Can the Mets continue their dominance over the Nationals? Will the weather be a blessing or a curse? What roster moves need to be made to create room for Matt Wise? How do things happening behind-the-scenes and off-the-field impact the team?
External Factor No. 1: Will the weather create or eliminate a rotation issue?
Thanks to Friday's rainout, the Mets were forced to use both Johan Santana and Mike Pelfrey in a day-night doubleheader Saturday, creating a hole in the rotation for Wednesday night's game. And according to weather.com, the forecast in Flushing calls for rain throughout the afternoon today.
The Mets can either use Pelfrey on short rest or pull Jorge Sosa or Aaron Heilman out of the bullpen for a spot start -- none of which are ideal moves.
As Mike Puma of the New York Post writes:
"A postponement tonight not only would allow the rotation to fall back into place, it would let Santana pitch Friday in the Subway Series opener against the Yankees."
Matt Wise is ready to be activated from the disabled list, and for Joe Smith -- the only reliever in the Mets' bullpen with options left -- that means a demotion back to Triple-A New Orleans.
"Smith should be here. The only run he allowed to score was on a broken bat base hit, not grand slams like Sosa gives up. All the talk about making the pen stronger will be weakened by that thirty something, or should I say next to nothing."
Is taking Smith out of the mix really an effective baseball decision, or is it purely a financial matter? Only the Mets' front office knows for sure.
How does the Yankees-heavy crowd in Tampa Bay affect the balance of power at Tropicana Field? Will yesterday's rain-out in Detroit hurt New York's focus? And will the warming seat of General Manager Brian Cashman draw some attention away from the playing field? How do things happening behind-the-scenes and off-the-field impact the team?
External Factor No. 1: Home field advantage?
The Yankees are known for selling out stadiums across the country, but when they play in St. Petersburg, Florida, the crowd is rarely out to get them. In fact, it's the Rays that usually find themselves on the wrong side of the hooting and hollering.
Thanks in large part to their many facilities in the state of Florida, the Yankees have become just as popular there as they are right here in New York. And over the years, it has gotten to the point where the majority of fans only turn out when the Bronx Bombers come to town.
Some Yankees, namely Derek Jeter, love to be booed. Much of their motivation is derived from the heckling of opposing fans. However, many others love to be cheered and welcome it with open arms. So every time New York travels to Florida, they are met with a bit of a mixed bag. Unfortunately for the Rays, it's quite the opposite, and feeling alone in their own ballpark has to be mentally tough to accept.
External Factor No. 2: Losing a rhythm ...
If you're a fan of the New York Yankees, then you don't need me to tell you that weather has not been kind to them over the last few years. You also don't need me to tell you that many players on this team are creatures of habit and that a single hiccup in their schedule could send them spiraling into a slump for quite some time.
Had Mike Mussina been scheduled to pitch yesterday, the rain out would have been a little more disconcerting. However, since Andy Pettitte was slated for the start, it's unlikely that the starting staff will face any adverse effects of the postponement.
Still, the Yankees have been known to really toss up a few stinkers following an unexpected weather delay.
External Factor No. 3: Is Cashman on coals?
It's that time of year again! The Yankees aren't 10-games over .500, they aren't leading the AL East and they aren't scoring 12 or more runs per game. So that means it's "hot seat" time.
Filling his yearly role on the warm chair is General Manager Brian Cashman, who appears to be accompanied byJason Giambi this time around. And while Giambi was a legitimate question mark prior to last week, I again struggle to find solid reason for dragging Cashman down this worn-out tunnel.
What sort of distraction will this cause, if any? It's hard to say. This cycle continues year in and year out; it's like a broken record. By now, most Yankees players and personnel have gotten used to it, but when the bosses go looking for someone to blame, watch out!
Did Willie Randolph really say the Mets enjoy playing on the road better than at home? Is John Maine the real deal? How do things happening behind-the-scenes and off-the-field impact the team?
External Factor No. 1: David Wright is the key to the Mets' offense staying hot.
Despite the euphoric headlines, the Mets' offense can't continue on this pace until the key cog in the lineup, David Wright, is performing consistently.
"I can't do what I've been doing, which is to ride that emotional roller coaster where I'm living and dying with every at-bat," Wright said.
And over at the MSG.com message boards, Mets fan WrightNReyes says,"Wright is either on fire or ice cold. There is no middle."
If Wright can feed off the good vibrations from Wednesday's win in La-La land, the Mets should finally be able to give the hometown crowd something to cheer about in their three-game set vs. Cincinnati.
But if Wright plays more like Robin and less like Batman, then the good vibrations could turn into sour notes at Shea.
Will the sudden revival of Robinson Cano breed positive feelings up and down the Yankees lineup? Will the third time really be a charm for Kei Igawa? And will Joba Chamberlain's celebration cause a distraction once again? How do things happening behind-the-scenes and off-the-field impact the team?
