Monday, September 18, 2006
Mets 4, Marlins 0
FINALLY!
After 18 years without a division title, after two years of Victor Zambrano, after three long days in Pittsburgh, the New York Mets are Champions of the National League East.
You might say that the Mets were carried by a couple of unlikely heroes in this game, but the way this season has gone, it's hard to be surprised by any player's success. Maybe Shawn Green. But Steve Trachsel and Jose Valentin both had great games to put the Mets over the top at long last.
Trachsel pitched six and one-third shutout innings, allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out three. He was excellent from the very beginning and Willie Randolph removed him before the game could get away from him. I still don't know that he's a better choice for a postseason start than John Maine, but I have to admit, Trachsel has pitched pretty well in some big games in his career.
While Trachsel has been with the Mets longer than anyone on the current roster, Valentin was nothing more than roster filler heading into this season. He was a backup infielder who got off to an awful start. But when every other Met second baseman faltered, he was given a chance and responded with a terrific season. Entering this game, he was hitting .272/.332/.487, making him the best offensive second baseman the Mets have had since 2000 when Edgardo Alfonzo was, admittedly, a whole lot better at .324/.425/.542. In this game, Valentin carried the offense, driving in three runs on a pair of home runs. The Mets have a lot of big names on offense, but Valentin's contribution at a position that could have been a black hole has been an important piece of the best team in the National League.
So, with the division title in hand, all that remains for the Mets is to get ready for the playoffs, but it's still too early to tell who they'll play in the Division Series. Tomorrow's game won't have a whole lot of effect on the starting rotation, as Tom Glavine (13-6, 3.99) is the surest thing the Mets have. He'll face Scott Olsen (12-8, 3.98). The Mets won 7-4 last week when these two hooked up. ¶ joe | 11:48 PM |
FINALLY!
After 18 years without a division title, after two years of Victor Zambrano, after three long days in Pittsburgh, the New York Mets are Champions of the National League East.
You might say that the Mets were carried by a couple of unlikely heroes in this game, but the way this season has gone, it's hard to be surprised by any player's success. Maybe Shawn Green. But Steve Trachsel and Jose Valentin both had great games to put the Mets over the top at long last.
Trachsel pitched six and one-third shutout innings, allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out three. He was excellent from the very beginning and Willie Randolph removed him before the game could get away from him. I still don't know that he's a better choice for a postseason start than John Maine, but I have to admit, Trachsel has pitched pretty well in some big games in his career.
While Trachsel has been with the Mets longer than anyone on the current roster, Valentin was nothing more than roster filler heading into this season. He was a backup infielder who got off to an awful start. But when every other Met second baseman faltered, he was given a chance and responded with a terrific season. Entering this game, he was hitting .272/.332/.487, making him the best offensive second baseman the Mets have had since 2000 when Edgardo Alfonzo was, admittedly, a whole lot better at .324/.425/.542. In this game, Valentin carried the offense, driving in three runs on a pair of home runs. The Mets have a lot of big names on offense, but Valentin's contribution at a position that could have been a black hole has been an important piece of the best team in the National League.
So, with the division title in hand, all that remains for the Mets is to get ready for the playoffs, but it's still too early to tell who they'll play in the Division Series. Tomorrow's game won't have a whole lot of effect on the starting rotation, as Tom Glavine (13-6, 3.99) is the surest thing the Mets have. He'll face Scott Olsen (12-8, 3.98). The Mets won 7-4 last week when these two hooked up. ¶ joe | 11:48 PM |
