So Dark the Con of Man.

The Yankees are not underdogs vs. the Mets this weekend.

The supposedly vastly superior Mets are only, like, a whole two games up on the Yankees in the standings. If for no other reason, the Yankees are favorites just because of the way the pitching rotation broke.

What do the pitching matchups mean? Perhaps nothing. The Pirates beat Contreras and the White Sox yesterday.

But there is absolutely no reason to think the Yankees shouldn't expect to win 2/3 vs. the Mets at Yankee Stadium. If they don't expect to win, pack it up and call off the 2006 season already.

I've never seen so much pointless and transparent reverse psychology in my life.


As for John Flaherty's analysis:

"The whole key to containing the Mets lineup is keeping Jose Reyes off the bases."

Of course.

I'd also say the key to beating the Red Sox is Mark Loretta. He determines whether Ortiz his a two-run homerun or a solo homerun. He is the Gatekeeper.

"With how well he's swinging the bat right now, that's not going to be an easy thing to do."

I think Reyes managed one bunt hit in three games at Fenway. If "right now" is right now, then he's not swinging the bat too well. If "right now" is mid-June, then he's swinging the bat well. If "right now" is his career in the majors, then he's not swinging the bat too well.

"Offensively, the Mets have such a talented group. They have speed, they have situational hitting, they have power — they have it all. If you can keep the guys from atop the order off the bases, when the power hitters come up there, they're not going to hit three-run homers. Maybe they'll do minimal damage."

Floyd is out of the lineup this weekend. Delgado may be out of the lineup this weekend.

If the lineup included Floyd and Delgado, thet the Met lineup is standard issue when compared to the American League teams the Yankees face every day. Without Floyd and Delgado, the Met lineup is no better than the Twins.


For me, it's downright disheartening to hear Joe Torre lie like a lying liar just to take the pressure off of his ballclub.

Felz won't fall for this con job:

"At that time (the World Series) they were underdogs, not much was expected of them. Now I think they're wearing the hat of the favorite."

I really hope somebody asked him about the 2000 World Series and that is the only reason he is bringing it up.

The 2000 World Series? Is there one single player on the Mets in 2006 who was on the Mets during the 2000 World Series?

Joe, do you think Benny Agbayani is a better pinch hitter than Jose Canseco? Just wondering, because I'm trying to determine who's the favorite this weekend when you play the Mets.

"Not to put pressure on Willie, but he's dealing with it anyway. If you look around that lineup, they're pretty (darn) good."

Okay, I get it, you sly dog.

You say you're not putting pressure on Willie and ... at the same time ... you're actually putting pressure on Willie!

If the Mets can't win 2/3 at Yankee Stadium, then they failed. But if the Yankees can squeeze out one victory and stay within 5 games of Boston (considering all the injuries the Yankees have), then that's not too shabby.

Since the Mets are so great and the Yankees are so injured. (Not to use injuries as an excuse, but I bring them up every day and, when we finish in third place in the AL East this year, I'll bring up injuries as the main reason.)


Steinbrenner, get down here on the double.

I want Steinbrenner in the owner's box with the Sword of Damocles hanging over Torre's head.

No pressure? I'll show you pressure. Take 2/3 or you're fired.

"They can punish you up and down their lineup. (David) Wright's a special player, we all know what (Carlos) Delgado is about. (Carlos) Beltran is right in the middle of it and (Jose) Reyes has given them a huge dimension. There's no soft spot in that lineup."

"There's no soft spot in the Mets lineup." Yeah, right. Very convincing.

Hmmm ... you named three or four players, but you really have no idea who Endy Chavez is, do you? Tell the truth.

You get past Wright and you're home free. Julio Franco is the DH instead of David Ortiz or Jim Thome and you're telling me there's no soft spot.


Torre, I understand what you're trying to do, but I still can't stand this nonsense. If you keep insisting that your team is the underdog, they might start believing you.