What is it about Wednesdays that Billy Wagner doesn’ like? So far this season, Wagner has three blown saves in ten chances. All three have occurred on Wednesdays—coincidence?

The first blown save occurred in game 2 of the season against the Nationals. In that game the Mets headed to the ninth inning with a 4 to 3 lead. With one out Ryan Zimmerman crushed a Wagner fastball into the left field seats. The Mets lost it in the 10^th when Jorge Julio gave up five runs. Flash forward to Wednesday, April 26^th at AT&T Park in San Francisco. The Mets had a 7 to 4 lead going to the bottom of the ninth. Wagner gives up three runs including a two run bomb off the bat of Barry Bonds. The Mets win this one with two runs in the 11^th inning. Last night, again a Wednesday, Wagner blows the two run lead by walking the leadoff batter then giving up a couple of singles with two outs. Delgado saved the day in the 12^th inning with his homer to left. So in these three Wednesday games, even though Wagner blew the saves, the Mets came out ahead with a record of two wins and one loss.

Billy Wagner made no excuse for his latest blunder, he took full responsibility. But we have to be a bit concerned about his performance so far. Even his successful saves have been adventures. On opening day, after getting two quick outs, Wagner gives up what could have been a double in the gap to Jose Vidro but Beltran threw him out at second to end the game. On April 12^th in Washington, Wagner gave up a one out single which turned out to be harmless as he recorded three outs via ground balls. Against the Braves in the first of three at Shea, Billy hits a batter with one out. Again, no harm done as Wagner gets the next two. On April 28^th in Atlanta, Wagner loads the bases giving up two single and hitting a batter. He again works out of it recording his 6^th save. The next night with the Mets leading one to nothing, Chipper Jones reaches first on an infield single (which should have been scored an error on David Wright) to lead off the ninth. But he gets Andrew Jones to ground into a double play before striking out Francoeur to end the game. What does all this mean? In only two of Wagner’s seven saves has he recorded a one, two, three inning.

What is it about Mets closers? They all seem to have the “cardiac kid” syndrome. From Franco to Benitez to Looper and so far now Wagner, they all had or have a penchant to give us fans a nervous breakdown in the process of saving games. I guess because of Wagner’s success elsewhere and the big contract, we expected the next coming of Mariano Rivera but that is a bit unfair. The good news of course is that in Wagner’s ten save opportunities, while he converted seven of them the Mets won nine of those games. Wagner also has no losses this year to go along with his two wins, so even though he has blown three games he has not given up a winning run yet.

It’s still too early to be bashing Wagner and that is not the intent of today’s blog. I don’t think the Mets should change anything regarding their bullpen. Don’t fix what ain’t broken as they say. I just felt like pointing out this peculiarity with Wagner on Wednesday and in fairness he did save a game on Wednesday, April 12 in Washington. Also history shows that Wagner starts slow. As the weather heats up he should become more effective. In past seasons he became stronger as the season went on. Of course there are the rumors that his middle finger on his pitching hand is still causing problems but Wagner says this is not the case. I think if that were true we would be seeing more negative results. Perhaps getting use to a new team, his personal history early in the season, and the inconsistent weather this spring are all culprits in Wagner not being more dominant. All in all, I’m still glad he’s the Mets closer and I’m sure by the end of the season so will all Mets fans. Maybe Willie should just not use him on Wednesday.