Read the opposing arguments from Sports Geek and Bleacher Fan.
I was contemplating over this debate for a day or so. The strong play of the Padres and the extension of Ryan Howard’s contract were issues that originally came to mind. But you know, I thought about how the first 20 games of the season had gone, and I must say it became clear to me what I must argue. The most surprising move in April is the move of the New York Mets to first place.
If you will recall, back on April 19, I said that Omar Minaya was on the hot seat. And I still think he may be, so I am not letting him off the hook. But after ten games at the start of the season, I recall thinking to myself, “My gosh, the Mets are the worst team in the league. They are worse than the Pirates and Nationals!”
At the time the lineup was really struggling. Jose Reyes was not back to full strength. Jason Bay was hitting under .200. The only guy hitting at the time was Jeff Francoeur. It was a lineup that consisted of eight easy outs. And while the lineup still isn’t hitting like it is capable, it is definitely getting there. Jerry Manuel mixed things up a bit. He slotted Reyes in the third spot in the lineup, in front of Jason Bay, David Wright, prized rookie Ike Davis, and Francoeur – and it has worked. The Mets are riding a six game winning streak and currently sit a half-game ahead of the Phillies for first place in the East.
Davis has definitely been a spark for the team. Since getting called up on April 19 he has hit .333 and the Mets have gone 8-1. He has been a stabilizing force at first base, a position the Mets have had a surprisingly tough time filling in recent years with the injuries to former first baseman Carlos Delgado. For all of the attention Braves rookie Jason Heyward has gotten so far, especially from yours truly, Davis is quietly making an early splash, so don’t hand that rookie of the year trophy to Heyward just yet.
The pitching staff has been surprisingly strong in the beginning also. We all know how dominant Johan Santana can be. That is not a shock. But did anyone think that Mike Pelfrey would be 4-0 with an ERA at 0.69 at this point? This is MIKE PELFREY, guys! Now I am certainly not insisting that I think he will keep that up. He has not become Santana, Roy Halladay, or Ubaldo Jimenez overnight. Pelfrey has helped pace the Mets pitching staff to an overall ERA of 3.11 through Tuesday’s action, which is currently good enough for third in the league. Keep in mind that coming into the season the pitching staff was supposedly a weak spot.
It is most definitely early, and the Mets will be having a key “measuring stick” battle this weekend with the Phillies. But for the first 20 games of the season the surge of the Mets from worst to first has been the biggest move. And remember, there is a guy on the disabled list named Carlos Beltran who will provide a big boost when and IF he returns.
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