My daughter Bonnie is marrying Greg Barme on Sunday (we are thrilled), so no Dish tomorrow, but instead it’s the Sunday Morning Muse on Saturday.

The Mets are losing players and games at an alarming rate. With Mo Vaughn gone with a knee injury, Mike Piazza disabled with a pulled groin, and Jeromy Burnitz still out, Art Howe can give some playing time to his bench.

Raul Gonzalez can hit the fastball, finding an outfield spot for him may be more difficult since he doesn’t run very well. Vance Wilson is a nice catcher and can hit with some pop. So, all is not lost for the Mets if these two can develop as adequate replacements for the high priced vets.

I have the feeling that the Padres are going to be major players in the free agent market next season when they move into their new ballpark.

Americans will forget about the Yankees Hideki Matsui when the new Matsui comes over next season. This import plays shortstop with real power and is an impact player so say all the scouts who have seen him. The Padres want him big time. Miguel tejada is on their radar screen as well.

Mark Buehrle joined Al Leiter in the growing list of major league pitchers who have given up ten runs in one of their starts. With middle relief what it is (mediocre), managers leave the starter in until it is absolutely necessary to get him out of the game.

Click below for more thoughts.The Twins are starting to look like last year’s AL Central leaders. Minnesota’s bull pen is clicking and Brad Radke won a significant game going seven strong ininngs against Chicago Friday night.

The Twins come into Oakland Tuesday night and should throw Rick Reed, Kenny Rogers, and Radke against Tim Hudson, Barry Zito, and Mark Mulder. Deja vu all over again, sans Eric Milton, from the 2002 ALDS.

The A’s aren’t going to forget AJ Pierzynski’s posturing at their bench after the Twins eliminated Oakland from the playoffs last fall. I’ll bet the Twins catcher goes down hard at the plate while batting sometime early in this series.

Baseball players don’t forget insults and Pierzynski mocked the A’s. Not Cool.

Brenden Donnelly is the best thing going in the Anahein bull pen right now. Frankie Rodriguez has yet to hit his stride and the vet Donnelly is doing the set up job just fine.

The Yankees have played their last 22 games against the AL West and stand at 11-11 after Friday’s loss to Texas. I still think NY is overrated and that aging pitching staff will be limping in September and October.

They may win the AL East, but you know that is not their goal in the long run.

The Tigers and Orioles think Tampa Bay’s Seth McClung is the real deal after the righty threw two good games at those teams.

The Devil Rays are trying to put a team together, signing players who might help them off the waiver wire.

If the signing doesn’t work out, see ya later. John Rocker is back in the minors where he belongs after a short stay with Lou Piniella in Tampa.

Roger Clemens threw 105 pitches in 5 innings Friday night in NY. The rocket better get to 300 soon if he keeps that up, ten strike outs and five walks, too many pitches.

Felix Rodriguez needs a change of scenery. Once one of the most feared pitchers in the NL, the power righty no longer misses bats and has no real idea where the ball is going.

Felipe Alou left Jason Schmidt in ten pitches too long Friday night ( costing Schmidt the win) because he doesn’t have faith in Rodriguez.

Why worry about the A’s hitting when they have the best starters in baseball. Hitting kicks in around June when the other team’s pitchers get tired. The A’s need to stay the course and everything will be fine just like the last three years.

One significant injury to Edgar Martinez, Bret Boone or John Olerud will doom Seattle. Ichiro is getting his bat going again which is good for Seattle and baseball since the leadoff man is one exciting player.

Armando Benitez hung some sort of slider to Yorvit Torrealba in Frday’s game, allowing the catcher to drive in the winning runs. Benitez, a power guy, threw absolutely his third best pitch in that bat, a no no for relievers. Somehow, John Smoltz or Eric Gagne wouldn’t have even thought about throwing a lollypop like that up there in that situation.

Next Friday night in Oakland looks like Jeremy Affeldt and Ted Lilly. I can’t wait to see Affeldt who has the power curve.

Mark Prior against Brett Tomko in St. Louis Saturday. The Cubs almost never win in Busch Stadium, they have their best chance today with Mark Prior on the mound.

Mark Mulder starts the all star game, Mike Scoscia may not be able to avoid the big lefty. I know Scoscia would like to start one of his Angels, but you tell me which one?

Tsuyoshi Shinjo has a great arm. Let me tell you I saw his throws up close last night and he gunned down two Giants on the bases, one at home and one at third, he came up throwing on the run and fired lasers each time. He can play centerfield, but he just doesn’t hit much. At the plate, he makes Darren Lewis look like Babe Ruth.

I take it back, Livan Hernadez pitched beautifully in Coors last night.

Darren Dreifort is rounding into shape, eight innings and 120 pitches against Miami. Big plus for the Dodgers.

Jimy Williams is riding that bull pen right into first place in the NL Central. Trouble is it’s only May 17th and he still has to 120 more games to go and Williams will wear these guys out unless his starters come around.

Matt Mantei is throwing 100 MPH again and I guess that is why Arizona feels it can trade Kim. Next tuesday night in Pac bell the Diamondbacks will face Jason Schmidt, let’s see who bgets the nod for Arizona. Schmidt and Miguel Batista had a double shut out for nine innings against one another last year around this time in SF.

Dimitri Young can swing the pole, Detroit should entertain serious offers for him now.

Any more up and down team than the Blue Jays. Just when you think they have turned the corner, they lose four in a row. People criticize the velocity of Mark Hendrickson, but he gets hitters out very well.

Kelvim Escobar starts for Toronto Sunday instead of Tanyon Sturtze who is upset he is the odd man out of the rotation. Sturtze is part of the reason Toronto is inconsistent and Escobar deserves another chance to see if he can start. Escobar has had mysterious ailments (numbness) when starting in the past.

Jim Mecir’s knee is definitely a concern for the A’s. Why not give Michael Neu a chance in a meaningful situation, he may be the answer.

Johnny Damon would look good in a Met uniform, the NY team would love to have him leadoff and play CF. How about for Armando Benitez, straight up?

The Yankees will miss Nick Johnson’s glove and eye at the plate. It’s now time for Jason Giambi to kick it in.

The Mariners have to monitor Gil Meche carefully. Coming off arm injuries is always dicey for any pitcher especially one who is the hottest pitcher on a first place team. Meche threw 105 pitches in six tough innings against the Tigers Friday.

See you all on Monday with the Dish, now it’s time to be Father of the Bride.