Another series, another chance to turn the losing train around. Tonight the Mets host the Athletics for the first time since Reggie Jackson came into Shea and dominated in the 1973 World Series. I hope the Mets can finally string together a cosistent, series long offensive attack, because nothing is worse for a slumping team than an early deficit.

Although the Mets are fortunate enough to miss Danny Haren’s spot in the rotation, the A’s recent history of dominating pitching performances and the Met’s recent offensive woes might spell further disaster from the boys from Queens. Although every Met slugger has shown signs of breaking out of slumps, they aren’t doing it cohesively. Beltran had a great night on Wednesday and Delgado belted a homerun on Tuesday, the Mets have yet to string together the massive hit barrage that will loosen up the dugout.

It has gotten to the point where every night, every analyst calls every game a must win - and tonight is no different. Now that the Amazins have almost completely given up their lead in the National League East, they are going to have to find a way to consistenly win series for the rest of the year- especially with more than one team riding on their coattails. Even if Omar can bring a legitimate ace to the rotation, it won’t happen until  the deadline is fast approaching - especially with Lastings Milledge, perhaps the Mets most tradeable commodity, just beginning to get close to playing shape.

In short, the time is now. The Mets need to work better counts at the plate, and the middle relief needs to find a way to hold a lead. With Lenny Dinardo on the mound, tonight is a great night for Tom Glavine overmatch a weakened Athletics lineup that might itself missing Milton Bradley’s potent bat, if not his attitude.  Glavine really needs to earn number 296 tonight to quell the whispers that he is over the hill, or no amount of Jose Reyes dancing to reggaetone in the dugout with calm the edgy Met faithful.