Mets Obsessed Like a Drug Addiction but Without the Highs

Strangely Optimistic

My post when we hit bottom in Atlanta a few months ago, Always look on the bright side of life, was sarcastic. This isn't.

Yes, the following are all true:

• We just got shutout 4-0, completing a sweep, extending our losing streak to 4, and dropping us 3 games behind the red-hot Phillies, 9 days after having a 2 game lead.
• John Maine was just placed on the DL. Billy Wagner may follow. Ryan Church still hasn't begun rehab.
• We're in the middle of a pennant race, and we have veteran castaways starting at second and right, and 3 guys who were in AA last week are now our primary left fielder (platooning with a guy who was in AA two months ago), starting pitcher (probably) and late inning reliever.
• Among our starters, Pelfrey and Perez just had bad starts, Maine is on the DL, and Pedro, just off the DL, gave up 3 homers in 5 innings. Pelfrey is about to throw far more innings than he ever has before, and he is expected to drop off.
• The bullpen is a disaster. They're mostly responsible for the dreadful roadtrip. Sanchez is hurt. Wagner is hurt. Heilman is overworked. Muniz has struggled.

And yet .. strangely optimistic.

• I thought most of those AA guys would be in Pittsburgh or somewhere by now, but we not only kept them, we brought them up. And not the useless but publicity-generating call-up that F-Mart would have been (maybe we're just lucky he's hurt) but the guys that look like they can help now.
• I have a lot more confidence in the starting rotation than others do. Perez threw just 67 pitches yesterday through 6 innings (before getting pinch hit for). 3 strikeouts, 0 walks. 1 solo HR, and one 4 straight-hit (one of which should have been caught) 2 out rally. Stuff happens. He had a hell of a July. I'm happy to have him in the rotation. I'm confident in Maine and Pelfrey. Santana's performance has been underrated because of insane expectations and lack of offensive or bullpen support. He's having a great year. Pedro -- his velocity is back, I'm happy to have him back. Niese as the #6 man -- can't wait to see him. In short, I take our starting rotation over any in the National League, and certainly over the Phillies.
• Mets.com called yesterday's game a lackluster loss. That's not what I saw. Yes, there were some bad moments. But mostly the Mets were getting men on, and then hitting the ball hard but right at people.
• Yesterday's error by Kunz was the Mets first in 12 games. And even on that play, Easley's heads up and hustling play got the lead runner at third. Earlier he made a nice play up the middle. Wright made a nice play earlier. Evans got 2 outfield assists on beautiful plays. Tatis looked good out there.
• I'm not expecting Castillo to have a Delgado like turnaround. And I can't believe he's on the first year of a 4-year deal. But I think Mets bloggers and fans are giving up on him too soon. There's a good chance this man comes back and starts again doing what he does best: getting on base. Hopefully the big question in a couple of weeks is whether Castillo, Church, or Beltran hits second. With any of those choices, I think it's a strong lineup. Reyes, Wright, and Delgado have been doing it. Tatis and Castro have been strong. If Beltran, Church, and Castillo can join them, this team should score some runs.
• The bullpen is the biggest concern. But it's good to see that Manuel and Wharthen have the starters pitching more efficiently and going deeper. Smith has been good, though recently unlucky. Kunz has the advantage of not having been seen before. A lot depends on Wagner and Sanchez's recoveries.
• The Wild Card is in play. I wouldn't be surprised if the Brewers, Cards, and Marlins all struggle, making the Wild Card attainable should we phail to catch the Phils.

In short, I'm optimistic for this year. I'm also optimistic for the coming years. I'm so much happier to see the team building around Kunz, Murpy, Evans, and Niese (with F-Mart safely tucked away) than trading those guys for Ibanez or Bay or Manny. Of course, I'd still love to get somebody like Giles on waivers.

Maybe I'm just drinking the Kool-Aid. But despite all the things going wrong, I'm optimistic this morning. I hope it lasts.

About Gil Reich

Mets Obsessed since 1977.