Originally Posted by Heyman in SI

At least 25-30 scouts, almost all from contending National League teams, are here this week tailing the Cubs and Mets, and while their reports are kept secret, there's one thing almost all of them agree on: They want to see the Mets in the playoffs because they see them as a potential postseason pushover.

"I hope we play the Mets,'' one NL scout said, flat out.

"Their bullpen is bleeping brutal,'' said another.

"They have nothing but situational relievers,'' said another scout.

"[Jerry Manuel] is managing like it's spring training. Four to five innings for the starter, then an inning -- or a batter -- at a time,'' yet another said.

That scout wasn't blaming Manuel, as the Mets' manager really has no other choice but to mix and match like crazy. With closer Billy Wagner out, and expected set-up men Aaron Heilman and Duaner Sanchez currently a shell of their former selves, Manuel's options are very limited. "Jerry's done a great job,'' GM Omar Minaya said.

That's true, but the best thing the Mets have going for them in the wild-card race is that they're in competition with the Brewers, who authored their own collapse last year (although it wasn't quite as historic as the Mets') and were in free-fall this year when they changed managers, going from Ned Yost to Dale Sveum. The Brewers are still hurt by the absence of Ben Sheets, who's sidelined with a sore elbow ("I'm not holding my breath,'' one Brewers person said of Sheets' possible return), as well as their own demons, but still have two games to go with the Pirates, which is a gift from the gods at this time of year.

In addition to their bullpen problems (or perhaps because of them), the Mets, according to some of the scouts here this week, appear to be pressing. One scout said that one Met who seems to be most afflicted with this malady is David Wright. "He looks like he has the whole team on his shoulders,'' the scout said.

If Wright feels that way, it's no wonder. The bullpen situation is wearing on the rest of the clubhouse. Through injury and attrition, this may be the worst bullpen of any contender in years (and if they do reach the playoffs, Manuel won't be able to employ his one-pitcher-per-batter strategy because he won't have 12 relievers). The situation's so dicey that on Monday the first 10 questions directed at Manuel regarded injured pitcher John Maine, whose valiant bid at a return will result in two or three total innings. Meanwhile, Manuel said the Mets can't rule out the neophyte Bobby Parnell playing a major role because of the "uncertainty'' of the situation. The Mets manager also agreed that being at home is "crucial,'' as they "need that last at-bat,'' punctuating the remark with a hearty laugh.

Teams without strong bullpens usually don't make it to the postseason, and if they do, they don't go very far. Though one will have to make it, as Milwaukee's pen isn't much better. And Carlos Delgado retorted, "We might have to do it another way. We might have to score 20 runs.''

Originally Posted by Busyman

If Michael Vick became a Met tomorrow, Bill would say that the Dogs actually commited suicide.

Originally Posted by Luscious Johnny D.

Because I fear no man. I feel no pain. This is why I don't play with a full deck. In my world, there are no rules. You wanna step over the line, I'll run across it. And when I turn to look to see how far behind you are, you will see into the soul of the sickest man God's hands have ever created. For those who need a visual, here ya go.

Originally Posted by alice

Being a celebrity is like staying in a Holiday Inn Express.

Originally Posted by freakzilla11

I'm sorry... but the Mets won't be a pushover.

They still have Santana, Perez, Pelfrey, Reyes, Wright, Beltran and Delgado... not to mention players like Murphy and Evans who just do their job.

Originally Posted by Voodoo

Well, if I'm not mistaken, the not cancels the no, thus in Philly you can be a punk.

Originally Posted by lgm6986

I think we can actually go even further and say that in Philly you must be a punk.

Originally Posted by Mets4eva21

they will be a push over if the game is tight going into late innings unless johan, ollie and pelfrey have low pitch counts going into 7-9 innings. if mets are up 5+ runs after the 7th inning then they are good.

Originally Posted by Randy Tate

I'm sure the NL teams are salavating over Omar being the GM for the next four years.

Originally Posted by Sports Doctor

Thats stupid, who would you prefer be GM? Cashman? Sabean? Gillick? Ed Wade?

They all come and go. Unless you want Billy Beane you got no reason to talk.

people were jizzing all over Sabean.. howd his team turn out? How about Liriano, Nathan and Bonser for AJ Pierzinski. Omar has never done that type of deal.

He may have made some bad moves and not bolstered the pen as I would have preferred, he still has had made more better moves than bad and has put his team in position to make the post season every years hes been here. In the past 120 million was good enough to get us last. Now atleast its good enough to make the playoffs

Originally Posted by The_Kings_of_Quit

This team couldn't win seven playoff games in '06, when their pen was SOLID. This year, forget it.

Originally Posted by Busyman

If Michael Vick became a Met tomorrow, Bill would say that the Dogs actually commited suicide.

Originally Posted by Luscious Johnny D.

Because I fear no man. I feel no pain. This is why I don't play with a full deck. In my world, there are no rules. You wanna step over the line, I'll run across it. And when I turn to look to see how far behind you are, you will see into the soul of the sickest man God's hands have ever created. For those who need a visual, here ya go.

Originally Posted by alice

Being a celebrity is like staying in a Holiday Inn Express.

Originally Posted by Sports Doctor

If the game is tight that means they aren't a pushover

Originally Posted by Voodoo

Well, if I'm not mistaken, the not cancels the no, thus in Philly you can be a punk.

Originally Posted by lgm6986

I think we can actually go even further and say that in Philly you must be a punk.

Originally Posted by The_Kings_of_Quit

LOL... I just went to MLB.com, and their first story (at the moment) is about the Phillies pen vs. the Mets pen.

Of course, they have a photo of Lidge, fist pumped, and Ayala, asking for the ball back.

Poor Ayala is now the "poster boy" for the Mets' suck-ass bullpen. Guy just showed up, and has done pretty much 100 times better than anyone would have dreamed, considering his pre-trade numbers.

They should have Heilman and Feliciano on their front page.

Originally Posted by Voodoo

Well, if I'm not mistaken, the not cancels the no, thus in Philly you can be a punk.

Originally Posted by lgm6986

I think we can actually go even further and say that in Philly you must be a punk.

Originally Posted by Mets4eva21

they will be a push over if the game is tight going into late innings unless johan, ollie and pelfrey have low pitch counts going into 7-9 innings. if mets are up 50+ runs after the 7th inning then they are good.

Originally Posted by SteveJRogers

Magic 8 Ball says Very Likely Game 163 at Shea on Monday 9/29