Mets Complete Subway Series Sweep Against Yankees

northjersey.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 30^th, 2013

New York Mets vs New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Mets 3 Yankees 1

The 2013 Subway Series has come to a close with the New York Mets dominating the New York Yankees in the four-game series. With the win on Thursday night the Mets were able to sweep the series against the Yankees for the first time in Subway Series history. Now the New York teams seem to heading in opposite directions with the Mets on a five-game winning streak, and the Yankees on a five-game losing streak.

Vidal Nuno once again pitched very well for the Yankees, but with almost no run support he picked up his second loss of the season. Nuno went six innings allowing only two runs on three hits and two walks. Nuno's one blemish came in the second inning when Marlon Byrd hit and absolute bomb to left field going about 435 feet. Byrd's two-run homerun scored Lucas Duda, as it was his sixth homerun of the year, and all runs the Mets would need to win the game.

Mets Offense Erupts in The Bronx

amazingavenue.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 29th, 2013

New York Mets vs. New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Mets 9 Yankees 4

After two low scoring Mets wins in Citi Field, the Subway Series went back to the Bronx for Game 3, where the Mets offense erupted and took the third game, which ensures themselves victory in the Subway Series for 2013. The loss for the Yankees makes it their first four-game losing streak of the season, and on the other hand the Mets seem to have something going winning four straight games.

This game seemed to be over in the top of the first inning, as Yankees Starter David Phelps had the worst start of his career in a game the Yankees and their fans certainly wanted. Phelps got just one out in the first inning, while allowing five runs on four hits, and two walks before being pulled for Preston Claiborne. Phelps did get hit with a line drive in his last start, but said it wasn’t bothering him before the start; clearly something was not right for Phelps however on Wednesday night.

Late Inning Heroics Push Mets Past Yankees

Elsa/Getty Images

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Tuesday, May 28^th, 2013

New York Yankees vs. New York Mets

Final Score: Yankees: 1 Mets: 2

After an hour and 40 minute delay to start the game because of rain, more late inning heroics for the Mets led to another victory, as the 2-1 victory over the Yankees at Citi Field Tuesday night pushes the Mets winning streak to three.  Tonight’s game was very similar to the game Monday night as a pitcher’s duel was on once again between the team’s aces this season in Hiroki Kuroda and Matt Harvey.  The win gave Mariano Rivera the rudest goodbye that the Mets could give him, as this was the last regular season appearance he will make in Queens and resulted in Rivera’s first blown save of the season.

Why Ike Davis is Here to Stay:

Credit: CBS Sports

It has been well documented that Ike Davis has struggled mightily to start the season. Most fans, as well as reports are calling for the Mets to send Davis to AAA Las Vegas to figure what is wrong with him offensively. The problem is, the Mets have no viable options to replace Davis at first.

Looking at the big league roster, the Mets have Lucas Duda, Mike Baxter (1 game), Justin Turner and Daniel Murphy who all have played first at one time in their career. None of these options are great defensive options nor provide the pop that Davis could provide once he figures it out.

The problem with moving Duda or Murphy over to first is now the Mets are forced to find a replacement for them. Moving Duda is more logical as the Mets could recall Collin Cowgill or Kirk Nieuwenhuis the play left. Both are defensive upgrades over Duda, however both have failed to produce in the big leagues this year. So if it offensive everyone is screaming for, none of the big league options are any better.

Moving Murphy leaves the Mets in a similar situation. The Mets have Justin Turner and Jordany Valdespin could play second that are on the current roster. The minor league options are a little more intriguing. Former top propect Wilmer Flores is hitting .283/.330/.455 with 4 HRs in AAA and has 4 errors in 162 chances at second this year. They could also call up former 2008 first rounder pick Reese Havens. Havens has a trouble staying healthy and is only hitting  .237/.314/.323. If they Mets so decide to move Murphy over they are making major sacrifices on defense, something the Mets have been trying to preach all season.

In the minors the Mets are super thin at the first base position, they have Eric Campbell and Josh Stain listed on their AAA roster. Both are not very good options defensively or offensively. Very few players make the quantum leap from AA for the big leagues. Allan Dykstra is mashing at a .298/.440/.519 clip but he is 26 years old which is considered old for AA. So if the Mets were to call up someone to play first Dykstra would be the most worthy choice.

The Free Agent market does have some interesting names such as Carlos Lee and Jim Thome, but who knows if those two are even capable of playing first base at this point. However both provide the offense the Mets are desperately seeking.

Withall of the possible options listed above the Mets replacements for Davis are cannot provide the defense Davis already does nor could they match the potential offense Davis could provide if he learns to hit again.

