If the Mets Blow This Lead Just Fit Me for a Straightjacket

Somebody please tell me this is not happening.

The Mets cannot choke away the National League East. I mean, they simply cannot do it. I really don't think I'd be able to handle it. I can see it now. I'd be jobless, the engagement would be called off, and I'd probably find myself living under a bridge listening to Creedence Clearwater on a used tape player that I found in a garbage can. For my sanity's sake the Mets cannot blow this lead.

But they sure are on the verge of doing so.

The 11-10 loss in Philadelphia yesterday did more than bring the Phils within two games of the Mets in the NL East. Anybody who watched yesterday's game saw a Philly team that is rejuvenated and playing with a passion and a purpose. Fans of the Mets may be irritated with how the Phillies acted over the past four games. After all, even after sweeping the Mets Philly is still two games out of first. Let's be honest, though. Not only are they one series away from being in first place. The Phillies now officially believe that they can pull this off.

That's what makes them a dangerous team.

There are so many stats in sports that it is often the things that can't be found in a box score that really matter. Those intangibles couldn't be more evident than the last four games between the Mets and the Phillies. The Phillies are alive right now, a team that is full of confidence and that "we are simply not losing this game today" mentality that is vital come September. The Mets, on the other hand, have seemed to be going through the motions this week, lost at the plate and wide-eyed on the mound and in the field when the game is on the line.

Yesterday was the first time the Mets have shown signs of life in about a week. The Mets came back from deficits of 5-0 and 8-5, only to have the lead blown by their suddenly shaky bullpen. Many people, including myself, will question Willie Randolph's decision to bring in Billy Wagner for a six-out save, something that has never been a specialty of Wagner. Was it a desperation move by Randolph? One of those "I really don't trust anybody so I'm bringing out my stud" move that backfired? Probably. Don't expect Randolph to admit to that, though.

It's never good when the manager is showing signs of desperation.

As if things couldn't get any worse, the Mets are now headed to Atlanta for a weekend series against the Braves. Not only have the Braves owned the Mets this season. The Mets have just been (practically) unable to win at Turner Field since the ballpark opened.

What can the Mets do, then, to avoid this late-season collapse? Quite simply the team must now win when it seems the least possible; in Atlanta against the Braves. Losing this series is just an option. Now is the time for the Mets to forge their identity. How will they be remembered? Will the be the team that keeled over when the pressure was on or the team that stepped up when things got tough and persevered into the playoffs.

David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Tom Glavine, Jose Reyes, Carlos Delgado, Billy Wagner, and others need to step it up. And I don't mean on the field. It's time to do some work in the clubhouse. Along with Randolph, the players I've mentioned along with a few others (Lo Duca included) need to be the ones to stand up and right the ship. The 2006 mentality of coasting into the playoffs needs to be forgotten. 2007 is a much different scenario and it's about time the Mets and the fans face that reality. There is no reason the Mets should not win the NL East and now's the time to turn it on.

The Maine Event is on the hill tonight. Maine must be sharp and the offense has got to back him up. Start the series off right, tonight, fellas. The end of the season stretch starts tonight.

Lets Go Mets.