The Mets get a break from a rough three series with a series against Houston (and then San Diego) in a full month of August ball. The Series does have a few story lines for the Mets:
    Will they regain first place?
    Will Santana or Maine become the first pitcher for the Mets this year to get double digit wins?
    How will Pedro perform?
    Is Maine all right?
The Mets will try to find the answers to these questions as they battle against Backe, Oswalt and Wolf. In 5 games against the Mets (3 starts), Backe is 1-2 over 18.1 innings with a 5.40 ERA. In his last 11 games pitched, he is 2-5 with a 5.28 ERA. He is also a worse pitcher at home. Last year, Oswalt went 1-1 in two games against the Mets with a 4.50 ERA. I have never liked Oswalt and I hope we destroy him. In Wolf's first game with the Astros, he lasted 4.1 innings and 3 earned (4 unearned) runs, leading to an early exit. He destroyed the Mets earlier this year over 7 innings allowing one run. He has not pitched in Houston this year, but in his career he has a 4.73 ERA there.
The Phillies have to handle the Cards this weekend so this is the perfect time for the Mets to start picking up steam again. They had momentum, they sputtered a little bit against the Marlins, but now is the time to get back on track and continue to push through the Dog days of summer, to get to the postseason, Lets Go Mets!