Standings

[Edgy MD]

I stayed up late last night following the Diamondbacks and Dodgers in extra innings, even though it'd be pretty hard find a game more inconsequential to the Mets. But standings-wise, yesterday was a terrific day. If you've been waiting to throw your heart behind this Mets team, waiting until a win came along that catapulted them out of the muck and into relevance, well yesterday was that win. By knocking off the world champs in a third straight game, the Mets passed three teams in the standings in one magic day. By putting that much of the pack behind them, the team has ensured that, if they can keep winning, there's enough folks behind them to make the competitors behind them catchable.

It's a big IF, of course, and that's why your team needs you to get on board NOW!!! Even these three games against the suddenly mighty Pirates have grave import. Tune in, cheer, take a trip to Pittsburgh if you must, give your all to your Mets.

Division

Team	W	L	PCT	GB	NGB
Atlanta	52	39	.571	�	�
Washington	47	44	.516	5.0	5.0
Philadelphia	45	47	.489	7.5	10.0
YOUR New York Mets	40	48	.455	10.5	19.0
Miami	33	57	.367	18.5	51.0

Card of Wildness

Team	W	L	PCT	GB	NGB
Pittsburgh	54	36	.600	-3.5	-3.5
Cincinnati	51	40	.560	�	�
Washington	47	44	.516	4.0	4.0
Los Angeles	45	45	.500	5.5	7.0
Philadelphia	45	47	.489	6.5	10.0
Colorado	44	48	.478	7.5	14.0
YOUR New York Mets	40	48	.455	9.5	24.0
Chicago	40	49	.449	10.0	27.0
San Diego	41	51	.446	10.5	30.5
San Francisco	40	50	.444	10.5	30.5
Milwaukee	37	53	.411	13.5	57.5
Miami	33	57	.367	17.5	97.5

The following pairings represent the NL matchups in the National League before the break, with who you might want to root for underlined.

=#408000]Today
Nationals @ Phillies
You can't go wrong by rooting against either of these teams, but as the Phils are behind the Nats in the standings, and the Nats seem most capable of finding a new wind, root for the Phils. Or don't. But...

=#408000]Tomorry
Cardinals @ Cubs
Can't go wrong here either, but if they're gonna win the division they might as well fatten up by knocking off the team just behind the Mets in the standings. Or the Cubs, utterly incapable of getting out of the Mets draft, knock down a giant we'll have to face later. That's good too.

White Sox @ Phillies
Robin Ventura, in our time of need, we turn to you. And you too, Super Joe.

Nationals @ Marlins
Let's go, second-half Fishies. Beat up on the top of the division like you beat up on the Mets (and no one else) in the first half.

Reds @ Braves
Don't fail me now, Joey Votto. The Braves are pretenders and everbody knows it but them. Send a strong message for them to take into the break.

Brewers @ D-backs
The Mets are four up on the Brewers. Do you care how they do against the Western Division leaders? I'm not sure I do, and yet, I watached that Arizona-Dodgers game late into last night. Of little consequence, but let's root for the Snakes to get a little tenderized here.

Rockies @ Dodgers
Two teams ahead of the Mets. I'm going to go with Los Angeles here. The cash-rich Dodgers need their spirits broken. But with Colorado delectably sitting one spot ahead of the Mets, achieiving the unlikely feat of catching them them by the break would be some sweet cherry pie. Put them behind us and the Dodgers will follow. We all know Mattingly is like a magnet polarized to defect away any post-season glory.

Giants @ Padres
Two of the teams the Mets passed yesterday matching up here. I'm rooting for the Pads. With a recent 10-game losing streak and the resignation of the their president, I'm guessing they're done, while the champs may still have enough pride to make one more surge.

Enjoy the weekend.

[Lefty Specialist]

[Vic Sage]

your obstinate optimism is awe-inspiring and worthy of respect.
you shoulder the heavy burden for those of us rooted in the rational.
I salute you, dude.
carry on.

[seawolf17]

YA. GOTTA. BELIEVE.

Fully on board, Edge. THIS IS THE YEAR. OUR TEAM, OUR TIME. OR WHATEVER.

[Farmer Ted]

I haven't fully recovered from the Mets sweeping the MFYs followed by the Miami debacle (which was part of losing 11 of the next 14).
Yup, Donnie Downer here and I'm still bitter that Harvey's skipping a start on Saturday.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I've been optimistic about these guys all year, not because I know they'd do well but because I've hoped they would and haven't encountered any team that looks so much better than ours that it's worth giving up. Maybe Cincinnati but that's it.

But to look at this team realistically I think you have to be just as surprised (if not more) that Davis, Tejada and Niese have sucked than Byrd & Hef outperforming wildest wishes.

