The Amazin’ Week Ahead: Phillies/Nationals Edition

In the first edition of The Amazin’ Week Ahead, we look at the big series ahead against the Philadelphia Phillies, and peek in at our first home series against the Nationals this weekend.

The Phillies

Pitching Matchups
Game 1: Chris Young vs Cole Hamels
Game 2: Mike Pelfrey (0-1, 10.38 ERA) vs Joe Blanton
Game 3: Jonathan Niese (0-0, 2.57 ERA) vs Roy Halladay (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Analysis
On Tuesday, the Amazins’ head to Citizen’s Bank Park to face the Phillies.  As we all know, you never know what to expect when the Mets and Phillies get together. The Mets could go into Citizens Bank Park and dominate the Phillies, or it could easily go the other way around. Thats just how it is when both teams play. 

Fortunately for the Mets, they will only have to face Roy Halladay instead of the full compliment of “The Big Three” (Halladay, Lee, and Oswalt).  Halladay is one of the best pitchers in baseball period. He has dominated the Mets in previous starts so the Mets will have their hands full to say the least. The rubber game of this series is going to be key for both teams.   

Players to Watch
Mets: David Wright, Willie Harris, Ike Davis, Chris Young
Phillies: Ryan Howard, Roy Halladay, Placido Polanco

Prediction
Both the Phils and Mets are coming into the series on high notes, and both of them have got momentum after opening series wins. I think the Phillies have a slight edge over the Mets.

Phillies take the series 2-1. 

The Nationals

Pitching Matchups
Game 1: R.A. Dickey vs TBA
Game 2: Chris Capuano vs TBA
Game 3: Chris Young vs TBA

Analysis
After the Mets get done with their series against the Phils, they are at Citi Field for their home opener against the Nats.  In the past, the Mets have had a difficult time beating the Nats as well as closing out games against them.  With a motivated team and the home crowd behind them, the Mets could very well put the past behind them and close the deals against weaker teams like the Nats. The Nationals have added Jason Werth as a offensive threat, but won’t have Stephen Strasburg in their rotation. 

Players to Watch
Mets: David Wright, Chris Capuano, R.A. Dickey
Nats: Jason Werth, Adam La Roche, Ryan Zimmerman

Predictions
I think the Mets will win at least two, if not sweep the series against the Nats.  This series should really be an easy one for the Amazins’ as the Nats don’t have that much of a pitching staff now with Stephen Strasburg still recovering from Tommy John surgery.  

Mets take the series 3-0.

Add your predictions and any comments about this weeks games in the comment section.

The Amazin’ Week Ahead is a new MMO feature that will preview the upcoming week for the Mets.