2008 New York Mets Picks & Predictions
May 22, 2008
With Johan Santana coming to the Big Apple, oddsmakers like the Mets’ chances to win the NL East this season. Find out if Dave Price is convinced in his 2008 New York Mets predictions and season preview.
Pitching
Johan Santana was a godsend for the Mets, which otherwise would have been going to battle with old timers and inconsistent performers. Santana gives this team a Cy Young caliber ace and the Mets are hoping that he is the missing piece of the puzzle. Losing Glavine to the Braves may end up hurting more than anticipated as he has been one of New York’s most reliable starters. Both Pedro Martinez and Orlando Hernandez are sure to spend time on the DL as they have not shown that they can remain healthy throughout an entire season. John Maine and Oliver Perez will be vital to the success of the Mets this season. Both players are coming off 15-win seasons and New York will need no-less from them in 2008.
The bullpen should be a strength for the Mets. Billy Wagner is a sure thing to get up near the forty saves mark. Jorge Sosa is one of the best middle relievers in the game. He can spell guys in the rotation and fill in in long relief situations.
Offense
New York has a very talented offense with three players that standout above all others. Shortstop Jose Reyes is one of those players and he is one of the best lead off men in the game. Reyes is one of the game’s best baserunners, coming off a 78-steals season. Third baseman David Wright is an all-around talent. He batted .325 with 30 bombs and 107 RBIs in 2007. Oh yeah, he also stole 34 bases. Centerfielder Carlos Beltran is the third part of New York’s three-headed monster that makes opposing pitcher’s cringe. He slugged 33 round trippers and added 112 RBIs last season. Carlos Delgado is another guy with 30 homerun potential, but he is coming off a down year.
Defense
Reyes and Luis Castillo are an exciting middle infield duo with tons of speed between them. David Wright elevated his game even more last year and earned his first Gold Glove award at third base. Carlos Delgado is playing first base for his bat as his defense is just average. Carlos Beltran has earned Gold Gloves in centerfield each of the last two seasons. Moises Alou is getting too old to cover as much ground, but he still has a decent arm in left. New rightfielder Ryan Church is a major upgrade defensively over Shawn Green. Brian Schneider can’t hit to save his life but he is known as a great handler of pitching staffs behind the plate.
The Mets blew a division championship in 2007, blowing a seven-game lead with just 17 games to play. Such a collapse could haunt them again down the stretch this season if the boat gets a rockin’, but the addition of Johan Santana certainly helps shore things up. Although, his presence also adds to the hype surrounding this team as now they are expected to win again. I think Philly has the slight edge in the East this season because of it.
Check out all of Dave Price’s MLB predictions previews to find out which teams are expected to do the most damage in 2008.
Odds to win NL East: 1/3
Odds to win 2008 NL Pennant: 9/5
Odds to win 2008 World Series: 4/1
NL East
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