Mets 5, Marlins 2 (28-28, 3.5 GB)

Sunday, June 6, 2004

Not a bad stretch. The Mets wrapped up their twelve straight games against the Phillies and Marlins with a win yesterday, salvaging a 6-6 mark. It looks a little better when you break it down like this:
vs. Philadelphia: 4-1
vs. Florida: 2-5

A little better. Not a lot. But the Mets proved that they can handle the Phillies, and that the team to beat is the Marlins.

Florida is a very good team. Obviously, they have awesome starting pitching, and Benitez has been great (so far). Their middle relief is questionable, but it's been adequate to this point. It always seems like the Marlins get the hits they need at key points. Like in Saturday's game, when the Mets failed to convert in a bases-loaded situation, the Marlins took advantage by getting a run home in the eighth inning. Then they get the clutch insurance run that they needed in the top of the ninth. They play good, winning baseball.

The Marlins have the potential to be the new Atlanta Braves - the new foil to the Mets. Their pitching is strong, just like the Braves in recent years. And so far, they seem to be the only team in the division that might give the Mets problems all season long. Hopefully that doesn't happen, but things have changed in the division. The Mets used to own Florida. Not anymore.

That said, the Mets split the 4-game series with Florida, and considering all the above, that's not so bad. They're back at .500, with the AL Central on the horizon. Those are very winnable games.

Mike Piazza is on a tear right now. Hopefully the day off yesterday coupled with today's off-day help Cliff Floyd get back on track - he's been in a slump. And Al Leiter is pitching great. Again, he didn't go deep into the game, but he didn't allow a run in 5 and 2/3 innings. He only gave up 2 hits (while walking six), and his ERA is now below 2.00!!

The Mets are off tonight, they'll be in Minnesota tomorrow. Tomorrow's posting will feature an NL East update - and a recap of tonight's softball game. It's the second game of the season, and coming off last week's 26-13 win, you'll definitely want to see if the team can keep up that torrid run-scoring pace.