I like that they are seemingly up against it talent-wise but are finding a way, acquiring and discarding guys like Ankeil, slowly becoming a good defensive team, etc. And I am at least a little CAHNfident that there's improvement to be had still, via trade route (Davis/Duda/Muffy) and thru promotions (Montero/D'Arnaud). Who here doesn't expect a better second half than first?

I sat through some of the most irrelevant and awful losses this year and still I'm saying this.

[Frayed Knot]

If nothing else, this is the first season in several where I don't have a sense of dread that the second half is going to be a crash and burn. That doesn't mean that suckitude won't happen only that I'm not expecting it to.

Last year as things were sailing along decently (Seven games over .500 thru the end of June) someone posted, right around this point in the season, a prediction poll for the 2nd half. When that post made me stop and think about what was ahead I suddenly froze with the realization that they were going to really, really suck, so much so that I don't think I even entered a prediction because I couldn't bring myself to put down in 'writing' what looked so obvious was going to be the case. And, as we all know now, a 7-18 July was followed by an 12 win August and an 11 win September; essentially a .373 2nd half. Put another way that's winning at the pace of a 60-win season or about 28 games worse than what they were headed for based on their first half.

If anything this year I get the opinion that the worst is behind them and, barring some soul-crushing injuries (Wright, Harvey), they should be at least competitive throughout. And while that doesn't mean I think they're the best team going forward, or that they didn't dig themselves too big a hole early on to truly get back in the race, if a bunch of stuff all goes right things could be more interesting than just a sad team playing out the string.

[Ceetar]

Frayed Knot wrote: If anything this year I get the opinion that the worst is behind them and, barring some soul-crushing injuries (Wright, Harvey), they should be at least competitive throughout. And while that doesn't mean I think they're the best team going forward, or that they didn't dig themselves too big a hole early on to truly get back in the race, if a bunch of stuff all goes right things could be more interesting than just a sad team playing out the string.

Seems accurate. I think we're gonna look back at parts of this season and reflect on turning points for decades to come, but I'm not sure they have it in them, of their own volition, to make the playoffs yet. But I wouldn't rule out the Braves collapsing some where it becomes a little more possible.

They're still quite a bit under .500 and barring a crazy non-losing streak coming up, they're going to be well out of it still by the trading deadline. The Mets seemingly only have 4 pitchers right now, and Torres, who probably isn't "the answer". I'm nominating Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Ike Davis as guys that, if they play respectable baseball, can have the Mets play at a .550 clip for the season, but I'm not sure there's enough talent across the board to do what needs to be done to get to the playoffs right now.

[Edgy MD]

Who are these four pitchers? Who are the non-pitchers?

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: Who are these four pitchers? Who are the non-pitchers?

Niese, Marcum and Torres are the non-pitchers. the other four are the four pitchers.

[Edgy MD]

So, by "pitchers," you mean "starting pitchers."

I wouldn't be so black and white, but if you must, I'd say having four guys you believe in is impressive, especially after losing the top three from most of last year.

[ashie62]

I am hopeful and it feels good..but I would not be shocked if they blow three in Pittsburgh and I deflate and concede..anyhooch Lets Go Mets!

[Edgy MD]

No sports fan is rooted in the rational. It's helpful to recognize that.

[ashie62]

Fans of anything....

[Vic Sage]

so your saying, therefore, that I'm not a sports fan. Or maybe not enough of a sports fan? or the right kind of sports fan? Or your kind of sports fan?

Yes, i know that "fan" is short for "fanatic", but i don't think fanaticism, or blind optimism, or unquestioning loyalty to a sports logo is really a requirement to be a Mets fan. It's not a religion. At least not to me. Your mileage may vary.

[Edgy MD]

Vic Sage wrote: so your saying, therefore, that I'm not a sports fan.

No I'm not saying that at all. All evidence flies in the face of that nition.

Or maybe not enough of a sports fan? or the right kind of sports fan? Or your kind of sports fan?

None of the above.

Vic Sage wrote: Yes, i know that "fan" is short for "fanatic"...

I actually don't believe this etymology, though widely accepted, is correct.

Vic Sage wrote: ..., but i don't think fanaticism, or blind optimism, or unquestioning loyalty to a sports logo is really a requirement to be a Mets fan. It's not a religion. At least not to me. Your mileage may vary.

We're off the island here. You're constructing an argument I neither made nor implied, and taking offense at it. What I'm trying to do is avoid taking any offense at an argument you seemingly did deliberately imply, that by posting these standings and presenting what they could possibly mean, I somehow am irrational.

I in no way seek to impugn your sports fanhood. You watch NBA basketball which bores me stiff, so I think any fair comparison would suggest you are the greater sports fan. What I mean to do is take any distinction of the perspective of the Mets' hopes out of the realm of rational-vs.-irrational., and in so doing somewhat defend myself against the implication that I either have an irrational mind, or have a rational one operating irrationally. The avocation of rooting for a sports team or athlete is neither rational nor irrational, but super-rational.

