7 Is Heaven: The Mets Take Their Largest Division Lead All Season
Here’s something that might even make the most pessimistic fan smile; the Mets could play .500 ball the rest of the season and possibly still make the playoffs. Going 17-17 when 13 of those games are against the Braves or the Phillies doesn’t exactly sound like a desirable outcome, but it could win the division all the same.
The Atlanta Braves, who have 32 games remaining in their season, would have to go 23-9 to tie this hypothetical Mets team. Although the Braves improved with the pickup of Mark Texiera at the trade deadline, they have many pitching issues both in their rotation and in their bullpen. Winning 23 of their last 32 games would be a long shot with the team they have on the field now, though anything is possible with Bobby Cox as manager.
The Philadelphia Phillies have as many games remaining as the Mets (34) and they would have to go 24-10 the rest of the way. With their recent offensive and pitching struggles, they would be hard pressed to make a run for it. That being said, Chase Utley is due to return to the lineup any day now, after breaking his hand and landing on the DL for several weeks. Utley is a winner, as much as I hate to admit it, and he could spark the offense and set the Phillies on a winning steak.
Needless to say, the 13 games the Mets have remaining against the Braves and Phillies will be extremely important as to determining the outcome of their season. 7 games up is no guarantee to win the division, but as the days go on and the end of the season draws nearer, 7 games up will sound more and more appealing. (And just wait until they get Lo Duca, Chavez and Pedro back!) Hey, the Mets only need 24 more victories to tie last year’s record! Suddenly, things are looking up for the Mets!
Comments
I hadn't looked at things in that way - you're right, I'm a little more optimistic right now. That having been said, we still have to go out there and play/win those games. If we take care of the Phillies and Braves face to face, we'll indeed be controlling our own destiny, despite what they do against other teams. Good blog, Tess.
Posted by: MUZ | August 26, 2007 09:59 AM
Ah, finally a sign of optimism on this site. Great blog!
Posted by: Mitch | August 26, 2007 10:13 AM
lol I told you Tess that the Mets would not be bound for 3rd place.
Posted by: Christian (aka MetsMan) | August 26, 2007 11:10 AM
I remember about 2 weeks back...Loduca and Castro placed on the DL...everyone was wondering if we'd still be in first when they came back...now we're 7 up...and like Tess said... Castro, Loduca, Chavez, and Pedro are coming back shortly....
The real question is the bullpen....and great job by them last night..and Heilman getting the save for Wagner...
Posted by: Anthony | August 26, 2007 11:21 AM
MetsGal well written and well said. Yes it was a Must Win game tonight to keep it going. They have to go for the sweep and beat Fatso Skankee Wells. They have to BUNT BUNT BUNT, he cannot move that fast off the mound. It's too bad that the Mets caught the Padres when they were getting hot, it would be nice to be 5-0 on this homestand. Lets Go Padres. When we get to Philly the mininum is winning 2 and losing 2 to keep it even . Then to hell
Turner Field.
OK I would love to see them go 3-0 but I know reality and will be happy with atleast one win from that hell hole ( Turner Field). My other concern who is going to pitch next Saturday. The way the rotation is set up it will be Brian ( Joey's Cousin) Lawrence. This is not a good thing. This is what I propose. Being its Sept 1 rosters can expand, make the Braves think they are facing Lawrence and hours before the game announce that Humber will make his 1st major league start. This way the Braves have no info on him and maybe it will be the Mets luck that they cannot hit a rookie pitcher, just like the Mets struggle against them. Lets see if Omar has the nerve to try this!!!!
Posted by: Rob | August 26, 2007 11:24 AM
Good idea Rob, I hope Omar reads Metsmerized! Why not try something crazy like that? to be honest I don't think Omar would do that, but it would throw off the Braves and hopefully give the Mets a chance to win against them....and to Christian the eternal optimist: yes, I was right along with every one else a few weeks ago saying the Mets wouldn't be in 1st come september. With the way the bullpen was blowng every game, not many people saw the Mets gaining this much ground that quickly. But right now, I feel optimistic about this teams chances. It's all going to come down to the Braves series. The Mets have to prove they can win against the Braves and at Turner field!!
Posted by: METSgal | August 26, 2007 12:20 PM
The Braves have not been better since they got Texeria. They are further back in 3rd place. Texeria cannot start games or pitch in relief.
Offense was not an issue with the Braves. Its starting pitching.
If you look at the Braves: Smoltz and Hudson-great
James, Cormier, "BUDDY", and "JOJO" are terrible. You should not listen to baseball tonight that stated Chuck James is the next Tom Glavine because its not the case.
Plus, the Braves did not win their world series on hitting, they won because they played the Indians.
Posted by: aym | August 26, 2007 12:25 PM
The Braves won the world series with great pitching and good hitting, not because they played the Indians! Look at the Indians 1995 roster, they had the better team and a very good manager in Mike Hargrove. 3 pitchers with over 16 wins, a closer with 46 saves and a 1.13 ERA and a lineup that would put up more runs than any team in baseball today. That team had all of these guys in their primes: Manny, Belle, Thome, Murray, Winfield (ok, past his prime), Baerga, Sorrento, Lofton, Burnitz, Giles, Vizquel, Hershiser, Nagy, Alomar Jr., Mesa, and D. Martinez. That was the best team to not win a World Series, maybe ever.
I love the Mets, but you can't say the Braves won the W.S. that year by default.
Posted by: Get your facts straight | August 26, 2007 01:50 PM
Silly silly MetsGal :o) True the pen has had a bad August but many of you seem to thnk the pen as been bad all season. check these stats....
The Mets pen NL ranks
2nd fewest losses
3rd best ERA
4th best save %
2nd fewest blown saves
4th lowest WHIP
5th lowest BAA
4th in wins
Posted by: Christian (AKA MetsMan) | August 26, 2007 05:47 PM
Well said! But even if we make the playoffs, how far will we go? specially if we play the Padres the first round?
Posted by: Derek C. | August 26, 2007 08:17 PM
Christian- maybe those stats are only so because the rest of the National League SUCKS! And of course we have the 2nd fewest blown saves and 4th best save %- Wagner has been great up until a few weeks ago.
Posted by: METSgal | August 26, 2007 10:49 PM
The big week starts tonight in Philly. I'm banking on 5 out of 7. Step it up boys.
Posted by: david skolnik | August 27, 2007 05:47 PM