Game 4 - Marlins 5, Mets 4

I'm starting this post as the game goes into extra innings cuz I've got a couple to things to say regardless of the outcome.

Just quickly about the game, and this team in the early season at least, the Mets are leaving people on base in scoring position like they're getting paid to do just that. It's about as frustrating as possible, knowing that a timely hit would change the game. Then again, one must think with it being early in the season, they'll pick it up later on...

I read one preview that said the Yankees have the best rotation in the American League, to which I quickly raised my hand and called bullshit. Ask any of the Yankee fans that used to write on this site...

(Hello. Is there anybody out there? Just smile if you can hear me. Is there any one at all?)

Sorry about that, ask any of the Yankee fans that used to write on this site and they'll tell you that unlike some Mets fans, I have no ill will against the Boys from the Bronx.

I just questioned that statement for the sheer fact that it requires a lot of If's falling in the pinstripe direction.

The same could be said for most, if not every, team in the league. But let's run this down real quick. CC is good for similar stats to when he was an Indian. That means 17 to 19 wins. After that, the if's get obvious to me. A.J. has a great arm, IF it's healthy for a whole season. Wang is a top-flight pitcher IF he comes back 100 percent from the first major injury of his career. Andy Pettite is old and IF he can reinvent himself again, he could be a quality No. 4 starter and Joba. Joba? I mean seriously, you all know he should be in the pen, setting up Mo but IF he can stay healthy and complete a full season as a starter he could be great. I think he was up for eight weeks and he was great for four of them...

The Mets have similar IF's. Santana should have won the Cy Young last year, finishing tops in ERA, innings pitched and close to the top in strikeouts. It was just the lack of wins, but that's another post. IF Pelfrey continues to improve, he could be a great No. 2. Oli Perez is the definition of IF, depending on which version shows up that day. IF John Maine returns from injury, he's a decent No. 4 and Livian Hernandez can be a decent No. 5 IF he doesn't remember that he had an 8-plus ERA last year.

April is the month of IF's and IF the Mets don't start hitting better with runners in scoring position, comebacks against closers like Lindstrom will mean little when they can't close the door on Jorge Cantu in the bottom of the frame.

Can't wait to see who they send down to make room for Livian tomoro and do you think that Elton John's version of his name will be his walk-down music?