At the start of each Yankees series, I'll be breaking down the External Factors that could distract or enhance the Yankees' play, potentially affecting the outcome of the games.
External Factor No. 1: Positivity and optimism are contagious.
Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano is currently riding a four-game hit streak, and it appears that the positivity is beginning to rub off on his teammates.
Following yesterday's 6-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians, Cano was met with congratulatory high-fives courtesy of Melky Cabrera, Jose Veras and Jose Molina. Only this celebration was a tad different than usual. It wasn't only about the team coming out victorious; this celebration was more about Cano finally breaking through and looking comfortable at the plate.
If Cano is feeling good, the rest of his teammates are feeling good. And when a team is feeling good, good things happen.
External Factor No. 2: Is the third time a charm?
Kei Igawa will take the mound Friday night for the New York Yankees, and it will be the third opportunity he's been given to prove himself after a strong stint in the minor leagues.
Can the former Japanese All-Star finally get it done at the Major League Level? Will it sink in that this may be his last chance with New York?
There's a lot riding on Igawa's arm and mind for both he and the team.
External Factor No. 3: Youthful distraction, part two.
As I said yesterday, Joba will be Joba. And just like he's not a robot when it comes to pitching perfection, he's not a robot when it comes to youthful exuberance either. And unfortunately, for the second time this year, that's causing a problem.
"That's what gets him going and that's what everybody likes to see, but if a hitter was to do something like that they'd probably say it was 'bush (league)' and you shouldn't do it," David Dellucci said. "It's kind of funny how a pitcher can get away with it."
Rather than pumping his fist in excitement, I'm starting to think that Joba should play the world's smallest violin.
Hopefully this doesn't distract Chamberlain, Joe Girardi or any of the other Yankees like it did last time.
Will the death of a Red Sox fan dampen the Yankees' recent on-field success? Will New York fans be waiting to shower Cleveland with insults and accusations over the bug incident of a year ago? How do things happening behind-the-scenes and off-the-field impact the team?
At the start of each Yankees series, I'll be breaking down the External Factors that could distract or enhance the Yankees' play, potentially affecting the outcome of the games.
External Factor No. 1: The rivalry leads to tragedy.
It's hard to believe that Red Sox fans and Yankees fans hate each other so much that it would lead to second-degree murder, but that's apparently what happened last Friday night.
Following a heated Yankees/Sox debate that eventually spilled outside of a New Hampshire bar, Ivonne Hernandez, a 43-year-old from Nashua, drove her car into a group of people that includedMatthew Beaudoin, a 29-year-old Boston fan. The results, unfortunately, were fatal.
Beaudoin was struck and later died from what the doctors called "massive head trauma." Hernandez was charged with second degree murder, aggravated driving while intoxicated and two counts of reckless conduct.
The question then becomes: Will the Yankees bring this onto the field with them?
Yes, I realize the tragedy that occurred is far more horrific than New York losing will ever be, but if you think for one second that being asked about it won't affect the players, you're out of your head.
External Factor No. 2: The Fly Midges
Yankees fans will not soon forget the swarm of Midges "unleashed" on Joba Chamberlain during the 2007 ALDS, and you can bet that their creative nature will be out in full force over the next three days.
Will they dress up like "The Fly?" Will they all have bug spray handy? It's anyone's guess, but you can bet it will be entertaining ... for the Yankees.
When you boo a player, can he hear you? And if so, does that affect his game? How do things happening behind-the-scenes and off-the-field impact the team?
At the start of each Mets series, I'll be breaking down the External Factors that could distract or enhance the Mets' play, potentially affecting the outcome of the games.
Since Willie became a manager in 2005, he and Joe have split the Subway Series 3-3 each year. By the numbers, they're evenly matched, but Joe's near the end of his managing career while Willie's at the beginning.
When the Mets visit the Los Angeles Dodgers for three games, the master and apprentice will pit their managerial skills against each other in National League play. Can Willie take what he's learned and use it to surpass his master?
"You always want to test yourself against the best competition around," Randolph said. "And I think that makes us better, too, when we have to go up against the best."
The latest comes from redraider: "Billy needs to shut his mouth when it comes to naming names. He gets an 'F' from me, and should get five knuckles from Oliver, for mentioning Perez by name."
Willie Randolph met with Wagner over the weekend to nip the potentially divisive issue in the bud.
Randolph, who played for the famously bickering "Bronx Zoo" Yankees of the late 1970s, has been criticized for running a humorless, robotic clubhouse. But if you listen to Randolph, that seems to be how he likes it.
"[Wagner] can respond however he wants, but I just told him I thought it was something that should have been kept in-house," Randolph said. "That's how I do business."
-- Bart Hubbuch, New York Post
Keep an eye on Wagner, this isn't the first time he's called out teammates. If it happens again, this could get ugly.
When you boo a player, can he hear you? And if so, does that affect his game? How do things happening behind-the-scenes and off-the-field impact the team?
