You can’t get even in April for a loss in the postseason, but it was nonetheless satisfying to see the Mets dismember the defending World Champion Cardinals this week. It was doubly amusing (given how the World Series played out) to see them undone in significant part by appalling outfield defense (surprisingly, mostly not involving DH Chris Duncan). And the Mets have showcased some solid starting pitching and really tremendous work up the middle by Reyes, Valentin and (of course) Beltran.
It’s a long season, but 3-0 and a 2.5 game lead over the Phillies is a good start.
4 thoughts on “Broom, Broom, Broom”
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Maine looked very sharp last night and the team as a whole appears, in the early going, to be more confident as a group than last April.
Defense is one of those things that have fewer slumps. Never forget that when Whitey Herzog had to improve the Card pitching staff, he traded Templeton for Ozzie (yes Templeton had to go anyway). A team that allows only 27 outs in a game improves the pitching incredibly. I would then expect the double plays to go down: good teams don’t have enough baserunners against them to turn as many.
I was also impressed that they took advantage of the Card errors. You get that extra out and use it, that’s a great sign.
I hope Willie (and Valentin, himself) don’t give up on ‘Stache and his hitting slump. He’s a streaky hitter and he’ll get on track to some degree.
But his D is sweet, and that’s what they need with so many good bats around him.
And Maine was stellar last night.
I never worry about Philly. Just the Atlanta franchise.