If there is one person who can represent how this season has gone for the Mets it has been Daniel Murphy. He started the season in left but has been playing first base since around midseason. However, we tend to forget that he's been one of the players that we've been relying on to contribute due to all the injuries that have occurred throughout this season. We also fail to realize that he is in his first full year in the major leagues.

After finally winning a series over the weekend (albeit to the Washington Nationals) and clinching 4th place in the NL East, the Mets look to build off this rare momentum against the Atlanta Braves in this three game set. The Mets have not had a winning streak of longer than 2 games since winning 5 in a row July 25-30th. Meanwhile, winners of 8 of their last 10 games, the Braves are still holding out some hope in the playoff chase. They are 5.5 games behind the Colorado Rockies for the Wild Card. They have a 2.8% chance of making the postseason as their tragic number to elimination stands at 8. The Braves lead the season series 10-5 and hold a 4-2 mark at Citi Field.

Just for Fun Tracker: The Mets currently stand to get the #6 overall pick in the 2010 MLB Draft. The Magic Number to clinch a top-10 spot stands at 8.


Pitching Matchups for this series:

Tonight: Derek Lowe (14-9 4.53 ERA) vs. Pat Misch (1-3 4.21 ERA)
Lowe's last start (ND 6-5 vs. NYM): 2IP, 3R (2ER), 5H, 2BB, 2K
Career vs. NYM: 2-3 7.96 ERA, 1.99 WHIP, .364 BAA in 12 games (6 starts)
Road this season: 8-6 5.07 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, .310 BAA in 15 games (all starts)
Misch's last start (L 0-6 @ ATL): 5IP, 4ER, 8H, BB
Career vs. ATL: 0-1 4.91 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, .366 BAA in 5 games (1 start)
Home this season: 0-2 5.49 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, .243 BAA in 11 games (1 start)

Tuesday: Jair Jurrjens (12-10 2.75 ERA) vs. Nelson Figueroa (2-6 5.21 ERA)
Jurrjens' last start (W 7-3 vs. NYM): 7IP, 2R (ER), 6H, 2BB, 5K
Career vs. NYM: 5-1 2.62 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, .220 BAA in 7 games (all starts)
Road this season: 6-4 2.86 ERA, 1.28 ERA, .262 BAA in 15 games (all starts)
Figueroa's last start (L 3-7 @ ATL): 5IP, 6ER, 9H, BB, 4K
Career vs. ATL: 2-1 5.11 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, .283 BAA in 11 games (4 starts)
Home this season: 1-3 6.66 ERA, 1.89 WHIP, .362 BAA in 8 games (3 starts)

Wednesday: Tim Hudson (1-1 3.70 ERA) vs. Mike Pelfrey (10-11 5.10 ERA)
Hudson's last start (L 4-9 vs. PHI): 7IP, 3ER, 6H, BB, 3K
Career vs. NYM: 9-5 3.82 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, .260 BAA in 15 games (all starts)
Road this season: 1-0 5.23 ERA, 1.94 WHIP, .356 BAA in 2 games (both starts)
Pelfrey's last start (L 5-6 vs. WAS): 7IP, 5R (4ER), 8H, 4K
Career vs. ATL: 2-4 6.29 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, .277 BAA in 9 games (8 starts)
Home this season: 6-4 3.67 ERA, 1.31 ERA, .267 BAA in 16 games (all starts)

Do the Mets have what it takes to spoil the Braves' faint playoff hopes, or will the Braves use the Mets as a springboard once again? Stay tuned.
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Losers of 5 straight and 9 of their last 10 games...the Mets return home from an atrocious road trip to take on a team that they might actually be able to hang with- the Washington Nationals. The Mets are 8-4 this year against them; which includes a 5-1 record at Citi Field. Unfortunately, the Mets won't get to see their old teammate Livan Hernandez in this series but they will have to face their nemesis John Lannan- who accounts for two of the four Nats' victories over the Mets this season. The Nationals prior to being swept out of Philadelphia had actually looked semi-competent; going 4-3 in the 7 games before that series. Each team has a mere four wins this month.

If you're keeping track at home by the way, the Mets' tragic number to elimination from the race to the #1 overall pick in the 2010 draft is now 4. A series victory this weekend will do the trick. Meanwhile, the Nationals' magic number to clinching their 2nd straight #1 overall pick is 12.


