Where$ the Offense

The New York Mets were predicted by many to at least make the World Series, but at this point, it is going to be a struggle to make the playoffs. While the Mets are sitting squarely in second place, they have not looked good doing it, behind the surprise Florida Marlins. The worse part about their play so far, is that the National League East is not a good division at all. The Marlins don't have anybody outstanding in their lineup except Hanley Ramirez, so it should be a matter of time before that team starts falling face first into the ground. But the Mets have also taken four out of six from a fairly weak Philadelphia Phillies team. The sad part is that the Philthies should be the only team contending with the Mets in the East, but after a fifth of the season, it has not turned out that way. It seems that New York's offense has been the biggest concern - next to the starting pitching longevity. Outfielders Moises Alou and Ryan Church, and catcher Brian Schneider have been the only players on this team that have shown any success at the plate - and they have each spent time on the disabled list this year. Catalyst shortstop Jose Reyes has a dismal .260 batting average and .327 on base percentage, which should be much more. David Wright is hovering around .270 and sluggers Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado look like they should be playing in Brooklyn with batting averages stuck around .240. If these players, who the Mets have paid most of their payroll on, don't start hitting and resurrecting this team and helping out their pitchers, it is going to be a long season.