Just so you know, the Mets magic number is 55.

[NNadir]

Since 55 is so special in the pantheon of numbers, I thought I'd mention that.

[Reverend_Smitty]

1. Another good win tonight

You gotta love complete game shutouts by a young pitcher...also how about all of those grand slams we've been getting lately

[NNadir]

2. Suddenly the starting pitching is looking very solid.

Although Maine is 1-3, he hasn't pitched that poorly on a major league level, having suffered through those rare occassions when the Mets haven't scored much.

This kid Pelfry is looking good too.

There's been no decline in the lead even with Martinez gone.

This is a very good team.

[Reverend_Smitty]

3. Personally I think this is best for Pedro

His arm has a tendency to tire out the last month or two of the season, so a month off in the middle of the year will be just what he needs to get him through the stretch run

[NNadir]

4. That could be. It's scary that even out for a few weeks, the Mets are

still winning.

I don't know whether it was that the Mets pitching was so good or that Houston's offense was so bad. I didn't have much faith in Hernandez when the Mets got him, but he looked good today.

[NJ Democrats]

5. Never mind 55

The NL East is in the bag for the Mets.

[NNadir]

6. Well the Boston Red Sox thought the World Series was in the bag in '86.

There have been big collapses in baseball history, but I don't think that's going to happen this year.

[NJ Democrats]

7. Not with the the way the NL East is

this year. The Braves have the best shot but they don't have nearly enough.

[NNadir]

8. I think you're right, but I think that over confidence can really screw a

team.

Atlanta cannot be counted out. They have an excellent shot, in any case, at the Wild Card.

The Mets need to stay sharp. That's their biggest risk.

[NJ Democrats]

9. Yeah

I do think it is good for them to keep Pedro out for as long as he needs to be healthy for the end of the yr. But the mets do need another SP.

[NNadir]

10. I'm not sure that they do need another SP.

I'd bet they'd do OK with Martinez, Glavine, Traschel, Pelfry and Maine.

Traschel does a workman like job, and I think Pelfry and Maine might prove themselves quite well.

One doesn't see too many complete game shutouts these days.

I think the Mets might want to consider the old "if it ain't broke..." axiom.

[NJ Democrats]

11. Don't forget Orlando Hernadez.

I still think they should bget Livian if it doesn't cost too much.

[NNadir]

12. He's been inconsistent.

If I were the Mets in this situation, I might think long term. They are going to need to rely on youth. With young guys like Wright and Reyes they might want to keep some young pitchers too. I've heard that Pelfry, in particular, has enormous potential.

I think they may want to send Maine down for a little more seasoning and use Hernandez (the existing one) but even though the guy's 1-3, he's pitched fairly well.

[NJ Democrats]

13. Yup

hatever you do, don't bring Jose Lima back up!

[NNadir]

14. Now I think most Mets fans would agree on that one.

The guy was a disaster.

[NJ Democrats]

16. Why is he even in AAA?

I think they should just release him. And why did they bring him up a 2nd time?

[NNadir]

17. Yeah he should be released. And we are forgetting Bannister.

He is, I think, yet another pitcher the Mets have in the wings. Until he was injured, he looked real strong.

[NJ Democrats]

18. When is Bannister coming back?

He's been out a long time

[NNadir]

19. I read he's been in rehab pitching. A level I think.

[NNadir]

15. delete.