2008 New York Mets Predictions & Preview
June 9, 2008
The Mets have to rebound from one of the worst collapses in major league history last season. The Mets blew a 7-game lead with 17 to play to end the season as they watch Jimmy Rollins’ prediction that the Phillies would win the NL East come true. They are making all the right moves to make sure it doesn’t happen again in 2008. Manager Willie Randolph must get to the postseason and be productive, otherwise his job is in serious jeopardy with the talent he has to work with on this roster. The addition of Johan Santana, the league’s most sought after free-agent, clearly makes the Mets the favorite to win the NL East and make the World Series. Below are Larry’s 2008 New York Mets predictions along with an overview of what you can expect to see this season.
Starting Rotation:
Johan Santana will anchor this starting rotation the fluttered at the end of the season last year. John Maine and Oliver Perez are dependable starters that will man the No. 3 and No. 4 spots in the rotation. Veteran Pedro Martinez has the best winning percentage of any starter in the league. Can he return healthy this season? If so, Martinez will man the No. 2 spot in the starting rotation to make this a very solid set of hurlers from top to bottom. Orlando Hernandez is always at risk of injury, but he was very successful given his age last season. He should take hold of the No. 5 spot in 2008. The Mets will be looking closely at one of their recent top draft picks incase of injury to these vetarans. These college righthanders include Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber or Kevin Mulvey.
Bullpen:
The Mets realize they made a mistake by letting Heath Bell go last season. What’s left of the bullpen isn’t a bad hand to be dealt and most teams in the majors would be pleased to have this staff. Randolph can pick and choose with this bullpen to create match-up advantages with a plethora of lefties and righties as options. Lefty specialists Pedro Feliciano and Scott Schoeneweis combined to allow just one homer to a left-handed batter in 188 at-bats last season. Aarion Heilman pitched in 81 games for the Mets last season and was very effective in doing so as the setup man to closer Billy Wagner. Wagner gave his manager and his pitching coach an earful with the way they handled the pitching situation last season. Management will have to live with the outspoken Wagner as all he does is come in and shut teams down when given a lead. Matt Wise, Jorge Sosa and Joe Smith add depth in middle relief for the Mets.
Line-Up:
Jose Reyes was not his normal self during their collapse with just a .205 batting average in September last season. He will have to rebound and be the threat that teams dread facing this season in the leadoff role at shortstop. 2B Luis Castillo signed and 4-year, $25 million extension in the offseason so management must see big things coming from this veteran in the No. 2 hole. 3B David Wright is one of the best at his position in the league. His 330 total bases in 2007 set a club record. CF Carlos Beltran led all major league CF’s in home runs and RBI’s last season. 1B Calor Dlgado managed only four homers off left-handed hitters last season. He is still battling injuries in the No. 5 hole for the Mets. LF Moises Alou can’t seem to get rid of nagging injuries after recently suffering a hernia that will keep him out at the start of the season. When he comes back he will hit 6th in the lineup with the consistent stroke he displays game in and game out. RF Ryan Church will be able to utilize his power stroke better in a hitter friendly ball park this season after his move form RFK stadium. C Brian Schneider looks to get the opening day start after he caught 31% of potential base stealing, ranking 11th in the majors. This is a very solid line-up from top to bottom if they can just stay healthy. The Mets have some depth on the bench that can fill these voids due to injury. A solid backup catcher in Ramon Castro averaged 1 homer per 13-at-bats last season. A proven pinch-hitter in Marlon Anderson hit .311 in his second stint with the Mets last season. Endy Chavez is an everyday-caliber left fielder who will step in nicely for Alou to start the season.
Mets 2008 Predictions:
It’s easy to forget that the Mets were 20 games above .500 on September 14th last season before their collapse. New York has a gutsy general manager who will get all the pieces he needs to improve his team. That’s precisely what he has done this year with the addition of Johan Santana to the starting rotation. Even if Pedro Martinez struggles, the Mets still have the bats and the power to overcome some suspect pitching along the way. New York is my pick to win the NL East Division and they are worth every penny at 1/3 odds in 2008.
Larry Cook finished with the #5 World Ranking with his baseball picks in 2007 last year. Hard work with research, analysis and starting pitcher breakdowns gives Larry the edge over your sportsbook and bookies. You won’t believe the kind of profits you can make by signing up for any of Larry’s long-term packages. By doing so, you will get in on all of his winning MLB action this season. Larry will guide you to profits you have never seen before once he makes his move up to the #1 spot in 2008.
2008 New York Mets Odds:
Odds to win NL East:
1/3
Odds to win 2008 NL Pennant:
9/5
Odds to win 2008 World Series:
4/1