New York Mets

PHILADELPHIA: The Mets needed a dominant performance from a starter in order to be sure of a victory, with the way their offense is slumping. They got that from Johan Santana last night.

Today, they will pitch R.A. Dickey, who unbelieveably owns the lowest ERA on the Mets staff. Yes, that's not a typo, Robert Allen Dickey has been the Mets most consistent and reliable pitcher since his call-up.

He has pitched at least five innings in each start, and has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 13 of his 15 starts this season.

As much as the Mets don't want to admit it, by calling up two of their top minor league prospects, they are planning for 2011.

Perhaps their thinking is that the young players is what energized them early in the season, but it's too late for that now.

There are so many negatives that outweigh every potential positive. By bringing up Ruben Tejada and Fernando Martinez, a couple of veteran players are upset. Of course, Mets fans don't care about feelings and they shouldn't.

PHILADELPHIA-- The Mets made some bold moves after last night's loss to the Phillies, calling up some younger players to try to install energy in the team.

It's not as if the Mets were completely energized tonight, but they did more than enough to earn a victory.

Johan Santana was on the mound, and he was as dominant as possible. He was opposed by Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels, and they locked up in a classic pitchers' duel.

The one word that can sum up the Mets at the trade deadline is silence.

As an organization hungry for some sort of a move, the Mets remained inactive as the deadline passed. 

It is hard to fault the Mets for retaining their most prized prospects, but that doesn't necessarily mean moves shouldn't have been made. 

Now entering the waiver trade period, the Mets could utilize some prospects as trade bait. Rumor has it, the Mets are chasing after Mariners infielder Chone Figgins.

PHILADELPHIA-- The Mets had a grasp on last night's opener against the Phillies, but couldn't secure the final six outs. With that, they fell below the .500 mark for the first time since May 23rd.

They must win the final two games of this series to even be considered a contender down the stretch.

In reality, the Mets are cooked in 2010. But, if you want to spin it from a homeristic point of view, you can say "Ya Gotta Believe." After all, that phrase worked for the Mets 37 years ago.

PHILADELPHIA — The Mets are now a losing ballclub. After Jon Niese pitched another fine game against the Phillies, the Mets bullpen exploded in the eighth inning, and a Mets rally fell short.

The Mets were entering what could be their last important series of the season, and for a while, it looked good.

Jon Niese got off to a rocky start in the first inning, allowing a run and walking two. He was all over the plate and was not helped out by a Josh Thole passed ball.

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With the recent news of Fred Wilpon saying Omar Minaya's job is not in jeopardy, it makes me wonder, should it be in jeopardy in the first place?

After looking through all the transactions Minaya did for the Mets it's not a simple yes or no.  

Earlier this season, many writers and fans, including myself, were wondering if Mike Pelfrey was an ace after his strong start to the year.

The question was certainty warranted as Pelfrey had gone 10-2 with one save after his first 15 starts. Pelfrey had posted a 2.71 ERA, a 1.85 K/BB rate, and held hitters to a .246 average over that period.

Since then, Pelfrey has done nothing but struggle. In his last seven starts, Pelfrey is 0-4 with a 9.00 ERA. Pelfrey has an ugly 0.88 K/BB rate and has had hitters bat .437 against him over that span.

It is no secret that professional athletes go where the money is, and a player staying with the same team for their whole career is rare.

Trade markets and free agency are always going to be explored and tested by both player and organization.

So the question is, do teams keep the players that their franchises are built around?

The Mets have two of the most dynamic and beloved players in recent New York history: Jose Reyes and David Wright, AKA The Dynamic Duo.

ATLANTA-- This may mark the end for the 2010 New York Mets. The game that proved they aren't worthy of playing October baseball.

With the game they played tonight in Atlanta, the Mets have completed two-thirds of their schedule and they are a .500 ballclub.

Tonight's loss to the Braves was disgraceful. For a team who still has visions of possibly making a run at the division, they played themselves out of the discussion.