The Mets batters will start the season’s second half against two of the best pitchers in baseball with Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee of the Phillies on the mound Saturday and Sunday.
But the toughest job in the franchise belongs to general manager Sandy Alderson.
“As long I’ve been covering the Mets this has to be the most difficult time for a general manager,” SNY analyst Keith Hernandez said. “The decisions are made tougher by this wonderful play by the Mets that no one expected, particularly with all the injuries. It just makes it a much more difficult decision. I am just glad I am not the general manager.”
Alderson traded away closer Francisco Rodriguez to the Brewers on Tuesday night, but trade questions still surround Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes, who is on the disabled with a hamstring injury. Though Reyes is likely to stay in Flushing for the rest of this season, Beltran has admitted that a trade is likely, with the defending champion Giants among the favorites to land him.
“Beltran’s trade value has increased with his play, but he’s obviously a valuable part of this team, too,” Hernandez said. “So that’s a decision Alderson has to make, and it’s not a easy one. So, I am sure that he’s got time to think and he’s considering all the options.”
All these decisions would be a lot easier had the Mets not performed admirably on the field — entering the second half 46-45 and 7 1/2 games behind the Braves in the wild-card race. The Phillies, with Roy Halladay, Hamels, Lee and Roy Oswalt topping their rotation, have remained on top of the NL East for most of the season. Even rookie Vance Worley, who replaced the injured Oswalt, will bring a 4-1 record and 2.20 ERA into Citi Field for tonight’s start.
“Whenever the pitching staff can go deep into games and keep you away from your middle relievers, you’ll have success, even though they haven’t hit that well,” Hernandez said.
The Mets’ underrated staff has kept them in the hunt, as well.
“They’ve pitched great all and all,” Hernandez said. “[Chris] Capuano has been a terrific pickup. He’s a veteran with a great work ethic. He’s been a fine example to the young pitchers. There’s no reason they can’t keep it up. They’ve pitched great in the first half, kept their team in the ballgames.”
The one exception to that has been Mike Pelfrey, who took over as ace with Johan Santana out until August. But the 27-year-old right-hander did hit the All-Star break with solid starts against the Dodgers and Giants.
“His last two games have been good. He’s always been inconsistent,” Hernandez said of Pelfrey, who will match up with Lee on Sunday. “I can’t think of a better time to get him on one of his rolls. It’s promising that his last two starts have been good.”
justin.terranova@nypost.com
