| | 1. The all-important Game 1
The opening game in any series is big, but in this series I believe it's integral that the Mets win this game. They've yet to be able to show they can beat the Braves in a significant game and if they drop the first game what awaits them isn't a good sight.
That's because Kevin Millwood will pitch Game 2 for Atlanta. Millwood is arguably the most dominant pitcher in the game right now and I think it would be a tough task for the Mets to beat him.
Whatever team wins the opening game could very well set the tone for how the series may play out. That said, after what happened in the Cleveland-Boston series with what the Red Sox did you never know, but statistically whatever team wins the opener usually has the upper hand in any series.
And if Atlanta manages to grab the first game I believe it would be tough for the Mets, who have won only six of the last 24 meetings with the Braves, to all of a sudden win four of the next six games.
2. The bullpens
Bullpens will certainly be key. I think you'll certainly see a game in this series go 10 or 11 innings and you'll need a lot of bullpen depth and every pitch will be important.
I believe the Braves have an advantage going in with the way John Rocker is pitching. Throughout this season the hard-throwing left-hander has been able to shut down both John Olerud and Robin Ventura -- the Mets' Nos. 3 and 5 batters in their lineup.
By the way, both Olerud and Ventura are still looking for their first hits ever against Rocker. Olerud is 0-for-7 career against Rocker while Ventura is hitless in three career at-bats, all this season. If Rocker is able to continue his dominance that could very well give a slight advantage to the Braves.
3. Controlling the middle
Since 1995, every time the Braves have had success in the postseason it's simply come down to their ability to shut down the opposition's middle of the order. When they've struggled in that department they've normally lost.
So with that in mind I took a look at how the heart of the Mets' order this year -- Edgardo Alfonzo, Olerud, Mike Piazza and Ventura -- did against Braves pitching. And what I found was that the Braves have dominated them as you would expect in that they've beaten New York nine of 12 times this year. Alfonzo is hitting .159, Olerud .229, Piazza .211 and Ventura .140. Ventura especially has struggled as he has only six hits in 43 at-bats and has yet to drive in a single run.
In those nine games the Mets lost to the Braves they averaged 1½ runs per game. Simply put, in order to win the Mets are going to have to score runs.
So, without saying if this series has a lot of low-scoring games I would certainly favor the Atlanta Braves.
ESPN's Dave Campbell will be covering the playoffs on ESPN Radio.
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