Losing five in a row is always disapointing, but it is better it happen on the road to the two favorites to win their division than at home to bottom feeders. Missing Dunn's bat did not help this team in those last three games. Even if he doesn't get a hit he helps the line-up in so many ways. He sees a lot of pitches and can help guys early on in the game see what the pitcher is featuring and help to chase a pitcher earlier than normal. He helps the guys around him in the line-up see better pitches and makes the line-up much deeper. All of those loses were winable games, and some of them were tied going into the later innings. This team needs a shot in the arm and coming home to play two mediocre teams might provide just that.
Mets vs. Nationals
When last we saw the Mets we were riding high and winning games. We left New York four games over .500 and if not for the already long forgotten Brian Bruney and the slumping Tyler Clipard it would have been a sweep. The difference is the Mets are good at home and struggle on the road. This is a series the Nationals need to take advantage of. The mets have moved the struggling Jose Reyes to the top of the line-up to try and create a spark, and exiled the dreaded Oliver Perez to the confines of the bullpen.
Wednesday May, 19 R.A. Dickey vs. Livan Hernandez
It might not be Dickey that faces the Nationals tonight, but I for one hope it is. I had an odd dream before the season begin that I was living in an apartment with my best friend and R.A. Dickey and I had to save them when the place started to burn down. Other than having one of the funniest sports names since Dick Trickle I know little about R.A. Dickey, but I hope he has as much luck as the last knuckleballer the Nationals faced.
The Livan on a prayer comeback tour continues. Old man Livo seems happiest when playing in D.C. and today he steps up and shows what leaders are made of. Saving the team from having to make a roster move to call up a spot starter Livan is going on short rest. The mets are a team Livan typically doesn't do well against, but who cares about all that. All that matter is how he does tonight. This team needs a good outing from Livan and I have stopped waiting for the blow-up and am just enjoying the Livo express.
Thursday May, 20 John Maine vs. Luis Atilano
Maine did not look good his last time out against the Nationals. If he doesn't straighten himself out and get back to being the 2006 version of John Maine then he very well could find himself sitting next to Oliver Perez is the Mets bullpen. Maine has faired well against the Nationals in the past, but that seems like a life time ago. I no longer look at Maine's name and fear how he will carve up our line-up. I look forward to his starts and wonder how many time we can take him deep.
This right here is the biggest test for Luis Atilano. He faced the Mets earlier in the season and had one of the best starts of his young career. For the first time in the history of the Nationals their entire rotation is made up of major league pitchers. The only question is are they starters? When early June rolls around either Stammen heads for the bullpen or Atilano for the minors, and it all depends on who is the hottest at the time. In his last outing Stammen gave up four early runs but then locked it down to make the game somewhat interesting. Does Atilano have an answer? Let's hope he does and that it is a good one.
X-Factors
The biggest x-factor for the Mets right now is can they play on the road like they can at home. The Mets are well over .500 at home and well under .500 on the road. Only the best teams are around .500 on the road, and the Mets still think they can compete with the Phillies. In order to do that they have to start winning the tough games on the road.
Adam Dunn is the biggest x-factor for the Nationals. Will he play? Won't he? is he DL bound for "flu like symptoms." Did he try to out eat Livan and get sick? What exactly is going on with the big man? Both Dickey and Maine are pitchers he should be looking forward to playing and if he does play look for him to have a big series.
Final Thoughts
I fully believe the Nationals are capable of sweeping this series. The pitching match-ups line-up in their favor and the Mets are struggling to win on the road and they know it. I also have my doubts that that is possible. The Nationals should have been able to score more runs off of Kyle Lohse, but it didn't happen. So my pick for this series is that the Nationals split and then get ready to take out the Orioles.
