Sunday, July 04, 2004
M-E-T-S! Mets! Mets! Mets!
Coming into games on July 4th, the Mets are tied for second in the NL East, 2 games behind Philadelphia and ahead of Florida .5063 to .5062 in winning percentage. Given the way the Mets started off the season, this is pretty surprising, but lackluster efforts by would-be frontrunners Philly and Florida and a recent resurgence by New York has made things interesting in the East.
New York is 10-5 in their last 15 games. This more or less coincides with the arrival of Richard Hidalgo to the Big Apple. Hidalgo has hit 6 homers with New York in 14 games and 55 AB, after hitting only 4 in 58 games and 199 AB with Houston. I'm sure Astros fans are wondering where that punch was while Hidalgo was in Houston. If he can rediscover the form that allowed him to slug .575 with Houston last year, the middle of the Mets lineup of Mike Piazza, Cliff Floyd, and Hidalgo can do some serious damage. The Mets had enough bullpen depth that they were able to part with David Weathers, and Hidalgo will be a steal if he gives New York a big bat in the 5-hole for the remainder of the season.
We're going to find out soon whether this resurgence is for real or just a bubble about to undergo a market correction. The Mets' next 13 games are against the Phillies (8) and Marlins (5). The Mets have Tom Glavine, Al Leiter, and Steve Trachsel ready for the first three games of the 4-game series starting tomorrow in Philly, and can probably set their rotation so that Trachsel, Glavine, and Leiter start the 4-game Philly series in New York right after the break. At the very least Glavine and Leiter will pitch in the final two games, depending on if they make the All-Star team and how they are used. These upcoming games will undoubtedly decide whether New York becomes a buyer or a seller in the July trade market.
posted by Tom Renbarger 10:53 AM
