It's a confidence game
Nine wins in a row. Four shutouts in six games. Just four runs and only 20 hits allowed in those six games.
Two-out hits. Three-run homers. Brilliant bullpen work. Guys stepping up off the bench.
Yes, these are the same New York Mets that Willie Randolph commanded through the first 2 1/2 months of the season, but the attitude and the vibe and the results are much, much different. Certainly credit Jerry Manuel for being able to reach the players and take control of what was a terrible situation. Credit Omar Minaya (it was "his call," remember) for pulling the trigger and giving Manuel and Warthen et al a crack at turning things around.
And credit the players for being able to shake off the doldrums and start playing the way we've been expecting them to play all along.
Particularly Mike Pelfrey, who is pitching like an ace. Big Pelf hasn't allowed a run in 16 innings and has thrown back-to-back shutouts, winning six straight starts. He was dominant again Sunday night on ESPN, going eight innings and allowing no walks and seven hits with five strikeouts and 15 ground ball outs (including three double plays - one featuring a terrific turn by Easley).
Again, the Mets grabbed the lead early and gave their starter something to work with, again with a three-run homer, this time by Carlos Beltran. And again, they kept adding to the lead, with a single by Reyes in the second, a sac fly by Evans in the fourth and then a two-run homer by Delgado in the fifth, an absolute bomb.
In a season where so much was negative, there's plenty of positives. Every Mets starter has a winning record. The bullpen is looking better and better. Reyes is the first player in history to have 10 homers, 10 triples, 20 doubles, 40 RBI and 30 steals before the All-Star break (according to ESPN last night).
Sure, Pedro's shoulder barked Saturday (in a one-hitter by committee against the Rockies) but he insists it'll be fine. We'll see. The second half has a much easier travel schedule and, perhaps, the cloud of the collapse has finally blown away. Enjoy the break, and we'll look for two of three in Cincy.
Two-out hits. Three-run homers. Brilliant bullpen work. Guys stepping up off the bench.
Yes, these are the same New York Mets that Willie Randolph commanded through the first 2 1/2 months of the season, but the attitude and the vibe and the results are much, much different. Certainly credit Jerry Manuel for being able to reach the players and take control of what was a terrible situation. Credit Omar Minaya (it was "his call," remember) for pulling the trigger and giving Manuel and Warthen et al a crack at turning things around.
And credit the players for being able to shake off the doldrums and start playing the way we've been expecting them to play all along.
Particularly Mike Pelfrey, who is pitching like an ace. Big Pelf hasn't allowed a run in 16 innings and has thrown back-to-back shutouts, winning six straight starts. He was dominant again Sunday night on ESPN, going eight innings and allowing no walks and seven hits with five strikeouts and 15 ground ball outs (including three double plays - one featuring a terrific turn by Easley).
Again, the Mets grabbed the lead early and gave their starter something to work with, again with a three-run homer, this time by Carlos Beltran. And again, they kept adding to the lead, with a single by Reyes in the second, a sac fly by Evans in the fourth and then a two-run homer by Delgado in the fifth, an absolute bomb.
In a season where so much was negative, there's plenty of positives. Every Mets starter has a winning record. The bullpen is looking better and better. Reyes is the first player in history to have 10 homers, 10 triples, 20 doubles, 40 RBI and 30 steals before the All-Star break (according to ESPN last night).
Sure, Pedro's shoulder barked Saturday (in a one-hitter by committee against the Rockies) but he insists it'll be fine. We'll see. The second half has a much easier travel schedule and, perhaps, the cloud of the collapse has finally blown away. Enjoy the break, and we'll look for two of three in Cincy.
posted by Gaspo @ 6:19 AM
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