The Mets  have called, not one, but two press conferences this week.

On Wednesday, they will introduce Francisco Rodriguez to the media at the team’s holiday party which will take place at the Citi Building in Long Island City. “Santa” Mike Pelfrey, John Maine and Jerry Manuel will also be there.

Then on Thursday at Citi Field, Joseph Jason Putz will have his introductory press conference.

So it will be a full week for the Mets. And we will have live reports.

Also PBC returns on Thursday at 9 p.m to recap the week.

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The Mets announced today the top ten moments at Shea Stadium:

1. Game Six of the 1986 World Series highlighted by the Bill Buckner team.
2. Mike Mike Piazza’s dramatic two-run home run in the eighth inning, Sept. 21, 2001, to beat the Braves in New York City’s first sporting event after the 9-11 attacks on America.
3. The Mets beat the heavily-favored Baltimore Orioles, 5-3, in Game Five of the 1969 World Series.
4. Endy Chavez’ Game Seven 2006 NLCS catch.
5. The Mets 7 1986 World Series victory.
6. Robin Ventura’s “Grand Slam Single” in Game Five of the 1999 NLCS.
7. The Beatles play Shea, Aug. 15, 1965.
8. The Mets, on June 30, 2000, scored 10 runs in the eighth inning vs. Atlanta.
9. Tom Seaver’s one-hitter against Chicago.
10. Todd Pratt’s walk-off home run in Game Four of the NLDS vs. Arizona.

Let’s talk about them during the game, if there is a game. For the second straight season the Mets’ last hurdle to October are the Florida Marlins.

“We have three games left and it’s going to be hard,” said Carlos Beltran, who is hitting .315 (17-for-54) with three home runs and 12 RBIs against Florida this season.

The Mets are 9-6 against the Marlins this season, including 4-2 at Shea. None of that success is by Mike Pelfrey, who is 0-3 with a 7.91 ERA in four starts against the Marlins this season and 1-4 lifetime in seven appearances.

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I like it. Ramon Martinez is back at second base. He’s the best alternative with Damion Easley not 100 percent. Catcher Brian Schneider, who didn’t play last night because of a sore back returns to the lineup.

Here’s the METS lineup vs. Florida:

SS Jose Reyes
LF Daniel Murphy
3B David Wright
1B Carlos Delgado
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
2B Ramon Martinez
C Brian Schneider
RH Mike Pelfrey

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Let’s fast forward for a moment and assume the Mets are in the playoffs. The assumption would have them opening against the Cubs. From what we saw this week, it should be a great series.

However, right now Jerry Manuel has the luxury of using the expanded roster. That won’t be the case next week. He’ll need to pick a pitching staff. I think it will be 12 deep.

Here’s mine:

1. Johan Santana
2. Mike Pelfrey
3. Oliver Perez
4. Pedro Martinez
5. Aaron Heilman
6. Scott Schoeneweis
7. Pedro Feliciano
8. Joe Smith
9. Brian Stokes
10. Luis Ayala
11. Duaner Sanchez
12. Richard Rincon

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Someday, Jon Niese might become a viable major league pitcher. That he started such a critical game last night indicates the seriousness of the Mets’ pitching woes and I’ve drawn these conclusions:

1. John Maine is too valuable for them to screw around with in the bullpen considering his health issues. He’s not going to be the difference. They will not win the World Series this year. Shut him down and have him be ready for spring training.

2. Pedro Martinez has had a Hall of Fame career. But, those days are gone. If he comes back next year, it should be as the fifth starter. They should cut ties with Martinez, but I’m entertaining his return because I anticipate Oliver Perez’s departure and Niese not being ready.

3. It is a sad state of affairs Perez will become richer than beyond his wildest dreams for being mediocre. He’s pitched well this year in parts, but his record screams mediocrity.

4. Of course, the records of Maine, Perez, Johan Santana and even Mike Pelfrey are below what they should be because of a bullpen that blew 29 saves. The pen has to be overhauled.

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The Mets are putting an awful lot of pressure on Mike Pelfrey tonight in DC. He’s been the Mets’ most improved player all year and they are depending on him to turn things around tonight. He’s proven he can throw a strong seven, but the offense has to take over tonight.

And, they have to score a bunch of runs IMO because I have no faith in whomever comes out of the pen after Pelfrey.

Here’s the lineup, and nice to see Argenis Reyes is in it:

SS Jose Reyes
RF Ryan Church
3B Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
LF Fernando Tatis
2B Argenis Reyes
C Brian Schneider
RH Mike Pelfrey

Team meeting today. Yawn. Just shut up and play.

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With the rainout, the game will be made up as single admission doubleheader for tomorrow. Those holding tickets for the canceled game can exchange them for a game during the rest of 2008.

The rotation changes with Johan Santana and Jon Niese going tomorrow. Oliver Perez takes the mound on Sunday, followed by Pedro Martinez and Mike Pelfrey for the first two games in Washington. The Mets have yet to determine who goes on Wednesday, but Santana is scheduled to pitch again on Thursday.

The Mets said the rotation switch took place so there won’t be two TBAs in a row.

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How many times must it be said? The Washington Nationals trail the Mets by 25 1/2 games in the NL East. There’s a reason for that. They aren’t good. The Mets had their hands full last night because Oliver Perez couldn’t put them away.

The Mets can’t count on two homers from Carlos Delgado and ten runs every night. This division will be won by pitching and Mike Pelfrey is the story tonight. Then again, that’s not a bulletin.

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METS

SS Jose Reyes
RF Ryan Church
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
LF Fernando Tatis
2B Damion Easley
C   Brian Schneider
RH Mike Pelfrey

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The Mets will take another performance from Mike Pelfrey like the one he gave them Friday against Philly. Three runs on four hits in seven innings. That’s five straight starts in which he gave up three or fewer earned runs.

Pelfrey is 1-1 with a 0.69 ERA in two starts against the Nationals, giving up just one run and eight hits.

I keep thinking back to last winter when Pelfrey’s name was mentioned in the package for Johan Santana. So glad they resisted. This guy will just get better and better.

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