Mets vs. Giants
Shea Stadium
7:10 p.m.
SNY, WFAN, MLB.TV

They're over .500. Just 2 1/2 games out of first. Do they build from here or have a let down? The Mets need to win four of the next six against a poor Giants team and a resurgent Rockies squad. Don't kid yourself, though, the pitching matchups are tough — and history is not on the Mets' side of late. What kind of pennant race — and if there's going to be much of one, should be a lot clearer by the All-Star break.

Mets vs. Phillies
Citizens Bank Park
7:05 p.m.
SNY, WFAN, MLB.TV

Okay, folks. Pop up some popcorn, put up your feet and get ready to watch a crystal ball telling you what the rest of Mets' 2008 season will probably be like. First off, the Mets have a shot to win three of four — what they sorely needed to do — to close within one game of the Phillies in the loss column. Sure, they're only a .500 team, but it's a big point psychologically. Second, Pedro Martinez is going in a big spot — tonight's start should give some indication of whether he's going to be any help the rest of the way — or if his mechanical funk is likely to persist through the rest of the season. Few pitchers are capable of making adjustments as well as Martinez, but even he seems baffled by having his heater back with no control.

Mets vs. Phillies
Citizens Bank Park
1:35 p.m.
WPIX-TV, WFAN, MLB.TV

Two games. Today. Tomorrow night. To say the fate of the entire season rides on them might not be a stretch. Two losses? A 6 1/2 game deficit. A split? A lost opportunity. Two wins? 2 1/2 games out and the start of a real race.

Mets vs. Phillies
Citizens Bank Park
7:05 p.m
SNY, WFAN, MLB.TV

Well, they lost what should have been the easiest game of the four. Now it gets harder from here. Losing two of three remaining leaves the Mets in a big hole. Losing all three? It could be time to start perusing the TV Guide exhibition football times and dates.

Mets vs. Phillies
Citizens Bank Park
7:05
SNY, WFAN, MLB.TV

Well, for better or worse, this is showdown time. The Mets come in 4 1/2 back and need to win three of four to put a dent in the lead. The Mets' bat appear to be hot — finally — but the pitching has been shaky of late, at times.

Mets vs. Cardinals
Busch Stadium
8:15 p.m.
SNY, WFAN, MLB.TV

Well, on the bright side, the bats are going. Maybe things will go better in Philadelphia.

Mets vs. Cardinals
Busch Stadium
8:15 p.m.
SNY, WFAN, MLB.TV

Pedro goes tonight, which begs the question? Is he done, or is he just shaking off rust and tipping pitches, as some have reported? This could prove to be a big question for the Mets to answer — and have a lot to say on whether this season of mediocrity continues.

Mets vs. Cardinals
Busch Stadium
8:15 p.m.
SNY, WFAN, MLB.TV

Tony Armas Jr. makes the start tonight for the Mets, after lading the PCL in ERA in the first half — and who knows what we'll get from the journeyman starter. Of course, if the defense doesn't tighten up, it may not matter.

Mets vs. Cardinals
Busch Stadium
7:05 p.m.
ESPN, SNY, WFAN, MLB.TV

The next games may well tell the story of the 2008 Mets. Four games in St. Louis, followed by four games in everyone's favorite bandbox. With 81 games to go, the second half is now here.

Mets vs. Yankees
Shea Stadium
1:10 p.m.
WPIX-TV, TBS, WFAN, MLB.TV

A 15-run outburst and then....nothing. Oliver Perez is on the mound — and he's pitched well against the Yankees — but you just never know. But the Mets' bats need to get it going. Maybe the return of Ryan Church helps. Maybe.