Mets Fail 1st Test, Look To Pass 2nd One To Open Shea

So it wasn't a very good series for the Mets in Atlanta, losing 2 games with one being rained out on Friday. The Braves beat our best two pitchers in their homestand, and gained nothing but confidence for what they can do for the rest of the season. For the Mets it seems to have put doubt into some fans head that we cant get past the Braves again in Atlanta, even with our Ace going 7 strong innings.

Johan did pitch great, and Maine looked like he was over throwning all game, he did hit 97 mph on the gun at times. Yes, i thought the Mets should have atleasted spilt the two games but even with sweep I am not to worried yet. I mean come on its April.....

The Mets will be hosting the last opening day at Shea tomorrow against maybe their newest and biggest rivials, the Phillies. The Mets will be sending out Oliver Perez in the home opener to get the team back on track. Mets hitters need to start getting on base more often to create scoring oppotunities. In the two game series versus the Braves they only collected 4 walks. That doesn't help the middle of the lineup drive in runs. The pitching matchup for the home opener will look like this:

Perez Vs Moyer
Pelfrey Vs Kendrick
Maine Vs Eaton

We catch a break in the home opener and don't have to face either Hamels or Meyers for the first series with the Phillies. Although he Phillies don't have to face Santana. Hopefully the Mets take it to the Phillies and show them that they aren't mentally afriad of them and are a force to be wrecken with.

5th Starter???? Who's It Going To Be?

Looking at the way the season starts this year, the Mets may not need a 5th starter until after the home opening series against the Phillies. So where does that leave the Mets and who they take with them back home to Shea. Many baseball people say that Pelfrey hasn't done enough this spring to make manger Willie Randolph think hard enough to make it a race for the 5th spot. The only hope I think Pelfrey has is that he shines in his last few spring starts going at least 5 or 6 innings in each of them and hope El Duque struggles to make it back. Right now El Duque is set to make another simulated start before going into a live game. With only a few weeks left for spring baseball, El Duque will most likely be left back in Port St. Lucie when the Mets make their trip to Miami to start the season. He will get an extra start or two in PSL and should be ready for the home stand in the second and third week of the regular season, which will most likely mean Pelfery will be back in New Orleans with the Triple A team.

Personally i don't know who i want to be the 5th starter. Yes, we need to see what Pelfrey can bring as a starter on the Major League level for a full season. But if El Duque can pitch the way he pitched for most of last season I would have to say I want El Duque every fifth day. If he can't produce on that level then I am comfortable giving Pelfrey the spot. All I can do is thank the lord for the Mets not giving Kyle Loshe almost $5 million a year like the Cardinals did to be our 5th or 6th starter. Thank You Omar!!!!!