Wake me up when September ends

Seriously. I can't take it anymore. The Mets lost again tonight and are tied for the division lead with just 3 games remaining at home against Florida. At least tonight was different from the build-a-huge-lead-and-then-blow-it affair that has been the norm for the past few days. Instead, the Metropolitans surprised everyone by using the old get-schooled-by-a-mediocre-pitcher routine that plagued them earlier in the year. This time Joel Pineiro played the role of Cy Young, 3-hitting the normally powerful Mets' lineup. Mets' announcers (and World Series champions) Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez could not stop praising Pineiro's ability to throw four pitches well all night, and yet someone else got ESPN's headline.

Anyway, if Colorado holds onto its 3-run lead over LA, then it looks like San Diego will have a 1-game wild card lead over the Rockies, Phillies, and Mets. Over the weekend, the Mets play Florida, the Phillies play Florida, while the Padres and Rockies draw Milwaukee and Arizona, respectively. Now only two of the four teams can make the playoffs, and one of them must come from the NL East. If I wasn't so into the Mets, I would be rooting hard for a 4-way tie.

In football, Anthony Morelli finally proved all those writers right on by phoning in the offense on Saturday afternoon. Unless something crazy happens over the next couple of months, he will be considered a major bust of a quarterback. I'm not saying it's his fault; if scouts were always right, Tom Brady wouldn't be playing for New England (or maybe he would be, but as a 1st round pick?). However, the general opinion remains that if Morelli had lived up to the hype, the Lions would be contending for a national title this year. Instead, we're hoping not to lose to Illinois in Champagne this Saturday. While Illinois held Indiana's Kellen Lewis to 5.2 yards per passing attempt last week, their own passing attack was terrible, as Juice Williams managed just 3.5 YPA. The game will likely be decided on the ground, where Illinois dominated last week, and PSU should go to keep Morelli out of 3rd and long situations. Penn State's linebackers got a workout last week courtesy of Mike Hart ("WHAT A PERFECT LAST NAME!!!"--ESPN), but they will have their hands full again with this kid. I like State to win by about a touchdown (they're minus 3.5 this week).

So, yeah. Big weekend coming up. Can't wait to see who's playing in the NL playoffs. Even if the Mets don't make it, there's always the Giants on Sunday night! Right? right? Well maybe the Mets will make the playoffs.