The Mets were is a batting slump and lost three games in a row. Mets fans (including myself) had visions of September 2007 in our head. But there are two reasons why that is not the case.
First the stopper known as Johan Santana. Seven solid innings (2 ER, 4K and only 1 BB) and even a pair of doubles at the plate. The second reason is 8th inning setup work by Duaner Sánchez, back to his old form after missing a year and a half.
In 2007 there was no stopper, someone you can give the ball to and expect a W. In the last week of the season, the Mets asked that of Tom Glavine twice and twice he got shelled. In addition there was nobody to go 7+ innings to give the bullpen a rest. Santana has pitched into the 7th inning in all of his starts (and into the 8th in one) to record 34.2 innings in 5 starts.
The second reason this is not 2007 is Duaner Sánchez. His presence with his 4 pitches in the bullpen makes him the perfect 8th inning set-up man, a role Aaron Heilman was not comfortable in, nor were Mets fans comfortable with him in.
The bullpen was one of the main reasons why the collapse occurred last year. Willie will have more depth and options in his bullpen as well as a stopper of small streaks who comes in and sets the tone the way Santana set it last night. While the Mets still have to do a lot of things right to win the NL East, but at least they won't just give it away like last year.
Posted By Steve in New York