursday night at Shea.

"[The rainout] gives Glavine the extra day of rest, and it gives [the Cardinals'] bullpen a chance to recover a little bit from [Sunday] because they came in, threw a lot of pitches," third baseman David Wright said. "So it gives both teams kind of a slight advantage just because Glav gets his extra day rest and their bullpen gets a day off."

Said Carlos Delgado, "I came to work ready to play, but it looks pretty crappy out there and I guess you don't want to go out there and play under those conditions when [today's] supposed to be a nice day and we both have a day off. We're going to be ready."

Glavine will now pitch on four days' rest instead of three. The star lefthander called the rainout "a little bit of a letdown," noting that "what you were kind of preparing for didn't happen so now you've got to do it all again tomorrow. But this time of year, you're not going to get me or too many other guys complaining about it."

Especially considering his extensive playoff background.

"It doesn't hurt me. I'm not going to say it's a drastic advantage or gives us a drastic advantage or anything like that," he said of the postponement. "I felt very good about going out there on short rest. But there's no question that being able to get an extra day and get back on my full rest is not a bad thing and certainly as much of a big deal as we make about numbers in this game, my numbers certainly aren't great on short rest, so psychologically, maybe all those things are good."

On three days' rest, Glavine is 8-6 with a 3.53 ERA in his regular season career, though in the playoffs, he's worse at 2-5 with a 6.75 ERA.

While Glavine may benefit from the rainout, the Mets' bullpen could be hurt by it. The Mets will now potentially play three games in three days - if there is a Game 7 - and with Glavine unlikely to throw a complete game and with John Maine scheduled to pitch Game 6 tomorrow, the Mets could be going into Game 7 with an undetermined starter but also a tired and perhaps unavailable relief corps.

Pitching coach Rick Peterson wasn't worried about the bullpen being needed in three straight, though.

"It's not a concern whatsoever," he said, adding that "that's prototypical during a course of a season where guys will go three consecutive days."

Closer Billy Wagner also insisted that "I don't think it reduces [relievers'] availability because we're playing to get to the World Series."

Meanwhile, the game tonight, according to Cards third baseman Scott Rolen, is near-critical.

"The next game is the pivotal game of the series," he said. "If we have to go to New York to win two, I'm not saying it can't be done, but then your backs are against the wall. You are supposed to win home games. It's not the end of the world, but you're supposed to win at home in the playoffs."

- additional reporting by George King

mark.hale@nypost.com

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LET'S TRY THIS AGAIN: Tom Glavine (above) and Jeff Weaver will take the mound tonight in St. Louis as the Mets and Cardinals try to tackle Game 5 one more time. The game was postponed due to rain last night.

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10172006/sports/mets/carlos_club_drivin_cards_batty_mets_michael_morris sey.htm

CARLOS CLUB DRIVIN' CARDS BATTY

By MICHAEL MORRISSEY

October 17, 2006 -- ST. LOUIS - People think Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado must be joined at the hip. They're both from Puerto Rico, were good friends before they were Mets and they're linked in the batting order, batting third and fourth, respectively.

But after last night's rainout of Game 5 of the NLCS became official, Delgado took his lethal bat to the indoor cage while Beltran was simultaneously changing into his designer suit and straightening his expensive tie.

Different (batting) strokes for different folks.

"I'm going to have a day off," Beltran said with a smile. "I won't do anything."

The two Carloses drove in seven runs in the 12-5 Game 4 victory over St. Louis that knotted the series and gave the Mets renewed vigor. Of Delgado, Cards manager Tony La Russa said, "We've got to try to move the ball around because he's too good to go to one area."

Of Beltran, his postmortem was, "He's a dangerous guy."

Now, with Tom Glavine going on normal rest tonight against retread Jeff Weaver and with Game 6 at Shea tomorrow, the Mets look dangerous thanks to what Carlos y Carlos did on Sunday.

"When we lost that second game against the Cardinals, I looked around and everybody was feeling relaxed," Beltran said. "Even though we lost the ballgame, that doesn't mean it's over.

"We believe in our ballclub. We've been down a lot of times. This series is tied right now, and from now on it's a new series."

Beltran came into the playoffs with a strained left quad and he strained an abdominal muscle in Game 3 against the Dodgers. He said he'd gladly take the off-day.

