NL East

It really seems that Mets manager Jerry Manuel’s job status goes as their record goes. He was on the chopping block early, but a 9-1 homestand bought him some time. Now that the Mets have gone from 1st place to last he is back on that chopping block.

New York Mets (19-21) at Washington Nationals (20-20)  7:05 p.m.

R.A. Dickey (0-0, -.–) vs Livan Hernandez (4-2, 1.46)

TV : SNY   Radio : WFAN

What to watch : Dickey makes his big league season debut after pitching really well at Buffalo. He was 4-2 with a 2.23 ERA including two complete games and a 1.04 WHIP. You can’t do much better than that.

Hernandez is pitching better than we’ve seen from him in years. He beat the Mets on April 11, throwing seven shutout innings.

After splitting two games in Atlanta, the Mets head to the Nation's Capital to play two with the reeling Nationals. After surprising everyone by getting off to a 20-15 start, the Nationals have lost five in a row to drop to an even 20-20 on the season.

The Mets, on the other hand, couldn't get to 20-20 as they lost last night behind ace Johan Santana. Now they will try and win a couple in D.C. with knuckleballer R.A. Dickey on the mound, taking the spot of the demoted Oliver Perez.

ATLANTA—Looking to build on a strong performance out of Mike Pelfrey on Monday night, the Mets sent their ace Johan Santana to the mound against the Braves.

Santana had one bad inning the entire game, and it was the third. In that frame, he allowed four consecutive hits, including a two-run home run to Troy Glaus after getting the first two outs.

The Mets got a great start from Johan Santana , as usual, going 7 IP and giving up 2 ER on a homer by Troy Glaus in the third inning. Santana seemed to get stronger as the game went on.

By now, most baseball fans have seen the highlights of Hanley Ramirez lollygagging after a ball he literally booted down the left field line in Monday night's game between the Florida Marlins and the Arizona Diamondbacks.

After Ramirez's snail-like retrieval of the baseball, during which he probably could have enjoyed a three-course meal, he was promptly benched by his manager, Fredi Gonzalez.

While last night's spectacle was as egregious as they come, it was only one glaring footnote in a growing trend around Major League Baseball.

OK, first we find out Omar Minaya is in town for the Atlanta series to “support his team.” Now we find out Mets owner Jeff Wilpon has also strolled into town right behind him. NOT a good sign.

Somewhere, Willie Randolph is smiling.

It's always nice to win a game when your team's entire front office comes to visit. You know that when it happens, you're probably going bad. With all the pressure in the world squarely on Jerry Manuel's shoulders, the Mets went out and got a well-earned victory last night.

Now they will try and build upon that win with their ace Johan Santana on the mound in a—in my opinion—must-win game.

Why is a must-win game you ask on the 18th of May?

The Mets won in front of Jeff Wilpon behind a really strong start by Mike Pelfrey . He went 7.2 IP and gave up only 2 ER on 7 hits and 2 walks. His velocity was great, at times throwing his fastball in the high 90s.