Why the Mets?

Question

There seems to be a lot of love for the Mets here. Is it because there are a lot of New Yorkers? As I see it, the Mets have a horrible pitching staff this year(especially with Pedro out until who knows when). Their ace is 41 years old, El Duque is average, but the second best pitcher on the squad. The bullpen is average at best. Now they have a good offense, but we know that pitching and defense wins games. Why the love for what appears to be a very average team? I can think of 6 better teams in the NL alone.

You are right. I do NOT understand. That is why I am looking for some insight as to why everyone seems to think they will win it all this year. Is it something about the team, or just fans waving the loyalty flag.
Also to the dumba**, I live on the Northside, but the whole Northside -Southside thing does not really exist anymore. Fans are spread all out.

The six better this year -
1) LA Dodgers
2) San Diego
3) Philly
4) St. Louis
5) Houston
6) Milwaukee (laugh now, pat me on the back later)

Answer 1

Their offense might be good but Philadelphia's offense ranked top in the national league. Atlanta wasn't far behind. So its not like their offense is going to dominate the eastern conference. Their pitching is subpar to both the Phillies and Atlanta as well. With the Phillies having 3 pitchers better then the Mets first (until Pedro comes back - if Pedro comes back) in Garcia, Myers, & Hamels and Atlanta having Smoltz & Hudson with possibly Hampton returning to a respectable form and James. And Atlanta has a better bullpen. As I see it its a toss up in the East, with the Phillies on paper looking the best with Atlanta probably jumping back to form due to their pitching - staff/bullpen. Besides all this too you have a chance that Florida clicks right and out does all the teams in the East. So, the Mets being the best in the National League probably not. Especially without Pedro. But all it is is talk at the moment. We will find out in a couple of months.

Answer 2

It's simple. The Mets as they stand right now are going to win a lot of 12-9 & 10-8 ball games. They have a ton of guys who can flat out hit. But the defense is average-to-slightly above average. But that's not the worst of it. The question is, who's gonna pitch for the New York Mess? Even if they would have gotten Zito, he alone couldnt turn the staff around. After the pair of forty-something pitchers El Duque and Tom Glavine, the rest of the rotation is nothing to write home about. The rest are #4 and #5 pitchers. With their top two pitchers in their 40's you cant expect them to make it the entire 162 without at least 1 trip to the DL. They probably will score 1000 runs, hit 300 home runs, but when it counts in the playoffs, their lack of pitching will destroy them. Look at the World Series champs from a year ago. Besides Pujols, name one other CONSISTENT and HEALTHY hitter in the Cardinals lineup? They didn't win because Pujols is great, they won because their pitching was great, and Wainwright was lights out in the 9th. Offense wins games, but pitching wins championships.

Answer 3

I'd be interested in hearing what 6 teams you think are better in the NL than the Mets. In 2006 there was no other NL team that was even close to them.

Their rotation is really their only weakness but it's not going to be as rough as some people think. Pedro will be back in the 2nd half and they have 2 of the top pitching prospects in Pelfrey and Humber that will be in the majors at some point.

Their lineup with Alou replacing Floyd should be even better than last years which ranked 3rd in the NL in runs. Expect Wright and Reyes since they are so young to get even better.

Answer 4

Dude i love the Mets. You may not understand why but that's fine with me. Anyway there pitching staff isn't that horrible and they have a lot of young arms who can contribute if necessary. Anyway with that offense they will be just fine and should be able to hold their own until Pedro comes back as they have a very deep bullpen as well.

Answer 5

Well sir, I myself am not a Met fan. The reason for so many to be on here is irrelevant and probably a coinsidence As a baseball fan, I'm sure you would agree, a'int it great to see loyalty!! Now, lets PLAY BALL!! And you have a great season!!!! P.S. How about all the cricket dummies?!!!

Answer 6

well first there is no team better we saw last year with the mets dominance of the nl only to fall short in the nlcs but it is because the mets have a great team that we love not because of skill but because of who they are. mike piazza was ot a great fielder but we loved him. when he came back to shea he got the best welcome back and he got that welcome not because he was a great hitting catcher but because of how he carried the team and what he dikd for new york after 9-11. people llove the mets because of it's player and it's team history

real fcans do not like a team because they are good - that is not a true fan you should stick with your team through thick and thin

Answer 7

yes I think there pitching is going to give them some problems, but all in all I think they will be right in race for the pennant in the East along with Phillies & Braves. I don't see a wild card coming out of this division because this is the toughest division in baseball this season.

Answer 8

They have the best offense in the league. Regular season is winning on offense, playoffs are winning by pitching. Ask the Yankees about it.

Answer 9

Who do I like less... White Sox or Mets? Hmmmm. Kind of ironic who's asking that question, scum from the south side of Chicago. :) New York's completely overrated and gets way too much love from ESPN.

Answer 10

I am a Yankees fan. Let the Mets fans have their Mets. I will always go for my Yankees.