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Mets can hear footsteps

By Terence Moore | Thursday, May 18, 2006, 08:38 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Terence Moore

In case you haven’t noticed, the supposedly big and bad Mets still are shivering at the thought of tomahawks in the National League East. It’s just that the Mets are doing so in the strangest of ways this time. Now they are falling from ahead while the Braves are surging from behind, and you know what?

Until proved otherwise, the Braves will win the division.

Well, they should. It certainly didn’t hurt the Braves’ chances of reaching the postseason for a 15th consecutive time after they pounded the Florida Marlins 9-1 on Thursday at Turner Field for a ninth victory in their past 11 games. During that same stretch, the Mets have become the Mets again. In this case, that means what was a nine-game lead for a slightly overrated bunch from Queens has tumbled to a cozy 3 1/2 games and counting.

This is more about what the Braves are doing than what the Mets aren’t. The Braves are hitting in the clutch, for instance. That includes Jeff Francoeur, who continued to rip his way out of his early sophomore blues with a game-winning grand slam Saturday and a couple of blasts Thursday. In fact, no team has scored more this month than the Braves.

The bullpen implosions also have dwindled, and after an ugly beginning, the pitching is moving back toward the prettiness of its past. Even Jorge Sosa won a start after dropping his previous five decisions before the pitiful Marlins came to town. Plus, despite the loss of pitcher Kyle Davies for a while, the Braves are getting healthier, with a couple of relievers slated to return along with a starter.

If you add all of that to the Mets finally playing folks their own size (the Yankees and the Phillies after dropping two of three in St. Louis), various themes involving panicking, choking and the Mets are about to surface on the back pages of the New York tabloids.

“Believe it. They [Mets players] are always peeking at the standings in the papers, and they see us coming,” said veteran Brian Jordan, in his second tour of helping the Braves make others in the division wonder if the baseball gods will keep this franchise rolling into October forever. “Things are starting to turn around for us. We’re starting to look like the Braves should look. We’re doing A,B,C baseball. Getting the guy over. Getting the guy in. That’s been the turning point to where we are now.”

Yes and no. All things actually became possible again for the Braves when John Smoltz correctly mentioned 12 days ago that the most important game of the season in division was back then, when the Mets already were crowned kings of the world by the zealots of the New York media with a nine-game lead. Courtesy of Smoltz’s pitching and hitting that afternoon at Shea Stadium, the Braves roared to a 13-3 victory to keep the Mets’ lead from rising to an insurmountable 10 games.

“Insurmountable” is the correct word, by the way, which Smoltz suggested at the time and which he re-emphasized on Thursday by his locker. “Personally, if I was on [the Mets] and I was playing that third game [against the Braves 12 days ago] with a chance to get to 10 games in New York, I would want to bury them,” he said. “It’s true for any team, whether it’s the great ones of the past, or even right now with the Pistons. With the Pistons, it was like, ‘Oh, they’re the world champions,’ and then the Cavaliers came back like they did to take a 3-2 lead in the series.

“You want to bury that thought of that other team possibly coming back as quickly as you can, and everybody knows that teams have had a chance to put us away each year, and they didn’t. Then we’ve somehow won the division because of it.”

They’ll only do so this time if they discover ways to prosper on the road sooner than later. They’ve taken just nine of their first 23 games away from home, and they’ll spend the next 10 days in Arizona, San Diego and Chicago. “So us at 3 1/2 games doesn’t guarantee anything,” said Smoltz, easing into a smile and adding, “But if you’re on the other side, you can’t help but think about the last 14 seasons, thinking that they still got a chance, as long as the numbers reflect that.”

The numbers do. So does that sound of the Mets crashing back to earth.

Permalink | Comments (66) | Categories: Braves / MLB, Terence Moore

Comments

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By Mike

May 18, 2006 09:00 PM | Link to this

Yes, But do the Mets like Burritos? The WHITE SOX LOVE burritos and will win another World Series. Who cares about the Mets and Braves…they can’t be Bat Boys for the White Sox. Time to eat more burrito’s!

By Matt

May 18, 2006 09:13 PM | Link to this

Jim Thome LOVES Burritos!! The Mets and Braves eat ALPO.

By Dean

May 18, 2006 09:36 PM | Link to this

When we get that great closer we’ll be even better..once everything starts to gel they will be very dangerous…hopefully we can keep together through october..I’d be a rich man if I had a nickel for every time i said that..

