I'm looking forward to tonight's game. I think it will be a big test. If they can leave St. Louis having taken 2 out of 3 to a team that should have no problem winning their division, I can start to forgive the crappy, lazy play I've seen over the first 2 weeks. I may have to start believing in that runs-scored vs. run-against stat and take it to mean that the Mets may be better than their record indicates and they may start to get those seemingly elusive breaks and start to play like winners. Obviously, if they continue to look like clowns tonight, they will be perceived as clowns to the national TV audience tonight. I hope all the talk from Maine this week wasn't just lip service. I hope he knows his job is on the line as it should be. I really want this one.