After a needed off-day today, the Mets have 23 straight games without a rest.  That’s three weeks of baseball without a chance for the team to catch their breath, or for relievers to rest their arms.  Without a doubt, it will put a strain on the team. 

On the bright side, 14 of the games are at home, while the nine road games aren’t far at all - Washington, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.  Also, of the 23 games the Mets have in the next 23 days, only five of those games are against teams that are above .500 - the Florida Marlins who they play at home beginning on Friday and two games against the Phillies to end the trip. 

They begin this long stretch with three games against the Padres (43 - 69), who have the third worst record in baseball and have the second worst offense in baseball.  Perhaps the only factor that is keeping the Padres from having the worst record in baseball is ace Jake Peavy, who is 8-7 with a 2.59 ERA this season.  Luckily for the Mets, they don’t have to face Peavy. 

Following San Diego, comes the most difficult part of the stretch - playing the Marlins (59 - 53).  Given the team’s numbers and records so far this season, it should be a fairly even match up with an edge headed towards the Mets because it’s at Shea.  The Mets are 33-26 at home this season, compared to 26-27 on the road. 

Then, the Mets play Pittsburgh (51 - 60) at home for a game as a make-up game for a contest rained out in April.  They then play Washington (41 - 70) for three games on the road, who not so proudly sport the worst record in baseball. 

The Mets then have a quick flight to Pittsburgh where the Mets have the chance to play four games against the mediocre Pirates. 

Following that, the Mets return home to play three games against their long-time rival, the Atlanta Braves (51 - 60).  The Braves were sellers at the deadline, dealing star 1B Mark Teixeira to the Angels.  The Braves staff ace Tim Hudson also has heard the worst news a pitcher can here: Tommy John Surgery.  Hudson is visiting the always dreaded Dr. James Andrews to have the procedure done and will be out for at least a year of rehabilitation.  Despite the rivalry, this is a weak Braves team of which the Mets can take advantage. 

Nearing the end, the Mets have a four game series against the Astros (53 -57) at home.  The Astros are a below average team, and the Mets should come out with a chip on their shoulder following an embarrassing sweep this past weekend.  

Finally, the Mets play two games against the division leading Phillies (61 - 50), before a much needed day of rest. 

All in all, the mets have a long but extremely easy stretch coming up.  18 of the 23 games are against sub .500 teams.  This is an opportunity for the Mets to avenge some bad losses (yes, I’m talking about Houston), and to at least catch up to the Phillies if not pass them.  Too many times the Mets let lousy teams beat them, and if the Mets seriously want to contend they are going to have to learn how to take advantage of easy patches in the schedule when they can.