"This time, we're tired, basically," he said. "Every part in our body sometimes hurts.

"The way I feel right now, I'll take it. I don't care if I had a good day yesterday.

"Tomorrow we'll come with the same mentality of going out there and having a good approach and trying to put the ball in play and trying to make things happen."

After watching Jeff Suppan dominate them over eight innings in Game 3, the Mets decided to wait out rookie righty Anthony Reyes in Game 4. The approach Beltran talked about worked, as Reyes was spent after four innings and 86 pitches.

"What we did do was put [Game 3] behind us, and we went out there with, you know, a clean slate, with a good approach, different from [Saturday] night," Delgado said Sunday. "We took a lot of pitches. We made their guy work.

"He probably had 75 pitches by the third inning. We saw a lot of pitches and made him throw a lot of pitches and we got some guys on that came up with some big hits in key situations."

michael.morrissey@nypost.com

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Carlos Beltran (left) and Carlos Delgado

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10172006/sports/mets/slump_busting_hit_relaxes_jose_mets_brian_costello .htm

SLUMP-BUSTING HIT RELAXES JOSE

By BRIAN COSTELLO

October 17, 2006 -- ST. LOUIS - When Jose Valentin reached second base Sunday night after his bases-clearing double in the sixth inning of Game 4 of the NLCS, he clapped his hands then turned to right field and pointed.

The veteran second baseman wanted to share the highlight of his postseason with his family. The playoffs had not been kind to him until that moment. He had been 2-for-19 in the Mets' first six postseason games. His family had been there for him through those struggles.

"I think it was a time to give a salute to them," Valentin said yesterday after the Mets-Cardinals NLCS Game 5 was postponed until tonight due to rain.

Valentin's big hit came in the middle of the Mets' offensive onslaught in their 12-5 victory, but it may be a sign that the team can count on him again. Valentin said he feels like he has made it through his slump and can relax more at the plate now.

"I think I put pressure on myself too much to try to get a hit and not really trying to go up there and get some good at-bats," Valentin said. "When I got my first hit at home, I was relieved. Now I just go up there with more confidence."

While Valentin has slumped at the plate, he has played outstanding defense for the Mets. He made a nice backhanded stab of a Chris Duncan groundball and threw Duncan out to end the fourth inning of Game 4. At the time, the score was tied, 2-2, and the Cardinals had Ronnie Belliard on second.

"You can win some games playing good defense," Valentin said. "For me right now in this postseason it's about winning. Just do whatever you can do to help the team win. Because you're going to have at least three chances to go to home plate and get a hit.

"When you're in the field you're probably not going to have too many chances. When you get one, it's probably going to be a big one. You have to make the play to save the game or keep it close and give your offense the opportunity to go up there and score some runs and win the game."

brian.costello@nypost.com

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DOUBLE TROUBLE: Jose Valentin follows through on his three-run double during the Mets' six-run sixth inning in Sunday's 12-5 victory over the Cardinals in Game 4 of the NLCS.

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10172006/sports/mets/glavine_doesnt_rule_out_game_7_appearance_mets_mar k_hale.htm

GLAVINE DOESN'T RULE OUT GAME 7 APPEARANCE

By MARK HALE

October 17, 2006 -- MET NOTES
ST. LOUIS - Even though last night's rainout would mean he loses a day of rest between now and a potential Game 7, Tom Glavine said the rainout wouldn't definitely preclude him from helping out in the series' final game.

"It all depends on how I feel," said Glavine, who will pitch tonight in Game 5.

The pitcher added that "[Thursday] would be my normal side day and there have been plenty of times this year where I've thrown my first side day and felt like I could pitch."

*

Cliff Floyd said yesterday that he has improved since having to leave Game 1 of the NLCS when he hurt his already-ailing left Achilles tendon.

He hasn't been in the series since.

"I'm better," he said. "Not 100 percent better. I'm just better."

Floyd said if he is capable of running well, he could perhaps play again in the series.

*

Game 7's starter is undetermined, Willie Randolph said yesterday.

Asked if Oliver Perez is an option, he replied, "Everyone's an option."

Steve Trachsel and Darren Oliver could also pitch, as Trachsel said yesterday his right thigh contusion was improved.

He was set to throw a bullpen session yesterday as well.

