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Pedro, Mets hit low point

Entering the playoffs with the best record in the Major League, the New York Mets starting rotation is still up in the air. Who`s at the center of the mess? Ace pitcher Pedro Martinez. Manager Willie Randolph had hoped to use Martinez in Game 1 of the first round playoff series, but his performance as of late might change the picture.

The Mets are 28-26 in the 54 games Pedro Martinez has started for them since signing a contract worth $53 million two years ago. The three-time Cy Young Award winner is only 11-12 this season, and 0-4 with a 16.97 ERA in his last four starts. In addition to his on-field performance, the 34 year-old Martinez had endured all sorts of injuries this year, starting with a sore toe in the spring, moving to his hip, and now a strained right calf.

Martinez said he is "obviously not 100 percent." Teammate Chipper Jones concurs: "It`s a little bit different Pedro," he said. "He used to overpower you in the past. Now he uses his savvy and his guile to go out there and get you out. And when pitchers who have to rely on off-speed stuff are not quite spot on, they get hit pretty hard." So do the teams they play for.