New York Mets

Finally, last night, the Mets did something positive. They didn't throw the ball around and pitch poorly; they actually played a winning style of baseball.

What that did against the first-place Braves was cut the Mets' deficit to 6.5 games in the NL East. With one more game to go against them tonight, the Mets would love to win the series and gain another game on them before heading to Philadelphia.

In order to do that, they'll hope Mike Pelfrey can finally deliver a quality outing, which he hasn't since June 25.

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Are the Mets really doomed? Believe it or not, there is a realistic chance the Mets can make the playoffs, even if the Braves series doesn't turn out well. Heck, even if the week as a whole doesn't turn out well. After taking a look at the Mets' schedule, it's not so unrealistic. 

Most of the time when we read about Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez it is about some sort of new record or history in the making.

Last Monday, Rodriguez, 38, wrote another page to his illustrious career as he became the fifth catcher to reach 300 home runs in Major League history with a homer against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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I was watching this team play baseball yesterday in what was a must-win game for the Mets. They knew how big these next six games were going to be. They needed to show in last night's game that they were ready to do anything to win and that they would not go down without a fight. But they didn't do that.

ATLANTA—After a mediocre home stand culminating in an embarrassing loss to the Diamondbacks, the Mets knew they had to get off to a good start on the road.

Facing the two top teams in the NL East, the Mets didn't come to play in their opener against the Braves. They had their ace Johan Santana on the mound, but he was only 2-5 in his career against Atlanta, even with a 2.01 ERA.

What cost the Mets tonight was the entire first inning. In the Mets half, they had an immediate shot to get to Tim Hudson, who has had a great season.

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The New York Mets are about to play the most important six games of their season. Starting tonight, the Mets will play three games against the Atlanta Braves, followed by three games against the Philadelphia Phillies, all of them on the road.

It has been a pretty ugly couple of weeks if you are a Mets fan. Since the All-Star break, the Flushing Faithful have had to sit back as their team dropped nine out of 11 on the road. They've been shut-out four times, lose to the last-place Diamondbacks five out of six times, including a 14-1 loss, and not get a big-name player at the trade deadline. 

MLB: New York Mets, July record of 9-17, overall record of 53-52, third place in NL East, seven games back

Position Player of the Month: Outfielder, Angel Pagan

In a month in which the Mets plummeted down the standings, Angel Pagan was one of the lone bright spots on an otherwise anemic offense. The switch hitter managed to get on base even during the roughest of patches for the Mets and has continued to hit will with runners in scoring position.

We all know this team needs a huge change. A little fix here and a little fix there isn't working. It's either go hard or go home. This "2011" team is a team I think is very possible for the Mets. Again, this is just an opinion.

The payroll would be lower than this year if this can happen. That is with Castillo and Perez gone. If they trade those two, this team can be in great shape.

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As far as yielding excellent first round talent, the MLB Amateur Draft has been inconsistent for the New York Mets. The Mets up and down draft day success could be comparable to a roller coaster.

Great first round picks have come and gone for the New York Mets in between even more mediocre to below average first round selections. But when the Mets have experienced successful first round selections, those players flourished.

Here is a compilation of the best first round draft picks in Mets history.