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The first-place Mets (79–61) will begin a three-game series against the second-place Phillies (76–64) in Shea Stadium tonight.
Steve Popper lists three reasons why the Mets will win this series, in a post to his blog for the Bergen Record.
In a post to Amazin Avenue, Eric Simon writes, ‘However reluctant we may be to admit it, the Mets are one of the elite teams in baseball,’ noting how there are no true powerhouse teams in baseball.
Adding to this point, in the New York Post, Joel Sherman writes, “The world has opened up to the Mets, or more appropriately the World Series has. Suddenly their road to the NL championship looks so much different than it did just a few days ago. It has to do with them playing so well. But just as vitally it has to do with what has befallen the competition.”
Nevertheless, according to Ted Berg, in a column for SNY, “If the Mets win two of three, everyone will holler about how they’ve finally gotten past last September and they’re a new team under Jerry Manuel and everything is puppies and daffodils. If they lose two of three, we’ll say they’re the same old Mets and they’re bound to blow it again. If one team sweeps the other, all hell will break loose.”
The sad part is Ted is 1000% correct.
I think of the Cubs as a powerhouse, despite losing 5 in a row. The key to them retaining that label obviously rests on the health of Zambrano and Harden; if those two can remain in the rotation, the Cubs are better than any other team in the league by a good bit. They’ve outscored the opposition by 180 runs!
yes, but they are the cubs…
I remember when the Braves were a powerhouse every post season, when the Diamondbacks were a powerhouse in 1999 and when the Giants were a powerhouse in 2000.
Fact is the Cubs may have peaked real real early. And if you get to the playoffs anything is possible.
Keep in mind that losing 2 of 3 this weekend isn’t really that big a deal. If that happens we lose one game in the standings. Just can’t get swept, which I don’t think will happen either.
Well, you could say that about every single series against the Phillies late last year. It’d be nice to actually put them away.
The only thing wrong with Ted’s statement is that while some will tout puppies and daffodils, plenty of others will say ‘i’ll believe it when they’re there.” Either way, it’s the same team it has been, with a different spin on it.
disagree. that reasoning has past its expiration date. with just over 20 games left, there’s no more time for “oh well, we’ll get em tomorrow”. the mets need to seal the deal and invoke an emotional beatdown on the phillies once and for all for their own sake.
hamels going in this series provides a pefect opportunity to slam the door on the phillies. sure they can make up a few games here and there but the knowledge that the mets have the edge back as well as a lead puts the pressure back on the phillies and forces the likes of rollins, howard and burrell to step their game up. i don’t think they’re capable of it.
Funny enough mentioning puppies tonight is dog day at shea. I went last year and I believe they were playing the Phils as well. I was hoping some dog would take a bite out of J-Rolls a$$ but it didn’t happen. Maybe tonight it does happen
Indeed….I will be there tonight with my pup, and he’ll be wearing his Pedro #45 doggie jersey.
Hanna rainout on Saturday? Would they play Monday?
I think Philly has a game on Monday. They mentioned it on FAN this morning not sure if it is true
It would have to be a double dip on Sunday. Better news for the Mets because there is usually never a sweep of a double header.
You mean, better news for the Phils. ;)
Avoiding the sweep is goal #1.
They do that, they leave no worse than 2 games up.
I can live with 1 win this series.
But gimme 3!
unfortunatly i think any and every loss would make some fans think september is happening all over again. Those of use who have moved on to the 2008 season would realize this is a good team and we have an amazing ability to rebound after losses. Im excited about this series and this will give us the best indicator about what we need to do to make it in the postseason. LGM
You know I am actually kinda scared of this weekend. I think I am growing over confident again and we are due for another down turn.
I just don’t see any way the Phillies can sweep and I expect to win 2/3. That’s very dangerous to me.
Beltran and Church are starting to come around at the plate. Wright actually is as well. And Beltran, when he gets hot usually stays hot for three to four weeks. The timing couldn’t be better for that. This gives us a bit of an edge over last years team.
let’s see them make the playoffs before we worry about taking on the “world” or “powerhouse” status.
it’s definately a different team than last year. if you watch it’s pretty clear. this team has just gone through the motions in months. last year they spent from may on doing that regularly.
I would really like to see Pelfry outduel Myers tonight so they can jump out of the gate with the win. I think winning the first game of the series will do wonders to take some pressure of Pedro tomorrow.
I think tonight’s game is the key to the series. Get into there bullpen as early as possible. I think the team that wins tonight goes into the next 2 more relaxed. If they do not split the first two games I think there is a major possibility of a sweep with the losing team reeling
Mets can afford to go 1-2 in this series. If they do go 0-3 against the Phils they are in for some trouble. However, I’m highly optimistic Mets go at least 2-1.
I really agree with Joel Sherman. Since June, i’ve maintained that even if the Mets turned it around and made the playoffs, they would have a tough time in the post-sesason against the Brewers in the first-round.
However we’ve just swept the Brewers and the Cubs are picking up injuries at exactly the wrong time. We still have a long series against the Phils ahead of us, but ahead if we finish up the season playing in the same manner that we’ve played with since Jerry became the skipper, then I’m feeling confident that we can contend for the title.
lets worry about the playoff match ups if and when we get there, if anything can be said look at the Mets in 1999 and 2000 as wild cards? The Marlins in 2003, The Cardinals in 2006, the Red Sox in 2004, the Rockies in 2007. That is just the past few years and some Mets history.
When the playoffs begin, all bets are off, if your ace gets beat in game 1 of a 5 game series at home, suddenly you are on the ropes.
This is somewhat funny. Tomorrow I believe a large group of Philly fans will travel to Shea to root for the Sillies. Just one problem, the forecast calls for 2 to 3 inches of rain, maybe more, and Shea will be under a Flood Watch. I would love to see a few hundred Philly fans soaking wet in the stands watching the game get cancelled, then have to drive back to Philly soaking wet. Plus a Rain Postponement would give Pedro some extra rest.
i was thinking the same thing. “take over shea day” is looking like a huge failure in the making.
Everything Puppies and Daffodils?
Well it may be for them.
It sure beats Eggs and Shoes.
AFTER the Mets sweep the Phils this weekend, they will have both played 143 games. The Mets will be 82-61 and 6 games ahead of the Phils.
Last year on 9/10/2007 after 143 games the Mets were 82-61 and 6 games ahead of the Phils.
Pretty interesting, if not very funny!