Race Tightened

Just when you thought it was safe to party like it's the summer of '06 all over again, the Mets' bullpen, asked to get more outs than fallen starter John Maine, blows one, reminding you of the very forgettable summer of '07.

Hey Omar, the bullpen sure does look like it could use reinforcements. What's your move?

Meanwhile, the pesky Fish, with their pesky brand of baseball and pesky players, keep winning.

Cool Your Jets

So here we are just a few hours away from the biggest series the Mets have played since a few forgettable ones that occurred last September. Meaningful baseball has come to Shea, in July.

The date is important because it means baseball hasn’t reached the crucial dog days. Which means, even though tonight the Mets will play their 100th game, it’s still early.

I don’t see why this series is being played up as such a crucial, do-or-die moment. Barring an injury to a major player, this series doesn’t make or break either the Phillies or the Mets. I’m sure this will be an unpopular position to take, but I’m taking anyway.

Do I want the Mets to kick the crap out of the Phillies, pay them back for how they dismantled the Mets down the stretch last year? Of course I do. But I realize that after this series both teams will have 60 games remaining, both teams will face plenty more crucial series and games, and that win or lose this series, both teams’ fates will be determined by how they finish the season, not charge out of the gates.

In spite of all that foresight, I still say tonight would be an ideal night for Johan to prove to us that he’s worth all those millions.