Monday, September 24, 2007

Ups and downs

Mets got the wins this weekend, which is the #1 most important thing down the stretch. That was essential, and they were rewarded by picking up a game on the Phils, cutting magic # to 5. Nice job boys. Also on the positive side: Oliver perez's brilliant gem at an absolute must-have time; Delgado still showing some pop; return of Reyes; and D-Wright.

On the brutally negative side and likely to result in elimination from playoffs in round 1 if it continues:
1. Continued bullpen implosions. There simply is no way to describe the hideousness of blowing a 3 run lead in the 8th twice in 4 games. None. Their month-long meltdown is the worst I have ever witnessed and makes me think the most likely outcome for this team is exit from first round of playoffs.
2. Starting pitching. While we got the Ws this weekend, the starting pitching (minus Perez) was not sharp. Specifically, only getting 5 or 6 innings out of our starters while they give up 3 Rs is not good enough. Especially not in light of point (1).
3. Beltran's re-aggravated tendinitis in both knees. Hopefully he can fight through it for another 5 weeks.

As of right now it looks like we'll draw the Pads in round 1 unfortunately, regardless of whether we or Arizona end up with best record in NL..

5 comments:

Fredo said...

Philly's only 1 behind the Pads in WC the loss column, and Colorado only 2 back in the loss column. Either one of those teams passing the Pads gives us a better matchup. Philly winning the WC gets us the Cubs (or Brewers), and Colorado winning the WC gets us Colorado. There are no easy playoff series, but having to face Young and Peavy twice and Maddux once in 5 games is a tall order--here's hoping for one of these other teams.

SheaHeyKid said...

Looking at those scenarios, in order of preference I'd pick:
1. Colorado gets WC, we play Colo.
2. Phillies get WC, we play NL Central.
3. SD gets WC, we play SD (even if we aren't #1 team).

Phillies getting in is better than facing SD in 5 game series, but i'd hate to face phillies with our 8 losses in a row against them. that said, maybe it means we're due against them..

SheaHeyKid said...

BTW, of the phillies remaining 6 games, two are against smoltz and hudson. I'll chalk up two losses there.

Fredo said...

SD took a real hit today when their manager tackled Milton Bradley, tearing his ACL.

SheaHeyKid said...

Definitely.

Unfortunately we're taking a hit right now as the pathetic nats continue to tear our ACL.