Friday, August 27th Installment of What’s Up Jerry?

The New York Mets are one game under .500 and at best look to be a .500 club this season. I predicted 75 wins for this team coming out of Spring Training and I hope I’m wrong. Let’s get to at least 81 wins please. Decisions will need to be made with Oliver Perez, Luis Castillo and the like for next season. There have been trade rumors circulating around Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes. The only problem in trading Reyes is who will then play shortstop for the Mets. Ruben Tejada is a terrific fielder who has shown that he can play second base as well as shortstop but cannot hit Major League pitching. Jerry Manuel says he’ll work Tejada into the lineup depending upon the pitching matchups. I don’t think Manuel will be around to see Tejada become a Major League hitter next season. Manuel has stated that Wright’s inconsistencies have in part been to Jason Bay and Carlos Beltran having down years as well as his stance in the batter’s box. I hope Wright works out his batting stance once and for all. In 3-game series’ this season the Mets record is 5-13 in the rubber game (3rd game of each series). That’s a huge stat and makes the difference between a .500 or sub.-500 club and a playoff team. The good teams take 2-of-3 at home and play at least .500 on the road. The 1986 Mets squad never lost a series the entire year, at home or on the road! That’s amazing.