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Keep Rolling

Big two game series against the Phillies. Until the Mets are comfortably above .500 and pushing, every series is a big series. Time to put on your hitting caps and introduce the Phillies to Citi Field in hostile style. I know I’m looking forward to seeing Ryan Howard take his best swing and fly out to right field.

You’d like to see them win both games and really get some good feelings going. Last night’s sweep in Turner Field helped, even with the error, but four in a row over the Braves and Phillies would be a big deal. It was nice to see Chipper making outs and errors to help the Mets win, and I hope to see the Mets take advantage of the Phillies sloppy pitching and poor play to win some games.

The Phillies are really, especially this year, a one trick pony. We’ve got Santana going tonight, and Pelfrey tomorrow. We’ve got a good bullpen. Hopefully our good pitching neutralizes their one trick, their offense. I’ll be at the second game in the Pepsi Porch, and I’m looking forward to a good game from that location.

ESPN’s streak for the cash contest features this game: Will the Phillies have more hits than Santana strikeouts? I’m going with Santana.

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Big Week Coming Up

Who would’ve predicted a split this weekend? The Philadelphia Phillies played pretty badly, but the Mets had just enough mistakes to lose the game Saturday. That’s pretty much been the Phillies M.O. The past three years; play average-good baseball, and wait for the Mets to cough it up.

The real story is the continuing struggle of Oliver Perez. I really thought this guy would figure it out after a rough spring spent not doing what he should’ve been doing. Maybe it’s going to take more than that, or maybe Dan Warthen just doesn’t know what to do. It looks like he’ll find himself into the minor leagues in some capacity, and hopefully some working on fundamentals, and just working, will help him. He hasn’t even been to ‘bad Ollie’ form, which leads me to believe it’s something else. I expect him to get right and return and have a killer second half. In the meantime…Tim Redding?

I’d like to see the Mets go out tonight and beat on the Braves, getting ready to take down the Phillies at home at Citi Field on Wednesday and Thursday. I look forward to seeing Mike Pelfrey further improve in person on Thursday. It’ll be a big week for the Mets.

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Winning Baseball?

What’s this? Winning Baseball?

Craig Carton mimicked the optimism I’m feeling on his show this morning. Livan against the free-swinging, slumping Marlins. Livan probably pitching for his job, if not his career. If the Mets and Livan can beat Nolasco, they go into Wednesday looking for a sweep, and to go above .500.

And Wednesday isn’t a normal Mets game. Wednesday is the day even regular Mets fans feel confident. Johan Santana is pitching. Even better, Johan’s pitching against Josh Johnson, the guy who ‘out-pitched’ him for a win the last time they matched up together. Despite Johan actually pitching better, you know he’s itching to put Johnson in his place.

The three games after that are against the Phillies, then to Atlanta for two, then home for two more against the Phillies. The Mets are all set for a turn around and to take May by storm. What better way to set us at ease then to steamroll the pathetic Phillies pitching, exorcise some demons in Turner Field, and then come home to make Citi Field rock by stomping the Phillies again?