That would be the rampaging Albert Pujols and his Bat of Doom, of course. The Mets would have a three game sweep of the Cards if not for Albert, but then, a lot of things would be better for the Mets if not for Albert.
I'm in Red Sox Nation for a business trip (I cleared customs with only the obligatory hour wait on the tarmac at Logan), so we'll dispense with the usual prose and go to a quick game recap.
Friday: Mike Pelfrey goes seven and allows only one run in a convincing 7-2 victory. Delgado and the Other Reyes went deep.
Saturday: Hail to Albert, and to Skip Schumaker, whoever he is. Skip had six hits and Albert had five in a 14-inning thriller. Albert's final hit may still be in low earth orbit. He hit it off an exhausted Aaron Heilman in the 14th to give the Cards a 10-8 win. The Mets had erased two earlier deficits of 4-0 and 8-5, so I can't complain much. Just too much Albert.
Sunday: Our somewhat less formidable answer to Albert, Johan, went the route and the Mets whupped on Kyle Lohse for a 9-1 laugher. Fernando Tatis hit his second homer in two days. I suppose we have to give Omar his due here. Fernando Tatis would not have been my first, second, or 867th choice to replace Moises Alou.
We start up with Florida, who is hanging in there in the division race. Philly took two of three from Atlanta to stay one back, and now gets to beat up on the Nats. After that, Albert will be the Phillies' problem, and they can have him.