Pitching Matchups for this series:

Tonight: JD Martin (4-4 4.29 ERA) vs. Mike Pelfrey (10-10 5.09 ERA)
Martin's last start (W 5-3 @ FLA): 5IP, 2ER, 2H, 4BB, 4K
Career vs. NYM: 0-1 11.25 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, .444 BAA in a gane (start)
Road this season: 3-2 3.86 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, .224 BAA in 5 games (all starts)
Pelfrey's last start (ND 10-9 @ PHI): 6IP, 8ER, 10H, BB, 3K
Career vs. WAS: 3-4 3.79 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, .275 BAA in 10 games (all starts)
Home this season: 6-3 3.56 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, .264 BAA in 15 games (all starts)

Saturday: John Lannan (9-11 4.08 ERA) vs. Tim Redding (2-6 5.52 ERA)
Lannan's last start (W 7-2 @ FLA): 5IP, ER, 6H, BB, 3K
Career vs. NYM: 3-3 3.73 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, .271 BAA in 8 games (all starts)
Road this season: 4-9 5.55 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, .286 BAA in 15 games (all starts)
Redding's last start (L 0-1 @ PHI): 6IP, ER, 3H, 2BB, 3K
Career vs. WAS: 2-0 2.37 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, .224 BAA in 4 games (3 starts)
Home this season: 1-3 6.42 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, .261 BAA in 14 games (6 starts)

Sunday: Garrett Mock (3-8 5.89 ERA) vs. John Maine (5-5 4.45 ERA)
Mock's last start (L 0-5 @ PHI): 6IP, 5ER, 7H, 2BB, 2K
Career vs. NYM: 0-0 1.80 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, .222 BAA in 6 games (all in relief)
Road this season: 2-2 4.82 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, .300 BAA in 12 games (6 starts)
Maine's last start (L 4-5 @ PHI): 3IP, ER, 2H, BB, 2K
Career vs. WAS: 7-3 4.52 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, .204 BAA in 12 games (all starts)
Home this season: 4-1 2.48 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, .176 BAA in 5 games (all starts)

Will the Mets make fans happy for 3 games? Will Mets fans even show up? Can the Mets score? Will Lannan's recent mastery of the Mets continue? Stay tuned.
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Sigh. With the Mets now officially mathematically eliminated from playoff contention at the hands of the Philadelphia Phillies, the rest of this season is meaningless to our fans in regards to postseason aspirations. But for the few of us left that will care, this is the time to see how these professionals respond to their earliest elimination since 2005. Will they continue to play hard as they did in Philadelphia; where even though they lost 3 of 4 three of the games were decided by 1 run and the other by 2...or will they roll over? Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves continue to hang in there. Winners of their last four including an extremely impressive three game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals on the road, the Braves find themselves 7.5 back of the Phillies in the NL East and 6 back of the Rockies in the Wild Card. Their playoff chances right now stand at 3.5%.


Pitching Matchups for this Series:

Tonight: Pat Misch (1-2 3.86 ERA) vs. Tommy Hanson (9-3 2.83 ERA)
Misch's last start (L 3-6 vs. FLA): 6IP, 5ER, 6H, 2BB
Career vs. ATL: 0-0 3.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, .333 BAA in 4 relief appearances
Road this season: 1-0 2.42 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, .265 BAA in 11 appearances (2 starts)
Hanson's last start (ND 1-2 @ HOU): 8IP, 5H, 7K
Has never faced the Mets.
Home this season: 6-1 3.42 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, .242 BAA in 8 appearances (all starts)

Wednesday: Bobby Parnell (3-8 5.49 ERA) vs. Derek Lowe (14-9 4.47 ERA)
Parnell's last start (L 4-13 vs. FLA): 5IP, 6R (5ER), 7H, 5BB, 6K
Career vs. ATL: 0-1 10.57 ERA, 2.61 WHIP, .400 BAA in 8 appearances (1 start)
Road this season: 1-2 5.81 ERA, 1.86 WHIP, .327 BAA in 27 appearances (2 starts)
Lowe's last start (W 9-7 @ HOU): 5.2IP, 5ER, 8H, 2BB, 5K
Career vs. NYM: 2-3 7.89 ERA, 1.89 WHIP, .352 BAA in 11 appearances (5 starts)
Home this season: 6-3 3.90 ERA 1.46 WHIP .284 BAA in 15 appearances (all starts)

