The Mets X Factors in 2008

We know what to expect from players like David Wright, Jose Reyes, and even Billy Wagner. We know that they'll go through slumps, but for the most part be the rock solid veteran players that we expect.

But on every team there are "x factors." Those players who aren't the focal point of a team. They aren't superstars, but they're performance just as much plays a role in the fate of a team as those who are the central focus of our opponents.

The list below is comprised of a few players in whom I feel will have a direct impact on the type of season the Mets have. Of course if Wright & Reyes have horrible seasons, then the Mets will suffer, but this is a list of complimentary players that need to succeed to support the season we expect from our marquee guys.

1. Pedro Martinez - Pedro used to be a marquee guy, but those days are gone. Sure he's the headliner on our pitching staff, a guaranteed Hall of Famer, but he needs to prove he's still the pitcher we know and love. Pedro showed excellent control in his few starts of 2007. Even though his velocity isn't there, his movement on his changeup and fastball still make him unhittable at times. The question will be if Pedro can give the Mets 25 starts. If he can, and he pitches like he did last year, the Mets are in a great position to win at least 15 starts. If not, we have a bigger hole in our starting rotation that we originally thought.

2. Moises Alou - I fully expect Moises Alou to miss 3 weeks of the 2008 season. If he misses more than that, we might have a problem. Alou proved last year that the Mets are a much, much better team with Alou in the 5 hole than without him. Alou gets hits and drives in runs. He's a hitting machine. Without him the Mets lack that RBI man in the middle of the lineup, especially if Delgado continues to struggle. Like El Duque, I'll give Alou a pass on a few weeks on the DL, but he can't miss 3 months like he did in 2007.

3. Ryan Church - Ryan Church has the opportunity to change a city in 2008. I don't think anyone really expects much from Ryan Church, but if he bats around .250 with 10 homers and 50 RBIs he might be run out of town (along with Omar Minaya). The trade for Church and Schneider was questionable at best, but if Church proves he has the talent Minaya believes he does we could have gotten a steal. Church needs to bat +.275 and be in the 20 homers/80 RBIs range to have an impact. Sure he'll probably bat in the 7th spot, but this is a corner outfielder were talking about. We should expect that to be a power position and if Church can't put up decent numbers, the Mets will be looking to fill a void come the trading deadline and could suffer offensively scoring runs down the stretch.

4. Marlon Anderson - Amidst the late collapse, the Mets found a true gem in the latter months of the 2007 season in Marlon Anderson. Anderson was a beast off the bench and seemed to play a pivotal role in nearly every comeback win the Mets had. Having a pinch hitter like that can help you win at least 10 games over the course of a season. Was Marlon Anderson's success one of those passing moments or can he produce of the bench consistently? If he can, the Mets have a leg up on pretty much every other team in the NL East as our bench will be significantly better with Anderson, Castro, & Chavez as the key bench players. If Anderson can't reproduce his 2007 success, the Mets will again be searching for a big bat off the bench come the trading deadline. And we all know how Jeff Conine worked out.

120 Pitches for Pedro

120 pitches. That's the number I'm looking to get from Pedro tonight. Keep that bullpen under lock and key. The Mets NEED, scratch that. The Mets MUST HAVE a win tonight.

I don't want to hear any more Willie Randolph quotes about "one game at a time" or "we're out there trying." Save your breath Willie. This team down right stinks right now. Period. You can't argue with that, and I dare you to try.

There is no defending this team. They have to defend themselves. The only way they can is by winning tonight. Then we'll worry about the next game.

Tonight is THE game. I don't want to see errors. I don't want to see Mota. I don't want to see blown leads. I want to see a WIN. A big fat "W" would shut me up mighty quickly. And boy am I dying to be quiet.

Pedro Martinez must pitch the game of his career. A no-hitter would be nice, but I won't push it.

Healthy Dose of Friday Night Lights

What a relief to see the Mets win. Well I sort of saw it. Down 3-0 I felt myself getting agitated. Much like Bryan just posted, I needed something to help take the edge off.

So I went out and got a copy of Friday Night Lights first season on DVD. Popped it in the DVD player and threw the Mets game on picture in picture from time to time while having ESPN's Gamecast on the laptop in front of me.

Thankfully the entire night was an enjoyable experience. Pedro pitched well. The Mets won even though they scared the living daylights out of me in the 8th inning when the Marlins cut it to 9-6 and I saw Scott Blowenweiss come in the 9th. And I got to watch what is probably the best TV show ever involving sports (still annoyed with Lila Garrity).

