The key thing with a two game series is to not split them or to lose both because unless the team is very far up in the standings, neither will help the team in anyway. However, a two game sweep is always helpful because then the team gets a nice standings boost. When you think about it, the only outcomes to come from a two game series are -2 off of the incoming record, no change off of the incoming record or +2 off of the incoming record and that is what the Mets were able to do against the Braves in this quick two game set. They came in at 10-13 and leave at 12-13, about to play the Phillies to try to get back to .500. This also puts the Mets in a position to do something they have not done yet this year, which is to win three games in a row, which is what they will try to do tomorrow.
The ninth inning was very dicey, but the Mets were able to get out of it, which is a good sign. In fact, the entire ninth inning, top and bottom should be looked at as a positve sign for this team. They were able to get two runs in the top of the inning, and then in the bottom they were able to recover from a terrible mistake from Carlos Delgado, to still close the game out with a win, and a lot of that comes from the confidence on the mound in Krod. He just sends out confidence to the players on the field and that is a key part of this team this year the fact that he can do it.
There are two minor concerns I have about going into the next series. With as good as the offense was in the ninth, they could have done a lot more, and they could have been in a position where they would have needed a lot more. That being said, if the Mets lead was less than three or the right fielder was not Francoeur, I think Beltran tries to go home on that deep fly ball, but his decision to stay here was the correct one. What I am more concerned about is if the Mets have a close game tomorrow where they need Krod. This was a long outing tonight and he went last night as well. Although Putz has also pitched back to back days, if the game is close, depending on how deep the starters go, I have no problem with Putz either closing or doing part of the inning to help out Krod. Either way, I wouldn't be surprised or overly concerned to see Krod pitch again tomorrow.