At the start of each Mets series, I'll be breaking down the External Factors that could distract or enhance the Mets' play, potentially affecting the outcome of the games.
External Factor No. 1: The Mets have owned the Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
The Mets need a shot in the arm, following Wednesday afternoon's sloppy, double-digit loss to the Pirates, and playing in a park where they've gone 13-1 since May 12, 2004 should do the trick. But it's not going to be easy, given the Diamondbacks' MLB-best record and young players who've gotten better since the Mets last faced them in June 2007.
Billy Wagner knows the Mets can ill-afford to underestimate Arizona this weekend if they want to turn the tide and assert themselves as the team to beat in the NL East.
"It can get a whole lot uglier if we come out there and play those guys in Arizona like we played [Wednesday]," the Mets' veteran closer said. "We have to show up. History isn't good for anything but reading history."
External Factor No. 2: Team swagger nowhere to be found, and the fans know it.
Ever since their historic collapse began late last September, the Mets' confidence has been like Roger Clemens' Hall of Fame legacy ... gone in a flash.
Watching the games, you get the feeling that they don't want to win bad enough. They're making mistakes of effort, not skill. Take the second inning of Wednesday's game, when the Mets got Ryan Doumit into a rundown between first and second. Where was Jose Reyes when the play switched directions? "When I try to go to second base, it's kind of late for me."
"Geez, who ever heard of firing a manager when his team is tied for first in the loss columns. Good grief. No wonder the Mets players are irked at the fans. Relax guys. We're tied for first."
Can the Yankees survive with a growing list of injured players? Will the Steinbrenner family allow the youngsters to work through their struggles? And will the fans' frustration eventually boil over? How do things happening behind-the-scenes and off-the-field impact the team?
At the start of each Yankees series, I'll be breaking down the External Factors that could distract or enhance the Yankees' play, potentially affecting the outcome of the games.
External Factor No. 1: Pressure to please the bosses.
The Steinbrenners are known for doing whatever they can to help the team succeed, but they're also known for showing no patience during that process. The recent struggles of Phil Hughes (DL) and Ian Kennedy have to be weighing on them, and it's only a matter of time before they push the panic button.
I hate to be the one to point out the obvious, but it's not like Kennedy and Hughes have lived under a rock for the last 10 years. They're both well aware of the Steinbrenners' demand for excellence, and that could be a reason for their recent struggles.
You have to wonder how many other players are struggling because of the same pressure.
External Factor No. 2: Fan frustration reaching the boiling point.
In addition to the pressure put on by the royal family, Yankees fans make it increasingly difficult for players to focus. Like the Steinbrenners, they demand perfection.
I don't care about their record and how close they are to first place. This team is dreadful and absolutely boring to watch! I've had it! They are old and they NEVER hit when it counts. For a full month, they have made ordinary pitchers look unhittable. For a month, their prized young pitchers can't even pitch FOUR innings! They can't pitch and they can't hit! If Wang wasn't having a Cy Young-type year, this team would be five games under five hundred!
It's hard to make excuses for a team with a $210 million payroll, but the pressure of playing in New York is clearly weighing down on all of their shoulders.
When you boo a player, can he hear you? And if so, does that affect his game? How do things happening behind-the-scenes and off-the-field impact the team?
At the start of each Mets series, I'll be breaking down the External Factors that could distract or enhance the Mets' play, potentially affecting the outcome of the games.
External Factor No. 1: Lack of fan support at Shea Stadium.
The Mets just took two out of three from the Braves, but even that couldn't stop the Flushing Faithful's frustration at this topsy-turvy season.
The Mets need offense, but with Moises Alou's ankle worse than originally thoughtand Angel Pagan -- Alou's replacement in left field -- coming back to reality, the longer Alou is out the worse off the Mets will be.
External Factor No. 1: Home field advantage?
External Factor No. 2: Losing a rhythm ...
External Factor No. 3: Is Cashman on coals?
Despite the euphoric headlines, the Mets' offense can't continue on this pace until the 
External Factor No. 1: Positivity and optimism are contagious.
External Factor No. 3: Youthful distraction, part two.
It's hard to believe that Red Sox fans and Yankees fans hate each other so much that it would lead to second-degree murder, but that's 
Since Willie became a manager in 2005, he and Joe have 
Over at the MSG.com message boards, fans are 
The Mets need a shot in the arm, following Wednesday afternoon's sloppy, double-digit loss to the Pirates, and playing in a park where they've gone 
Watching the games, you get the feeling that they don't want to win bad enough. They're making mistakes of effort, not skill. Take the second inning of Wednesday's game, when the Mets got Ryan Doumit into a rundown between first and second. Where was Jose Reyes when the play switched directions? "When I try to go to second base, it's kind of late for me."
The Steinbrenners are known for doing whatever they can to help the team succeed, but they're also known for showing no patience during that process. The recent struggles of Phil Hughes (DL) and Ian Kennedy have to be 
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