I know that being a Mets fan can be full of torture and rage. It comes with the territory. But for God's sake, please, someone stop Daisuke Matsuzaka.
His first game gave us a glimpse into the void. Five innings and five earned runs to the tune of 86 pitches. I initially thought it was the exception rather than the rule. There was no way he could replicate his completely lackluster performance again. There was no way he could be that sluggish again and sluggish is putting it mildly. Glacial might be better, but I actually felt time stood still every single time Matsuzaka looked in for his sign. I had hope for a better start in his next turn.
What does Dice-K do? He throws more pitches in less innings with 110 pitches in 4.1 innings. Almost too crazy to believe if you weren't watching and I'm sorry if you did. I would not have wished that game on my worst enemy. I was quite astonishing to see so many pitches and batters in such a small amount of time. Four walks, six hits and an eternity of time spent feeling miserable as a Mets fan. I feel sick as I play it back in my head. That may be because I might not have enough brain cells to retain that one game.
And yesterday, Matsuzaka outdid himself, taking his turn down to three innings while giving up six runs in a 72 pitch effort. You almost have to admire how horrid that is. I couldn't stop laughing. Dice-K was brought on to eat innings on a club that is afraid of exposing young arms to extra work on the mound and yet, through three starts he has logged a total of 12.1 innings. Yikes.
If you need to take some time to soak in the irony, maybe you should wait until Matsuzaka's next and hopefully final start. You'll have plenty of time to break down just how ridiculous this situation has become. Terry Collins has pledged at least one more start for him before turning to other options like an equally as burnt out Aaron Harang or the very irrelevant Chris Schwinden.
Terry, don't do this to us. Daisuke Matsuzaka has taken sitting on a couch to watch a Mets game an all day affair. He is a master of passing time and not innings. I don't even think I can fit the game into my schedule. I would follow the play by play on my phone, but my battery only has so much energy. Bring someone, anyone in to take Dice-K's slot in the rotation before we lose entire days waiting to see a Mets loss. If any of you brave souls intend on watching, cancel all of your appointments for tomorrow...
And maybe the next day.
