Apr
1
2011

Lost In Translation?

An article by Craig Lerner

Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger says that the April 5-7 series against the Philadelphia Phillies, is one of the three biggest series of the 2011 season for the Mets.

After dealing with the Marlins’ impressive staff on the opening weekend of the season, the Mets head to Philadelphia to get a first look at the Phillies’ stacked rotation — including Cy Young winner Roy Halladay (scheduled for Wednesday) and postseason stud Cliff Lee (slated to pitch Thursday). All before the Mets will have a chance to play at home.

The biggest series of the season is here already?

I haven’t even chomped down on one hot dog yet or even purchased a box of Cracker Jacks.

Additionally, the Phillies.com website says that Cole Hamels is the starter on Tuesday and Joe Blanton on Wednesday. That would mean the Mets would face either Roy Halladay or Cliff Lee on Thursday. This is also confirmed on philly.com.

According to the natural laws of physics, that would make it virtually impossible for the Mets to face both of them in this upcoming series.

Somebody is lost…Pretty sure it’s not me.

About the Author: Craig Lerner

I'm a data analyst and researcher for a leading news agency who loves life and is hooked on the Mets. I love following the Amateur Draft and have a particular fondness for the Mets Minor Leagues who I follow each day. Give me a cold beer, a summer day, and a Mets game, and I'm good to go.

7 Comments + Add Comment

stick April 1, 2011 at 1:18 am

I don’t have a problem with that definition. yes, all games count the same, but if you are going to look at the schedule and pick out a few series that hold some special significance, this can certainly be one of them.
srt April 1, 2011 at 1:26 am

I thought I read it stated somewhere that we would be facing Hamels, Blanton and Halladay for this series.

I remember thinking good b/c Blanton is their 5th starter and could go either way plus Hamels didn’t have that great of a ST.

Unless someone goes down with an injury on that staff we’re going to hear about facing that ‘staked’ rotation for just about every series. But thanks Andy, just in case a Met fan or two didn’t realize….
- Chris April 1, 2011 at 2:37 am
  
  Hamels not having a great spring means nothing. Mike Pelfrey had a terrible spring last year and then went 9-1. These guys work on things in the spring. If you’re gonna look at a positive with Hamels its that I believe he hasn’t had much success against the Mets in the past, which is promising.
Des April 1, 2011 at 1:27 am

I think Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger is blowing smoke. In June or July, the Mets will look in their rear view mirror and see it as just a few games. But at least to Star-Ledger readers, maybe it makes Andy’s writing seem critical right now. Helps sell newspapers.
Metsie April 1, 2011 at 9:54 am

I don’t see what everyone is so worried about here.
Halladay in 33 games went 21-10 – Do you think he is going to win 30 this year? Esp with Uggla missing time and Rollins likely to join him some time during the season?
Lee went 12-9 in 28 games
Oswalt was a coin flip at 13-13
Hamels went 12-11
Blanton was 9-6

Yes they spent a lot of money and their pitching may be better than ours on the whole.
But they are not unbeatable. And if all our double digit wins in ST is ANY indication there is no reason to believe we can not beat them!

We should all stop looking for reasons to feel doomed. I know it makes you feel normal and comfortable because your used to it but it’s opening day and they won’t be playing on any of the paper that people have been using to fuel the fires of doom!

Ya Gotta Believe don’t ya?

If not then whats the point of coming here at all? Just to feed your habit of feeling sorry for yourself?
- t agee April 1, 2011 at 10:01 am
  
  Your right Metsie. Phills showed some slippage last year until they got everyone back and they don’t have everyone right now. Utley is going to battle his knee all year, Lidge won’t throw on consecutive days even once, if he pitches at all. Their OF production is going to be light, as are a couple of other positions. The staffs not going to be able to do it all and they might not all be healthy this year either.
  - Metsie April 1, 2011 at 10:57 am
    
    Sorry I did say Uggla when I meant Utley.
    
    I think people are missing the forrest here.
    The games are being played. Stop looking for reasons to feel bad and enjoy the games. When we are 20 games out of it then they should post an I Told You So and go onto their other summer activities.
    
    I just don’t get people who feel the constant need to fret over a GAME!
    It’s not like their rent payments or mortgage is going to go up if we don’t win the division or their first born will be sacrificed if we don’t make the WS!
    
    It’s a game and being concerned doesn’t make you any better of as fan than someone who watches and doesn’t prejudge or says OH WELL after a loss.

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