Predictions '09: New York Mets

New York Mets: When will it be the Mets’ year. The Yankees have dominated the New York post season history since the beginning of the game. Finally the Mets got a team that could compete, a few years ago! This is a team that continually falls apart either in the playoffs or at the end of the season. But one of these years, they’ll make it. So I can’t bet against them. The odds would be against me. But they do have some healthy competition with the Phillies and wins against the Marlins and Braves won’t come easy.

Highlights: Johan Santana did quite well in a new league. There were skeptics at the start of last season but he proved them wrong by dominating the NL with a 2.53 era. Look for him to pitch his way further into history. He’s also a star for your FANTASY team.

Question Mark: Will the team be able to overcome their late season woes or will it just be another tease for New York fans? This is a question that will continue to haunt the Mets Management until they actually pull it together and get some pound and a half diamond-studded rings.

Key to Success: Going into the off season, the biggest question about the team was their bullpen. Although they had an allstar caliber closer in Billy Wagner, their bullpen still had some holes. So what did GM Omar Minaya do, just get two of the best relievers in the game. Fancisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz will more than help the Mets bullpen. They might have the most dominant 1-2 punch at the end of the game. Not to mention Duaner Sanchez, Pedro Feliciano, and Darren O’Day whom any team would like to have. Just this fact alone should give the Mets a handful more wins and may catapult them into late October.

Prediction: 1st Place