It’s amazing how one 1-11 stretch can ruin an entire 162-game season.  The Mets had a relatively successful west coast road trip, going 6-5.  But following that 12-game stretch after the All-Star break (which included an 0-6 homestand) playing just a few games over .500 won’t cut it anymore.  At the All-Star break, they were a mere 4.5 games out.  Now, they’re 12.5 games behind the first-place Nationals.  They have also fallen 9 games out of a wildcard berth.  Just like that, a large measure of hope has been drained from the 2012 season.  And unless the Mets can get on a nice, long winning streak, the dog days of August are going to be a tougher slog than usual.

No slogs here, just Blogs:

• Rising Apple says Josh Edgin is the lone bright spot in the Mets bullpen (I would add: for now)
• Rich Coutinho wisely recommends that we don’t overanalyze every Matt Harvey start.  He’s a talented pitcher who’s still learning the game.
• Metstradamus shares a similar sentiment (and reports that NASA has located a home run allowed by Steve Trachsel)
• Kerel Cooper talks about the worst contracts in Mets history.
• MMO has a nice interview with prospect Wilmer Flores.
• Mets Minors has the video of Buffalo manager Wally Backman calling out the opposing manager for stealing signs.  Backman was suspended for his outburst.

Mets Today is still blogging away the moments that make up the dog days (or something), so keep checking us out.