Ups 'n Downs

After a lousy start, and even with a bullpen full of arsonists, the Mets have done a remarkable job of shaking off The Carryover Effect after going down in flames last season. However, it won't be so easy for the New England Patriots. Last year they were an extraordinarily talented veteran team (with a good spy system) that put together the greatest NFL regular season ever, but because of the history they were expected to make in the Super Bowl their shocking loss was a lot further to fall. Even if the Patriots had accomplished the 19-0 standard, there's no way they were going to play on that level again this year, with or without Tom Brady. But now, with their Super Failure in tow, it's going be a rough season. The Carryover Effect [See will be blotting out the autumn colors in New England this fall.

Speaking of the Mets: You think their bullpen has been bad this year? The Cardinals make the Mets' relief corps look like Hall of Famers. To wit: Through Friday, St. Loo had 30 (THIRTY!!) blown saves and 30(THIRTY?!!) bullpen losses, both worst in the National League. They've lost 12 games on walkoff hits, 21 losses have come in the opponent's last at-bat, and 14 losses came after they led through seven innings (It makes it almost surprising that Tony LaRussa hasn't been nailed for drunk driving again). In spite of the rocky terrain, St. Louis stayed in the race, thanks to Albert Pujols and Ryan "From Completely Out of Nowhere" Ludwick. But the bullpen woes have finally caught up with the Cardinals and the wheels have flown off their season.

The Cardinals' Jason Isringhausen and Mets closer Billy Wagner are scheduled for major surgeries that could spell the end of their careers. No doubt these events are already jacking up the price of future free agent Francisco Rodriguez, especially if he winds up with 60 saves.