metsfansforlife:

There is an article in the Wall Street Journal titled “Four Ways Mets Could Blow It”.  Gotta love the pessimists, but they do raise some interesting points…

“1. Jose Reyes gets hurt again.”

He was wincing and stretching out his right side after sliding back into second base and [thankfully] sat out the All-Star game so rest was certainly needed.  As long as his hamstrings hold up, Reyes will continue to be a pest of a lead off hitter and a terror on the bases.  Jose needs to ditch the head-first slide and go in feet-first from now on.  He is the Mets premier spark plug and his loss could very well result in a turn for the worse for the Mets.

“2. They misjudge the depth of their starting rotation.”

Johan Santana is making $20,144,707 this season for a very good reason.  The notorious late-bloomer had 3 June starts, giving up only 1 run in 23 IP for a 0.39 ERA.  Johan ain’t back; he’s been here the whole time!  Expect this man to put on a second-half show. 

Mike Pelfrey is 10-4, but is 2-3 in his last 5 starts and has seen his ERA jump from 2.69 to 3.58.  He needs to take command of the first inning and let them come one at a time.

R.A. Dickey is a modern surgical miracle eating up inning after inning and riding his multi-speed knuckleball into the Mets record books.  Critics cry fairy tale, but the knuckleball is so damn unpredictable.  Will continue to eat innings and if he remains true to the various speed knuckleball, should continue to see success.

Jon Niese is sporting a respectable 6-3, 3.61 ERA and also can claim credit for a one-hit shutout.  Niese had a very impressive June after returning from aggravating his surgically repaired hamstring.  He went 4-0 with a 2.67 ERA in June and is 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA in July.  Hamstrings are tough to come back from, but as long as it holds up, Niese should continue to be able to take the ball deep into the game.

Hisanori Takahashi is 7-3 with a 4.15 ERA and was touched up in June going 2-1 despite a 5.79 ERA (18 ER / 28 IP).  He’s going to need the bullpen’s help, but will remain in the starting rotation lest the Mets make a trade.

John Maine joins the roster of Pitchers Who Blew Their Arm Out Young In New York.

Oliver Perez is a mess and should donate a bunch of his salary.

“3. They place too many eggs in Carlos Beltran’s basket.”

The biggest concern for the Mets is disrupting a working lineup.  Pagan is playing like a true veteran in center now and though probably does not mind a move to left, we expect Francoeur to be a good sport too.  If Beltran does not perform, expect Frenchy (and all of NY media) to speak up.  Hopefully all the Galea crap is done with from the players perspective.  Carlos better be ready and he probably is.

“4. Jason Bay never comes around.”

 Bay only has 6 home runs, but does have 19 doubles, 6 triples, 44 RBIs, 46 Runs, and 40 BBs.  He’s a quiet guy in the loudest place in the world.  The change in ball park is an instrumental factor apparent by not only the lack of home runs, but also an increase in triples, as he has already tied his career high (2005).  He could hit 10 home runs in a week and the discussion would be out the window, but even if he only hit 10 more for the rest of the year, as long as his run production and glove remain steady, he will still be a contributing factor.