Thank goodness for Johan Santana. If New York Mets fans think things are bad now, then imagine where the team would be without Santana. He is worth every penny the Mets are paying him.

His 3.04 ERA is the best of our starters and his 7-5 record would be much better if the millionaires club could start hitting the ball. John Maine is a looking to repeat last season’s performance as the number two pitcher on staff, but after him things get dicey.

Mike Pelfrey and Oliver Perez have been the weak link in the middle and nobody knows what will happen with Pedro Martinez. Unfortunately the poor pitching staff is ducking out games so the bullpen can surrender the lead…if we have it.

Shea Stadium really deserves better than this in its last season. At the beginning of the season I wanted a World Series and thought that was not asking too much. Now, as the Mets approach the All Star game, I only want a respectable second place finish (Ok I’m lying, I still want the World Series).

The Marlins appear on the verge of collapse and the Phillies are sputtering. This could be setting up something big for the team. The simple change in manger and the lack of a constant squabble between the bench and the front office might let the players perform.

Still the long Major League Baseball season could hold few more surprises. The Braves are not that far from us and they have been looking for the same fairy tale ending to Bobby Cox’s long tenure as manager.