As for Oliver, he tossed six innings in relief in Game 3. Asked whether Oliver would have to do anything between now and Game 7 if he's pitching in Game 7, pitching coach Rick Peterson replied, "Between now and Game 7, we have Game 5 and Game 6.

"And everybody that's available for Game 5 and 6 that can help us win a game is going to be available to help us win a game. If we get to Game 7, then we'll see who we have available to cover those nine innings."

*

Orlando Hernandez, who's out with a torn right calf, pitched a bullpen session on Sunday.

"He felt great," Peterson said of the session yesterday. "He was free and easy, and his arm felt great. But his arm has always felt great. But this is still kind of a little blessing because it has given him even more rest. And when he's fresh and commands his stuff, he's great."

-Additional reporting by Joel Sherman

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/story/462418p-389061c.html

Rest assured, Glavine ready

Met works up new routine for tonight's start

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ST. LOUIS - The advantage for the Mets seems obvious enough, as last night's rainout allows them to use their best pitcher on his regular four days' rest. Especially since their best pitcher happens to be 40 years old, with limited stamina on his good days.

Yet Tom Glavine wasn't praying to the rain gods yesterday. And he didn't seem all that thrilled when Game 5 in this 2-2 series against the Cardinals was postponed.

"I was ready to pitch, mentally and physically," he said. "I know the numbers might say otherwise, but to me, at this time of year, pitching on three days' rest is all about how I feel, and I feel good.

"I feel so good that I felt like I was ready to pitch (Sunday) on two days' rest, so I can't say I have an overwhelming feeling one way or the other about getting the extra day. But I was ready, so I would have preferred to go out and pitch."

Even so, he's right about the numbers: They're not pretty. Over the years with the Braves, Glavine started seven times in the postseason on three days' rest, rather than his regular four, to a record of 2-5 with a 6.75 ERA.

The Cardinals' Jeff Weaver, meanwhile, has never started on three days' rest, but he's young and stronger than Glavine.

Still, Glavine says what's more relevant is how he is pitching now, and his 13 consecutive scoreless innings in his two postseason starts leave little doubt that he's locked in at the moment.

What goes overlooked, from Glavine's point of view, is the preparation for a start, especially a postseason start.

"That's the downside to me of getting postponed," he said. "You go to bed (Sunday) night, you're thinking about getting up, going through your routine, getting yourself ready to pitch.

"For me, I usually sleep OK, but I always wake up earlier than I'd like to on the days I'm pitching. And that first time I wake up, I'm not going back to sleep because the wheels start turning, and I'm thinking about how I'm going to pitch certain guys, that type of thing."

Of course, Glavine is not exactly Randy Johnson on game days, so ornery that his teammates avoid him. It doesn't mean he's any less intense when he takes the mound, however, and that's a matter of preparation. So when last night's game was postponed some three hours before game time, Glavine already was mapping out a new plan.

He was going to go throw lightly just to loosen up, and then "get on a stationary bike or something, just to get a sweat going."

Mostly Glavine was grateful that Major League Baseball hadn't made the teams wait for hours while hoping for a break in the weather that would allow them to play.

"The sitting around, not knowing is the hard part," he said.

Whatever Glavine's reservations about working himself up mentally to pitch again, the extra day is surely the most significant advantage either side gains with the rainout.

Who knows how Weaver may have pitched on three days' rest, since he'd never done it, but if you're the Mets, you'll take your chances having your ace pitching in optimum conditions.

Tony LaRussa could have made a move to take advantage of the rain, much as he did in New York when Game 1 was rained out and he moved Chris Carpenter from Game 3 to Game 2 on regular rest. This time he could have moved his ace up to pitch tonight on three days' rest and take advantage of Carpenter's 1.81 ERA at home this season.

But LaRussa said he didn't think it made sense.

"You don't want to have a pitcher pitch short if you don't have to," he said.

That could put the pressure on Carpenter to save the Cardinals from elimination in Game 6 in New York, where the Mets hit him hard. But for the moment, even without the elimination factor, Glavine takes the mound tonight knowing he can't afford to lose.

In truth, the Mets know the pressure is on to win the next two games and avoid a Game 7 at all costs. You wouldn't think Jeff Suppan could shut down the Mets again the way he did in Game 3, but all things considered, he's a better option than Darren Oliver, who probably would get the start because the Mets aren't about to send Steve Trachsel to the mound again.

