Mets!

It's hard not to feel optimistic coming off the two wins in the mini series against Philly.

My ignorance of the sport of baseball means I'm not really aware of the psychological impact something like, say, pulling a pitcher out of the rotation, can have on the whole team, but it sure seems to have had a good effect so far. It's not so much the string of recent wins, but that they seem to be more like whole team affairs, rather than Johann carrying them or just getting lucky when an opposing pitcher blows it.

Looking forward to seeing how Jon Niese does tonight. I don't think I remember him from last season.

Mets @ Pirates

I watched the first six or seven innings at home, then met up with some of the gang for Brunch Club: Nights and saw the last bit there. My dear New York Mets were I think a run or two behind for most of the game, but they were always putting guys in scoring position, so it was just a matter of time. Well executed.

I was surprised to see El Duque's visible irritation with his play. I guess I haven't seen him run into trouble like that before, and I would have guessed he'd remain stony-faced about it, as part of his whole thing is how intimidating and aloof he seems.

PNC Park looks really cool. Too bad the pinball championships that are held in Pittsburgh don't happen until after regular season play.

Mets vs. Pirates

First pitch at noon, and I was all set to spend a couple hours working in my living room while watching my Mets finish their sweep of Pittsburgh in the background. No such luck! Oliver Perez was doing so good, but then it all went to hell, and there was nowt to be done. My man Joe Smith pitches so cool, but he sure does seem to give up hits whenever he comes in to relieve (nullus). What was it, 8-4 by the end? Bummer.

I liked the shots of the Citi Park construction crew watching the game from the work site. I didn't so much enjoy the shots of John Travolta and Robin Williams, who I guess were actually shooting some crappy scene there and not just enjoying the game. Actually, that could explain the loss...I can't think of a better pair of harbingers of doom than those two.