Today We Are All Lightning Gods Applesauce

Meet Love the Mets

First, there was Omir Santos.

Then, there was JV1.

And now, DWMVP.

I mean, what else can you say but Love the Mets.

The Mets took 2 of 3 from the Phillies and made Papelbon pull a Papelboner. All is right with the world. It's almost as if maybe Charlie Manuel shouldn't have used Papelbon with a seven run lead last night so he could 'get his work in.'

Not to throw a wet blanket on the partying, you guys, but Tony LaRussa is kind of being a dick. I know, I am as surprised as you are. The All-Star starter is usually an honorific given to the guy having the best first half, unless Tony wants to start Lance Lynn, because he's his guy or something. Dickey politely tells Mr. LaRussa that he is full of shit. He is a gentleman, a scholar, and should be able to add all-star game starter to that resume.

More Dickey news! (You can never have enough). R.A. will be a guest on Letterman next week after the All-Star Game. Screw that, let him guest host the show.

In one of the weirder stories of the year, after being DFA'd by the Mets, Pirates, Indians and Yankees in a matter of weeks, Chris Schwinden finds himself...back with the Mets! Well, this will make my grandmother happy, since she thought the Mets should have given him another chance to start. Schwinden will head back to Buffalo

In more minor league news, rumors of Zack Wheeler's demise were greatly exaggerated. Toby also dips into the mailbag to answer a question about the surging Aderlin Rodriguez. I'm going to catch some Savannah games in Lakewood next weekend, and I'm really excited about watching Aderlin take batting practice. He has more raw power than anybody else in the Mets system, and if he ever figures it out, he's probably the only Mets prospect who could hit 4th in a major league line-up.

At Capital New York, Howard Megdal takes on the more Dickey in the second half rumors. Have to agree, the Mets rotation has been good enough that the risks outweigh the potential reward. Don't mess with the Dickey.

Hardball Talk knows the score.

Finally, Greg Prince writes about love. Once again, Love the Mets.

Around the NL East

The Nats pixie dust just refuses to wear off, as they had a walk-off of their own against the Giants. Going to be tough to run them down in the second half. Tough, not impossible. Over at Fangraphs, AA's own Bill Petti takes a look at Stephen Strasberg's prodigious start.

Mark Buerhle pitched one of his Mark Buerhle specials. Only surprise was the game took 2:48 to finish. That's a pretty slow pace for him.

The Braves beat up on the hapless Cubs, who hopefully will continue to be hapless at Citi Field this weekend.

Around MLB

Yu Darvish and David Freese won the Final Vote to get into the All-Star Game.

Kevin Youkilis continues his hot streak since being traded to the White Sox, as Chicago sweeps the Rangers.

The freaking Pirates are ten games over .500 after their sweep of the Astros. The Pirates?!

The Dodgers have righted the ship some, winning their third straight, and are now 1 1/2 up on the Giants. Poor Giants fans...NOT!

Won't somebody let Jamie Moyer pitch in the major leagues?

Freddy Sanchez, who despite not playing a game this season got 2 million all-star votes, is out for the season now after opting for back surgery.

This never gets old.