NL East stretch run: Manuel puts Mets on solid path

The New York Mets enter September with the plan in place - In first place, with another chance to erase the 2007 nightmare. In June, that didn't appear to be a given after the Mets made a controversial move at manager.

The Mets took a lot of flak for the way they handled the Willie Randolph firing, but it certainly appears they made the correct call in hiring Jerry Manuel.

“He sees things from a different perspective than other people,” Mets outfielder Carlos Beltrán said in an interview with the New York Times. “He communicates well with the players. I respect him. We really have shared a lot of things together. I’m just happy he got the opportunity of being a manager one more time.”

The Mets entered Aug. 30 with a 41-25 record under Manuel and a two-game lead over the Phillies and seven over the Marlins. The only division race that's closer is the AL Central, and the NL East race could go right down to the wire again in 2008.

And you can be sure that the New York media won't let the Mets forget about what happened last year.

"The demons of the past," Manuel told MLB.com after Wednesday night's 6-3 win over the Phillies, emphasizing the word "past" for dramatic effect. "It's rough, because they have been hanging around here for a whole year. We have to face that, what happened last year."

• Why the Mets will win: They're a year more mature, are reasonably healthy (aside from Billy Wagner and a couple of others) and have the best lineup in the division. Losing John Maine to a shoulder injury will hurt the rotation, however, putting a lot of pressure on Mike Pelphrey, Johan Santana, Oliver Perez and Pedro Martinez. This would be a nice time for Martinez (4-3, 5.22 ERA) to show he's got something left in that right arm. The schedule is favorable - a 12-game stretch entirely against the Nationals and Braves before the final week against the Cubs (who probably will be resting their regulars) and concluding with the Marlins.
• Why the Phillies will win: Brett Myers is pitching well since his return from the minors, and Cole Hamels and Jamie Moyer have been solid. Brad Lidge gives the Phillies an edge at closer. Will Matt Stairs make a difference?
• Why the Marlins will win: Hard to believe they will, but wouldn't it be something if the two lowest payrolls (Marlins and Rays) made the playoffs?
• Key series: Phillies at Mets, Sept. 5-7; Marlins at Mets, Sept. 26-28.
• Pick: Mets, by a hair.