Takkkkkka - Mets 5, Phillies 0 (Game 47)

Say hello to your new #3 starter Mets fans. Back to back 6 inning scoreless performances against two of your heated rivals (oh, not to mention, the representatives in last year's fall classic) might put you in good graces with your skipper.

***Let's listen in to Jerry Manuel speaking to pitching coach Dan Warthen in the manager's office***

JM: "Taka...Taka, umm, I still can't pronounce his name Dan, but this guy is making sure I don't get fired."

DW: "I don't know anything about pitching whatsoever Jerry, but it seems to me that he doesn't give up any runs. Maybe we should keep him around."

JM: "I'll have to ask Omar, Dan. You know I don't make any decisions. I just say that we are "evaluating the situation" until Omar and Fred tell me what to do."

DW: "Good point, Jerry!"

***

Mets faithful, here is a look at your New York Mets pitching rotation (as I sees it) - because everyone has an asshole, so here is my opinion:

1 - Johan Santana
2 - Mike Pelfrey
3 - Hisanori Takahashi
4 - Jonathon Niese (upon return from DL)
5 - R.A. Dickey

Immediately you will notice a couple of things there. First of all, the Mets have two aces. A lot of people will say that Mike Pelfrey still hasn't proven himself. If you went out and threw 27 consecutive scoreless innings, held a 6-1 record and a sub 3 ERA I would call you an ace too. I might even buy you a cookie. Pelfrey has the mentality. He wants the ball. He is the present and the future of this staff. Throw him together with a rejuvenated Johan Santana and that's not a bad 1-2 punch.

From there, Takahashi and Dickey of course won't keep up this miraculous pace (they can't, can they?) and Jonathan Neise has proven to be a servicable lefty. This rotation, as it stands today, is far more competitive and deep than it was opening day.

**

New York shut out Philadelphia for consecutive games for the first time since 1998

**

Snapshot In Time: At the conclusion of the night, all five NL East teams sit above .500 and within 3 games of each other in the division. It may not last, but for now it's pretty remarkable.

**

More tomorrow...

-Tom Greenhalgh (5/26/10)