Just What the Mets Needed

Tuesday's game against the Braves had more drama than an episode of Law & Order, and it was all packed into the last 20 minutes.

Castillo makes a little league error. Then Delgado tops it by dropping the easiest fly ball you've ever seen. The Braves get the winning runs on base.

We've witnessed this all before. Actually, we've seen this unravel all too often, but this time it was different.

The Mets didn't lose.

The Mets got the tack on runs they needed. They saw some timely hitting with runners in scoring position. They saw some RBIs with 2 outs. They got a good pitching performance from their starting pitcher and the bullpen held on for the save.

In one game, the Mets did all the things they have failed to do for much of this season as well as the last two. This was far from playing the perfect game, but the Mets did enough to get the win in what has been the bain of their exisitence, Turner Field.

A sweep of the Braves, although it's only a 2 game series, is just what the Mets needed. Beltran continues to hit like Roy Hobbs. David Wright is starting to come around. The team appears to have a little more energy.

And it's just in time for a Santana start against the Phillies tomorrow.

Enjoy Carlos Beltran While It Lasts

Carlos Beltran is a force to be reckoned with...for now.

Like any good Mets Lifer, I realize that the good times only last for so long before utter and total disappointment enters the picture. But in the meantime, you have to enjoy what Carlos Beltran is doing.

Beltran is batting an even .400 on the season and belted a pair of home runs last night to help the Mets get the win that they desperately needed in the terror dome that is Turner Field.

It's not just the power hits that I'm enjoying, it's the way Beltran is swinging the bat that every time he steps up to the plate I'm almost positive that he's going to get a hit. He's hitting to all fields, finding the gaps, and assessing the situation to drive the ball to the right spot on the field.

Sure, he could learn to slide a little bit more.

I'm not expecting Beltran to continue this hot streak for the next 4 months. I even expect him to go 0 for 30 at some point during the season, but when a player finds a groove like this you have to sit back and enjoy the skill that it takes to be that "on" for an extended period of time.

It's Time to Root for the Braves

I know the thought of it is painful, but it's time to root for the Braves. It seems unholy as cheering for the Cowboys or Eagles, but believe me it's necessary.

The Phillies play the Braves 6 times over the next two weeks inbetween series with the Marlins and Nationals. The Braves could hold the Mets playoff chances in the palm of their hand, or they could roll over like the Brewers did this past weekend.

The haunting part about the remaining schedule for the Mets is that they have to make one last trip to Turner Field. That is the one place on earth where Mets hope goes to die. Okay, there are two places: Turner Field & the bullpen.

The remaining schedule for the Mets is not easy. There's a 7 game road trip to Washington & Atlanta. Then it's home against the Cubs for 4 games and you close out the season with the 3 against the Marlins at Shea.

14 games, no off days. In my mind, the Mets need to go 11-3 in order to win the pennant. I'll give them a loss in Atlanta, a loss to the Cubs, and a loss to the Marlins.  I think the Phillies are on a hot streak and will close out their remaining 12 games by going, 10-2. That would give the Mets a one-game lead to win the division.

It's going down to the wire folks. The Mets need to keep winning games. A sweep of the Nationals is a must.

Something You'll Never See as a Mets Fan

Here's video of something Mets fans will never see, a sweep of the Braves at Turner Field (also, timely hitting with runners in scoring position).