On the Mets beat

How Pedro Martinez pitched Wednesday night – and perhaps more importantly, how he feels on Thursday – can have a ripple effect on the entire starting rotation for the playoffs.

In a best-case scenario, Martinez pronounces himself fit, Willie Randolph agrees and Pedro starts Game 1 on either Tuesday or Wednesday at Shea. That allows Tom Glavine to prepare for Game 2 and Orlando Hernandez for Game 3.

But after allowing seven runs in less than three innings, it's looking more like a worst-case scenario for Martinez, who admitted afterwards, "I'm not confident" and basically said Randolph would be making a mistake by starting him in Game 1.

So get ready Mr. Glavine and Mr. Hernandez. Looks like you'll be the Game 1 and Game 2 starters. They'll have to re-arrange their routines. Not ideal but necessary.

"I've talked to them and told them to stay loose and stay flexible," Randolph said before Wednesday's game. "The main thing for them is to get their work in and be ready."

That goes for Steve Trachsel and John Maine, too, because Martinez sounded like he might not be ready for the Division Series at all.

The on-going health issues of Martinez and the Yankees' Randy Johnson (back) adds yet another riveting back story to the playoff plights of New York's finest baseball teams.

As if we need one!