New York Mets Should Be a Apple Ripe For Picking By the Philadelphia Phillies

While the rest of the town is obsessed with Brad Lidge-gate, the Phillies have a job at hand and it’s manager Charlie Manuel’s job to keep the troops ready for action.

The New York Mets come to town for a four-game series. What is at stake for the Phillies is getting closer to clinching the National League East pennant and keeping the Florida Marlins and Atlanta Braves at arm’s length.

For the Mets, it is a chance at redemption, if only for the weekend. The Mets, 62-78, lost three to the Marlins, who are five games behind the Phillies.

The Nationals, who lost two-of-three to the Phillies, travel to Florida to play the Marlins, while the Braves, who are eight game behind, travel to St. Louis to play the Cardinals.

Worse case scenario, the Marlins sweep the Nats and the Mets sweep the Phillies, the lead would be an uncomfortable 2 1/2 game lead for the Phillies.

It ain’t gonna happen.

The Mets got a boost Tuesday when center fielder Carlos Beltran was activated. He has not played since June 21 due to a deep bone bruise in the right knee.

The Marlins will probably take two of three and if the Phillies take three of four, the lead would go to six games.

Tonight’s matchup is key for the Phillies. Cole Hamels (8-9) vs. Nelson Figueroa (2-4). This is a key game for the Phillies to set up the weekend.

On Saturday, Mike Pelfrey (10-10) faces Jamie Moyer (12-9) and Sunday looks like John Maine (5-4) and Tim Redding (2-5) vs. Kyle Kendrick (0-1) and Pedro Martinez (4-0).

For sure, tonight’s game is the Phillies best pitching matchup.

Believe me. I have to give Charlie Manuel all the credit in the world. It took a lot of male body part duplicates to take closer Brad Lidge out of Wednesday’s game. Um, er, I mean two eyes. OK?

Think it is easy? Tell me: How the heck did Terry Francona become a genius? Phillies fans must wonder that all the time, because Francona stunk when he was here.

Baseball is a funny game. It takes a funny guy like Manuel, who despite the country bumpkin exterior, is as tough as nails.

He wants to win, but at the same time, realizes he has to keep Lidge happy, because there are two years left on the closer’s contract.

Depending on how Friday and Saturday games go, Sunday’s doubleheader could get real interesting.

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