Willie reading from the book of Joe

If you have any doubt that Willie Randolph learned the art of managing a pitching staff from Joe Torre, consider this: • The Mets have played 18 games, including tonight’s 7-1 loss to the Cubs. Aaron Heilman has pitched in 12 of those games, putting him on pace for 108 appearances - exactly two-thirds. Heilman pitched in 81 games last year, half of the Mets’ 162. • Heilman probably won’t wind up reaching triple-digits - only Mike Marshall of the 1974 Dodgers did that, appearing in 106 games on his way to the Cy Young Award. • The Mets’ team record of 83 appearances, set by Mike Stanton in 2004, does appear to be in a bit of danger. And if Heilman pitches the way he did tonight, so are the Mets. [link]