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: The avocation of rooting for a sports team or athlete is neither rational nor irrational, but super-rational.

So this thread is kinda just about the dream? The one where Byrd keeps this up the rest of the year and Ike Davis hits like he did the second half of last year (or other extrapolations) and the Mets make their run?

[Edgy MD]

Days off are almost always a bad idea when you're pursing something with limited time to get it. The Mets lose a half game in the East, but gain a half in the Wild Card. The resilient Cubs gain a full game, however, and pull back into a virtual tie with the Mets. Very interesting this weekend as both the Mets and Cubs face teams at the top of the Central.

The plummeting Padres would be a real story, if they weren't the Padres. Interesting that the president resigns, but Bud Black survives. He's got to be one of the longest-serving managers now.

Eastern Division Standings, Though Divisions Are Tearing Society Apart

Team	W	L	PCT	GB	NGB
Atlanta	53	39	.576	�	�
Washington	47	45	.511	6.0	6.0
Philadelphia	46	47	.495	7.5	9.0
New York	40	48	.455	11.0	19.5
Miami	33	57	.367	19.0	51.5

Standings in Pursuit of the Card that is OUT of CONTROL

Team	W	L	PCT	GB	NGB
Pittsburgh	54	36	.600	-4.0	-4.0
Cincinnati	51	41	.554	�	�
Washington	47	45	.511	4.0	4.0
Los Angeles	46	45	.505	4.5	5.0
Philadelphia	46	47	.495	5.5	8.0
Colorado	44	49	.473	7.5	16.0
Chicago	41	49	.456	9.0	23.5
New York	40	48	.455	9.0	23.5
San Francisco	41	50	.451	9.5	27.0
San Diego	41	52	.441	10.5	35.0
Milwaukee	37	54	.407	13.5	62.0
Miami	33	57	.367	17.0	97.0

[Vic Sage]

Vic Sage wrote: so your saying, therefore, that I'm not a sports fan

.

Edgy wrote: No I'm not saying that at all. All evidence flies in the face of that nition.

major premise (mine): I'm rooted in the rational.
minor premise (yours): no sports fan is rooted in the rational.
Conclusion: I am not a sports fan.

This is called a "syllogism", and, as you well know, it has been the fundamental logical structure of deductive reasoning since Aristotle (if not earlier).
But then you turn around and say of this syllogism's necessary conclusion: "I'm not saying that at all".

Whatever, dude.

[Edgy MD]

Can you please stop with the condescending bullshit now? Please?

I tried very, very hard to explain why that conclusion doesn't hold. It doesn't.

[seawolf17]

Can we please have one fucking thread that doesn't fucking degenerate into sniping? Fuckin' hell.

[Edgy MD]

Yes.

[Ceetar]

seawolf17 wrote: Can we please have one fucking thread that doesn't fucking degenerate into sniping? Fuckin' hell.

wifey watch.

also, thread about beer.

[seawolf17]

Oh, so you're saying because I like Blue Moon I'm not a "real" beer drinker? EFF YOU.

[batmagadanleadoff]

I would like to point out that eff, as in "eff Wilpon", is a proper noun, and not a verb.

I'm eff.


And I'm Jeff

[nymr83]

seawolf17 wrote: Oh, so you're saying because I like Blue Moon I'm not a "real" beer drinker? EFF YOU.

Its Questionable.

[Guest Swan Swan H]

Ceetar wrote: seawolf17 wrote: Can we please have one fucking thread that doesn't fucking degenerate into sniping? Fuckin' hell. wifey watch. also, thread about beer.

Wifey Watch degenerates into a bunch of degenerates.

[Lefty Specialist]

Every time it looks like the Mets are getting up a good head of steam (like sweeping the Yankmes), something comes along to screw it up. It would not surprise me if this weekend that something was the Buccos.

[Frayed Knot]

Lots of 1st inning scoring in the NL East tonight.

- Nationals gave Strasburg a 3-0 lead in the top half of the 1st, but then Strasburg quickly gave FIVE back in the bottom.

- Cincy got three off the Braves and Kris Medlen in the opening frame

- Philly, hosting the ChiSox, have been rained out. I assume they'll have to double-up some time this weekend since it's an IL/one-visit opponent.

[Frayed Knot]

Tough week to be a Braves outfielder

Jason Heyward strains a hamstring on Thursday night, he won't play again until after the ASB

- BOTH Upton brothers had to leave the game on Friday night with leg problems. Like Heyward, neither will be DL'd as of yet but both will sit the rest of the weekend series vs Cincy

- Jordan Schaefer already was on the DL with a foot injury and will probably miss another month at least.


Today's starting OF for the Braves: LF - Jose Constanza; CF - Reed Johnson; RF - Joey Terdoslavich