Thursday: Nelson Figueroa (2-5 4.57 ERA) vs. Jair Jurrjens (11-10 2.81 ERA)
Figueroa's last start (L 2-4 @ PHI): 5.1IP, 2ER, 9H, 5BB, 3K
Career vs. ATL: 2-0 4.22 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, .264 BAA in 10 appearances (3 starts)
Road this season: 1-2 1.89 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, .276 BAA in 4 appearances (3 starts)
Jurrjens' last start (W 1-0 @ STL): 8IP, 6H, 2BB, 7K
Career vs. NYM: 4-1 2.87 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, .219 BAA in 6 appearances (all starts)
Home this season: 5-6 2.76 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, .224 BAA in 15 appearances (all starts)

The Mets have a mere 2 victories from their starters this month out of their 4. Can the Mets translate narrow defeats into victories? Can Parnell get it together? Will the Mets score for Figueroa? Which Misch will we see, the one that allowed 5ER in the first against the Marlins or the one that shut them down in his next 5IP? Stay tuned.
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After being swept by the Florida Marlins at home for the first time since 2004, the Mets look to at least look competent this weekend as they take on the Philadelphia Phillies for the final four times this season. Last night's 13-4 loss (which I had the unenviable privilege to go to) was a microcosm of the entire season- walks, fielding blunders, poor base running, you name it it was there. While the Mets fade into oblivion, the Phillies look to protect and expand upon their 5 game lead in NL East..in which quite honestly they should be able to do with ease. Oh, and one more thing. If the Phillies win at least three out of four, they can officially eliminate the Mets from playoff contention. The Mets' tragic number stands at 6.


Pitching match-ups for the series:

Tonight: Nelson Figueroa (2-4 4.74 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels (8-9 4.32 ERA)
Figueroa's last start (L 3-5 vs. CHC): 6IP, 4ER, 7H, 2BB, 8K
Career vs. PHI: 0-0 2.84 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, .240 BAA in 4 relief appearances
Road this season: 1-1 1.32 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, .231 BAA in 3 appearances (2 starts)
Hamels' last start (L 3-4 @ HOU): 6IP, 4ER, 8H, 2BB, 6K
Career vs. NYM: 1-4 4.50 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, .318 BAA in 8 appearances (all starts)
Home this season: 5-3 3.67 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, .235 BAA in 13 appearances (all starts)

Saturday: Mike Pelfrey (10-10 4.83 ERA) vs. Jamie Moyer (12-9 4.98 ERA)
Pelfrey's last start (W 4-2 vs. CHC): 8IP, ER, 5H, BB, 5K
Career vs. PHI: 4-2 3.88 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, .273 BAA in 8 appearances (all starts)
Road this season: 4-7 6.55 ERA, 1.77 WHIP, .307 BAA in 12 appearances (all starts)
Moyer's last start (ND 3-4 @ HOU): 6IP, 2ER, 3H, BB, 4K
Career vs. NYM: 8-5 3.55 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, .261 BAA in 21 appearances (all starts)
Home this season: 6-7 6.07 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, .303 BAA in 14 appearances (12 starts)

Sunday's 1pm Game: John Maine (5-4 4.52 ERA) vs. Pedro Martinez (4-0 3.64 ERA)
Maine's last start (L 1-7 @ WAS): 4IP, 7ER, 6H, 2BB, K
Career vs. PHI: 5-0 2.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, .211 BAA in 9 appearances (all starts)
Road this season: 1-3 6.34 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, .265 BAA in 6 appearances (all starts)
Martinez' last start (W 5-3 @ WAS): 6.2IP, 3ER, 7H, BB, 4K
Career vs. NYM: 11-3 2.37 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, .206 BAA in 19 appearances (14 starts)
Home this season: 1-0 1.50 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, .186 BAA in 3 appearances (all starts)

