Game 7: Win
Mets 3 Nationals 1
The Mets are really making it difficult for me to critique them, as they’re doing everything they’re supposed to do and WINNING!
Pedro was masterful. He is truly an artist on the mound, painting the corners, changing speeds, using different angles and spins, and keeping the batters off balance. And yet he makes the batters hit the ball, or mis-hit it, and is so resourceful and efficient. By the middle of the 6th inning, he had only thrown a little more than 60 pitches; right around ten pitches an inning. That’s amazing.
Once again, the bullpen was wonderful, holding the slim lead and making Pedro’s masterpiece worthwhile. I think it’s safe to say that we won’t be seeing great Pedro outings wasted while people like Mike DeJean and Braden Looper blow the game.
Furthermore, the batters are batting. Every day, someone else hits — except for David Wright, who hits every day. This time it was Delgado and Beltran with the blows, with Wright sneaking in a triple. It’s early, but so far Delgado has delivered, and is exactly as advertised. Just as important, Beltran looks to be fulfilling his potential.
In regard to Beltran, let’s be realistic: he will not produce at the rate he did at the end of 2004 with the Astros; that was an anomaly. We should, however, realistically expect him to put up numbers similar to what he did in Kansas City: 20-25 HRs, 80-90 RBI, .275 AVG, 25-35 SBs. If he can return to that form, the Mets will have themselves a solid #3 batter.
As for David Wright, I’m sticking to my guns: Wright for MVP !
