Willie would have been dumb enough to use Aaron Heilman in the 9th inning. He would have seen it as ”rewarding” him for his recent success. Jerry is better, although not completely, at knowing Heilman’s capabilities. Although Schoewneis has been pitching well this year, it really bothered me seeing him so emotionless in that loss to San Diego when he hit a guy with the bases loaded.

And honestly, Philadelphia tears Billy Wagner a new one every time they see him. Do any of you remember that game the Mets put their hearts into to take the lead 8-5, only to have Billy give up 5 runs in the 9th inning? Five freaking runs. How sad is that?

Sometimes it feels like you can give Billy all the run in the world and he’ll still crunch. Lately, he’s been alright, but he just isn’t good against the Phillies. Especially in Philadelphia. It’s like they have an extra motivation to beat him or the fans really do get in his head.

Wagner’s actually better at saving games than coming into tied games though. Especially in the 9th inning. For some weird reason, he’s actually better in extra innings in tie games. If there’s a guy going out their in the bottom of the ninth in a tie game, I want to see Sanchez or Feliciano. Joe Smith could be nerve wrecking to watch at times and Tony Armas Jr. just shouldn’t be thrown into those situations.

The Mets bullpen is about as good as their team. Just average. The spots where they are stronger is their defense. Especially when Castillo isn’t in. Those are the kind of thing’s that really help when you’re actually winning though. Defense doesn’t mean anything when you can’t hit. You have to at least score a few to give your pitcher’s and defense some leverage.

Santana and Maine have held up well too. Pelfrey’s really began to settle in well since nearly losing his spot too. The Mets simply need to make some trades. Get a decent right-handed reliever. Get a legitimate corner outfielder who’s more than a stop gap. Get rid of Delgado or allow Tatis to get in there as a significant platoon guy.

Three of four is asking for a lot. It can happen though. It’s got to be out goal. If they can take 2 of 3 and make this series a split though, I’ll be happy. Hopefully from there, we can pick up one or two on the Phillies. It’s hard to believe this can be possible, but the Mets can look like two completely different teams two different nights.

Hit the Fing ball!

LGM! LGM!

I can’t stand this sh)t!!!

Let Johan Pitch, JM!

If the Mets can take two out of three, it’d do two things. One, leave them right where they were before they started. Two, prevent the Phillies from continuing the momentum they’ve developed in this four game win streak following their 3-10 span.

So let’s not get to down on them. I remember cursing like a trucker a little bit after Monday night’s crappy loss on Monday, but they came back and took care of business 7-4 the next night. They lose a tight game the next night, win the following by a large margin. Sadly, hopefully the same pattern plays out.

In my opinion, the Cardinals are a better team than the Phillies. They Mets have lacked both competence home and away, so being on that road isn’t even the reason why they can’t get on a hot streak they so desperately could use, if it didn’t follow a sudden five game losing streak. John Maine should be feeling good for tomorrow. Delgado’s handled Moyer well in the past, although that might not mean anything in 08′.

Oliver should be on a thread again versus the Phillies, because they need to start seeing competence out of him. Unfortunately, that same watch could be placed on Pedro soon too if he doesn’t get it together. Guy’s like Armas can’t be the guy’s we rely on either. July’s a month for trades.

From there, we won’t have Alou back simply because he’s useless and will probably retire. We may re-sign Easley if he wants to keep playing, but the bench will still be solid. Still a good back up catcher and lefty pinch hitter under contract with a good 4th and 5th OF. Church will likely continue to develop.

No more Pedro. Even if he is okay. He’s not worth the burden. We need to get younger. No more Oliver. Lack of consistency. Really the truth is with the exception of Luis Castillo, all the perfect guy’s are becoming free-agents for the Mets in the offseason. Hopefully, they’ll be able to land a couple good starting pitcher’s while replacing Pedro and Perez.

From there, there’s a few decent outfielders. I like Pat Burrell and Raul Ibanez. Burrell’s a much healthier version of Alou who’s killed the Mets in the past. Although he strikes out a little more, he doesn’t get hurt like Alou. He’s played in at least 144 games every year since 05′, he’s got good power and would be a great steal from the Phillies who you know will be cheap considering how they handled the Aaron Roward situation. They wouldn’t give him 5 yr/60 mi, even though that was at baseball market value or lower. Sadly, Andruw Jones got 2 yr/36 mi. The Mets could have probably even picked him on that. Ibanez is from NY, so that may help if the Mets try to get him.

I know Dunn sucks at what ever position he plays, he doesn’t hit well for average and strikes out a lot, but he’s got amazing power and sadly is still versatile enough to use out there for when until Martinez is ready if they wanted to get a 1B. New stadium, younger team, new GM, new manager and you get a new look. They haven’t hit rock bottom like they did in 02-04′, so now’s the time to make sure thing’s stay fresh.

I don’t want to get down on this season, but there’s just nothing the Mets are showing us. Same old, same old. The should be called the New York Mediocres instead of the New York Mets.