Can Johan Pitch The Mets Back Into Playoffs?

Last year, the New York Mets were overtaken by the Philadelphia Phillies in the final weeks of play as they suffered one of the worst September breakdowns in baseball history.  That agonizing finish set General Manager Omar Minaya in motion over the winter, making sure that he acquired an ace-quality arm to provide consistency and excellence down the strectch in a playoff race.  Now, his plan is beginning to look genius…but will it be enough?

While the crosstown Bombers slept on Johan Santana, the Mets pounced.  They sent a handful of prospects to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for the game-changing lefty, and now his experience and stretch run savvy is beginning to shine.  The New York media harped on Johan while he was sitting with a lackluster 7-7 record at the end of June, but as the temperature has risen, so has Santana’s game.

Santana has an 8-0 record with a 2.43 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 103.2 innings in his last 15 starts.  The Mets have gone 12-3 in those starts, including a huge win last night against the league-best Chicago Cubs to stay one length ahead of the dangerous Milwaukee Brewers in the Wild Card race.  With only five games remaining in the season, and a one-game lead over the Brew Crew, the Mets must feel confident knowing that Johan will be there to pitch the final game of the season in Queens against the Florida Marlins.

But here’s one glaring worry that the Mets must consider.  If the Mets need Santana to win the final game of the season to clinch a tie for the Wild Card, then who will pitch the potential one-game playoff against Milwaukee?  Right now, the Brewers have not named a starter for the final game of the season – but you can bet your ass that they will pitch C.C. Sabathia on three-days rest if necessary to gain a playoff spot or force a tie with the Mets – especially knowing that they can then start secondary ace Ben Sheets on short rest in the one-game playoff.  But how will the Mets counter?

Johan is the single reason that we are even discussing the Mets in a potential playoff situation right now.  But the fact that he may not be available in a one-game playoff game or even to pitch more than one game in the first round of the playoffs may come back to bite the Mets.  If you are manager Jerry Manuel – how do you use your stud ace in this final week?