I know that many statheads here and on Metsgeek understand that clutch hitting is not a repeatable skill. But the Mets this season have really made me wonder if that was true, as they have repeatedly looked terrible this season with RISP and even more so with RISP and two outs.

Are the Mets chokers? Whose fault is it? HoJo's? No one's? Lady luck screwing us? I can't say for certain. But the difference between the Mets and the Phillies is baffling in these batting situations, and goes to show that if the Mets were even league average with RISP they would most likely have a lead over the Phillies of several games in the standings.

I'd like the split data for July if possible, I know b-r has the full season splits, but I would like to see the stats for July by itself, as it is considered the month that saved HoJo's job. Maybe it's just my impression from watching the games, or the affect studying for the CA Bar Exam had on me, but I felt that even though the Mets had an offensive explosion from Carlos Delgado and others, the team on a whole STILL hit very poorly with RISP and RISP with two outs. If anyone can get me that data, I would appreciate it greatly.

On to the meat of the statistical analysis.

These numbers were IMed to Jessica Bader a frequent contributor for the Mets on MVN, because I was looking at the Mets splits versus the Phillies splits for this season.

With RISP the Mets are hitting .253/.346/.379 for an OPS of .725. Our split OPS+, sOPS+ is 90. Well below average. 10% worse than the league average to be exact. When you have 5 above average bats in the lineup with Reyes, Beltran, Delgado, Wright, Tatis/Church, it’s baffling to be that bad.

In the 1284 PAs with RISP the Mets have 386 RBIs. In the 1132(152 less) PAs with RISP the Phillies have 358 RBIs.

With RISP the Phillies are hitting .270/.376/.462 for an OPS of .838. A sOPS+ of 119. Almost 20% higher than league average.

With 2 outs and a RISP, the Mets have a line of .230/.360/.356 for an OPS of .717. An sOPS+ of 97 which is close to the league average.

With 2 outs and a RISP, the Phillies have a line of .235/.370/.383 for an OPS of .753. An sOPS+ of 107. Again, above average by 7 percent.

But there are a few more pieces of evidence that we can look at, most notably BABIP.

With RISP, the Mets have a BABIP of .272. With RISP, the Phillies have a BABIP of .302.

With RISP, and 2 outs, the Mets have a BABIP of .256. With RISP, and two outs the Phillies have a BABIP of .280.

.300 is around the normal average for BABIP.

Based on sOPS+ the Phillies are OPSing almost THIRTY(29) percent higher with RISP.

Based on sOPS+ the Phillies are OPSing TEN percent higher with RISP, 2 outs.

Even though the Mets are getting on base overall 8 percent more often the Phillies are unsurprisingly slugging 33 points higher than the Mets in their bandbox.

While we’ve been unlucky in the high leverage situations according to the BABIP…the Phillies are OPSing thirty percent more than the Mets with RISP. That’s just flat out ####ing baffling. And that’s with the Phillies hitting under what would be expected with a BABIP with RISP and 2 outs.

Let me know what you guys think.

Report is that Joe Blanton has been traded by the As to the Phillies in exchange for three prospects, Cardenas, Outman and Spencer.

Surprising to see a move this soon, but Beane was flat out ready to rid of Blanton as quickly as possible.

I was hoping the Phillies would have had to part with Carrasco but doesn't seem like it.

Will keep you guys updated.

It's official, Cardenas Outman and Spencer for Blanton. Beerleaguers do not seem happy.

Yes you read that right...what the hell?

Does that make any sense? Stokes has looked terrible all ST. Does someone have to tell Omar we don't need another Mota, it's not in the rulebook that requires us to have someone that sucks to the level of Stokes.

What do you guys think the purpose of making this move was considering Register is a Rule V pick and the odds of someone else being stupid enough to claim Stokes is slim to none.

With Torre finally having enough of the politics from the Tampa Group that controls the Yankees and signs guys like Carl Pavano...could the Yankees turn to Willie Randolph?

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Per Espn.com

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2608613

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Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus ranked the top 20 right handed pitchers in today's article.

The Mets placed three pitchers on the list.

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for minor league prospects, Garrett Mock, RHP, and Matt Chico LHP.

Both are 23 years old, and will report to the Nats AA Affiliate

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Glavine(11-2, 3.48 ERA)

vs

Zambrano(8-3, 3.24 ERA)

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Trachsel versus Maddux

Game start time of 2:20 EST

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To win the All-Star Game? Ozzie Guillen is managing and his crazy brand of nepotism gives the NL the best chance they have had in some time.

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