If the Mets win tonight, they can throw a serious monkey wrench into the Phillies attempt at another NL East Crown ... anyone out there remember 1986 (wow, when did I turn 32???)?: The Mets had just lost to the Cardinals in the final two days of the season in 1985, and they had to play the Cards in St. Louis in early April '86, only to promptly sweep them in 4 games. St. Louis never recovered, and the Mets cruised all season.
I am LOVING this rivalry, as my post yesterday outlined ... this season is off to a great start.
I'm not even one of the ignorant Phillies fans that post on here but i must say, did I miss something? I thought the season went all the way to September?? It's a little bit early to be crowning anyone the NL Ease champs. Last time i checked, the Phils are missing the defending NL MVP and their starting center fielder. I know the Mets are missing some players also, but they aren't missing Jimmy Rollins. Let's just slow the roll a little here and take this for what it is. They have a chance to make a statement and sweep the Phils, but there is nothing saying the Phils couldn't be hot next series against the Mets and sweep them. It's still too close to call. The Mets are just having a good weekend. It happens with good teams. They look good.
I agree that tonight's game is big. If Pelfry can come out and pitch another solid game, it will solidify his role in the starting rotation. He is still fragile and every good outing builds his confidence. If he has a bad outing tonight, I'm not sure how he will handle that.
It's still way too early in the season to throw a monkey wrench in anyone's plans. There is still a long way to go before then. The Phillies have proven time after time to be a very resilient team. They have too many weapons. Rollins is hurt, Victorino is hurt, and Howard is slumping big time. The Mets haven't been blowing The Phillies out, so I'm not counting The Phillies out. After what happened last season I won't be comfortable until the last pitch of game 162 and The Mets are in the post-season.
i think it might be a little close to call for now, but the Mets are missing a good portion of their lineup and once again alou is on the DL. so i guess that you can say its even because it hurts just as much to miss rollins and it does to miss a guy that bats almost 400 for the last 3 months of the year.
Bottom line is - Mets and Phillies are both missing players - Phillies are missing Rollins, but Mets are missing not only Moises Alou, but Pedro Martinez, El Duque, and have also had Reyes out a couple games, Castillo out a couple games, and Beltran out a game - bottom line is the Mets have players that are stepping up and making it happen through the injuries and the Phillies are not....... Now don't get me wrong - I'm used to seeing the Phillies start out slow and make a run late in the season - so by no means does this searies win or lose the division for either team - but you have to admit Philly fan - it sure does make one hell of a statement....... LETS GO METS!!!
PeteSlappy - I stand right behind you in the Kool-Aid line bro - but I also know we have a long season ahead of us - if the kids can continue to step and handle their business - then this could be just as good if not better than the 86 Mets - and believe me that is my favorite Mets squad of all time.... Keep drinking the kool-aid - I'll pour mine from here... and lets hold on for one hell of a ride this season!
This rivalry is not BoSox/Yankees yet...maybe it will rival that one by the 2025 season after a couple of head-to-head playoff battles...but I agree with you Pete, I like the extra juice in the Mets playing the Phillies; as it should be.
It matches with my Devils/Flyers and Giants/Eagles rivalries too. No matter your sports affiliations, you gotta tip your hat to the Philly CheezSteak!
Was that a Mike Piazza jersey I brought to the Citizens Bank Construction Site? ;-)
This rivalry is not BoSox/Yankees yet...maybe it will rival that one by the 2025 season after a couple of head-to-head playoff battles...but I agree with you Pete, I like the extra juice in the Mets playing the Phillies; as it should be.
It matches with my Devils/Flyers and Giants/Eagles rivalries too. No matter your sports affiliations, you gotta tip your hat to the Philly CheezSteak!
Was that a Mike Piazza jersey I brought to the Citizens Bank Construction Site? ;-)
Manuel is doing his early season screw ups as he does every year. Why is Howard batting behind Utley instead of Burrell, so the line up can go L-R-L against Leftys. Thats not saying it would have changed the outcome of the games at all but it's just common sense. Seems like Howard has left 100 guys on base. He really should have been given a day off against Perez, to get his head back into the game.
