Mets-Phillies: Cole Hamels Will Be the Ultimate Test for New York

Last night was about as grueling a game as you can play, and considering the offensive show that the Phillies put on, the Mets were fortunate to pull the game out. Johan Santana was not at his best, but he kept the team in the game, and a Ryan Church homer in the seventh made the difference.

Tonight is a new story. The Mets will go to battle with the Phillies’ cream of the crop, Cole Hamels. Hamels is coming off his best start of the season, when he five-hit the Manny-less Dodgers in a complete game shutout.

The start before that was atrocious, as he gave up six runs in six innings against the Nationals.

The Mets are hoping that the Cole Hamels from the Nationals game shows up.

This is not Hamels’ first go-round against the Mets, as he has had six career starts against them. While Hamels is just 1-3 in that span, he has pitched much better than the numbers would indicate.

Plus, those were the days when the Mets had Carlos Delgado and Jose Reyes were in the lineup every day. Now it is up to the new Mets to make a statement.

Personally, I would love to see Daniel Murphy get a shot at Hamels tonight. I know he has been in a rut this season, but it looks like he is coming out of it.

Jerry Manuel owes the kid the chance to see how he does against left-handed pitching. I also expect Gary Sheffield to be in there again, although that may mean he would be out of tomorrow’s season finale. One game at a time.

Also, as always, expect to see Pedro Feliciano in a big spot, unless Mike Pelfrey is the same guy who pitched last time out against the Pirates.

We shall soon see. I will be there with my 4-0 record this season on the line.

LET’S GO METS!