Oliver pitched well in relief of Trachsel, but there's a lot less pressure when you're losing 5-0 than there is starting a Game 7, especially for a guy who hasn't made a start all season.

So it's up to Glavine to take advantage of what seems to be a huge break with the rainout, and let the Mets ride his arm to a win in Game 5. Otherwise, well, they may be able to patch together one more win in this series with big home runs and their bullpen, but two is probably asking too much.

Originally published on October 17, 2006

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Extra day off suits Tom Glavine and Mets, though ace says he was ready to pitch last night.

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/story/462411p-389037c.html

Mets reign over
Mother Nature

Weather or not, she's on their side

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ST. LOUIS - Mother Nature got hooked on the Mets this season because of the promotions. There was Beach Towel Night on June 17, and Senior Stroll Day on June 22, and then who could resist Growth Chart Day on Aug. 20?

Not Ms. Nature. The Mets were so, well ... cute. So she set up shop at Shea, started keeping track of her new team from Opening Day, nurturing its double-digit lead in the standings during the regular season with a healthy mix of sunshine, precipitation and light breezes from out of the chop shops. What fun it was to watch these players flourish and blossom in her Flushing garden, become confident division leaders.

She couldn't resist dabbling a bit. She threw some rain in the face of the Pirate pitchers way back on May 3, and finally Mike Gonzalez served up a walk-off homer to Carlos Delgado in the 12th inning for the winner. This seemed to please the Mets, and so it pleased Ms. Nature. She liked Delgado, loved Carlos Beltran.

"A carload of Carloses," Ms. Nature said. This made her laugh.

She sent some summer heat Pedro Martinez's way. And then at the end of August, she had a very bad feeling about a Sunday game against the Phils at Shea, so she rained it out of existence and then the Mets came back the next day with an 8-3 victory that pretty much sealed the division.

This was all good fun, until somebody told her that nothing really matters until the playoffs. Ms. Nature had not been much of a baseball fan, and did not know this. But she went about the task of manipulating the postseason with a convert's zeal. Necessity is the mother of invention, and also happened to be Ms. Nature's second cousin.

The first order of business was to get rid of the Yankees. Mother Nature hated the Yankees. "Nothing natural about steroids and a $200 million payroll," she grumbled, and besides the Bombers were stealing back pages from her Mets.

There was this pitcher, Mike Mussina, she discovered, who relied on a strict routine and needed to pitch on exactly four days' rest. "A persnickety sort," she thought. So when the Yanks won Game 1 of their division series against the Tigers in the Bronx, 8-4, the Mother of all things hurled torrential rain down upon the outer borough to stop Game 2, to halt any momentum and force Mussina to wait another 17 hours.

He couldn't handle the delay. Her little meteorological tweak wrecked the entire Yankee season, when Mussina failed to hold a two-run lead.

This was just a tuneup for the old woman, who was really interested in the other New York team.

She didn't think the Mets were quite ready on Wednesday, the scheduled start of the NLCS. Her main man, Tom Glavine, looked a bit weary. Mother Nature sent the rain again, gave him a sixth day off, and Glavine responded with seven shutout innings against the Cards.

But that created another problem on the back end, because now Glavine would have just three days' rest before his next scheduled start in St. Louis. Three days, the old woman had come to learn, was not nearly enough for these modern-day athletes.

Which brings us to last night and the point of this tale. There was no game. "I've turned into the Rain Man," Glavine said. It was no coincidence. Mother Nature would make certain her aging Met starter had four days' rest. Even if Glavine himself and Willie Randolph were telling people it didn't matter to them, they required rescuing.

So it rained and rained on Busch Stadium yesterday, inches of the wet stuff, until finally there was no choice for league officials but to concede that nobody could leave the dugout without a dugout canoe.

Ms. Nature smiled at her own work, looked forward to Game 5 tonight. She can't hit for these guys, can't pitch for the Mets. She can't keep Pedro and El Duque from hurting themselves.

But she can turn around a series, give an old pitcher the extra day he needs. She's already given Glavine's arm two days of rain. The woman is Ms. October in New York.

"How old is Glavine?" she asked. "He looks about my age."

She was told he was 40.

