Hunt for October: Can the Mets pull it off?

by BarryDeJay33 on Sep 15, 2008 10:50 AM EDT

With a one game lead over the Phillies in the NL East and the next seven games on the road, the Mets certainly dont have an easy road into the playoffs. Despite the fact the next seven are against the Nats and Braves, the Mets have struggled to get the job done against the scum of the NL East. This past weekend the Braves took two of three from the Amazin's and they certainly had their problems against the Nats. If the Mets have any hope of making the playoffs, the bulpen must step up. Despite the struggles, I strongly believe that the Mets can get the job done with guys they have. Although he blew the lead yesterday new closer Luis Ayala has been pretty solid and has been the key to the Mets late season serge. Along with the MVP Carlose Delgado, Ayala has closed out games that would have been lost by the likes of Aaron Heilman. With the 40 man roster, the Mets have more than enough to get the job done in the bulpen as Joe Smith and Duaner Sanchez have found their stride (its about time). Despite his recent struggles rookie Brian Stokes has been dominant and has filled a huge hole. Also lurking are the likes of Al Reyes and Juan Rincon who are proven guys. Dont be suprised to see the Mets in this years as well as being a tough team to beat with strong bats and dominant starting pitching.

Poll

Can the Mets make the playoffs with the bulpen they have?

Yes

9 votes

No

14 votes

23 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Yes

But it will require Dub, CarlosB and CarlosD hitting two three-run homers per game for the duration.

"The people of Houston are spending money like oil's selling at $40 a barrel."

by IanB in MD on Sep 15, 2008 11:58 AM EDT reply actions

Sure

Because they can’t really make the playoffs with any other bullpen at this point.

'Catsmeat!' he cried. 'I see it all. It was that chump, Catsmeat.'

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Sep 15, 2008 12:14 PM EDT reply actions

No.

I just don’t trust the pen right now. There’s no shutdown reliever who we can trust to come in and get us out of a jam. There’s too many specialists, and too little quality. Maybe, maybe we can get through the first round with just good starting pitching and our hitting. But surviving the NLCS with our bullpen in this state is highly unlikely.

by BobbyV_Incognito on Sep 15, 2008 7:09 PM EDT reply actions

Yes

Mets pen > Brewers pen.
Mets record = Brewers record.
Mets’ interim manager’s tenure > Brewers’ interim manager’s tenure.

The (irrelevant) shocker: Mets’ first baseman’s OPS > Brewers’ first baseman’s OPS.

Thanks to the Phils sweeping the Brewers, we have two shots to make the playoffs now. Good going, Philly.

Talkin' Sports

by BlackOps on Sep 15, 2008 7:33 PM EDT reply actions

Can they?

Sure.

Will they? Who knows.

by JoshNY on Sep 16, 2008 10:24 AM EDT reply actions

"Carlose Delgado"

That kind of negative thinking can’t help, but I kinda feel it too.

However, while the bullpen is not great, I think they have been underperforming because they can’t possibly be as bad as they’ve been playing. They’re bound to have an upswing. I just hope it’s soon.

by mmxii on Sep 16, 2008 11:19 AM EDT reply actions

The margin is too close...

…for sheer talent to prevail at this point.

Baseball is too random for the “best team” to win based on talent alone.

All we (and Milwaukee and Philly) can do at this point is appeal to the baseball g_ds.

We weren’t good enough to eliminate the “luck factor”. At this point, we are at the mercy of chance.

by Omar21 on Sep 17, 2008 9:11 AM EDT reply actions

"Baseball is too random for the "best team" to win based on talent alone."

I meant to say, “Baseball is too random for the "best team" to win over the course of a 10 game period, based on talent alone.”

by Omar21 on Sep 17, 2008 9:12 AM EDT reply actions

can they pull it off?

Sure. All they need is Milwaukee to choke worse than they do. Power of positive thinking!

Also, let’s be thankful that the lineup full of Erstads, Bourns, and Ausmuses in Houston wasn’t enough. The Astros appear done.

Vote change: DePodesta/Acta in 2009!!!

by Greenpoint Ian on Sep 18, 2008 12:19 PM EDT reply actions

After the loss to the Cubs

Do we want to see them in the playoffs? Of course we do. Anything is still possible, but w/the METS anything other than stellar play I guess losing in the playoffs will be easier to accept because we know that they truly stink.

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Sep 23, 2008 12:18 AM EDT reply actions