There I am watching the Mets game yesterday seething over the fact that the Yankees manhandled the other Chicago team, which of course is the defending World Champions, and here are the Mets looking like they will lose this series to the lowly Cubs. From watching in angst to watching Mets history, the Mets score 11 runs in one inning for the first time in their 44 year history. Really, they never did that before? According to the baseball statistical wizards, no this was a first and we all saw it. Two grand slams in one inning and a two run opposite field shot to right by Wright to boot.

No doubt it was a good win, but I am oh so concerned in regards to the starting pitching. El-Duque just did not have it, again. He gave up 5 runs in the first two innings. Hernandez is either very good or very bad. You just don’t know what you’re getting when he takes the mound. You cannot expect the Mets offense to have the kind of production they generated in the 6th inning yesterday every day. With Pedro’s health a continuing concern, Glavin’s inability lately to go deep in the game, the rotation looks a little thin especially when Steve Trachsel has become mister reliable. We still do not know if Mike Pelfrey is ready to be a pitcher at the Major League level so all signs are pointing to Omar making a trade for pitching at or before the deadline. The question will remain however, who will it be and at what price.

Dontrelle Willes and Barry Zito will not be available at least according to their teams. That would make sense since the Marlins have a lot of talent and could contend as early as next year. The A’s are contending this year and history has shown that Billy Bean does not trade key components even when those players are in their walk year which Zito is. So unless, Omar has something up his sleeve that we are unaware of, it looks like the Mets will probably come up with a back end type starter or more support for the bullpen. Minaya has been stead fast in his unwillingness to deal the blue chippers, something I sincerely agree with. No one thought the Mets would be in this position this quickly. We want the Mets to be here for a long time, not just one season. That dictates keeping guys like Milledge and Pelfrey.

There still is the possibility for help within the organization. John Maine has shown improvement. He just needs to start winning. Brian Bannister will begin rehab assignments shortly. They also have six foot four inch right hander Michael Devaney who is moving on a fast track through the system. Maybe Rick Peterson and Willie Randolph will finally give Aaron Heilman or Darren Oliver a shot at a start. I do not quite understand the reluctance to do this. I know the thinking is that it would weaken the bullpen but the opposite could be said that giving Heilman or Oliver a start would strengthen the rotation. After all, you don’t want to have so many games decided from the bullpen. I’m tired of seeing pitchers like Hernandez and Lima getting shelled then seeing Darren Oliver pitching very well for 4 or 5 innings. It makes you wonder why Oliver didn’t start to begin with. The company line has been that the Mets do not want to move Oliver and Heilman out of the roles they have been very effective in. Well, if it’s their role to mop up after a less than adequate starter puts the Mets in a hole, then I think its time to rethink Heilman’s and Oliver’s role. The starting pitching must assume responsibility for its recent struggles but the management of that starting pitching, I believe, also must be responsible too.

The pen killed the Mets last season so I think the brain trust is too overly cautious with moving their good relievers into the rotation but there comes a point where it may be necessary to borrow from the pen to create some balance with the starters.

Extra innings: It’s great to see Cliff Floyd swinging the bat the way he has lately. The lineup will certainly benefit from his ability to drive in runs.

The Braves continue to play well having swept the Padres over the weekend. I see no reason why Atlanta won’t contend for the wild card and hopefully they will help keep the Mets on their toes. The Braves are the only team in the East that scares me. They're not the same as the old Braves but they still have good players such as Chipper Jones, Andrew Jones, John Smoltz, etc. Plus they have a great manager in Bobby Cox who knows how to motivate his players. I am not as comfortable as all the so called critics in regards to the Mets cakewalk into the post season. Maybe it’s just because I’m a Mets fan but I hope the Mets continue to play like they lead by a single game instead of twelve.

I watched the Braves-Padres game on TBS Friday evening. This was quite a game in which the Padres, led by old friend Mike Piazza, kept coming back all night. Even in the 9th inning when the Braves were up by two, the Padres once again came back to tie. With the winning run on third and two out, ex-Met Mike Cameron struck out. I feel the Padres fan’s pain. Cameron is a great centerfielder, but as a hitter, I was surprised when so many Mets fans lashed out when he was traded for Nady.