Preview: Crucial Week Ahead

This week the Mets head on the road to take on the 1st place Braves and 2nd place Phillies in back to back series. If the Mets are going to make the playoffs this year, they must do some damage this week. Currently they trail 1st place ATL by 6.5 games and 2nd place PHI by 4 games. Taking 2 0f 3 in each series is a must. They cannot settle for another par or sub par road trip. The ownership, management, and players all know what is at stake this week. The team is playing for their season. If the team cannot get up for this week, then they shouldn't be playing the game at all.

I think Jerry Manuel should consider a few things when making out the lineup cards for these games. I feel Angel Pagan must be moved down in the order to the 6th spot. The Mets have gotten absolutely no production from the 4-9 spots in their lineup. All the production has come from Reyes, Pagan and Wright. Moving Pagan down to the 6th hole will give him more oppertunities to be a run producer rather than a table setter. He has been one of the best hitters with runners in scoring position all year, Manuel needs to take advantage of this by using Pagan in a spot where he can drive more runs in.

Second, if Manuel is going to play Luis Castillo, he must bat him in the number 2 spot. Castillo is worthless anywhere else. The other spot that he has hit this year has been 8th. This is not a good spot for him because OBP and bunting is such an important part of his game. He is not a run producer. He is more valuable as table setter. Id rather have a guy who is less patient at the plate such as Francoeur in the 8th spot. Alteast if their are runners in scoring position he will swing the bat.

Third, Manuel must let his starters go deep into the game. The Mets starting rotation which was such a concern coming into the year, is now considered a strength. He needs to let them go that extra inning if their pitch count is within reason. For example, if Santana is through 8 Innings while throwing 117 pitches, I would let him go out for the 9th. Francisco Rodriguez is no longer an automatic save. How many times this season has Manuel pulled his starter too early because of a somewhat high pitch count. You can't manage just by numbers. You have to have a feel for the game. Especially with guys like Santana or Dickey. They know when they can keep going. If Santana says I want to finish, then Manuel needs to let him finish. Thats why hes the ace and gets the big money.

Its time for this team to prove that they belong with the top teams in the league. They have the opportunity this week. I hope they bring their "A" game. Good luck gentleman. LETS GO METS!