Note: Mets at Phillies, Tailgate Sunday
In a post to Dugout Central, Jeff Moore uses mathematics to determine that Mets-Phillies is the second-best rivalry in baseball, behind Yankees-Red Sox.
According to Moore, “The dislike between the teams has been well documented, but has only played out in the media thus far. One misplaced fastball could easily change that. The Phillies are currently in first place and the Mets should be closer than they are. Both have been in the playoffs 
recently, and no one in either clubhouse is too fond of Mets closer Billy Wagner. Add it up, and you get a powder keg ready to explode.”
The Mets will travel to Philadelphia for a four-game series against the Phillies starting tomorrow.
Johan Santana will start for the Mets on Friday, followed by John Maine on Saturday, Oliver Perez on Sunday and Pedro Martinez on Monday.
This is a significant series, in that it will do a lot to shape the way management, the fans and media view the Mets as we all turn the corner from the All-Star break towards the Trade Deadline.
In reality, even if the Mets drop three of four in Philadelphia, they’ll be just six losses back of the Phillies, which, with 73 games left in the season, is hardly insurmountable – just ask the Phillies.
However, with three weeks until the trade deadline, six losses back of first place and probably eight or nine losses back of the Wild Card, it is a totally different story.
By the way, a reader from MetsBlog, Richard M, is organizing a tailgate for Sunday at Citenz’s Bank Park for Mets fans starting at 10:30 am in Lot N, if you’re interested.
