The Mets (79-61) did exactly what they needed to do. Actually, even better: they accomplished more than they needed. They swept a tough Milwaukee Brewers team to put themselves in an optimal position for their final series against the Philadelphia Phillies (76-64). They now lead the division by three games, transforming the series from a must-win to a luxury. The best the Phillies can hope for is a tie, while a position two or four games back is more likely.

First up, the suddenly resurgent Brett Myers (8-10, 4.40) takes on Mike Pelfrey (13-8, 3.66). They’ll be followed by Jamie Moyer (12-7, 3.80) and Pedro Martinez (5-3, 5.07) on Saturday. Sunday’s finale will be a battle of aces: Cole Hamels (12-8, 3.01) and Johan Santana (12-7, 2.71).

Game 1: Brett Myers, RHP

What’s the Story? My original scouting report on Myers can be found here.

This Year: Myers started against the Mets on July 23rd, his first start back from his minor league exile. He didn’t look particularly good; he went five innings and only allowed three singles, but he did allow three runs, thanks to five walks.

What to Expect: Myers has been simply incredible since he returned from the minors. Take a look:

             IP    ERA    K/9   BB/9   HR/9
Before    101.2   5.84   7.79   3.89   2.12
After      55.2   1.78   7.44   2.10   0.32

The biggest difference is command. Myers has the stuff to be a top-of-the-rotation starter, but he was simply locating his pitches poorly early in the season. Too many walks, too many mistakes up in the zone. The real issue was an over-reliance on offspeed pitches, which he was having difficulty controlling. Since, he’s thrown more fastballs. It’s resulted in fewer walks, fewer homeruns, and it’s made his other pitches more effective.

Game 2: Jamie Moyer, RHP

What’s the Story? Look here for my scouting report on Moyer.

This Year: Moyer will be making his sixth start against the Mets this season. The first four were pretty good, but they finally got to him last week. He lasted only three innings, giving up six runs on nine hits, including homers by Fernando Tatis and Damion Easley. On the season, he’s now 1-1 with a 4.40 ERA over 28.2 innings. He’s walked nine and struck out 15.

What to Expect: This will be the Mets’ sixth series against the Phillies. Jamie Moyer has started a game in all of them. You know what to expect.

Game 3: Cole Hamels, RHP

What’s the Story? You may read my original scouting report on Hamels here.

This Year: Hamels hasn’t started against the Mets since way back in April. In that game he was going well, allowing just two runs and three hits over seven innings, but the Phillies chose to march him out there for the eighth, and he promptly gave up two hits and a walk. The Mets wound up breaking the game open that inning against JC Romero. Hamels struck out four and walked three.

What to Expect: Hamels is an extremely tough assignment for any hitter. The changeup is a tremendous weapon, and he’s always impressed me with how he uses it. He’ll throw it on any count to any hitter, and it’s got some devastating downward bite. He will mix in a few curves, and lefties will see more of them than righties. That changeup makes him effective against batters on both sides of the plate, and lefties have actually been hitting him a little better than righties this year. Hitters need to hope for a mistake, which he will make on occasion, so some patience is warranted.

Overall: The Mets shocked the hell out of me by sweeping the Brewers despite sending three lefties against a team that dominates them. That said, I feel no more confident here. I just feel in the very center of my heart that this team isn’t finished with drama, not yet. So I think they’re going to bring it a little closer by dropping two out of three. The matchups are very close each game, so I’ll pick the Mets to drop the first and last while taking the second. No real reason why, other than it’ll be more exciting that way.