What, me Worry?

Well, the past three games have not exactly gone as planned. Facing two of the worst offenses in the league, the Mets have made the Astros and Cubs look like juggernauts, allowing 8 runs per game during the stretch. The starters, first Pelfrey, then Trachsel and Glavine, have all failed to hold leads, and have been lit up. Glavine allowed a HR to Carlos (the better) Zambrano. Panic is setting in a bit among the faithful, looking to Omar for guidance, or perhaps another starter.

Hope springs in the form of one Pedro Martinez. You remember Pedro right? When last seen, the Red Sox were being his daddy, smacking him around but good. Pedro then went on the DL with his bad hip (courtesy of the whiners in Florida who wanted him to cut his shirt sleeves, but did not see fit to mop up the wet freaking floor). He then ate some bad chicken, prolonging his stay on the DL. Pedro is apparently chomping at the bit to get back in there. As luck (?) would have it, his first start will be Friday in the Mets personal Field of Nightmares, Turner Field, against the surging Braves. This is a statement series. Even though the Braves are 11.5 games out, if the Mets were to lose 2 of 3, the questions would start about the Mets not being able to beat the Braves. The lead would be down a game, perhaps to under 10 games, depending on what happens this afternoon with the Mets and tonight with the Braves.

As for the Braves, they are 7-3 in their last 10, creeping to within 11.5 games of the Mets. They are still under 500 though, so not a big reason to worry in and amongst themselves. The addition of Bob Wickman is not exactly scaring anyone. Bob is a good closer, but not exactly a guy that scares you. The good news is that the rest of the Braves bullpen is made up of the guys who have been blowing games all year. The bad news is that the Braves are winning without the Jones boys, Andruw and Larry. (Note to Met fans who have an issue with the spelling of Andruw's name: he is from another country, they spell the name differently. Get over it.) Andruw noted this week that the Braves are still the team to beat. Now, perhaps Andruw thinks this is 2005 and the Braves are 11.5 games up. I suggest he read the paper and check out the standings. I understand he is a leader, and needs to talk tough, but choose your words wisely my friend.

The question is, should Omar make a trade for a starter. Glavine has regressed the past couple of months. Pedro is coming off an injury. Trachsel is, well, Trachsel is a #5 starter in a #3 role. Maine is basically a rookie, Pelfrey is, and El Duque is up and down. The hope here is that something can be done to obtain a solid #3 starter, without using Lastings Milledge in the trade. To paraphrase Rick Pitino - Dontrelle Willis is not waling through the door, Barry Zito is not walking through the door. The media needs to shut up about it, and fans need to accept it. I would love to have both of them, but odds are long that it is going to happen. Shoot for Gil Meche or Freddy Garcia. Avoid Rodrigo Lopez and Livan Hernandez, and Kip Wells. They are not significant improvements over what the team has.

Right now, the offense is seeing improvement from two guys who were slumping, in Delgado and Floyd. At the same time, two other important pieces, Reyes and Wright are slumping. The latter two need to turn it back on, soon. The offense runs through Reyes, and Wright is an important cog. Wright's slump, if long, is going to mean Delgado and Floyd are going to see fewer pitches to hit.

For only the second time this season, the Mets have lost 3 in a row. For the first time in July, the Mets lost a series. It is not time to panic. It is perhaps time to be concerned. I know I am. This weekend will go a long way towards turning down the level of concern, or turning it into outright panic.

Here's hoping John Maine can build on his last start, and that the offense can score some runs this afternoon.