An Opportunity Blown

Given a chance to take the lead in the National League Wild Card race last night against the Phillies, the Mets blew it. If you were to tell us that Pedro Martinez was pitching and the Marlins lost, we would think the Mets would at least be in a tie with the Astros today, but they aren't. A perfect opportunity blown. With an early 2 run lead, Pedro wasn't able to hold on. The Phillies tied the game in the game in the 6th inning before Pedro imploded in the 7th. The Mets went on to lose the game 8-2.

The best the Mets can now do at the end of this series is come to a half game of the Wild Card. With a tough road trip ahead, one has to wonder if this will be the closest they come the rest of the season. While last week's trip west was encouraging, the competition will be harder on the coming trip. Florida, Atlanta and St. Louis all have better winning percentages than the Mets.

Maybe with the expanded 40-man roster, which starts today, the Mets will be able to outperform their road record on this trip. If they don't, the season might not last too long past September 30th.

Photo by Newsday/Kathy Kmonicek