Pedro is slowly rounding into form. In his last 4 starts, he has a 22/5 k/bb ratio in 25 IP. I expect him to have a strong September.

This upcoming week is going to be very interesting for the Mets. 3 in Milwaukee, followed by 3 at home against the Phillies. This is a chance for them to make things a little less stressful, though I don't expect that to happen.

It's not very likely but the Phils and Mets have a chance to close the gap between them and the Brewers.

This is a chance for them to make things a little less stressful, though I don't expect that to happen.

Neither do I -- since the Mets have the Brew Crew, while the Phillies have tne Nats. So even if we do well against the Phillies, there's a good chance that series will start with the Phillies having made up ground.

Taking the longer view (cross-posted from the end of today's chatter) as we end August:

September Schedule Comparsion

<u>Mets</u>

at Milwaukee (3)
v. Philly (3)
v. Washington (2)
v. Atlanta (3)
at Washington (4)
at Atlanta (3)
v. Chicago (4)
v. Florida (3)

15 home, 10 road

<u>Phillies</u>

at Washington (3)
at New York (3)
v. Florida (3)
v. Milwaukee (4)
at Atlanta (3)
at Florida (3)
v. Atlanta (3)
v. Washington (3)

13 home, 12 road

Slight edge, Mets. Two more home games. The head-to-head series is at Shea. We have that tough four-game set with the Cubs, but there is an excellent chance they will have clinched by then and have a lot less to play for (perhaps nothing at all). The schedule isn't likely to decide it, obviously, but if either team has an edge there, it's the Mets.