By cracker fan

May 18, 2006 09:51 PM | Link to this

two weeks does not a season make or decide the outcome…atlanta is getting hot and has to sustain…

By Dr. Jesse

May 18, 2006 10:03 PM | Link to this

I have been a pessimist before but Mr. Cox is the best “season game” manager alive. He will get more out of a dead man than the Mets will get from their stars. As long as Mr. Smoltz, Hudson and the Joneses wear a Tomahawk on the front of their jersey, the NLE belongs to the Braves.

By Paul

May 18, 2006 10:07 PM | Link to this

Im still worried about those damn mets. If in a week we are still in the same position or better, we will win the decision. We have a tough week ahead of us, playing the hot Padres , Diamondpunks, and the Dodgers.

By doc

May 18, 2006 11:00 PM | Link to this

if the braves finish this road trip at .500 then they should be favorites coming down the stretch as 2/3 of their opening games after this road trip will have been on the road.

By Josh

May 18, 2006 11:03 PM | Link to this

Atlanta is finally rolling…..but it is against teams we SHOULD pound. It’s time to go on the road and get tested by some hot teams……oh and the Cubs.

By UGA 72

May 19, 2006 12:11 AM | Link to this

Think about this Bravos fans, Chipper hadn’t had a meaningful hit in 6 weeks until last night, Frenchy was ice cold to start the season, Andruw carried the team for the first 6 weeks and now he has lots of help. The fact is either Bobby Cox is the greatest manager in history or he caught one of those magic fish that granted him 3 wishes and Bobby forgot about the World Series in his excitement to wish for Divisional Championships.

It would be great to win a couple more World Series Titles, but it is so much fun to read the NY Papers complain about the Braves and wet their pants. You have to admit it is so much fun to win the way the Braves have the last couple of years with Young guys coming through in the Clutch. Does anyone remember at the start of the 05 Season they thought Frenchy might make the team next year, and for the life of me I can’t find anything from Spring Training 05 where McCann was even mentioned. Now we have Diaz living up to his reputation as a very good hitter, but someone clearly misunderstood his ability with a glove, or perhaps its that Cox magic again where player say they would run through walls for him, and often do. I love Raffy, but would you trade Shortstops with LA right now? With a little pitching this team will be an absolute joy to watch this year, as Chip Carey used to say, Win or Tie!

By HEAD COACH

May 19, 2006 12:35 AM | Link to this

Don’t count your chicken’s before they hatch.It’s a nine game road trip. San Deigo and Arizona both have better records then we do. We play the Cubbies at Wrigley then finish up the month with three games at home against the Dodgers. I’m predicting we finish the month with a record of 25 wins and 28 losses. As you can see , beating up on the door mat Marlins and Nationals doesnt impress me one bit. Beat up on some good teams and I’ll be impressed.

By Gregg V

May 19, 2006 12:46 AM | Link to this

If we can trade for a solid starter, and get a true closer, this division would be another lock for the Braves. And why the heck are we not putting Betemit STARTING at 3rd base, with Chipper at first? Two switch hitting corner infielders - and you can’t tell me with a clear conscience that LaRoche or Jordan is a better hitter or baserunner than Wilson is - since it would be their place he’d be taking in the lineup! Go Braves.

By David

May 19, 2006 01:07 AM | Link to this

yeah, they have better records than us…but they also play in the NL West. Oh and greg shut that nonsense up.

By mooresbad

May 19, 2006 02:14 AM | Link to this

god, t moore flip flops more than john kerry did last election… one week he’s all about the mets and the end of the braves. and now he’s talking the opposite. he needs to go the route of dan kolb and get shipped out of town

By Moore's Best Friend

May 19, 2006 02:28 AM | Link to this

I agree…Moore is the worst jounalist in the history of the AJC…just horrible.

By Andy

May 19, 2006 04:51 AM | Link to this

Headcoach—-I believe the braves will win 2 out of 3 from the snakes/sweep the padres(I’m going Monday—can’t wait)—then two of 3 from cubs and the same for the dodgers at home. At the end of the month we will be in 2nd and the philles 1st and the…whats that NY team…oh yeah the Mets will be 3rd three out.

By br

May 19, 2006 06:41 AM | Link to this

I’d say Mark Bradley is running neck and neck as worst AJC journalists ever. Never seen so much @$$-kissing when they get egg on their faces…and it happens ALOT!

By Steve

May 19, 2006 07:12 AM | Link to this

I said it before I will say it again….Especially now, Mets vs Yanks, Yanks will handle them. Phils have the pleasure of playing Boston….Look at the pitching matchups, haha both teams are done. And Braves get the D-Backs. THEN Phils and Mets play each other, so one team will be drowning down there in the standings. The Braves will be in 1rst or 1 game back by the time the Phils and Muts series is over.

