Mets Chop Chipper-less Braves
The Mets started their mini-Southern road trip by doing the Braves “dirty”. The three-game sweep played to the same script on consecutive days. The Mets would jump out to a big lead then the Braves either tied or came close to tying, then the Mets would score more runs. For the Braves, the injury to the insult: Chipper Jones’ re-injuring his Oblique.
Jones’ absence essentially ended any real chance the Braves had in the series, to catch the division-leading Mets or possibly a Wild Card spot.
The sweep allows the Mets to put a history of Braves’ dominance behind, even if only for the year. With today’s looming trade deadline, the series confirmed NY has three dominant pitchers for the post-season. After rocky early innings for Pedro Martinez and Orlando Hernandez, both settled down and threw to form, confounding hitters with a combination of placement and speed.
Tom Glavine had the opportunity to do the same in yesterday’s finale, but he seems to be in dire need of the rest granted (or ordered to) Pedro. Glavine’s pattern of pitching for half of the year seems to be repeating itself, but unlike last year, the poor half is occurring in the second half of the season.
The Mets have the luxury of allowing Glavine to skip two turns in the rotation.
- A huge lead in the division
- Consistent, productive hitters
- Five other quality starting pitchers, of which two youngsters (John Maine, and Mike Pelfrey) needing more tests to determine whether they're ready for the post-season spotlight.
Though the Mets have shown versatility and power in their hitting, pitching is the key to post-season dominance. After knocking the chip off
posted by Guichard Cadet @ 8:56 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
I hear the Mets are interested in both Jason Schmidt and Roy Oswalt. I think they should be. I would feel very uncomfortable with Glavine as the #2 started going into a playoff series. However, based on his post season track record, and tendancy to come through in the big spot, El Duque could be a big factor in the playoffs.
I agree with you, they better get Galvine some rest.
Both trade possibilities have been reported, with Oswalt the more likely, which was still unlikely.
Today's injury to Sanchez and subsequent trade of Nady to the Pirates shows why it's best to be patient when it comes to pawning off top prospects.
Having Milledge enabled the team to confidently move Nady who was having a very good year. Though Nady was inconsitent at times with the bat - mainly due to the appendix surgery throwing off his rhythm - his fielding was top-notch... hence he fetched decent value.
We get Hernandez back who I felt we should have re-signed but the Pirates made a better offer. Plus, we get a young pitcher for Rick Peterson to work his magic.
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