Ollie Is to Big Game As Billy Is to...

If Oliver Perez is "Big-Game Ollie," then Billy Wagner is "Big-Game Billy GOAT."

In a scene all too familiar to New York Mets' fans, Wagner inherited a 3-2 lead in the eighth inning of the 79th MLB All-Star Game and quickly flushed it down the toilet along with the National League's hopes for home-field advantage during the World Series.

Wagner amassed six blown saves prior to the All-Star break, including three crucial save opportunities during the same week that ultimately cost manager Willie Randolph his job.

These struggles are nothing new for Wagner. Despite being an accomplished, big-name closer, Wagner has developed a reputation for consistently failing when placed into tight games of great significance. Need more evidence than the aforementioned to buy into this claim? Take a look at his post-season numbers. Click Here for Wagner's Career Postseason Numbers.

Wagner has publicly recognized (at least this guy will tell you that he stinks) how bad he was during the 2006 National League Championship Series. I personally witnessed the gopher ball he served up to the intimidating So Taguchi in a game two loss that turned the tide of the series.

Factoring in the damage done by the big-bopping Taguchi, Wagner pitched 2.2 innings to the tune of a 16.87 ERA while surrendering 5 ER on 7 hits.

In 4.2 innings of career postseason work with Houston, Wagner surrendered 5 ER on 8 hits.

Now Perez, the man who was openly, publicly, and unfairly criticized by Wagner earlier this season after a dud of start, has been just the opposite for the Mets.

Yes, Perez's inconsistency can be maddening and it has been the thing that has prevented this talented (although somewhat screwy) southpaw from being an All-Star. But he has always pitched best against the big-name teams and in the big-time spots.

Perez threw six innings of one-run ball in game seven of the 2006 NLCS, when Wagner failed to pitch a single effective inning the entire series. He is a perfect 4-0 against the Yankees over the past two seasons and is the only Mets' arm to have solved the Braves.

Still, Perez was the brunt of Wagner's criticism earlier this season. Mired in a slump during the time of Wagner's ill-advised mouth-off, Perez has since responded well and his last three starts prove it.

Wagner may be a five-time All-Star closer, but I want Perez in a Pennant Race.