Good Riddance to the Desert

Written by Nikki DeMaio | 22 July 2010

Here's the question running through every Mets fan's brain right now:  are we really THIS bad?  Sure, expectations were kind of low coming into the season - I mean, anything would be better than 2009.  But now we're getting swept by the Diamondbacks.  They haven't swept anyone since last August!  The Mets sparked enough hope in me last night that I fought sleep all the way to the bitter end at 2:30 in the morning, and that might be the most depressing aspect here.  That and the fact the offense could accomplish nothing during 7 innings facing the worst bullpen in the history of the league.  I feel as if the team's "spirit" and "intensity" just disappeared.  I refuse to blame Carlos Beltran for this, as some people feel he's the problem.  If anything, Beltran is part of the solution... maybe not in the outfield, as I have my doubts about his physical capability to play center field on a regular basis, but absolutely at bat.  It's not his fault that Jason Bay hasn't hit all season, or that David Wright and Ike Davis are going through an expected slump after tearing the cover off the ball.

Speaking of Bay, his performance is being targeted for what is really the first time this season.  He was flying under the radar while his teammates were hot and carrying the offense, but now EVERYONE is cold.  If there was ever a time for Bay to step up, it's now, for both his own sanity and the team.  I did read something interesting today that changed my criticisms of Bay (or at least put them on hold).  There have been several star-caliber players that struggled in their first season as Mets, namely Mike Piazza and Carlos Beltran.  Piazza went on to become a fan favorite, and I personally feel Beltran has been underrated during his Mets tenure.  I know Jason Bay is not as bad offensively as he's seemed this year, now I'm just waiting for him to prove it.

I can't even talk about this series anymore.  Looking ahead, the Mets take on the Dodgers tonight.  Hisanori Takahashi takes the mound in the opener of a four-game set.  Starting Takahashi is a bit of a crapshoot at this point in the season, as most teams seem to have the book on him.  He's either been lights out or awful.  Since the offense has declined to show up to any game post All-Star Break, I'm praying for a good start from him tonight.