"Mets pitching ruling NL"

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18337514/

great, great article..

"As April winds down, the New York Mets are at the top of the National League in virtually every major statistical category. And we’re not just talking hitting. We’re talking about pitching, too."

Here’s where Rick Peterson’s staff stood through Wednesday’s games:

Wins: 1^st (13)
ERA: 1^st (2.88)
Hits to innings pitched ratio: 1^st (147 hits allowed, 181 innings)
Earned runs: 1^st (58)

Only Pelfrey in the fifth spot has been cause for concern. After the Rockies roughed him up, his ERA rose to 7.90 in three starts. Remove his numbers, and the foursome of Tom Glavine, Orlando Hernandez, John Maine and Oliver Perez are a combined 10-3 with a 2.60 ERA in 17 starts. Pelfrey is expected to remain in the rotation for at least one more start, but another bad one could mean veteran Jorge Sosa or top prospect Philip Humber could get an opportunity.

Maine is proving his 2006 postseason breakthrough was no fluke, posting three quality starts, including seven one-hit innings in his first outing. Hernandez has four quality starts in five tries. Perez had one throwaway outing in his first three, with the encouraging sign being a 17-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

The bullpen hasn’t missed Guillermo Mota (serving a 50-game suspension) and Duaner Sanchez (season-ending surgery). Lefty Pedro Feliciano and rookie submariner Joe Smith haven’t allowed earned runs. Billy Wagner is three-for-three in save situations with a 1.00 ERA. And other than long man Aaron Sele’s 6.00 ERA, only Ambiorix Burgos has an ERA above 2.70.

And meanwhile, Pedro Martinez reports that he is very pleased with his recovery from surgery, and expects to contribute in the second half.

~I know it seems like I took the entire article but there is much more to read ;)

And this from Newsday Wagner wants more work

"It's feast or famine," Wagner said. "More than anything, it wears on you mentally because you don't get out there. And when you do, you're not in your typical setting."

"I went to [Randolph] after that and told him that he can use me for more than one inning," Wagner said. "Don't get carried away, but I want to be able to be used in those situations to help the team and give another inning. I can't promise you it will be great, but I'll go out there and compete. Maybe save a guy or give us a chance."

so lets just talk about this pitching staff. This is no FLUKE now they won't be able to keep up these 1-2.8 ERA's going around, but this pitching staff led by 40 year old Tom Glavine was doubted all off-season. John Maine is the real deal, and will probably be the #2 starter on this team by the time things are over with, even with Pedro Martinez coming back from injury. Orlando Hernandez when healthy is a great pitcher to have on your staff, just keep him healthy and you can expect a high 3 ERA to low 4's. Oliver Perez will be the comeback player of the year, you won't see him 3-13 and a 6+ ERA this year, Perez has showed signs of dominace and is just to good to have another bad year like that. With the help of Rick Peterson Perez will be a dominant pitcher in this league again.

So basically I agree 100% with the writer, and also agree that Mike Pelfrey is the only question mark in the rotation. Pelfrey really only has 1 pitch his sinker. Right now I'm questioning Rick Peterson on this. Pelfrey had a high 90's fastball that blew by people, Pelfrey's fastball reminds me of John Maine's sneaky but the difference is Pelfrey is throwing in the high 90's while John Maine is throwing 91-92. I know it's Peterson's philosphy that his pitchers should throw down at the knees all the time but Pelfrey is a different type of pitcher. How did Perez turn out when the Pirates pitching coach wanted him to be a finesse pitcher? I would rather see Pelfrey get beat up going after hitters with his best fastball, instead of him trying to throw a sinker that after 3 starts isn't sinking. If you ask me a high fastball makes that low and away slider 10x more affective. Pelfrey needs a lot of work on his off-speed pitches we all know it and it was probably the worst thing possible for him to make this team. Who worked out the best in all of this is Philip Humber who had a horrible spring but is getting his time in the minors to work on his changeup to go with his dominating fastball and amazing curveball to make him a better pitcher, and when he gets his shot he will be ready to face off against big league hitters.

I'd like to see the old Pelfrey out there next time, and I know its unlikely but it's the better option. Pelfrey just isn't making hitters swing and miss, right now he doesn't have a strike out pitch with that sinker. So what Pelfrey will we see his next time out? And what Pelfrey will we see next time he his called up. (I think he'll be sent down after 2-3 more starts in favor of Jorge Sosa or Jason Vargas)