Looking Forward to a Great Second Half

If looking forward to the the second half of the Mets 2010 season doesn't get you giddy with excitement yet, take a look back at July 16, 2009. On that day, the first game following the 2009 All Star Game, the Mets trotted out a lineup that featured these first four hitters: Pagan, Castillo, Wright, and Sheffield. Keeping in mind that was the 2009 version of Pagan and Wright and the 40 year old version of Gary Sheffield, and that Castillo was the hottest hitter of the bunch, it's easy to see why the season was basically over before July 16th even ended.

And as if that's not enough, the starting pitcher on that day was Oliver Perez.

Fast forward to today and relish the difference. The Mets open the second half of 2010 with a top of the lineup that once again includes Pagan and Wright, though this time around it's the breakout star version of Pagan and the MVP candidate version of Wright. Jose Reyes is (hopefully) back in the leadoff spot where he belongs. And then there is Carlos Beltran, who makes his triumphant return to the team and cleanup spot.

There is plenty of reason to believe that the summer and fall of 2010 will be memorable for our Mets. The revamped lineup has the potential to be lethal, especially if Reyes stays healthy, Beltran returns with a vengeance and Bay regains his form as an elite power hitter. Even if Carlos is at 80% of his normal self he can provide a huge boost, and history suggests that Bay will produce close to his career numbers when all is said and done. Bumping Ike Davis to the less-pressurized six hole makes the lineup even deeper and more intimidating.

The pitching staff has about as much potential as the lineup to dominate for the next two and a half months. Santana is one of the best second half pitchers of all time (61-19 in his career), Niese is steadily coming into his own, and the R.A. Dickey bubble has shown no signs of bursting. If Pelfrey can pitch anything like he was just a few weeks ago, and Minaya can acquire someone like Ted Lilly the Mets rotation will be one of the best in the NL. A new setup man and the return of Takahashi to the bullpen will make the games that much shorter.

Best of all, Oliver Perez is now a Buffalo Bison.

While none of this is a given, it is all very possible. So drink a glass of koolaid, gear up for an exciting second half, and be grateful that it's no longer 2009. Enjoy the ride.