NL East Rundown

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.

Athletes and Their Celebrations

Recently in New York, there has been a lot of talk about Jose Reyes and his hand gesture when he hit a three-run home run on Wednesday night against the Phillies. Feelings are mixed around New York. Why is Reyes under the microscope? What about Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera’s celebrations? I think they are all fine, and people overreact.

The key to playing any sport is playing with emotion. Jose Reyes pours his heart and soul on the field, and many people don’t like the fire he plays with. A perfect example of someone who people accept is Troy Percival of the Tampa Bay Rays. He acts like a nut on the mount sometimes, but yet, people are always saying that he plays with fire and passion. In my mind, there is no difference between that and what Reyes does. Both are ok.

Another thing people have to take into consideration is the intensity of the rivalry. The Phillies came back and gave the Mets a huge punch in the stomach with their come from behind victory on Tuesday, and Shane Victorino showboated even worse than Reyes did. There was a play in which he scored, and he stood on the plate, pounded his chest and pointed towards the Mets’ dugout. Why didn’t anyone make a big deal about that?

The bottom line is that people need to look at all of these players on an even field. Just because Jose Reyes is the most talented, that doesn’t make it justified to hold him to different standards than the rest of the league. He can sing, dance and jump if he wants to, because he is the engine that keeps the Mets running.

–MICHAEL GANCI

PHILLIES: Rollins Can Steal

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins is 24-for-24 in steal attempts this season, which leads all of baseball.

BOTTOM LINE: Rollins has been unimpressive in a lot of the other categories, but this one is dazzling. You should hold on to him, because you won’t get much value if you deal him now.

PHILLIES: Jenkins Stinking It Up

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Geoff Jenkins went 0-for-3 Thursday and is now mired in an 0-26 slump.

BOTTOM LINE: Jenkins has been awful during the span and is now carring an awful .239/.290/.378 line for the season.

PHILLIES: Utley Breaks Out Of Slump

Philadelphia Phillies second basemen Chase Utley had four hits, including his 20th double and his third triple, Wednesday against the A’s to break out of a 1-29 slump.

BOTTOM LINE: Utley remains stuck on 22 homers, but he is still in the talk for MVP thus far. He is on pace for more than 40 homers, although that seems unlikely.