I just posted another poll asking your confidence level on your ballclub. Hot, cold or lukewarm.
Tell us why you think they’ll cruise in the second half, or why they’ll crash and burn, or if they’ll just muddle through. Then be sure to vote. Take care.
7 Comments
My confidence level is more confident. I think one they get some of their injured players (Pedro, Alou, and Endy Chavez) back they’ll start to separate themselves from the rest of the NL East.
To tell you the truth I dont care about the division title. It would be nice but I would take a wild card too. Just make it to the playoffs. I’m sure most Cardnials fans didn’t have the greatest expectations for their team last year but it ended in a title. The Mets could be that team that rolls at the right time.
I think they will cruise through the second. Alou, Chavez and Petey will be returning and those guys should give the entire team a big lift. I think Petey may be the most important. My perception is that Petey gives the club that swagger they seem to be missing.
The second half schedule is much easisier. Not to make excuses, but the Mets had THE most difficult schedule of any team. No other team had to play every single playoff team within a three week period. They played these games with their left-fielder, back-up outfielder and their ace.
The most important issue is staying healthy into September and October.
My confidence level is less than last year.
The Mets clearly have fallen back to the pack while several other pennant contenders – notably, Milwaukee, San Diego, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Chicago have stepped it up.
Our rotation is better, but middle relief is worse.
The bottom of last year’s order was strong, this year it’s weak. Last year, we hit with men in scoring position, this year we’re not. Last year, we were dominant at home, but not this year.
Yet, Derek S may well be right – we may be an echo of last year’s Cardinals, who benfitted from peaking at the right time and the Mets and Tigers beating themselves. This year’s Mets team may win the crown, but in all our hearts, we’ll think the 2006 edition was the one that really should’ve been crowned.
Here’s an unrelated question: Though we Mets fans loathe the Yankees, how many of us are watching ESPN’s “The Bronx is Burning”? I am and plan to watch the whole series. It’s fascinating stuff. I was a kid in ‘77 and will always remember it for the June 15 Midnight Massacre, which saw Seaver and Kingman traded, but much as I disliked them, the Yankees were must-see TV.
I think that things will be better. I expect that Delgado will build on the terrific road trip he had heading into the break – if he can hit .270 the rest of the way that would be an improvement, and he simply cannot continue to hit under .200 with men on base, can he? I think Milledge will provide a bit of a shot in the arm – and I wouldn’t mind seeing him hitting in the #2 spot for awhile. I think that the ‘pen actually showed some signs of getting things together – Heilman has a history of getting better in the second half, Schoenweiss has looked a bit better, and as long as Mota is throwing in the mid-90’s as he is, I assume that his location issues can be addressed. If not, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Omar find a way to add an arm to the ‘pen.
I would love to see Pedro, and I have a feeling that we will, and that he’ll be at the very least an upgrade over the back end of the rotation. I have a sense that we’ll see a bit more of Gotay’s bat. And at some point, Moises Alou and maybe even Endy Chavez will make an appearance.
Mostly, though, I think that both the Braves and the Phils are so fundamentally flawed that we’ll be able to get to the postseason even if we don’t exactly tear up the league in he second half.
Derek Smalls
John,
Just read your article on the first half. Very well done.
I saw a report card in the post or news. Interesting they gave Willie a good grade but Omar a below avg one.
Dave
It all depends on 2 players—Delgado and either Alou or Milledge, whichever is playing. Delgado’s got to drop his imitation of a blackhole in the lineup or the Mets will muddle; even with a good second half from him, they’re still short a productive RH hitter. If Alou is back he’ll certainly provide it; if not then it’s Milledge and at this point he hasn’t shown he’s got much more than potential.
The pitching is adequate; the weak spots in the rotation are Glavine and Hernandez. Too bad Pedro won’t be pushing one of them to the bullpen. Much as his under-pressure meltdowns irritate me, it’s time for Heilman to start his untouchable streak—which will stabilize the bullpen if only because it makes it easier for Randolph to manage. BTW, whatever happened to Dauner Sanchez? Will he go down in Mets history as the pitching equivalent of Mike Vail?
Poor grades for Minaya compared to last year at this time can only be the product of a poor memory.
– Between Alou and Gomez, the Mets have gotten production comparable to what Nady provided in 2006. Less, yes, but not hugely so.
– Sosa has already contributed FAR more than Maine and Perez did through this point last year.
– Remember Jorge Julio’s contributions in 2006? Jose Lima’s? Geremi Gonzalez’? Alay Soler’s? Victor Zambrano’s?
– Remember Kaz Matsui’s contributions in 2006? Victor Diaz’? Chris Woodwards to this point?
Minaya’s moves hadn’t counted for much by this time last year, either.
The Mets were in control of the division simply because the Braves (40-49 record), Phillies (40-47) and Marlins (38-48) fell flat on their faces ridiculously. This year, the Mets are about 3.5 games worse than last year but the Braves are about 7.5 games better, the Phillies about 4 games better and the Marlins about 2 games better—all depending on exactly how you make the comparisons.
The rest of the division has improved more from last year than the Mets have—and Delgado and the injuries (don’t forget Milledge’s) have certainly accounted for plenty of that! What really makes 2007 seem worse is the lack of effort we’ve seem throughout the season to date.