The Race to a NL East Pennant Part 1

On June 18, the New York Mets were 35-36, 5.5 games back from the first place Phillies, and in fourth place. This was the day they fired Willie Randolph, and were looking to change the atmosphere of the clubhouse. Jerry Manuel was appointed the interim manager for this season, when many criticized Omar Minaya for firing Willie Randolph when the Mets traveled to Los Angeles to take on the Angels. Willie was told after the game, and had to fly back to New York.



Today, on September 1, things have changed. The Mets are now 76-61, in first place, and 1 game ahead of the "Phightin' Phils". Guys like Carlos Delgado and Mike Pelfrey turned it around in the second half of the season and are one reason why the Metropolitans are in first place. Johan Santana is now 12-7 with a 2.70 ERA, and Ryan Church has returned into the lineup after the concussion he received earlier in the season. Fernando Tatis has been one of the biggest pickups for Minaya this season, batting .293 with 11 homeruns and 43 RBI's.

However, the Mets have a problem that's bigger than Achilles' heel. Billy Wagner, their relying closer, has been out and the Mets are having trouble finding a replacement, and Aaron Heilman is not their solution because he makes every lefty hit well against him (.315 this season). Luis Ayala, who was picked up by Minaya after the trading deadline almost blew the game against the Marlins (when Beltran hit a grandslam in the top of the ninth) when he gave up 4 hits and 2 runs. Luckily, he got out of it.

I could go on and on about the Mets woes in the bullpen, but I'm not. Why: Because their is no qualified reliever to be the closer. Jerry Manuel will have to do this:

1. Mix and match relievers on their way to victory, and out-slug their bullpen problems

2. Find someone in the minors that can help this closer dilemma when the 40 man roster comes out.

The Mets have the starting pitching and the hitting to win games, and do well in the postseason. But they have to do well in every inning, not just 7. It puts the pressure on the starters to go deep into the game because they don't want a catastrophe in the 8th inning. Defense may win championships, but you have to get it done in the late innings as well.

The Mets have a crucial week these next seven days that could help of hurt their playoff hopes. They play Milwaukee away for three games and then back at home against Philadelphia. They have to find a way to stop their bullpen woes because that might be the ultimate reason why the Mets are playing October baseball, or sitting on the couch watching their 40 inch plasma screens.