The Impressive New York Mets?
I have seen many articles on the New York Mets good start to the season, but I am writing this one because it has taken me so long to come around to believing the New York Mets won’t falter down the stretch. The early problems I had with the Mets was their easy schedule to date and the number of close games they have been able to pull out. Those numbers show clearly from a betting perspective as the Mets are +653 units SU but -505 units on the run line.
The weakness for the team has shown to be the back end of the starting rotation. Tom Glavine, Pedro Martinez and Steve Trachsel have taken care of business for the New York Mets, but the four and five spots have been struggling as of late with Jeremi Gonzales and Jose Lima. I would be surprised to see Lima on this team come June.
The New York Mets are finding out that spending that New York money pays off. But they have to remember that not only are they playing second fiddle to the Yankees, they’re up against a team that has won their division 14 straight times.
In the last two years, the New York Mets have made high dollar pickups in Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, and Billy Wagner. The money spent has paid off with a 23-14 start, which leads the NL East. However, the improved Phillies and the proven Braves have their eyes set on the Mets and it could only be a matter of time until they dethrone the division “favorites.”
The New York Mets have only played four teams with winning records in their path to the top of the division. It will be interesting to see how the Mets react when forced to play the tougher competition in the National League. One thing for sure, the Mets are playing outstanding defense and rank 5th overall in the Majors.
While New York Mets defense has been outstanding their offensive lineup has shown to be a big threat for the National League as a whole, not just the east. Beltran has shown that he can perform in the playoffs and Delgado has the kind of talent that can push the Mets over the hump.
It has taken me some time to warm up to these New York Mets and believe that they can win the division. With one of the best defenses in the Majors and if the New York Mets can get by the Phillies and Braves, it may be smooth sailing into the playoffs. I am not likely to play the Mets on the run line anytime soon, however, SU the Mets are making us money. And hey, you can still get the Mets at 3 – 1 to win the NL pennant.