Strangest team - ever

I don't know what to think or what to say. This team is ... mind-boggling. One day I can't think or work and have to go for a long walk because the loss is so devastating and the next day I can't think or work because the win so exhilarating. Sheesh.

I don't know how Howie holds it together - and there are times when he doesn't - but I'm sure I'd have been uttering only partial words during the 9th innings of each of the past two games. What the heck kind of team is this?

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Not only am I rooting for the Cubs to win this weekend, but I'm also keen to see Atlanta win tonight. Why? Because if the Mets & Brewers both lost the first two this weekend then Houston will still be in the Wild Card hunt. And, Chicago has one rainout with Houston to make up after Hurricane Ike. How keen do you think the Cubs will be to have to fly to Houston to play on Monday? Yeah, exactly. So, it will be in Chicago's best interest to LOSE on Sunday to Milwaukee if it comes down to that.

Of course, if the Mets just win then all this is moot. So how about a sweep this weekend?

It's not just Met fans

This is what I read today about the team's ace. Not quite enough of an edge. A little too much stoicism. He's pitched a lot of innings and yet, he seems a little too cautious. That's Cole Hamels according to to yesterday's Philadelphia Inquirer.

Nothing to fear, but …

I seem to have less to say now that the Mets are playing well. Isn't that always the way? Loads of criticism, but little praise. I should try.

I suppose I should write about my fears now that things are going well since I have little enough to be angry about. How 'bout Ayala? How long will it be before he reverts to his Nationals' form? Or he simply joins the rest of his bullpen colleagues in mediocrity (or worse)?

What if Wagner can't come back?

What if Delgado cools off? Who'll pick up the slack?

What if Pedro's not going to be able to go again this year?

Oh, I wish I could just enjoy the hot streak. Maybe if they win this weekend's series I'll relax.

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I take it El Duque will not be back this year?

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Am I the only one who can find anything positive to say about Wayne Hagin? Okay, he's not Bob Murphy, but he's a decent announcer. He's honest, which I like. I was afraid he'd adopt the mantle of a homer who sees no wrong with the home team. When he sees something wrong in the way a Met or the Mets are playing, he lets us know. What else? Well, I think he's got a better baseball eye than Howie has. He seems to have a great understanding of pitching and he has a good sense when a hitter is about to do something special. He also does a good job of assessing the defenders and whether they're in position and whether he thinks their head(s) are in the game.

Don't get me wrong, he still drives me nuts and I still love Howie. It's just that too many Met fans are way too negative about Hagin.

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I listened to the San Diego vs Milwaukee game last night. (No Met game.) I know one of the announcers was Bob Uecker, but when the other guy took over I had trouble distinguishing his voice. The two of them sound so alike.

What would drive me nuts if I was a Brewers fan is how much time they spent discussing (fairly) irrelevant issues. It seemed like they talked about the farm system for a couple of innings. I mean, that's fine if your team is out of it, but the Brewers are still likely to make the post-season.

And they have GOT TO LET GO of the CC Sabathia "no-hitter". I saw the play and kind of figure a base hit was not a wacky decision. It was going to be a tough play for Sabathia. He rushed because he knew it was going to be a tight play and he fluffed it. An error or a hit - either would have been fair. The Brewers really should just let it go. What relevance does it have for their playoff run? Wrong focus, methinks.