Three down, Three to go

Well, goodness.  We staggered through that least week of Interleague play, and we improved on our lead over the month of June.

TEAM W  L  PCT  GB  HOME  ROAD  L-10  STREAK  
 Mets 51  34  .600  -  25-16  26-18  4-6  W-3  
 
 Philly 38  46  .452  12.5  19-25  19-21  3-7  L-2  
 
 Atlanta 38  48  .442  13.5  19-22  19-26  6-4  W-2  
 
 Fla 36  46  .439  13.5  18-20  18-26  4-6  L-1  
 
 Wash 38  49  .437  14  20-21  18-28  5-5  W-1 

The Braves moved up in the last week after a hugely bad June.  How good was teh month? Well, a month ago we had a 5 game lead on the Braves and Phils.  At this rate, we’ll have a sparkling 20 game lead come September 1.  That’d be pretty sweet.

Okay, it may be cocky, but I started growing my “playoff beard”.  Okay, I just didn’t shave over the July 4 holiday, and haven’t yet, so my excuse was that.  I liked it, and since I can’t grow a beard, and it looks hideous, I’m sticking with it until the missus says otherwise.  I think you guys should do the same.  Another reason to start growing one was Orel Hershiser declaring so on a ESPN telecast last week.  It sent some fans on teh STATLG-L into a tizzy about how that’s a bit early and all, but really - our collapse would be Bostonian or Philadelphian.  We also have just a ridiculous amount of talent.

Okay, I am a little worried about Pedro, and I hope three weeks off - is it three weeks - is just the thing to get him ready to go fo rthe last 75 games.  That should be about 15 starts for him.  However, if Pedro comes up lame after teh Break, I’m betting we land a frontline starter.  Maybe Pelfrey shows up as ready as Wright did and we don’t have to.

Mets Pitcher of the Month for June
The Mets Pitcher of the Month for June will be awarded at tonight’s Marlins’ game (July 7).  And the winner is:

Steve Trachsel.  Trax posted a 4-0 record in June with a 4.30 ERA.  He also won his sixth straight last night over the Pirates.  Way to go, Steve!  Keep it coming!

We all know the Mets are stealing a bunch of bases and that Reyes leads the league - er, MLB, with 39.  But did you know that the Mets steal at an 83% rate as a whole?  That’s not just a lot of SBs, that’s a bunch of smart SBs.  I’ve done considerable managerial research, and 83% for the team is a very strong showing.

Did you know the Mets lead the majors in outfield assists?  Crazy, huh?  Part of that is teams are always behind and have to take more chances, and part of it is underrated outfielders.  It is always a bonus to erase a guy who didn’t have to be going.

Up Next:

We have four games with the Fish and then the All-Star Break.  The Fish are 13.5 back, and could *concievably* close to 9.5 games.  It isn’t likely, but it could happen.  At worst, we go into the reak with a 9 game lead in the division, and that’s impressive, considering the turmoil in teh back end of our rotation.

The Fish are throwing Dontrelle tonight against Jose Lima.  Let’s hope Lima finds some magic against the rookie lineup.

Tomorrow is a doubleheader with John Maine and Mike Pelfrey.  I don’t think they have decided which game which guy was starting.  I’d start the fireballer in the brightest sunshine.  IIRC, that is a big benefit for fastballers.  They’ll face Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco.  It’s a big day for rookies.

Sunday is Glavine going for his 12th win against Scott Olsen, another LHP.

We play the Fish 19 times over the season, and thus far we’ve done well (4-1).  They have been a hot team and a cold team.  Hopefully, they show up cold tonight.

Lima pitched pretty well in Norfolk, with some really good starts at AAA.  He had a couple of bads, but he gets shots because he does well there, and once was a good MLB pitcher.

It’s nearly game time, and I have to get my scorecard ready.

Let’s go Mets!