"We might need a monsoon for the Tigers," she said.

Originally published on October 17, 2006

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Game 5 of the NLCS was rained out yesterday.

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/story/462412p-389042c.html

Heart of Met success

2 Carloses driving ball, Cards batty

BY PETER BOTTE
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

ST. LOUIS - The rain that wiped out Game 5 of the NLCS yesterday will help the Cardinals in one way: It will give their pitchers an extra day to figure how to get out Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado.

The Mets' No. 3 and 4 hitters have combined for six homers and 13 RBI in the series.

"We haven't done a good job against them, especially those two guys," St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina said. "They're great hitters, and it's been tough for us to keep them down. We have to do a better job, but it's not impossible. Nobody is impossible (to get out)."

The Mets have proven that in limiting reigning National League MVP Albert Pujols to just a double and three harmless singles through four games.

Carlos and Carlos, by comparison, have compiled 32 total bases in 30 combined at-bats.

"These two guys are great, they do a great job of driving in runs, especially in key situations," said Cards ace Chris Carpenter, who is slated to start Game 6 tomorrow night at Shea Stadium. Delgado took Carpenter deep twice in his Game 2 no-decision.

"Obviously, Game 3, there were no homers (in a 5-0 St. Louis win). We kept guys off base and kept the damage control down, where if Carlos or Carlos run into one, it's a solo homer and might not hurt you. You've got to be aggressive and make pitches with them, but all of a sudden you leave one over the middle of the plate and they do damage."

Beltran has picked up right where he left off when he belted four homers against the Cardinals in the 2004 NLCS for Houston. He provided the only scoring in Game 1 with a two-run homer off Jeff Weaver, and added two solo blasts Sunday in Game 4, accounting for the Mets' first and last runs in a 12-5 victory.

"There's a reason why he's an MVP candidate and hits 40 homers a year. He's a great player and a great hitter," Carpenter said. "He's a guy that you have to move the ball around and really make pitches. He doesn't miss mistakes. If you make a mistake, he's going to hit it. Carlos Delgado is the same way."

Delgado, Carpenter's former teammate in Toronto, drove home five runs over the fifth and sixth innings of Game 4, with a three-run homer and a ground-rule double against righthanded relievers Brad Thompson and Josh Hancock, respectively.

All three of the lefty slugger's home runs, as well as his two-run double Sunday, were drives to the opposite field.

"This guy's got it all," Tony La Russa said. "Guys like that have the ability to hit a lot of different pitches and make adjustments. That's Carlos Delgado, you can't go to the same place to get him out. You've got to mix it up, and if you've made a mistake like we've made, he punishes you."

Originally published on October 17, 2006

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Carlos Delgado is putting up big numbers and baffling Cardinals pitching in NLCS.

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/story/462417p-389058c.html

Trach takes another beating

BY ADAM RUBIN
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

ST. LOUIS - Before Steve Trachsel tried to return to a mound last night to test his bruised right thigh, the Game 3 starter and loser defended himself from allegations his awful performance - and not an injury - prompted him to leave his first career NLCS start.

"I don't think that's fair, considering I've been waiting 13 years for this opportunity, and I've never done that ever, ever, ever," Trachsel said.

Trachsel left Saturday's game against the Cardinals in the second inning without recording an out, after getting struck on the right thigh by a Preston Wilson comebacker, then walking Albert Pujols. He raised eyebrows even in his own clubhouse for motioning to Willie Randolph and trainer Ray Ramirez to pull him. He was charged with five runs, after which Darren Oliver hurled six scoreless innings. Trachsel was charged with all five runs in St. Louis' 5-0 victory.

Trachsel said the thigh stiffened to the point he couldn't pitch, but critics - including ESPN's Jeff Brantley, a major-league pitcher for 14 seasons - labeled him soft. Trachsel leaving the game couldn't have come at a worse time for the overtaxed bullpen, though Oliver's relief performance bailed them out.

Brantley, a "Baseball Tonight" analyst, continued to tear into Trachsel yesterday, telling the Daily News: "I know what it's like to get hit with a line drive. I know what it's like to pitch with your shoulder torn up. I know what it's like to be out there in a lot of different circumstances. And I played with guys who, when the first thing is not perfect with them, they don't want to take the ball. That's what I saw in that situation. I believe I'm totally correct. I don't think I'm the only one who feels that way. Otherwise there wouldn't be talk of Darren Oliver starting Game 7. I don't think the team has confidence in Trachsel after that outing. I don't believe that Willie Randolph does, whether he says (so) or not. That was a place in time where a ballclub really needed a guy to step up and perform and he did not do that."

