New York Mets Are Doing Their Best 2007 Impersonation

It seems like the Mets may be headed in the same direction as last year. Down the drain. After losing three out of their last four games, the New York Mets are now only a half-game in front of the Phillies for first place.

With the Mets' magic number at 13, they have a long way to go to win the division. Throughout the next several days, the Mets are facing tough opponents, like the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta Braves, two teams that wont go down without a fight.

To win these games, the Mets need to shake things up. Once the starting pitcher is out, whoever it may be, the reliever must come in and pitch well. One of the reasons the Mets are in this position is because the bullpen has not pitched well.

If the Mets can get six or seven innings out of their starting pitchers and get two to three decent innings out of their relievers, the Mets will be on their way to the World Series. With hitters as good as David Wright and Carlos Delgado, the starting pitching does not have to be spectacular.

Currently, the Mets have two legitimately good starters in their rotation, Mike Pelfery and Johan Santana. Oliver Perez is a good pitcher, but every time he pitches everyone gets nervous.

In the back of the rotation the Mets have guys like Brandon Knight, who is starting on Wednesday, and Jon Niese, who, after a terrible debut, pitched lights out his last outing.

One positive note that has been piled underneath the Mets' current losing streak is the emergence of Bobby Parnell. Parnell, one of the Sept. 1 call-ups, was not given a chance by Manager Jerry Manuel until last night, when he struck out the side in one inning pitched. If none of the other relievers are pitching well, why not give Parnell the ball and see what he can do?

Also, what about Al Reyes? Why not give him a chance? He can contribute just as well as Luis Ayala or Pedro Feliciano, but he hasn't been given a chance. Who knows, maybe he'll become their go-to guy these next couple days.

If the Mets want to win these last remaining games, they need to start playing to their potential. Pitchers need to pitch and the hitters need to hit. Mets players need to put last season's nightmare behind them and go out and play some real New York Metropolitan baseball.

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