By ms

May 19, 2006 07:20 AM | Link to this

To the Mets and Phillies: Objects in mirror are closer than they appear!

By john

May 19, 2006 07:40 AM | Link to this

The Sorry A* Muts better enjoy it now while they have a chance because come middle of June they gonna be out of first place,closer to 3rd or 4th.Muts still suck,always have and always will.

By Mart

May 19, 2006 08:11 AM | Link to this

The Braves are in 3d place, 3.5 games behind. Let’s all wait a while before we start bragging.

By OldTimer

May 19, 2006 08:17 AM | Link to this

The Mets are a 400 meter runner in a 1600 meter race. Those last three trips around the track really hurt.

By Stevie Mac

May 19, 2006 08:49 AM | Link to this

This is far from being even close to being over or even a tie for the division lead for that matter. Braves have a long way to go and some tough teams coming up….Pitching still concerns me big time…

But no matter what Go Braves…

Steve

By Shellhorse

May 19, 2006 08:51 AM | Link to this

While winning 9 out of the last 11 is great, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here: 6 of those wins came against the Marlins, who with the a rediculously low payroll is understandably among the worst teams in baseball. 2 of these wins came against the Nationals, who aren’t much better. The Braves still have a long way to go and a lot to prove.

By coastal jim

May 19, 2006 08:54 AM | Link to this

I think Mike and Matt need to go suck on a burrito. One world series ring every 50 years doesn’t exactly shout out dynasty. The white stockings aren’t even kings of their own town, much less the world!!

By BarkinDog

May 19, 2006 09:11 AM | Link to this

“…the Braves will win the division.” The worst thing to have happen to the Braves is for Moore to predict their future, as in 1996, when he said the World Series was over after the Braves beat the Yankees the first two games in NY, only to lose the next four games. His racial slants and flip-flop commentary is tolerable when compared to his predictions. So, look out Braves - Moore may have cursed you (again) before getting a chance to win your 15th title.

By jon

May 19, 2006 09:17 AM | Link to this

I’m kinda thinking like Shellhorse. It’s nice to see the team playing better, beating the teams they should beat. It’s wonderful to see Frenchy knocking ‘em out and fabulous, albeit surprising, to see Sosa yesterday. But it’s still early, and those were weak teams. Let’s see how we do on the road trip.

By Wink from Lithonia

May 19, 2006 09:42 AM | Link to this

Here my contribution to this blog…yes the Mets now have to watch their rearview mirror. Yes the Braves are making strides at narrowing the gap. As point out, the Mets are playing teams their own size. But, we should not get ahead of ourselves here, and think the Braves have did turned it around. We just beat the Nationals & Marlins teams not our size, but teams should beat. In this run, I only see Francoeur as a positive & throw in Matt Diaz. Diaz is hitting over 300 and should be considered for more playing time in left field. Let’s win some road games and beat some quality opponents before we crown them the division winner for the 15th time…hey its May and a long way from September!!

By Paul

May 19, 2006 09:46 AM | Link to this

The Mets had played the two patsies of the division in the first couple of weeks. The Braves played the Nationals and Marlins in the last couple of weeks. The advantages derived from scheduling have balanced out so we’re getting a look at how the division really stacks up. If the Braves have enough pitching, they very well could win again. But that’s a “big if.”

By Bill

May 19, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this

Of course the Braves look good, remember who they just beat, the Nats & Fish. In June they have the Jays, Bosox & NYY. Lets talk after that. No closer = no wins. The walkoffs will cease to exist. Do you think the Mets will sit still & not replace Zambrano, who stinks anyway. Lets get real, the Mets havent warmed up yet. The schedule has been kind to both teams so far. Lets see what happens down the road.

By Ron

May 19, 2006 10:23 AM | Link to this

Must be very dull in White Sox land if the burrito is all it takes to get you going!I know I’ve seen the White Sox in so many post season game;wait that was the Braves-Never mind!

By Marshall

May 19, 2006 10:31 AM | Link to this

Terence, I know you are a fan of Billy Knight, and I;m sure he is a great guy, but i think it is time for an analysis of his role as GM. Consider;

Childress instead of Deng. Childress can’t break starting line up of woeful Hawks. Deng has started and otherwise done well for a playoff team.
Williams instead of Chris Paul. We would be laughing if it did not hurt so much.
All the ex Hawks in some way discarded doing so damn well on championship contenders. Jason Terry. Nazi Mohammed. Boris Diaw (does the blame hear go to the coach?) A starting team of Terry and Diaw, Mohammed, Paul and Deng looks pretty good to me.

