Game 54 - Mets 7, Nationals 0

So the Mets end a 12-game run against the "lower end" of the National League with a 7-5 record. After winning 5-of-6 at home, the Pirates swept them at PNC and they took 2-of-3 from the gNats...

Speaking of which, with a 5-1 record and a 3.88 ERA to date with 67 innings pitched in the No. 5 hole, how great of a signing for next to nothing was Livan Hernandez? He's not the next coming of Tom Terrific (Mr. Seaver to the rest of you) but he's doing nothing but getting the job done and providing innings, especially when he's against the "lower end"...

They socred five in the first against the immortal John Stammen and just held on. Could have increased the lead a couple of times, but what's done is done and now they get an off-day before the mid-season stretch that will likely determine how much of a player Omar will need to be before the trade deadline.

The biggest thing is not the Subway Series. In fact, I think with that Wiffle Ball Bronx home, it means even less. No, the biggest series to date will start Tuesday when Johan Santana defends the Citi against JA Happ (4-0, 2.66 ERA). The 26-year old has pitched well, but this is a must-win for the Boys in Blue and Orange.

On Wednesday night, everybody's All-American soft tosser Cole Hamels will face Mike Pelfrey, who was lit up like a Christmas tree last time out. Before that, he was throwing lights out.

The series finale will pit the ageless Jamie Moyer, who we've seen twice and tagged for a total of 12 runs in 12 innings, against the great Tim Redding, who can't be expected to last through the fifth inning as far as I'm concerned...

Sad to say, but we really could have used Oli here. He usually picked up his game when the spotlight was turned on.

Then at the Broxn, then to Camden Yards and back home to face the AL champion Rays. Maybe they'll throw Kazmir and we Met fans can all imagine what he would have looked like wearing white.

St. Louis, Yankees again, to Brewersville for three before facing the Flithies again, then the Dodgers come to their home away from home and Cincinati to close out the first half of the season.

While it could be argued that we don't need starting pitching, I don't know where you put another bat in the lineup. I mean, I know you would likely send Church to whoever to clear a corner outfield spot but what does that do to Gary Sheffield's playing time?

I know, I know, I'm leaving out first base as an open trade option for a bat but that's because it just doesn't make sense. You leave Murphy there for two reasons: 1) to see if the kid can hit and field at this position for next year and B) what do you do if you trade for Nick Johnson and Delgado returns in the final two months of the season? With Murphy, at least, you could sit him down, platoon him or send him down. Now you can't do that with an Aubrey Huff, can you?

OK, since we started this with a schedule discussion, let's close it with a similar one. The looks of the cooks is that this roster will be loaded for August and September with all the healthy bodies back and don't let Billy Wagner come around for the final 45 games...

Imagine this: John Maine struggles early, but grits his way through 5.2 innings against the Flithies on Friday, Sept. 11. (Just a date I picked at random). Pedro Feliciano comes on to strike out Ryan Howard to get out of the sixth and there's nine outs left. Jerry Manuel thinks "Do I go with Bobby Parnell now or use Wagner for this frame, then Parnell and then Frankie?"

It's something to rest happily on, Mets fans, I can say that with pride. I just hope it's a decision made with the team still in contention.