WIN! 5-1

That was a good win. Great pitching from Johan, adding runs in the 9th, and Brian Stokes coming in and getting the job done in the 8th. David Wright got walked intentionally 3 times due to the absence of Gary Sheffield, and the incompetence of hitters behind him. Expect more of this in the future. The Mets got 9 hits, and 6 walks, went 3/14 with RISP, left 9 on, but scored 5 runs, which will be the weeks ration, so expect us to be shutout tomorrow. If Stokes had walked Norton, like he almost did, Jerry not bringing K-Rod in would've been a problem for me. He hadn't pitched since Tuesday, so whats the problem with bringing him in for the 4 out save? The leverage index (leverage index is a stat that measures the importance of a play, 1 is normal) when Stokes struck out Norton was 7.74! Baseball Prospectus' book Baseball Between The Numbers recommends bringing in your closer before the 9th inning if the leverage index exceeds 2.32, and if the closer had not pitched for 2 days straight. K-Rod had not pitched in for 2 days straight, and when he came in with a 4 run lead, his average leverage was .26. Obviously though he had to come in because he was warmed, and the Mets did score 3 insurance runs, and if they hadn't scored at all, his leverage would be higher. Jerry flipped the coin, and it came out heads.
Stupid Play of The Day
None. Stokes blowing the game would've become the stupid play of the day, but luckily for the Mets, and Mets fan, that didn't happen.
Transaction move: We're getting Julio Lugo, and Tim Redding will be gone. Julio Lugo should be better than Angel Berroa, and better offensively then Alex Cora. Defensively though, at shortstop he has a -8.2 UZR this year (ultimate zone rating, runs above average, Lugo is 8.2 runs below average), and -43.2 UZR/150. Thats scary.
Coming Up: Mets at Atlanta, 6:00 PM EST, ESPN (dammit have to listen to Joe Morgan and Jon Miller)
Nieve (3-3, 3.03 ERA, 4.82 FIP (he's been really lucky this year))
Vazquez (6-7, 2.95 ERA, 2.49 FIP (A FIP below his ERA means he's been a little unlucky this year))