By John

May 19, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this

Well..we may not have beat good teams, but going from 8 back to 3.5 does require some help from the 1st place team.

By metsmanintheatl

May 19, 2006 10:42 AM | Link to this

get real…you won 2 of 3 from the gNATS and swept the AAA-laden BREAM…beat somebody and get back to us…GO METROS!!!

By metsmanintheatl

May 19, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this

get real…you won 2 of 3 from the gNATS and swept the AAA-laden BREAM…beat somebody and get back to us…GO METROS!!!

By metsmanintheatl

May 19, 2006 10:51 AM | Link to this

get real…you won 2 of 3 from the gNATS and swept the AAA-laden BREAM…beat somebody and get back to us…GO METROS!!!

By What was I thinking

May 19, 2006 11:03 AM | Link to this

Why do I keep getting suckered into reading Terrence Moore’s articles. Every time I think he might write an article with some insight and prose above a high school sophmore level he turns back into, well, Terence Moore.
TM, your ability to state the obvious and rehash what everyone has just witnessed is astounding. Stick to writing about Cincinnati and Notre Dame and the occassional racist bent rant so I won’t think you have possibly written something with insight and original thought.

By Chopaholic

May 19, 2006 11:47 AM | Link to this

One of the reason’s the Braves played so poorly earlier in the year was that they had so many injuries. They were lost tough games to the Brewers and Phils who by the way are not bad teams and had to play on the West Coast in horrible weather conditions. They may have been losing a lot of one run ball games, but considering the lineup and conditions they did okay, and most importantly didn’t panic. I hate to make excuses, but you can’t say that the team the Braves had in April is the same Braves team we are seeing today.

Sure they beat up on the Nationals and Marlins the past 10 games, but that is what good teams do. Now the Braves go on yet another long road trip, but this time they are healthy and playing solid Braves baeball. I believe they will finish this road trip with a 6-3 record and put to bed the notion that they can’t win on the road.

Lookout Mucking Fets you’re 15 minutes are up.

By Marty

May 19, 2006 12:43 PM | Link to this

During the first 30 games of the season, the Mets were a good team with obvious flaws (defense, LF, RF, and 3-4-5 starters) who were overachieving. The Braves were a good team with obvious flaws (4 and 5 starters and bullpen) who were underachieving. The Mets made the most of their extremely favorable schedule, and the Braves did poorly with their extremely unfavorable schedule. Things will even out, and if the Braves continue to play like the Braves, they probably will win the division. Don’t expect this to be one of the years where the Braves will be up 10 games by the end of August, though.

By Joe Roman

May 19, 2006 12:59 PM | Link to this

Great work as usual, Terence. It’s pretty easy to look like a soothsayer when it comes to the National League East and of course, many of the bloggers and venters here on the AJC. The Mets part is easy. If I were Willie Randolph, Mets players would not be allowed to read a newspaper or listen to sports talk radio as long as they were with the team. What else can explain how those guys fall victim to what? Stress? Pressure? EVERY season. The unmentioned 800 pound gorilla is the Phillies. I kind of hope they hang close all season long. They’ve got good balance. I love Jimmy Rollins, and without Larry Bowa, there’s nothing to hate about them. Plus, I think it would be good for the Braves to have some all-season heat applied. It’ll help in the post-season. As far as the bloggers are concerned, that’s the easy part. How much knowledge of the game, the leadership of Bobby Cox and the team’s history does it take to say catagorically to the prophets of doom the sky is assuredly NOT falling? The fun part of the season is just beginning. Enjoy! Enjoy!

By Erin

May 19, 2006 01:20 PM | Link to this

Why do you have to be as arrogant as the New York writers? Weren’t Braves fans just a few weeks ago rolling their eyes at the zealousness of the New York crowd about their early impressive record? It’s early in the season, it was said. Last time I checked, pennant races were not decided in May. That truth runs both ways between Atlanta and New York.

By jbmlaw

May 19, 2006 01:22 PM | Link to this

Let’s give Terence some slack. He wrote harshly when the Braves were going through a tough time. It would have been easy for him to stick to his guns, since our recent success has been against teams going through tough times. Terence swallowed his pride, very visibly reversed course. Forecasting success now, as many bloggers note above, could well be premature, so Terrance is going out on a limb again. 2006 looks like a fun ride for all of us.

