If last season was any indication the Mets' troubles in Atlanta should be over. But, being the ever pessimistic fan that grew up watching the events that inspired Turner Field being dubbed "The House of Horrors," you can never be too sure.Sending a message this early in the season by handling the Braves at home will only help the Mets down the road. A sweep would be euphoric, but 2 of 3 will do. A highlight will be (assuming they don't use a 5th starter yet) Smoltz v. Glavine on Saturday at 3:55.
I'll go out on a limb here and say that the Braves are the Mets biggest competitors in the NL East this season. The Phillies bullpen is terrible, their starters aren't as good as they've shown so far, and a lack of pitching means death in Citizens Bank.
The Braves improved almost every aspect of their team this offseason. Tim Hudson can't possibly be as bad as he was in 2006, and their bullpen is significantly better. Did I mention their bullpen was much, much better? They have an all-star catcher and a superstar CF in a contract year. Renteria should be better sans the problems of Boston, Chuck James looks like the real deal, and we shouldn't see any Tyler Yates unless it's in Rich Rodriguez-esque mop-up situations.
It should be a return to the rivalry years of 99'-01' from the looks of everything. And I don't know about you, but if history is any factor that's a little scary.
- Tonight, Perez looks to repeat Game 7 against Mark Redman at 7:35, SNY & WFAN
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