[jg2977]

MIKE: Alright, Dog, let’s talk about the Mets. What a game out in the desert, huh? They’re down 4–2, ninth inning, and James Weaver — James Weaver! — comes through, ties the game 4–4. And then they go on to win it in eleven. Seven–six Mets. They’re up 2–0 on the Diamondbacks.
MAD DOG: WEEEAAVAH! — Mikey, I tell ya, this kid, you can’t make it up! The Mets were dead! They were cooked! And then Weaver — BOOM! — ties it up, and they find a way! You gotta give ‘em credit, they’re playing like a team that believes right now!
MIKE: No question, Dog. But Jason Gonzalez for Arizona — four hits, a homer, a double, two singles. He’s been unbelievable. You can’t pitch to him right now. He’s hittin’ everything. The rest of his team needs to wake up!
MAD DOG: He’s unconscious, Mike! You throw him a fastball? Forget it! Off the wall, over the wall, into the gap, wherever! And then Joe Stacks — how about Joe Stacks! — in the eleventh, bases loaded, two-run single. That’s a gamer!
MIKE: The Mets are doin’ the little things, too. Rosa stealin’ bases, defense turning double plays, clutch hitting late. They’re not relying on the long ball. This is October baseball.
MAD DOG: Yeah, yeah, yeah, but let’s not go nuts, Mike. They still almost blew it! The bullpen, they give up a two-run shot in the bottom of the eleventh to Jason Gonzalez — same guy who’s killin’ ‘em — and now it’s 7–6, tying run on, and you’re sweatin’ it out!
MIKE: Well, that’s Mets baseball, Dog. They never make it easy.
MAD DOG: NEVER! They could be up ten runs and still make you reach for the Maalox!
MIKE: (chuckling) That’s right. But listen, you’ll take it. You win two on the road in Arizona — you’re up 2–0 — you go back to Citi Field with a chance to finish the series. That’s the goal.
MAD DOG: And lemme tell ya, Mikey, that ballpark in Queens on Tuesday? It’s gonna be ROCKIN’. 40,000 people, towels flyin’, the whole deal. You win that game, you’re movin’ on.
MIKE: The Mets have put themselves in a terrific position. And you can tell — this team’s got a little something special.
MAD DOG: Oh, they got that “it” factor, Mike! You can smell it! Like the ’86 team — well, maybe not that crazy — but it’s there!
MIKE: (dryly) Let’s slow down, Dog. We’re not talkin’ Mookie and Buckner here. But right now, the Mets are playin’ terrific baseball.
MAD DOG: Ohhh, Mikey, it’s fun again! It’s October, it’s the Mets, and they’re drivin’ us crazy!
MIKE: That’s baseball, Dog. That’s why we watch.