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UNSTOPPABLE PELFREY PUMPED TO FACE HALLADAY ON NATIONAL TV
Mike Pelfrey and the Mets could have adhered to baseball tradition and claimed that this weekend's opponent - the Phillies, if you haven't heard - is no different from any other. They opted for honesty, instead. Just as Jerry Manuel has said that he is excited to test his team against the two-time defending National League champions, the Mets' April ace is pumped to face former Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay Saturday. "He's one of the best righthanders in the game," said Pelfrey, 4-0 with an 0.69 earned run average. "So I think when you go against somebody as good as he is, it gives you extra motivation to go out and do well and it usually brings out the best out of you. I'm looking forward to going out there (today) and see what happens." It seemed that everyone in baseball expected Halladay to cruise through his first season in the National League after he dominated the slugging teams of the American League East for most of his 12 years in Toronto. The righty has mostly fulfilled those expectations, going 4-1 with a 1.80 ERA in April. Impressive numbers, but not as good as Pelfrey's. Pitching for a team that wondered if its rotation beyond ace Johan Santana would be effective, Pelfrey has helped to key the Mets' surprising start, and provide somewhat of a cushion for John Maine and Oliver Perez to work through their issues. After a 10-12 campaign in 2009, the former first-round pick could only laugh when asked lightheartedly if today's matchup carried Cy Young Award implications. "No, lot of baseball left," Pelfrey said. But Pelfrey was serious about improving after last year's disappointment. The additions to his repertoire have been well-documented, particularly the split-fingered fastball that he added in order to offset his excellent sinker. The new pitches have boosted his confidence, equally important for a pitcher prone last year to lapses of self-esteem. Manuel has commented many times on the change, saying Pelfrey no longer paces aimlessly around the mound or seems hesitant to throw pitches. This year, the manager has seen a confident young man eager to attack hitters. Yesterday, Pelfrey compared his mind-set now to the one he had while flourishing as an All-American at Wichita State from 2003-2005. "Confidence-wise, yes," he said. "I showed up to the park and I expected to win. Same thing now. I show up to the park and expect to win." After several years facing unforeseen challenges as a professional, Pelfrey now savors being one-half of a marquee matchup. He felt the same way last month when facing Colorado's Jorge De La Rosa and Chicago's Carlos Zambrano. Many pitchers claim not to think about whom they are opposing, but Pelfrey admitted to doing just that. "All the time," he said. "I think I'm going to have to be good today if I want to win." (NY Daily News)
UNSTOPPABLE PELFREY PUMPED TO FACE HALLADAY ON NATIONAL TV
Mike Pelfrey and the Mets could have adhered to baseball tradition and claimed that this weekend's opponent - the Phillies, if you haven't heard - is no different from any other. They opted for honesty, instead. Just as Jerry Manuel has said that he is excited to test his team against the two-time defending National League champions, the Mets' April ace is pumped to face former Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay Saturday. "He's one of the best righthanders in the game," said Pelfrey, 4-0 with an 0.69 earned run average. "So I think when you go against somebody as good as he is, it gives you extra motivation to go out and do well and it usually brings out the best out of you. I'm looking forward to going out there (today) and see what happens." It seemed that everyone in baseball expected Halladay to cruise through his first season in the National League after he dominated the slugging teams of the American League East for most of his 12 years in Toronto. The righty has mostly fulfilled those expectations, going 4-1 with a 1.80 ERA in April. Impressive numbers, but not as good as Pelfrey's. Pitching for a team that wondered if its rotation beyond ace Johan Santana would be effective, Pelfrey has helped to key the Mets' surprising start, and provide somewhat of a cushion for John Maine and Oliver Perez to work through their issues. After a 10-12 campaign in 2009, the former first-round pick could only laugh when asked lightheartedly if today's matchup carried Cy Young Award implications. "No, lot of baseball left," Pelfrey said. But Pelfrey was serious about improving after last year's disappointment. The additions to his repertoire have been well-documented, particularly the split-fingered fastball that he added in order to offset his excellent sinker. The new pitches have boosted his confidence, equally important for a pitcher prone last year to lapses of self-esteem. Manuel has commented many times on the change, saying Pelfrey no longer paces aimlessly around the mound or seems hesitant to throw pitches. This year, the manager has seen a confident young man eager to attack hitters. Yesterday, Pelfrey compared his mind-set now to the one he had while flourishing as an All-American at Wichita State from 2003-2005. "Confidence-wise, yes," he said. "I showed up to the park and I expected to win. Same thing now. I show up to the park and expect to win." After several years facing unforeseen challenges as a professional, Pelfrey now savors being one-half of a marquee matchup. He felt the same way last month when facing Colorado's Jorge De La Rosa and Chicago's Carlos Zambrano. Many pitchers claim not to think about whom they are opposing, but Pelfrey admitted to doing just that. "All the time," he said. "I think I'm going to have to be good today if I want to win." (NY Daily News)
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