I can remember there being some real heat coming out of the trade deadline but despite what they did–and maybe because it it a little–I don’t detect a vibe for tonight’s game.

I suppose that’s mostly because the Padres kicked our asses all over the place in that series and it’s getting to be too often that the Mets just look bad out there. It’s hard to build off a fragile foundation like that.

Will 3 new relief pitchers and Cedric Mullins help? I hope so. I’m bigger on Cedric Mullins than his numbers would indicate. I think we need a better everyday guy than Tyrone Taylor in center. We did the same thing a year ago when we bailed on Harrison Bader. It was a small upgrade that helped the team get a lot better. Plus Taylor is a fine backup and gets that job again.

As our friend Jim reported in the comment section, Mullins will wear No. 28, belonging most recently to Jose Azocar (I think). Mullins was a 31 in Baltimore which is retired here.

New relievers Tyler Rogers will suit up in his customary 71 and Ryan Helsey will wear the same 56 he wore in St. Louis. Rogers I’m familiar with from his unique delivery (and his role on my fantasy team). But I’m not even going to pretend I know anything about Helsley who apparently is good but I wouldn’t know because I try not to pay any attention to the Cardinals.

Fun fact: Justin Garza and Zach Pop were the respective previous wearers of 71 and 56. Garza may as well be a St Louis Cardinal for all I remember about him.