By Ed "In Westchester" Semlies Posted Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Lots of different things on Ed’s mind this week.
Congrats to Tom Glavine on career win #300. A second straight good start against contending teams. A continuation of this trend would be very nice, considering the state of the #5 spot in the rotation.
Jorge Sosa has looked real good coming out of the bullpen. Perhaps he can help solidify things out there for the rest of the season? If so, a spot on the post-season roster awaits. If not, well, he may have a spot on the NOZ roster.
Welcome to the Mets Luis Castillo. We don’t need 4-5 every night, but a continuation would be much appreciated. As for the glove, it has looked quite nice thank you.
Lastings Milledge is rapidly becoming a key piece of this team for this season and beyond. While many may prefer he hit #2, his presence in the #8 spot lengthens the lineup, and allows Reyes to come to the plate with a runner in scoring position. The formula has worked a few times lately. Score one for Willie’s gut.
Speaking of the gut, IGIT! (In Gut I Trust!).
I am a little concerned with how Pedro Dos has looked of late. It is odd that this is happening just when Willie had said he was leaning towards using Pedro Dos as more than a LOOGY. Let’s hope he can regain his form for upcoming tilts with the Phillies.
Wally Matthews, please, write about something else, I am quite tired with your constant Mets bashing. Did we really need you writing about how you think Glavine would have preferred to win #300 as a Brave the day after? I don’t think so.
Jose Reyes, please stop putting the ball in the air. Thank you.
Carlos Beltran, please come back healthy and ready to hit like August of 2006. Thank you.
It is nice to see Carlos Delgado hitting again. Hopefully Alou can join him soon.
This week is vital. Three games against the Braves. We know the Mets will end the series in first place, but I would love to be able to increase the lead as opposed to having it shrink. The pitching is lining up nicely for the Mets, as the off-day Monday and Maine’s short start Saturday allow for Perez-El Duque-Maine instead of #5 starter Brian Lawrence facing the Braves. The Braves will counter with Carlyle-Smoltz-Hudson. Tough matchup for the Mets, as they get both of the Braves top starters. I still think the Mets can take 2 of 3.
Then, this weekend, while the Mets face the Marlins, the Braves and Phillies square off. I vote for three 15 inning games during the Braves Phillies series, how about you?
After the Marlins, the Mets have the following schedule for the rest of August:
At Pittsburgh
At Washington
San Diego
Brooklyn Dodgers of Los Angeles
At Philly (4 games)
At Altanta (8/31, 9/1, 9/2)
The Mets have 51 games left this season prior to Tuesday’s action. Should the Mets merely play .564 ball as they have to date (29-21), they will finish 92-70. The Braves (50 left) would have to play .686 ball (34-16) to finish at 93-69. The Phillies (51 left) would have to do the same. I like the Mets chances.
i