By Matt

May 19, 2006 01:24 PM | Link to this

Metsmanintheatl, we are playing the same team your team did to begin the season. We have already played 2 series against the Phils, 3 weeks ago. You beat up bad teams to get to your record, and now we are beating up on bad teams to better our record. Your pitching staff won’t last, and your team way overpaid for most of your hitter. Beltran-over-rated, Delgado-great, Floyd-Brave killer, Wright-Brave killer. Who else do you have. All your hopes are in this team this year, b/c half of them will be gone next year and then what, spend more money for more players. I have said it before and I will say it again, the Mets are Yankee wanna-bes. No system, just buy players. That doesn’t make your team or your system good, it makes certain teams good on certain years. 14 straight without having to buy or trade for a superstar every year, that is baseball. We have traded or signed a few, but only a few. That makes it even better, when you NY fans try to buy clubs to beat our homegrown boys and you still can’t do it.

By KneeJerk

May 19, 2006 01:31 PM | Link to this

Weren’t the Mets first 12 games of the year against the Marlins and Nats? NOW they say the Braves have played a favorable schedule?

By JOHN B.

May 19, 2006 01:51 PM | Link to this

metsmanintheatl,

The Mets started out 10-2 while playing the Nats, Brewers and Marlins. Since then, the Mets are 14-14 against the Braves, Phillies, Cardinals, Padres, Brewers and Giants. They beat up on the weaker teams at home to get their record. The Mets have had a much easier schedule as they play 27 of their first 52 games at home. The Braves only play 18 of their first 51 games at home. The Mets will not win the division this year.

The Mets do the same thing every year. They play well through mid May, then their true colors shine. They are just an overpaid, overhyped NY team. They will sink this year just as they have in past years.

By Brent

May 19, 2006 01:51 PM | Link to this

Let’s be fair. The Mets lost 2/3 in Milwaukee (where we were swept), and lost 2/3 in St. Louis (will we do any better?) Meanwhile, we took 6/7 from the Nats & Fish, which we had to do. I am thrilled that we have chopped this lead down to 3 1/2, but before we pick on the Mets, let’s pay attention to our own performance against similar competition as well as our head2head with the Mets.

By MGL

May 19, 2006 01:54 PM | Link to this

The only teams that the Mets have a better than .500 record against this year so far are the Nationals, Marlins, Pirates, and Giants. Only the Giants are over .500.

By alan

May 19, 2006 02:05 PM | Link to this

I am sure glad my BRAVES went on this tear and closed the gap on the Mets because, as much as it pains me to admit it, I’ve gotta’ pull for the Mets this weekend. Man, do I hate the Yankees! Am I a bad person??

By chophawk

May 19, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this

do not like yankees but will be pulling for them over ‘metros’….if we were ahead of them muts might have second thoughts but let’s wait til we pass them…go bravos

By alan

May 19, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this

That shows a lack of faith, doesn’t it chophawk?

By chopthis

May 19, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this

No Braves team of the past 15 years has as many holes as this one. If the Mets don’t get them, the Phillies will.

By Rutuger

May 19, 2006 03:11 PM | Link to this

Isn’t there any way that the Mutts and Jankees can both lose the next three games? God wouldn’t do that though, his favoritism would just be too obviously displayed.

GO …aaacccck….Yan..kees…ugh! I have to though, damnit, the division lead is at stake!

LET’S GO BRAVOS!!!!

By Bechpth

May 19, 2006 04:34 PM | Link to this

Mets will win the WS this year without a doubt folks. Braves are good for a second place team this year. Glavine is too good not to get another WS ring under his belt.

By Ryder

May 19, 2006 05:19 PM | Link to this

Mets fans all I can say is wait until Pedro takes his annual leave of absence to go on the DL. By the way, how’s that Kazmir kid doing?

By Jim Gordon

May 19, 2006 05:22 PM | Link to this

Let’s don’t get to cocky it’s a long way until Sepember. I never count my chicken eggs before they hatch and remember the Mets are still a good team. Watch out for the Phillies also.

GO BRAVES

By metsfanforlife

May 19, 2006 05:22 PM | Link to this

Come on guys….its still May and we pretty much have to play the same teams. My Mets and your Braves should have a good year. I am hoping for the Mets to win the division this year and i will take a 3.5 game lead for now. So im not complaining. Go Mets and I hope we sweep those dirty Yankees!

By metsfanforlife

May 19, 2006 05:23 PM | Link to this

By metsfanforlife

May 19, 2006 05:23 PM | Link to this

By Terrence who

May 19, 2006 05:27 PM | Link to this