The Opposite of Swell

Wow...this is a great vibe. It's like Daddy just hit Mommy at the dinner table and we are all trying to eat still.

Mommy: "Just eat honey, Mommy's OK. Daddy just got a little angry"
Child: "I don't wanta eat."
Mommy: "Mommy's fine, Daddy just got a little crazy and Mommy's fine."
Child: "Do I have to eat?"
Mommy: "Yes you have to eat."

There are a lot of people enjoying this. Every Yankee fan and every fan of every other team not the Mets are really enjoying this. I was 100% sure the Yankees were going to miss the playoffs while the Mets would slide right in. Then it appeared the Yankees were going to make it, but who cares? The Mets were going to not only make it, but finish in first while the Yankees had to settle for the Wild Card.

Now, the Yankees pulled off a truly amazing run to not only get into the playoffs, but finish with more wins and clinch before the Mets did. It seems unthinkable to me that the Mets could miss the playoffs altogether, but that is a very real possibility. At best, they could be tied for first place in the NL East and tied for the Wild Card at the same time after all the games are played today. At worst, they could be tied for first in the NL East and one game back off the Wild Card lead.

The optimist might see some positives to take out of this being the Mets are still where they are despite playing so badly. However, with three games left, you would have to think the hot hands have a huge advantage here. I am not going to say this team does not care. I do not think I'm in a position to say that and I do see some frustration with this team, but something has been drastically off with this team for a bit.

I think a lot was taken for granted. I do know that a lot of Met fans had turned a blind eye and thought everything would be fine despite how poorly they had played at times and despite the gaping holes that presented themselves. This is for real and the Mets are in danger of completely the biggest and most embarrassing collapse in baseball history to end the season.

The Phillies have Hamels, Eaton, and Moyer on tap and the Mets have Perez, Maine, and Glavine. The Padres have Maddux, Young, and Peavy rounding out the season and I'm thinking it does not even matter who the Rockies have on the mound.There is a very real possibility there will be two one game playoffs needed to decide this thing in the end. However, if there is going to be any October baseball for the Mets, Perez needs to step up and give seven sparkling innings with the offense getting some early runs on the board to end this free for all. I thought this last Sunday game coming up was going to be a nice relaxing day at the park to throw some beers back, but it looks like it might be a tremendously important game. Who would of thought that two weeks ago?

* * *

This just outlines this bizzaro world that upon us.

The Mets' pitching is so bad, general manager Omar Minaya is ready to put out an all-points bulletin for Steve Trachsel. Since a three-game series with Philadelphia at Shea in mid-September, here are some Mets ERAs: Jorge Sosa (10.80), John Maine (10.61), Mike Pelfrey (7.59), Guillermo Mota (7.50), Billy Wagner (6.75), Tom Glavine (6.11) and Pedro Feliciano (5.68). Amazingly enough, New York's team ERA of 5.09 in September is still better than Philadelphia's 5.15 staff ERA this month. But Mets manager Willie Randolph sure looks a lot more stressed than Philadelphia counterpart Charlie Manuel these days.

Stevie....he was your last first round draft pick!

Owen (Washington, DC): How do you see the NL East playing out? Right now it seems that no one wants to make a statement.

SportsNation Steve Phillips: I think that the Mets will limp to the NL East title, and will have major questions about what they are, headed into the playoffs, because of their starting rotation and struggling bullpen. The Phillies and Braves will finish a close second and third. Tonight is a key game for the Mets. The Mets need this game, and need a good start out of Umber.

Wow.

Luke (Miami): Reyes or Rollins?

SportsNation Jim Callis: Rollins.

My, my, my. Jose has not made many fans in the second half. He went from being the MVP and best player in the universe to being below Rollins. Of course Jimbo is having a tremendous year so it could speak more towards how good Rollins has been vs. how bad Reyes has struggled, but I tend to think this is more of byproduct of Reyes' struggles.

After a 4 for 4 night, I'm not so sure Micah Owings should be pitching. He has an OPS over 1.000 with four homers in 59 at-bats. He could stand to walk a bit more, but I would really be nitpicking if I got on a pitcher for not walking more.

The Mets playoff chances should now be under 80%. If not, it will be really close to it with the possibility of a tie extremely large.

Moises wants to come back in 2008 and the Mets would be foolish to not bring him back.

The Pirates should trade Jason Bay and the Twins should trade Joe Nathan. While they are at it, the Twins should trade Johan if they are not going to sign him this off season.

Mark Ecko's little stunt was an expenseive one, but very amusing as well. If you pay that much for a baseball, you should certainly be allowed to do whatever you want with it and to any asshole who said that dude who caught the ball should give the ball to Bonds, please punch yourself in the face. Twice...and onces in the balls for good measure.