Mets Take 1st Game of Subway Series in Pitcher’s Duel

Elsa/Getty Images

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Monday, May 27^th, 2013

New York Yankees vs. New York Mets

Final Score: Yankees: 1 Mets: 2

The Subway Series got off to a start not many people expected with the Mets taking the first of the four game series 2-1.   The Mets were able to pull the game out tonight with some late inning heroics and stellar pitching performances to stay in the winning column for the second day in a row, the first time winning back-to-back games since May 16^th-17^th.  The win improved the Mets record to 19-29, 10 ½ games behind the Washington Nationals and fourth place in the National League East while the Yankees drop to 30-20 and second place in the American League East, ½ game behind the Boston Red Sox.

Subway Series Preview

Courtesy of Yankees; Courtesy of Mets

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

New York Yankees (30-19) vs. New York Mets (18-29) Series Preview

The Yankees and Mets will be taking part in the 17^th regular season Subway Series starting tonight in a four-game series with each team getting two home games.  The first two will be at Citi Field in Queens, with the last two being in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium.  No matter how well or poorly each team is playing, this series always generates a lot of buzz throughout the baseball world and especially in New York, when the state is split in two for a couple days as everyone picks their allegiances to either squad.

MLB Power Rankings: Week 8

insidesportsillustrated.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

Week 8 MLB Power Rankings

1.) St Louis Cardinals (32-17) - The Cardinals seem to have the best pitching in baseball no matter who is on the mound with a team ERA of 3.11. Their lineup isn’t to shabby either, as they are 10th in runs scored. Good hitting and even better pitching is why the Cardinals are back in the top spot.

2.) Texas Rangers (32-18) - Even with Ian Kinsler on the DL the Rangers are still winning, with a little help from and easy schedule. Top Prospect Jurickson Profar has been called up, so when Kinsler is back Manager Ron Washington will have some decisions to make.

3.) Pittsburgh Pirates (31-19) - The young exciting Outfield combination of Starling Marte and Andrew McCutchen are both playing very well right now, as they are looking to lead the Pirates to an above .500 record, and the playoffs.

Davis Comes Through In Clutch as Mets Drop Braves

Al Bello/Getty Images

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Sunday, May 26^th, 2013

Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets

Final Score: Braves: 2 Mets: 4

The Mets were able to stave off their second consecutive sweep and end their five-game losing streak with a win on Sunday Night Baseball against the rival Braves with a 4-2 victory.

It was a night of retributions for the Mets, as the biggest players in the game, Shaun Marcum and Ike Davis, came through huge for the Mets after struggling so far throughout the season.

Davis, who many people feel should be on his way to Las Vegas to play for the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate, put some of those qualms to sleep Sunday night.  Davis looks to maybe be coming out of his season long slump after going 2-3 from the plate with two RBI and one walk.

Week in Review with Kenny and Nick: May 26th, 2013

Here is the newest edition of the Week in Review with Kenny (@teapester725) and Nick (@ziggy26x) on the Bob Sullivan Show (@BobSullivanShow).  Kenny and Nick will discuss the bad-luck of the Knicks in the playoffs dealing with injuries to players and a little offseason preview.  They will also discuss the Conference Finals of the San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies and Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat.  A little football talk of the happenings with the New York Jets and New York Giants with OTA's being held recently will follow.  A little break follows as Kenny and Nick campaign for agents and representation from an up and coming agency that they are hoping to cash in on and last but not least some baseball talk as Nick calls out some teams and looks to keep his season long streak of getting teams back on track while previewing his MLB Power Rankings that will come out Monday. Follow the link below and listen in to your favorite radio hosts, A.K.A. The Best Looking Radio Show, do their thing.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-bob-sullivan-show/2013/05/26/week-in-review-with-kenny-and-nick

Yankees Come From Behind to Defeat Rays in Extra-Innings

nydailynews.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 25^th, 2013

New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays

Final Score: Yankees 4 Rays 3

The New York Yankees were able to take the second game of the series in Tampa Bay against the Rays with some late inning heroics, as they won in 11 innings. The win moves the Yankees to (30-18), and they still hold a one game lead over the Boston Red Sox in the AL East.

Vidal Nuno came thru for the Yankees with his second straight good start, but he did not factor in the decision. He pitched very well for most of the game, but seemed to tire down in the later innings, which led to Girardi pulling him. Nuno finished going six innings allowing just two runs on five hits, and one walk. Nuno has done as well as the Yankees could have hoped for in his two starts.