I thought lightning couldn't strike twice

And this isn't good lightning. The way the Mets are playing, it looks like they'll be fried by weeks end.

I, like every other member of the Shea Faithful, is thinking the exact same thing: Here we go again. And how can we not. Look at this team, look at the situation, and can you honestly tell me this isn't 2007?!?

Sure, there a few different cogs in the machine, but it's still playing the same tune. Everyone brings up Johan Santana as the main difference, that he's not Tom Glavine, he's a true ace, and a winner. I'm not blaming Santana here, but the Mets seem scared of winning games he pitches.

The bullpen has handed away seven possible wins for Santana and the Mets, so unless he plans on pitching complete games everyday from here on out, there is reason to worry and no need to bring him up in the "this is a different team" argument.

The other popular arguing point is that Jerry Manuel is not Willie Randolph. While I love Manuel, there is only so much a manager can do. If the players he puts out on the field can't perform, that's not his fault. He's been playing the hot hand, and it doesn't seem to be working.

If, one day, Manuel plays Fernando Tatis because he had a good game last time out, Tatis will end up going 0-4. If instead, he chooses Nick Evans, Evans will go 1-4, or something sad like that. His moves just don't seem to be working, even if they are the logical choice.

And the bullpen is a whole other story.

Who can he trust out there? Who can he put into the game, in a tight situation? No one. And where does that leave Manuel? Between a rock and a hard place.

Don't look to Manuel to be the savior, because his role is limited. Look to the players, especially the pitchers.

2007, here we go again.