This Could Get Ugly

Despite Amazin'ly taking two out of three from the Yankees, I have zero faith in this Mets team going into another all-important NL East battle with the Phillies.

Why? A team that has just beat their crosstown rivals and has homefield advantage should be able to beat a team as intimidating as Philadelphia.

We have no rotation beyond Mike Pelfrey and Johan Santana (yes, I did mention Pelfrey before Johan. Deal with it). John Maine has shoulder weakness, Jon Niese reaggravated his hamstring (but is on the road to recovery), and Oliver Perez just sucks. But we all knew that.

This series, we have R.A. Dickey, Hisanori Takahashi, and Big Pelf pitching.

Game One: Although successful in his Mets debut, Dickey is a knuckleballer and the Phillies just got shutdown by Tim Wakefield, another knuckleballer. Going up against Dickey is Jamie Moyer. Everybody on the Mets owns Moyer, except Angel Pagan. However, we have to get to him early. Advantage: Steak Shack

Game Two: The Phillies have Joe Blanton on the hill and the Mets have Takahashi. Joe Balnton is 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA. Jose Reyes is 0-9 against Blanton. Advantage: Philly.

Game Three: Mike Pelfrey vs. Cole Hamels. In Pelfrey's last start, the Phillies won 10-0 behind Roy Halladay. You know Pelf is going to try and redeem himself. He might be able to get to Hamels. Advantage: Pelfrey.

Prediction: Mets maybe win the last game. Jerry gets his pink slip.