Phillies in First? Big Deal.

Phillies fans don’t really know anything, but they were right about one thing – it’s still very early in the season. Last week, all we heard from the Phlunkies was that success in late April means nothing. Well, it’s still only May 3^rd, so Mets fans can for once take the advice of their vomiting-on-each-other rival fans and not overreact to these last two early season losses.

Sure, the games were disappointing, but they add up to just a slight bump in the road during what still promises to be a great season for the Mets. There is no way that Pelfrey and Santana, two of the best pitchers in baseball, will be that bad in any other starts this season. The Phillies were just lucky to catch them on off days. Philly was also fortunate that Jerry Manuel basically gave them the rubber match by playing the B squad lineup and sitting Angel Pagan and Ike Davis. Congrats, Phillies, you beat a team consisting of Garry Matthews Jr. and Fernando Tatis. But giving a day of rest to the starters is sure to pay off for the Mets in the long run.

Even in the losing series there were plenty of positives for Mets fans to take away. John Niese showed he is better than any Phillies pitcher not named Roy Halladay. The offense continued to rake, hitting six homeruns in just three games. Rod Barajas proved once again that he is the best catcher the Mets have had since Mike Piazza. And Jason Bay and Jeff Francoeur played outstanding defense in the corner outfield positions.

So don’t worry, Mets fans. The season is still way too young to put too much stock in a couple of losses, especially when those losses were basically flukes. Santana and Big Pelf returning to their dominating ways is as certain as death and taxes. Phillies fans will probably gloat all day, but all that really matters is that the Mets are looking down at the Phillies when the calendar turns to fall.

Like that obnoxious guy in the Utley jersey told you last week, pennants are won in September, not May.