Cartoon courtesy of Metstoday.com
With a season filled with coaching changes, clutch players landing on the disabled list and still, someway some how the New York Mets have climbed their way from disappointing bottom dwellers to tasting the sweet delight of first place. As of right now, they are tied with the Phillies for first. That will all change when these two teams meet up in a three game series at Shea to determine, at least for now, who is the true beast of the East.
Johan Santana, who did not look like the two-time Cy Young winner the Mets had hoped for, will go against newly acquired right hander Joe Blanton from the A’s. Come Tuesday night, we will see which pitcher was worth getting. The rest of the series puts a shaky John Maine against Brett Myers, who has lost his last six decisions (0-3) and the inconsistent Oliver Perez going against the ageless Jamie Moyer. They dodge a bullet by not facing their ace, Cole Hamels in this series, who is 5-1 with a 3.27 ERA against them. But on the other hand, Pedro Martinez will not be making an appearance due to a groin injury.
The road was not easy for the Mets, they had to win 10 straight before anyone could consider them contenders within the division. They have found unlikely heroes in Fernando Tatis and Damian Easley as well as the revival of Carlos Delgado to lead the team. Who can forget Jose Reyes who has stepped up and has an average of .325 with 15 RBI’s since the firing of Willie. But this is not the only reason why the Mets are in this position.
The bullpen had been a bakery during this streak, constantly making them doughnuts for 22 innings until it was snapped on Friday. Sadly, the crown jewel of the pen, Billy Wagner, will most likely miss Tuesday’s opener. He will be getting an MRI on his shoulder.
If it wasn’t their suddenly high powered offense or the lights out pitching, there was another factor that has contributed to their rise…resistance. In the month of July alone, they have four come from behind wins, three of which came within the winning streak.
Here come the Phills with their thunder. A lineup that is packed with Ryan Howard, an athlete who no doubt is going to go down as one of the best home run hitter, but also is a strikeout artist, Chase Utley (the power hitting second baseman) and Pat Burrell (built his career off of being a “Met Killer” with 42 career home runs when facing them).
In order to complete their mission to completely dethrone them, the Mets have to hope that their team clicks at the right moment. They have their top pitcher on the mound tonight and should give the team some momentum to win the series. They are 7-3 against
