NL East Rundown

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BY MICHAEL GANCI
UPDATE! Writer

As of 8 a.m. on August 9, 2008, the Mets are currently sitting in second place in the NL East with a 61-54 record. The Marlins are breathing right down the Mets’ necks with a 61-55 record, which places them only a half of game back of the Mets for second. The Phillies, on the other hand, are trying to stay atop the division, but they only lead the Mets by one game, with a record of 62-53. In this post, I will show a breakdown of the remaining schedules for each of those teams, and I will explain how it all rests in the Mets’ favor.

Teams the Mets Face

1. Marlins (2) 61-55

2. Pirates (1) 53-62

3. Nationals (3) 44-72

4. Pirates (4) 53-62

5. Braves (3) 54-62

6. Astros (4) 56-59

7. Phillies (2) 62-53

8. Marlins (3) 61-55

9. Brewers (3)65-51

10. Phillies (3) 62-53

11. Nationals (2) 44-72

12. Braves (3) 54-62

13. Nationals (4) 44-72

14. Braves (3) 54-62

15. Cubs (4) 70-46

16. Florida (3) 61-55

47 Games Left

27 Games Against Teams Under .500

13 Games Against Teams Less than 10 Games over .500

7 Games Against Teams More than 10 games over .500

Teams the Phillies Face

1. Pirates (2) 53-62

2. Dodgers (4) 58-57

3. Padres (3) 44-72

4. Nationals (3) 44-72

5. Dodgers (4) 58-57

6. Mets (2) 61-54

7. Cubs (4) 70-46

8. Nationals (3) 44-72

9. Mets (3) 61-54

10. Marlins (3) 61-55

11. Brewers (4) 65-51

12. Braves (3)54-62

13. Marlins (3)61-55

14. Braves (3) 54-62

15. Nationals (3) 44-72

47 Games Left

20 Games Against Teams under .500

19 Games Against Teams Less Than 10 Games Over .500

8 Games Against Teams More than 10 Games Over .500

Teams the Marlins Face

1. Mets (2) 61-54

2. Cardinals (4) 64-54

3. Cubs (3) 70-46

4. Giants (3) 48-66

5. Diamondbacks (3) 59-57

6. Braves (3) 54-62

7. Mets (3) 61-54

8. Braves (3) 54-62

9. Cardinals (3) 64-54

10. Phillies (3) 62-53

11. Nationals (3) 44-72

12. Astros (3) 56-59

13. Phillies (3) 62-53

14. Reds (1) 52-65

15. Nationals (3) 44-72

16. Mets (3) 61-54

46 Games Remaining

19 Games Against Teams Under .500

17 Games Against Teams Less than 10 Games over .500

10 Games Against Teams More than 10 Games over .500

ADVANTAGE: METS

As you can see, the Mets have the easiest remaining schedule of all three teams. They get to face off with teams that have less than a .500 record 27 times in their last 47 games, and those are the kind of games that need to be won if they want to win the division. The Marlins play 10 games against teams that are ten games or more over .500, and the Mets only play seven. Those three games can really make a major difference. The bottom line is this. There is no need to worry. Billy Wagner will be back soon . Ryan Church may be back sooner than we think. John Maine should be back next week, and Daniel Murphy is a beast. The Daily Stache says that the Mets are still the favorites in the NL East. This is the Daily Stache, reminding you that until next time, let the truth be told!

For more of Michael’s posts, check out www.dailystache.com.