Opinion: Why I have Hope, Why I’m Skeptical

by Matthew Cerrone on July 1st, 2009 at 2:24 pm

The third-place Mets went 9-18 in June, their worst month since September 2003, which, subsequently, is when I started MetsBlog.com.  Hi, Art Howe?

Frankly, I will never understand why some fans are so eager to give up so early in the season.  What’s the fun in that?  I mean, we wait all winter, all spring, day-dream about baseballs return, only to, what, quit in July?  Why?

I’m not saying the Mets are going to go 60–20 in the second half… It’s just, I find it more fun believing the team’s worst days are behind them, especially when there is more than half a season to be played. 

I could be wrong, this team may tank and never win another game, who knows, but I’m going to keep hope and at least stick around to see how it all turns out.

That said, here’s why I am skeptical and hopeful about the rest of the season:

Here’s why I am skeptical about the next 85 games:

1. The Mets were making fundamental mistakes last season, and earlier this season, all while Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado were on the field.
2. In his best days, Oliver Perez could never be counted on for back-to-back quality starts, meanwhile, his partner-in-crime, John Maine, has not been the same pitcher since the end of 2007.
3. The Phillies were 11–15 in June, are looking to acquire a starting pitcher, and will not play .400 the rest of the season, nor will Jimmy Rollins continue to .207, nor will Raul Ibanez be on the disabled list forever.
4. The Marlins young pitching is putting it together, and they are one of six teams between the Mets and the Wild Card.

The road forward will not be easy, then again it never is – and it will be rocky for most every team, not just the Mets.

So, here is why I am hopeful:

1. It’s July 1 and there are 86 games left to be played, which is more than half of the season, and they’re just four losses behind first place in the NL East – and, let’s be honest, playing from ahead did not work out very well during the last two Septembers.  Maybe this will work better?
2. Johan Santana is notorious for being a second-half pitcher.
3. If the Rockies can go 20–7 in September to win the Wild Card, like they did in 2007, why can’t the Mets?  Especially when adding Reyes, Beltran, Delgado, Perez, Maine, Putz and Wagner all within 30 days of one another – not to mention I expect Omar Minaya to make a trade for additional talent.
4. The Mets entire pitching staff had its worst month since 1962.  This is true.  What are the odds this happens again? 
5. The Mets won 12 of 15 in May, so it’s not impossible.

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