Trachsel yesterday expressed confidence he could contribute again in the NLCS, yet the Mets appear prepared to turn to Oliver over him for the Game 7 start if the series goes the distance, though they've made no formal announcement.

Trachsel, a pending free agent, clearly is in his final days as a Met, no matter how he and Randolph publicly define their relationship. He lasted only 3-1/3 innings in the division series against the Dodgers before Randolph pulled him.

"I was pretty miffed with the fact he came out of the game," Brantley said about the latest outing. "I don't believe that ball hit back up the middle was a significant enough blow to him for him to take himself out of the game. With the way the bullpen had been stretched out the night before and the fact the New York Mets club has already lost two starters that can't pitch, it looked very questionable to me as to whether he really wanted to be out there in that ballgame."

As for any swelling, Trachsel said: "It's gone down, definitely. I haven't done any running or anything like that. I was planning to do it today."

Tom Glavine starts tonight's Game 5 against Jeff Weaver, with both pitchers now on standard rest because of last night's rainout. Tomorrow at Shea, John Maine will oppose Chris Carpenter in Game 6.

Randolph remained noncommittal on Game 7, noting the Mets would do everything to wrap up the series before then. But provided Oliver isn't pressed into duty before then, and if the teams split the next two games, the reliever should make his first start as a Met, team sources quietly acknowledged. "I'm just trying to be available for whatever we need at this point," Trachsel said. "The doctors don't think it should be an issue, and I don't really believe it will be."

Oliver threw 72 pitches Saturday, raising the question about whether he'd be able to bounce back on Thursday. Randolph expressed no concerns.

"He said he felt good (Sunday), as a matter of fact," Randolph said. "I always check with the guys the day after. He was maybe a little sore like most guys, but he said he felt fine."

Originally published on October 17, 2006

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/story/462416p-389055c.html

Unlike Yankee flap, no doubt
about this playoff washout

BY CHRISTIAN RED
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

ST. LOUIS - As the Mets were pounding the Cardinals in Game 4 Sunday night, the weather forecasts for the next 24 hours poured in. The news was not good: More than an inch of rain was expected to fall in the Gateway to the West.

But even as the city was drenched all day yesterday - several small lakes formed on the warning track at Busch Stadium hours before the scheduled first pitch - there was no official word of a Game 5 rainout until 4:30 p.m.

The final decision for postponing a game ultimately comes from commissioner Bud Selig. But the process leading up to that point involves many parties, most notably Major League Baseball executives Bob DuPuy, the chief operating officer, executive VP of baseball operations Jimmie Lee Solomon or VP of on-field operations Bob Watson, both teams and the network broadcasting the game - in this case, Fox. With pitchers' health at stake, not to mention hundreds of millions in advertising dollars, executives want to make certain there is no window in which a game can be played.

"You don't want to try and start a game and then stop it an hour into it, wasting two pitchers and also have nothing to show on television the rest of the night," said MLB spokesman Pat Courtney.

Since Selig is based in Milwaukee, he relies on colleagues in the cities where playoff games are held to work with local meteorologists and determine the likelihood of a rainout. Watson is in St. Louis and made an announcement shortly after the game was called. Was there ever a chance Game 5 would be played last night?

"No," said Watson. "Forecast is calling for this type of rain that we have right now until 8 p.m. and then steady drizzle until one or two in the morning. In my opinion, no need to try to start the game at 8 with drizzle, especially when (today) will be calling for 70 degrees, a good day."

Courtney said each individual scenario concerning a possible rainout is unique. In other words, if there is a chance to get in a game based on a long enough break in inclement weather, that recommendation will be made.

This is the third rainout of the postseason, following Game 1 of the NLCS and before that Game 2 of the ALDS between the Yankees and Tigers. After the latter, there was a minor flap at Yankee Stadium when Detroit starter Justin Verlander thought the Bombers had been tipped off about a cancellation before the Tigers. Verlander had started his pregame running and throwing drills while the Yankees' Mike Mussina never left the dugout.

