A New Hope: Gangsta’s Paradise

Over the next three weeks, the Mets have twenty two games to play before the All-Star Break. Of which, they play Seattle and the Yankees at home, then go to St. Louis, have a big four game series in Philly, then come back home to play San Francisco and Colorado. If they can win every series by winning two out of three or three of four the Mets will have a record of 52-43. This surely will put them back into contention for the lead in the division.

At the same time, Philadelphia has to try not to get swept today in LA, play three in Oakland and Texas, then fly to Atlanta, play us in Philly four times (again a potentially huge series), then play St. Louis and first place Arizona at home. If jet-lag becomes a problem or their pitching staff realizes how bad they actually are, the Mets could be leading the East going into the second half of the season.

As for injuries to the Mets, it seems as if everything might be coming together at the right time, Ryan Church will rejoin the team when they get home tomorrow, and Alou won’t be far behind. Getting these two back will finally bring balance to our lineup and give Jerry Manuel some flexibility on the bench. One thing is certain if this years team wants to reach Gangsta’s Paradise they need to step it up.