I'm planning on continuing this process through the weekend series with the Marlins. It seems to work, as long as the Mets win.

Pedro, You're Our Only Hope

I seriously feel like we need R2D2 to go over to Pedro Martinez and beam him Princess Lea's message, "Pedro, you're our only hope."

A win tonight is paramount. And if anyone can get this team rallied behind them, it's Pedro. The irony of this situation is the fact that all the TV analysts, radio talk show hosts, etc. have been saying all year that the Mets can't count on Pedro Martinez to be their saviour because he's not going to ready for that. And I have to admit I felt the same way.

Well throw that idea out the window. We need you Pedro (I'm very needy). Please come through. You're our only hope.

Mets Have Won 8 of 9 Since Philadelphia

The Mets swept the Houston Astros on Sunday afternoon behind another good showing from Pedro Martinez. Pedro has looked shaky at times, but what makes his performance great is his ability to get out of those jams without giving up a run.

Moises Alou provided another home run to help boost the Mets offense. By the way, what has Shawn Green been eating these days. All of a sudden he's a doubles machine which begs the question who would you rather have at first? Delgado or Green? Something to ponder.

This was actually the first series the Mets have swept at home this year which is unbelievable considering the Mets have been in first place since April. David Wright got a day off so be prepared to see team A back on the field when the Braves come into town tomorrow.

Also, does anyone find it surprising that DiFelice hasn't played in like a week, even with a day game after a night game on Saturday? I'm not complaining though.

Tough test for the Mets in the next two series as the Braves and Phillies roll into town. Hudson and Smoltz are expected to pitch for the Braves and you know the Phillies think they own us.

But for some reason, now more than ever, I have total confidence in this Mets team. What a difference 2 weeks make.

Happy Labor Day

Here's to hoping Pedro Martinez makes it an especially happy day for all Mets Lifers.

Bullpen Confidence

I was really surprised to visit Metsblog.com this afternoon and find this comment by uber-blogger Matthew Cerrone about the Mets bullpen:

"…every team in the league is having bullpen issues…that, plus knowing how October is a total crapshoot, and i believe the Mets can certainly win a World Series with the bullpen they have…that being said, like most teams, it could use a few improvements, to say the least…"

Wow. That's more confidence than I have in the bullpen. Cerrone goes on to layout his case and some of his points I can agree with. Every team in the NL has bullpen issues. The Braves might be in the best situation, but they just got rid of Wickman and Soriano has been known to blow a game or two. A good bullpen is hard to find and even on WFAN this afternoon they talked about the Mets bullpen being the "least worst" bullpen in the NL.

Is this the same bullpen I'm watching?

I don't think the Mets need to go spend millions on a bullpen guy right now, but something should have been done before the trading deadline. Also, where is Joe Smith? The Mets sent him down because he was struggling a bit? Have they seen Guillermo Mota lately? Joe Smith should be back for September call ups but I think he should have been up sooner.

Sosa has been the lone bright spot, outside of Wagner, and he's earned the job as the 7th/8th inning guy. Outside of him, it depends on what day of the week it is to figure out who's going to pitch well. I've thought about putting Pedro Martinez in the bullpen when he comes back, but with his arm I don't think he can handle pitching every other day even if it's just for a few batters.

I was planning on posting about how the Mets can cut their rotation down to 4 (or even 3) when the playoffs roll around, but I'm nervous talking about the playoffs the way things are going of late.

If the Mets take the next two, and win 2 out of 3 from the Braves, I'll feel a lot better about the postseason.

Did Pedro Martinez Fix Guillermo Mota?

Pedro Martinez while rehabbing in the minors was watching the Mets play and specifically Guillermo Mota pitch. Pedro caught something that he thought was causing Mota to struggle and give away his change up. He said that Mota's stride to the plate was too short causing him to lose momentum on his pitches.

So Pedro called up Guy Conti and told him. According to Conti, Mota has been showing significant improvement. In fact a miracle happened last night, Mota pitched two scoreless innings!

Now am I to believe that simply lengthening Mota's stride will rid me of the angst I experience while watching Mota pitch? Is it really that simple? All those blown games and runs were because Mota shortened his stride?

Maybe. But if so what in the world are we paying Rick Peterson for?

I'm not convince yet that the Mota problem is fixed, but I'm hopeful. At the very least it makes me happy to hear Pedro is keeping up with the Mets and feels invested in this team to make a call to help one of his fellow teammates.

Maybe Pedro can pick up what's wrong with Delgado?