The Mets have now moved into first place in the NL East following a 9-1 home stand including winning the last seven. The Mets took 3 out of 4 from the Cubs and finished with sweeps of the Braves and Dodgers. The impressive run was lead by the pitching staff, but credit has to be given to the Mets management.
Yes, I said it, the Mets management. Two weeks after most were calling for a firing of GM Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel, the Mets have "given hope to the fans" according to Manuel. The call-up of first base phenom Ike Davis and the lineup change that saw Jose Reyes move to the 3-spot has energized this club.
The bright spot for the Mets has to be the fact that they are winning games despite the lack of offense. Jason Bay finally hit his first homer as a Met this week, and Reyes is still not back to form. When and if these bats can get going, along with the return of Carlos Beltran, the Mets lineup can do damage.
Still the pitching is key. Pelfrey has been brilliant so far this season, out-performing even Johan Santana. Can he stay this good? It will be they key for the rest of the season. Maine and Niese have been decent, and Oliver Perez and has been sub-par, so if the Mets want to make a run at the division or wild card, these 3 starters will need to step up.
One concern is the Mets' bullpen. The bullpen has been solid, but I fear that Manuel may be over-working the boys in the pen. Pedro Feliciano has appeared 12 times, Fernando Nieve 14 times, and Jenry Mejia has pitched 10 times; the Mets have only played 22 games. This pace of bullpen usage could have the pitchers too tired for a stretch run. Now the Mets, if they continue to compete will likely be in the market for another reliever, but Manuel needs to keep his pitchers alive.
The Mets head to Philadelphia this weekend for a statement series. If the Mets can continue this surge they can show the Phillies and the rest of the NL that they are a team to be messed with.
Congrats to David Wright on his 1000 career hit.
Count me in as a belilever.
ReplyDeleteYes I am the same person who thought this was a last place ball club only two weeks ago. A couple of things have changed my mind:
1)They are displaying a grit absent in past years. Francouer and Bay have had a good impact on the team.
2) The catchers are FAR better than past years. Both guys (Barajas and Blanco) are good game callers and have stabilized the staff.
3) The bullpen. Who saw this coming but the new additions have been productive. I too worry about the work load. The starters will have to go longer. Can't keep going 5 innings. It will take its toll in August. That was what killed Randolph in 2008.
LETS GO METS!!
Barajas is making Mets fans forget about not signing a much more expensive Bengie Molina.
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