"They definitely had some information that I didn't have or that our team didn't have. Half our team was out there and not one of their guys," Verlander said at his locker that night.

But Solomon quickly dispelled any conspiracy fears that same evening, saying, "Both teams wanted to get a full nine innings in, which is understandable. We all wanted to get that in. We did consult with both teams. They were willing to do whatever we thought was proper and in this case we all decided it was not proper to continue."

There were no such sour feelings last night. "Major League Baseball consulted with us," said Mets GM Omar Minaya. "But ultimately the decision lies with them."

Originally published on October 17, 2006

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/story/462534p-389145c.html

El Duque at ready, if & when

BY CHRISTIAN RED
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

ST. LOUIS - With all the pitching setbacks the Mets have experienced this October, they were due for some good news. Yesterday, it came in the form of Orlando Hernandez.

The Cuban righty, out since tearing his right calf muscle prior to his scheduled Game 1 start of the division series against the Dodgers, said he will be ready to pitch Game 1 of the World Series should the Mets advance.

"Willie (Randolph) give. I take," Hernandez said when asked about his availability. "Right now I'm not feeling anything. I'm running. Not hard, but I'm running, (using a) bicycle. The trainers are doing very well with me. I come early every day. I work out every day hard. Now I can dance."

The Mets will forego any merengue and settle for a regular performance from one of the great postseason competitors of all time. Hernandez is 9-2 with a 2.64 ERA in 14 postseason games started. Of course, his playoff experience last year with the White Sox was in relief, most memorably when he entered a bases-loaded, no-outs snarl in the sixth inning of Game 3 of the division series against the Red Sox. El Duque allowed no runs and struck out Johnny Damon to end the frame.

"He threw a 72-pitch bullpen (session Sunday)," Mets pitching coach Rick Peterson said. "He said he felt great, excellent. His arm feels great and he can see himself coming back. He wants so desperately to be a part of this. This is what he lives for. He's a big-game pitcher and we'd love to have him."

GM Omar Minaya echoed Peterson's remarks, but added, "I hope we advance first. But there's a good chance (Hernandez) will start, from what I'm hearing."

With Adam Rubin

Originally published on October 17, 2006

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/story/462415p-389052c.html

Cliff: I'd be
fine in pinch

BY ADAM RUBIN
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

ST. LOUIS - Cliff Floyd is confident he can pinch-hit tonight if called on. He indicated he already could have done that, in fact.

"I was able to pinch-hit," Floyd said, referring to Games 3 and 4. "We didn't need me."

Floyd, forced to leave the series opener after reinjuring his Achilles tendon, said: "I'm better. Not 100% better. Just better."

With as many as four World Series games in Detroit requiring a DH, Floyd could be used in that role if the Mets advance, allowing Endy Chavez to continue to start in left field. Asked if he was capable of hitting, then running the bases multiple times during a game, Floyd said: "I haven't got to that point yet. I just feel like I'm getting better, and I feel like if I feel better than what I feel right now (tonight), then I feel like I can run and show (Willie Randolph) I can play.

"I tried to run (Sunday). It didn't feel too good. Some things you just have to try. You just want your teammates not to be like, 'Here we go again. Tryouts.' It's not the time for tryouts. In my opinion, I don't think it's a bad move putting me on the roster because I feel like I can help."

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CHECK OUT: With a teachers convention in St. Louis, and a rainout extending the Mets' stay by a night, a portion of the Mets team was forced to switch hotels.

David Wright planned to take advantage of last night's rainout by watching "Monday Night Football," and rooting for his fantasy football team. "A big fantasy night," Wright said. "I need Rex Grossman and Muhsin Muhammad to go off."

WAITING GAME: Randolph didn't see the idle Tigers waiting a week for the NLCS winner as necessarily an advantage for Detroit.

"That's just a crapshoot," the manager said. "It depends on how you are that particular day. I've seen teams go in after long layoffs and just roll, and I've seen teams do just the opposite. You've got to get there first and then worry about that."

RIGHT MANNY: Mets third base coach Manny Acta is expected to interview with the Rangers for their managerial vacancy. Acta and bench coach Jerry Manuel also are expected to draw interest from San Francisco and Washington.

Originally published on October 17, 2006