Yesterday I hinted at it, today I am sure of it. Between the Mets and the Phillies, which ever pen survives to the end will get the division title for the East. We all know the Mets pen has been struggling this year, a lot. The Phillies pen, with the exception of the last few days, has been very good, but only late in ball games. However, they are starting to slump, and slumping at a very good time for the Mets. The last game the Mets played in Philly, the Mets rallied in the eighth to win. In the first game in Chicago, Hamels handed a great game over to the pen, which then blew it. In the second game in Chicago, Harden leaves the game with a 2-1 lead (the offense was not helping him today) and the pen lets the runners that Harden put on base to score. Then the next inning, they give the Cubs the go ahead run. What is the result? The Philies are now 2 games out of first.
Now the Mets pen wasn't perfect tonight either. Beltran in his awesome night, puts the Mets ahead 5-2 in the top of the ninth and Ayala closes out the game, but not before making it 5-4. This night Ayala was able to keep the save, but he really needs to watch himself because any mistakes he makes can cost the Mets the game and their chance at the division title. Knowing all of this about the Phillies current pen problems and the Mets always current pen problems, the champion in this division will be decided by which ever team fields the better pen.