Sunday's 805pm Game: Tim Redding (2-5 5.78 ERA) vs. Cliff Lee (13-11 3.13 ERA)
Redding's last start (L 2-4 vs. FLA): 5IP, 4ER, 5H, 4BB, 4K
Career vs. PHI: 5-3 3.13 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, .207 BAA in 13 appearances (all starts)
Road this season: 1-2 5.13 ERA, 1.69 WHIP, .299 BAA in 12 appearances (7 starts)
Lee's last start (W 6-5 @ WAS): 7IP, 5R (4ER), 10H, 0BB, 4K
Career vs. NYM: 1-0 0.00 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, .240 BAA in 1 appearance (start)
Home this season (CLE & PHI): 5-7 3.00 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, .276 BAA in 14 appearances (all starts)

Will the Mets play spoiler or be a welcome mat once again? How will John Maine do in his first start since coming off the DL? When Tobi Stoner spells him, how will he fare? Will Pedro Martinez continue to torment the Mets? Can Angel Pagan learn the fundamentals of base running? Will the Mets hit into another triple play? Stay tuned.
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Both the Cubs and Mets are looking for consistency. The Cubs can't seem to find a rhythm; they'll win a couple in a row but then lose a couple in a row. Meanwhile, the Mets cannot win a series; they are now 0-8-2 in their last 10 series and have a notorious habit of winning the getaway game of a series after dropping the first two. While of course the Mets are long gone from the race; the Cubs are still hanging on by a thread. According to the ESPN Playoff Percentage; the Cubs have approximately a 2% chance since they are 6 back of the Wild Card. This weekend also marks the homecoming of two players. One who will certainly be roundly cheered (David Wright) and the other certainly roundly booed (Aaron Heilman).


Pitching Matchups for the Series:

Friday- Carlos Zambrano (7-6 3.91 ERA) vs. Bobby Parnell (3-7 5.81 ERA)
-Zambrano's last start (L 1-4 to NYM): 3.1 IP, 4R (3ER), 11H, 0BB, 3K
Career vs. NYM: 4-2 with 4.00 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and .250BAA in 9 appearances (8 starts)
Road this season: 5-2 with 3.17 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and .246BAA in 11 appearances (all starts
-Parnell's last start (L 4-11 to CHC): 4.2 IP, 8ER, 9H, 2BB, 2K
Career vs. CHC: 0-1 with 10.57 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and .344BAA in 3 appearances (1 start)
Home this season: 2-5 with 5.80 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and .271BAA in 32 appearances (3 starts)

Saturday- Rich Harden (8-8 4.19 ERA) vs. Nelson Figueroa (2-3 4.50 ERA)
-Harden's last start (L 3-5 to HOU): 5IP, 5ER, 5H, 6BB, 9K
Career vs. NYM: 0-0 with 2.57 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and .091BAA in 2 appearances (1 start)
Road this season: 5-2 with 2.02 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and .201 BAA in 10 appearances (all starts)
-Figueroa's last start (W 4-1 to CHC): 7IP, 1ER, 6H, 2BB, 10K
Career vs. CHC: 1-4 with 3.79 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and .259BAA in 10 appearances (5 starts)
Home this season: 1-2 with 6.87 ERA, 2.02 WHIP and .383BAA in 7 appearances (2 starts)

Sunday- Randy Wells (10-7 2.90 ERA) vs. Mike Pelfrey (9-10 5.03 ERA)
-Wells' last start (W 4-1 to HOU): 6.2IP, 1R (0ER), 7H, 2BB, 4K
Has never faced the Mets in his career.
Road this season: 4-3 with 2.67 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and .244BAA in 10 appearances (all starts)
-Pelfrey's last start (L 3-8 to COL): 4IP, 7R (6ER), 6H, 5BB, 4K
Has never faced the Cubs in his career.
Home this season: 5-3 with 3.80 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and .272BAA in 14 appearances (all starts)

Can Parnell hold on to his role as starter after three consecutive disasters? Can Pelfrey respond to the challege Manuel has set forth for him and step it up? Can Figueroa continue his hot streak? Can the Mets play role of spoiler and effectively end any hope of the Cubs making the playoffs? Stay tuned.
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Sunday (if all goes right) The Mets will face the man whom many (including myself) dubbed as the savior of this Mets franchise. That person being Pedro Martinez. Now obviously he didn't do much on the field but his off the field contributions made him worth the contract that the Mets gave him back in the winter of 2004.