It’s so hard to sweep a doubleheader. Teams rarely do it. So the most likely result tomorrow would be a split.

At the same time, a split, while usually OK, would feel like failure, considering the Mets lost the first game of this series. I feel like I am setting myself up for a major disappointment on Sunday because the Mets absolutely have to sweep the doubleheader to win the series. And if they don’t win the series, it’s a series loss to the Phillies. The world isn’t over, by any means, but it’ll be a disappointing finish.

The Mets really need a big performance out of Johan Santana now because they may need that bullpen in the other game with Pedro Martinez. While Pedro has pitched well as of late, I have more confidence in Santana going longer and Santana dealing with the Phillies’ potent lineup. (After all, Santana has dealt with it in the past.)

But the Mets’ bats really need to rake in this doubleheader, or the team won’t stand a chance. Perhaps the biggest reason why these doubleheaders always lead to splits is because one game will have the team putting up a good number of runs and then the regulars will be tired and lose vigor. Or vice versa. Hopefully, that doesn’t happen tomorrow night.

I realize this is all ancedotal evidence and may not amount to much, but having this doubleheader be against the Phillies makes me really uneasy.