Coming off back-to-back dramatic victories in Philadelphia, the Mets will play the most important game of their season tonight in the last of a four game set with the Phillies. They'll be bigger games as the season progresses, but this is the most crucial to date.
The Mets will send the aging and floundering Pedro Martinez to the hill against notorious Met killer Adam Eaton. As far as stuff goes, Pedro is as good or better than Eaton, but the Mets have struggled to figure out Eaton in the past. It doesn't help that everyone in the league seems to be shelling Pedro, and now he's facing one of the better lineups in arguably the premier hitters' park.
On paper it looks like a terrible match-up for the Mets. But baseball is a funny game. Momentum could be a factor tonight.
Last week's reports said the Mets were expecting Moises Alou back for tonight's game, but there's been no official word yet. Knowing Alou, I'd say don't count on his presence Mets fans. The bad news continues with Ryan Church, who now may miss the remainder of the season -- that from both The Daily News and Rotoworld.com.
So the Mets' corner outfield issues continue, and probably will until the end of the season. But I don't want to get too far ahead of myself worrying about the second half of the year, because tonight is a big one. The Mets will need Endy Chavez to stay hot in the 2-hole, helping Jose Reyes set the table for David Wright and Carlos Beltran. Beltran needs to keep rolling after yesterday's critical 2 RBI performance, as well.
We have to assume this one will be a slugfest. I can't imagine Pedro getting into the 6th inning -- unless he gets really, really lucky -- and while Eaton has excelled against the Mets, the rest of the league generally finds a way to pound him. Despite injuries the Mets' lineup has been heating up of late, so my educated guess is that they won't have as much trouble with Eaton as usual.
It'll be interesting to see if Jerry Manuel sticks to his word in rewarding Fernando Tatis for last night's game-winning blast, and the Brian Schneider/Ramon Castro battle gets more intriguing by the game.
Logic says this match-up will come down to the bullpens, and with these two teams, who the hell knows? Both Billy Wagner and Brad Lidge gave up runs in yesterday's game, and it's a crapshoot with the setup men in this mini park.
I want to say the Mets will keep rolling, but I don't expect the Phils to "roll" over, either.
Danica Patrck
Jessica Trainham
NFL's Quadruple Threats
Back in Time: October 13
Comments (4) Add A Comment
We're barely halfway through the season. There are no must-win games
Pitt Panther: 100…
Telford, PA
Total Comments (4367)
It's July 7th, games don't enter must win territory for another 6 weeks
NYGiantsSBXLIICHAMPS
Rockville Centre , NY
Total Comments (2519)
every game needs to be considered as a game that should be won. most important ? must-win ? media labels that mean nothing to the nine playing.
wvsteve
Fairmont , WV
Total Comments (41)
lol that's a truly empty statement. Players know the difference between important regular season games and games that don't have the same implications in the standings.
When you're trailing the first place team by 3.5 games and you're playing them on the road, you have to bring a little extra energy and passion. It's significantly easier to gain ground in a head-to-head situation, and there's no way you can say that the players are unaware of that.
Would we like the players on our teams to treat every game like a "must-win," and come to play hard every day? Sure. Is that the reality? Of course not.
Players take it easy some games, especially with the lengthy 162-game schedule. That's just the way it is. When they mean a little more, like last night's game in Philly, everyone turns it up a notch.
Both teams did last night...it was pretty obvious.
JFro
Oceanside , NY
Total Comments (39)
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