FLUSHING, NY -It’s not Yankees vs. Red Sox just yet. The anger isn’t there. Neither is the hatred.

One day maybe it could be.

Although, they have played around 100 miles apart for the last 46 years, the Mets vs. Phillies rivalry is in its infancy. Outside of a few skirmishes over the years, the two teams have been on the opposite ends of the standings – when the Mets are good, the Phillies are bad and visa versa.

Then last year came around with Jimmy Rollins declaring the Phils the team to beat and the Amazins’ leading the whole season. You know what happened next. With 17 to play and a 7 ½ game New York lead, the Phillies knocked the Mets off their perch the last day of the season. The Philadelphia fans chirped, while the New Yorkers went away lick their wounds.

It should have made for tremendous battles this season, but for some reason, the juice is not there. Sure a few things were said in Spring Training and the Phils seemed a little ticked off at Jose Reyes rounding the bases and wagging his finger on Wednesday, but there was no head hunting, no on the field brawls, and frankly, few fights in the stands. It was nothing compared to what probably will be seen this weekend in Boston when the Yankees continue their blood war.

The rivalry needs more hatred and maybe a little bit more competition. This season the Mets have handled the Phillies pretty well, winning nine of the 13 games played. In fact, it could be said New York was the better team for 26 of the 27 inning played this week. The Mets pitching looks better and now with Carlos Delgado hitting, the lineup is clicking as well.

And let’s not forget, Rollins – the agent of chaos himself – deciding to sleep in yesterday, causing him to be benched until the ninth inning. That’s like The Joker forgetting to show up to confront Batman. You would never see Derek Jeter taking in the Boston sights on game day and Manny is never just being Manny when the Yankees are on the menu.

Here’s the problem. The Phils and the Mets never in their history personally finished each other off in a playoff series or pennant race. There was never a defeat like New York had with Atlanta in the 1999 NLCS. There has been no Bucky Dent moment between the two clubs.

Instead, there’s a collapse. And one where the Florida Marlins had the pleasure sending the Mets home. The Mets ended their season series with the Phillies on Sep. 16 last season. At that time there was still plenty of time left for New York to take the division. Sure Philadelphia kept winning with New York collapsing, but that type of win doesn’t have the same juice as the Phillies or Mets beating each other in a playoff.

If Tom Glavine came through last season and the Mets tied the Phillies, then the one game playoff in Philadelphia the next day would have done wonders for this rivalry. Or better yet, if both teams happened to meet in the NLCS, then the rivalry may have stepped up to Yankees vs. Red Sox proportions.

One day it may just get to the point of must see baseball drama. Right now, though these were just three days in July during a long baseball season.

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