As for the rest of the NL, the Brewers scare me the most. Their lineup is ridiculous. Lots of “ifs” on the pitching end of things, however. IF Ben Sheets stays healthy. IF Parra and Bush pan out. IF Gallardo continues his development. Oh yeah, Gagne in the bullpen is a big ? for them.

I also think the Reds are a big time sleeper, as I mentioned in another thread. A potential rotation of: Harang, Arroyo, Cueto, Volquez, and Bailey. Cordero as their closer. They have a solid lineup too, with Jay Bruce waiting in the wings:

Patterson/Freel, CF
Keppinger, SS
Griffey, RF
Phillips 2B,
Dunn, LF
Encarnacion, 3B
Votto/Hatteberg, 1B
Bako, C

And while we’re here, I think the Blue Jays have a shot to take 2nd in the AL East, with the Yankees finishing third.

I mean, he should really think about pitching Johan on his normal 5th day (Saturday) instead of Sunday.

This way he would then be in line to pitch in Game 3 of the Philly series, instead of opening against the Brewers.

I for one would much rather have Johan pitch in both Division series’. Heck, those are the teams we brought him here to beat!!

And again, to make this possible, it’s only a matter of pitching him on his NORMAL 5th day.

But as for “fear?” I don’t think so. The Mets are the class of the division even with Pedro out. And he’s expected to be back within a a month or two.

As for the Mets not being able to get past the Braves, they overcame that in 2006. It is no longer an issue, even with Chipper, Cox and Smoltz still around.

I am not mentally beyond the Braves, but thankfully I don’t play for the Mets. Allow me to take you back to last season, when, after the Mets were swept by Philly at the end of August, they walked into their house of horrors, Turner Field, for a 3-game weekend series w/ the Bravos. I can’t say I was confident going into that set, but apparently the Mets were. They swept Atlanta, beating Hudson and Smoltz, then took 2 of 3 from the Braves 10 days later at Shea, again beating Hudson and Smoltz. The Mets ripped the Braves’ heart out twice in the last month of the season, that’s all there is to it. That this fact was obscured by the collapse does nothing to change what the Mets did. So like I said, they scare me, but I don’t wear a uniform.

That starting pitching corps is just… so desperately old and beat-up and used-up that I’m certainly not afraid of them as a Mets fan.

Hell, not only do they go behind the Phillies with their… not-great pitching but their great hitting… but I’d say they go behind the Nationals too.

I mean, the National aren’t going to make the post-season or anything but they’ve got so much youth and raw hitting talent on that team that… I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if they hang in there a LOT longer than they’re supposed to.

I think it is apt to be the Phillies – not only the team, but also their fans who can get violent at a moments notice – remember when they had the jail in their old stadium?? That should tell you something about the fan base.

As a fan, do you fear the Braves?

No, not when I remember seeing Ted Turner and Jane Fonda with their little tomahawks cheering on the Braves from a front row seat. Who could be afraid of that? Seriously, I think the days of the Braves being bullies are over – remember all those winning banners they have are not World Series wins.

Do you think the Mets are beyond the Braves mentally?

Yes, the Mets team and the Mets management are beyond the Braves mentally. And, so are the Mets fans, coaches, beat writers and ownership. Add Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez and you really get a boost beyond the Braves mentally, intellectually, and in all around baseball knowledge.

But the only thing that makes me fear for the Mets chances are injuries.

Also just thought I’d keep you guys updated on Orlando Hernandez’s rehab start, along with top pitching prospect, Jon Niese’s, outing.

Caught this at http://www.metsprospectus.blogspot.com

St. Lucie: (he’s back out for the 4th)
7:55: Ruff third inning for El Duque.. He gave up 2 runs on 3 hits, including a solo homerun to Matt field. He also walked a batter and had a wild pitch in the inning.

7:30: Hernandez’s second inning, much like his first, no hits, no runs, and a strike out. 2 IP 0 hits 3 k’s so far.

7:20: Orlando Hernandez threw a 1-2-3 first inning, while striking out two batters.

Binghamton: (he’s out of the game)
7:50: After another scoreless inning, Jon Niese may be done. If he is, he’ll end with a final line of 5 IP, H, 0 ER, BB, 5 k’s.

7:30: RBI ground out from SS prospect Emmanuel Garcia to give the Binghamton Mets a 2-0 lead. Niese continues to roll, as he just finished pitching a scoreless 4th.

7:20: Jon Niese has thrown 3 scoreless innings and has struck out three batters. Meanwhile, 1B prospect Mike Carp, hit a homerun in his first at bat off of lefty Chase Wright.

They need to do well against the Braves and Phils though, since either team can be right there at the end.