Cutie Pies

Mark this one down as the clearest example yet of a game that the 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001 Mets would have absolutely, no-doubt-about-it, 100% lost. Rubber game, on the road, hideous outing by the starting pitcher, blowing a big lead against tough opponent -- fuggedaboutit. Those Mets would've been mentally packing for Arizona by the 5th inning. These guys? Let's just say (again) something special's in the air. No, the Terminator Mets did not pack it in, but rather, grabbed this game by the lapels and vigorously shook it until another 4 runs plopped out. Excellent victory and yet another series win (they're now 13-5-2 in series this year. I counted. That's damn good.).

A few points:

(1) What the heck's up with the title of this post? Well, it harkens back to the Flitgirl, who had the line of the night during the game. After 'Stings hit his huge 2-run jack, she looked up from her book in time to see D. Wright congratulating him at home plate. Her response? "Awwww, look how cute they are." What exactly should my response have been to that? I couldn't think of one, so all I said to her was, "you KNOW that's going in the blog tomorrow." By the way, she insists on calling him "Miller Lastings." But I swear to you, she's making progress here.

(2) Last night's celebrity sightings were Ray Romano (who I'll always remember better for his early appearances on "Dr. Katz" rather than his own show, which I didn't really watch) and Rob Reiner. Reiner is a guy who most people associate with "All in the Family," or perhaps with one of the many fine movies he's directed, including "This Is Spinal Tap" and "A Few Good Men." Me? Whenever I see him, I always immediately think of his cameo on Curb when he recruits Larry to volunteer against Groat's Syndrome:

Rob: And then you...you told him that Groats' Syndrome was named after the shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates?!
Larry: Yeah, Dick Groat! He was very spastic!

(3) Speaking of cameos, Tommy Lasorda made one in the booth with Howie and Ron last night. "That's one delicious shake for breakfast, one for lunch, and then a sensible dinner...even pasta!" Is he still on that stuff?

Tough series awaits in 'Zona, who fortunately may be reeling from (a) the Grimsley mess and (b) getting smacked around by Philly. I've looked at the pitching matchups for all four days, and my predictions are: Win, loss, loss, win. If you're smart, you'll go out and bet against all four of those picks and clean up.