NOTE: this post is written by MetsToday sabermetrician and minor league correspondent Matt Himelfarb. Direct your comments below to Matt.

The Orioles have a plethora of trade candidates this summer, including Ty Wiggington. Mets fans have always had a soft spot for David Wright’s predecessor, who has made a nice little career for himself as a utilityman.

There does not appear to be much room for Wiggington in Flushing. The Mets will have four equally capable outfielders when Carlos Beltran returns, Wright and Ike Davis supplanted in the corner infield positions, and Fernando Tatis and Chris Carter on the bench.

He would, however, likely represent an upgrade at second base going forward. For one, Luis Castillo has

Amazin’ Avenue – Eno Sarris breaks down Mike Pelfrey’s season so far. He doesn’t see Pelf as an ace, but more like a strong #2 starter – similar to a younger Derek Lowe. Very solid analysis and well worth a read.

OnTheBlack – Kerel Cooper is concerned with Johan Santana.

Brooklyn Met Fan – Adam thinks the Mets are becoming a Cinderella story.

NY Post – Dan Martin writes about Wally Backman, new manager of the Brooklyn Cyclones.

The Mets Police – Shannon Shark has more Wally Backman video from Playing for Peanuts.

And here is Orioles 2B/3B Ty Wigginton discussing his time with the Mets:

You’ve watched one Orioles game but that doesn’t make you an expert, does it? So we’ve called on an Oriole expert and fellow SweetSpot Blogger Dave McNeill of Weaver’s Tantrum.

The Orioles are in a state of flux, having recently fired their manager and on the lookout for a new skipper. As such we spent some time on that subject before moving on to the players.

My questions are in bold, Dave’s answers are in the blue boxes.

Dave, thanks for sharing your insight with us.

Thanks for having me on your blog. On behalf of Oriole fans, I’d like to welcome you to Baltimore. We assume you are much more sophisticated and polite than the fans of that other New York team.

There’s another team in NY? Anyway, let’s get started …

Mets 5 Orioles 1

Faced with the challenge of playing MLB’s worst team, the Mets rose to the occasion and whipped the Orioles in Baltimore.

After seeing the futile O’s flailing after floaters from the fingertips of R.A. Dickey, it will be a disappointment if the Mets do anything other than sweep this series.

Game Notes

R.A. Dickey’s Disney-scripted reality movie continues, as the knuckster cruised through seven frames, allowing only one run on seven hits and one walk, striking out eight. Aren’t knuckleballers supposed to walk more batters? Dickey was in trouble only once in the contest, and wiggled out of it. He left the game after 109 pitches, but easily could’ve gone longer. In fact, if I were manager, I’d consider sending him out to the hill again on Saturday and possibly also on Sunday.

By the way, is it possible to NOT root for R.A. Dickey?

Speaking of players impossible not to root for, Chris “The Animal” Carter provided the power from the DH spot, cracking a 3-run homer to put the Mets ahead 4-0 in the fourth and essentially put the game away — the Orioles pretty much rolled over and played dead after that blast. It was Carter’s first MLB homer, which seems a long time coming.

David Wright batted in the #3 location of the lineup and responded with a 3-for-4 day, including a double and 2 RBI. Why did it take so long to guarantee him a first-inning at-bat?

Jose Reyes continued his return to form with two hits and a double of his own, while adding in his 16th stolen base of the season. His average is slowly ascending, but I’d like to see him earn a few more free passes as well.

Pedro Feliciano came on to pitch the 8th and nearly gave up a 3-run homer to Matt Wieters that would’ve changed the course of the game considerably. However, the laser beam of a drive veered to the left of the foul pole, and Wieters struck out on the following pitch. That’s the good news. The bad news is that Feliciano continues to look worn out, and threw 21 pitches in his one inning of work. Does that mean he’ll be held out of action on Saturday? Not likely, as long as pedal-to-the-metal Manuel is calling the shots.

The Mets were 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Have to wonder what might’ve occurred if Gary Matthews Jr. or Fernando Tatis filled the DH role in this game. Yes, I know GMJ has been released, I’m just sayin’.

Next Mets Game

The Mets and Orioles do it again at 7:05 PM in Ripkentown. Hisanori Takahashi faces Brian Matusz.