In looking for a potential reason for the Mets’ 0-5 start (other than poor pitching), I consulted the schedule.
Since the lone off-day of the spring on March 21, the Mets played 12 straight days to finish the Florida exhibition schedule on April 2 against the Marlins. After that game, they flew to Washington for an exhibition against the Nationals April 3, then flew to Cincinnati for the Monday opener on April 4. They had an off day April 5, played two more in Cincinnati, then flew to Atlanta for last weekend’s series, flying to New York Sunday for Monday’s home debut.
After Tuesday’s off-day, they won’t have another break until April 28, but their schedule between now and May 5 includes 15 home games and just seven on the road, five of which are relatively easy jaunts to Philadelphia and Washington.
If this team has any dreams of contending, they'll go 15-7 in this upcoming stretch and emerge with a 17-12 record when we wake up on May 6. After these two remaining against Houston, all of the games are against NL East opponents: Florida April 15-17, at Philly 18-19, at Florida 20-21, vs. Washington 22-24, vs. Atlanta 25-27, off the 28th, at Washington April 29-May 1 and vs. Philly May 2-5.
Oh, and Al Leiter pitches at Shea on Saturday. My prediction: 4 2/3 innings, 8 hits, 7 runs, 5 walks, 3 Ks.Labels: Mets, schedule